Fractal Design - 7XL for 12 disk server?

Gimpymoo · 17 Jul 2023 at 16:49

My Truenas server needs a new home.

Anything better than the 7XL?

Currently have 12 HDD's in my R5 (I think is an R5) and I want to had more disks.

Thanks.

Gimpymoo · 19 Jul 2023 at 10:30

ZXSpectrum said:
Actually just noticed you are in Nottingham so if you wanted to nip down to Derby and pick them up that would be fine. I work close to Sainsburys on pride park just off the A52 coming into derby.

Presently have an R4 for my main rig and an R5 for the file server, I love their cases.

Modular PSU definitely helps with cabling but still awkward.

I had hoped some of the R4/R5 trays would fit in the 7XL but unfortunately not.

If I may ask, how come the abundant supply of sleds

I live off the Bardills roundabout (not literally), five minutes away so that could not be better.

That has probably made my decision easier, could probably sell the R5 for a couple of quid too.

Gimpymoo · 19 Jul 2023 at 10:49

delete

Gimpymoo · 19 Jul 2023 at 10:52

ZXSpectrum said:
Yeah thats not far from me at all straight down the A52 i actually came that way a couple of weeks ago when we went to pick up an AC unit from Screwfix in Long Eaton.

I have an abundance of these sleds/trays because i build a lot of systems at work in these cases and the spares just go in the metal recycling so i have saved some along with some screws and rubber grommits for you.

You are a saint, very grateful

Any of the 120mm fan mount brackets been recycled too :eek:

Will let you know when I have the case. Cheers though, very grateful.

Gimpymoo · 19 Jul 2023 at 11:16

ZXSpectrum said:
They don't come with any removeable fan mount brackets. The areas at the front, top and back are all 120/140mm. The top panel does come off to fit the fans but its 120 or 140mm. If i have missed anything in the, probably 200+ systems i have built into this case, then please direct me to them in the manual..

No, you are right, they do not "come with"

$www.fractal-design.com$

Universal Multibracket - Type A (2-pack)

Convert a standard 120 mm fan slot to an HDD, SSD or pump mount to increase your case’s hardware capacity and expand your installation options.

$www.fractal-design.com$ www.fractal-design.com

Allow you to do this though...

A lot of Linux distros nowadays, gotta catch em all.

Gimpymoo · 19 Jul 2023 at 12:34

ZXSpectrum said:
Ah the multibracket. I thought you meant a mount to convert from a 140mm fan to a 120mm fan rather than a 120mm fan to add a HDD/SSD. Unfortunately the chassis only come with 2 and i ship them with the systems. You will have to remove the 2 that is supplied with the case to fit all the trays, I will see if we have any spare but i dont believe we do. I am not even sure if you can buy them as a spare part.

From your experience, are they as pleasant to work on as the other Fractal cases, I always love doing a build with them, almost no compromises, love it.

Gimpymoo · 19 Jul 2023 at 13:37

ZXSpectrum said:
Yes its definitely a good case to build in. They do have some limitations which come into play for the systems i build which are some top end dual Epyc with 1-2Tb of memory and 4xGPUs but mainly Threadripper pro with Asus WRX80 motherboard. They are a huge heavy case and when fully populated can be a nightmare to lug about but they are very well build and serve our purposes. I would definitely recommend getting some Noctua fans though as the standard ones that come with are not great in terms of airflow for such a big case. Fractal do a PWM version of the 140mm fan that has much higher airflow but a little louder. The Arctic P14 PWM are also a good fan at a good price and i think they do a 5 pack as well.

I have some Noctua 140's in my R5 I will be bringing over. Thing is, for a living room based "server", they are reasonably quiet all things considered but a bit of a furnace if not cooled appropriately.

Have you ever put castors on the case?