I like the idea of the Compute Modules, many computer system designers can now create compact custom formfactor and custom I/O. However, every time the last decade I did search for components and implementation solution, I always found something of-the-shelf.
Storage is nothing special, there are many solutions since decades. Intel has various chipsets with 6x SATA build-in and now that PCI-E is everywhere, many computers have M.2 slots where you plug-in NVMe-SSD or some SATA interface board. The Radxa Penta HAT is nice because it is called 'HAT' which seems to be a magic word and pictures of 4x SATA SSD plugged-in are everywhere. But it is essentially only an I/O adapter chip that is PCI-E connected and a power design (for the SSDs and/or including the Pi). If you can do or have your own power design, maybe you can browse this: search.php?keywords=asm1166
It is 6x SATA and costs 15 euros, I tested it in 2 SBCs, but I need only 1 SATA HDD, so found an even more optimal solution (on SoC SATA).
You can also use USB connected things of course, but then why even consider CM5.
If your biggest issue is how the case should look like, I cannot really help you. I use vendor provided cases mostly, so only passive cooling and threat internal SATA cable like eSATA (and HDD in rubber enclosure so no nasty vibration noises). And own simple 12V based power solution.
If you want highest speed, pick some board/SoC with multiple PCI-E lanes available for end-user. Below is with also old secondhand 256GB Samsung NVMe that costed me 10 euros:
Storage is nothing special, there are many solutions since decades. Intel has various chipsets with 6x SATA build-in and now that PCI-E is everywhere, many computers have M.2 slots where you plug-in NVMe-SSD or some SATA interface board. The Radxa Penta HAT is nice because it is called 'HAT' which seems to be a magic word and pictures of 4x SATA SSD plugged-in are everywhere. But it is essentially only an I/O adapter chip that is PCI-E connected and a power design (for the SSDs and/or including the Pi). If you can do or have your own power design, maybe you can browse this: search.php?keywords=asm1166
It is 6x SATA and costs 15 euros, I tested it in 2 SBCs, but I need only 1 SATA HDD, so found an even more optimal solution (on SoC SATA).
You can also use USB connected things of course, but then why even consider CM5.
If your biggest issue is how the case should look like, I cannot really help you. I use vendor provided cases mostly, so only passive cooling and threat internal SATA cable like eSATA (and HDD in rubber enclosure so no nasty vibration noises). And own simple 12V based power solution.
If you want highest speed, pick some board/SoC with multiple PCI-E lanes available for end-user. Below is with also old secondhand 256GB Samsung NVMe that costed me 10 euros:
Code:
rock5b:~ # uname -aLinux rock5b 6.15.0-1-default #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Mon Jun 2 07:13:45 UTC 2025 (17ba886) aarch64 aarch64 aarch64 GNU/Linuxrock5b:~ # hdparm -t --direct /dev/nvme0n1/dev/nvme0n1: Timing O_DIRECT disk reads: 3720 MB in 3.00 seconds = 1239.81 MB/secrock5b:~ # hdparm -T --direct /dev/nvme0n1/dev/nvme0n1: Timing O_DIRECT cached reads: 5646 MB in 2.00 seconds = 2825.62 MB/secrock5b:~ # hdparm -T /dev/nvme0n1/dev/nvme0n1: Timing cached reads: 11388 MB in 2.00 seconds = 5703.46 MB/sec Statistics: Posted by redvli — Sun Jun 08, 2025 9:25 am