I usually prefer reliability, endurance (especially in case of data storage),
good performance and silence when looking for components. All this
combined with a low profile on looks gets me hooked to parts.
I value silence very high but regarding my efforts in the past to
attain such a system and the results I got while only buying low noise
hardware left me somewhat sobered ;-) I tried to take parts this time
which should perform reasonably well while not calling for too much
attention so to speak. Regarding my preferences this leads sometimes
to slightly overpriced hardware if compared to sheer performance and
functionality or best cost-performance ratio. If the result is lasting
and enduring use of the product I am willing to pay the price which
comes with this. If these parts proof they last and perform as
intended is still to see. It could be that regarding my preferences
this system fails miserably but at some point I wanted the system
going and had to cut down on choices ;-)