HTPC case with 2 optical drive bays

robcat101 · 12 Sep 2007 at 16:31

I'm planning to put together a HTPC and am looking for a case/barebones system that can accomodate 2 optical drives.

I'd like something that looks quite neat since it will be going in my living room.

The only one I have found so far is the Antec NSK 2480 - are there any other alternatives?

Am I correct in saying that all the shuttle XPC-style systems only habe one drive bay?

Thanks

misterPK · 12 Sep 2007 at 16:50

I presume you're mostly going to be using just the one drive, so why not get a second in an external one that can be hidden out of the way somewhere when not in use?

PK!

robcat101 · 12 Sep 2007 at 16:56

I want to hedge my bets wrt the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD fiasco which is currently ensuing.

I'm assuming in the long run drives for both are going to be pretty cheap so I may want to have both installed permanently.

Biffa · 12 Sep 2007 at 17:16

You will have to go mATX, none of the Shuttles except the mini tower SS21T have 2 x 5.25" drive bays.

The following mATX cases have 2 optical drive bays for example
Sugo SG01
Sugo SG02
Lian-Li PC-V300
Thermaltake VF1000 Lanboxes

robcat101 · 12 Sep 2007 at 17:24

The Sugo's look quite presentable for a living room.

I also found the Silverstone lascala LC17 whilst checking up on the Sugo's.

Thanks

Sareth · 12 Sep 2007 at 18:12

robcat101 said:
I want to hedge my bets wrt the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD fiasco which is currently ensuing.

I'm assuming in the long run drives for both are going to be pretty cheap so I may want to have both installed permanently.

If thats your battle plan then you may want to take into account that there is a combo drive already.

Tosk · 12 Sep 2007 at 18:49

here is a list of cases you could go for

SilverStone 'SUGO' Evolution SG01B
SilverStone 'SUGO' Evolution SG01S
Silverstone Sugo SG02B
Silverstone Sugo SG02W
Silverstone Grandia GD01B-MXR
SilverStone LC01B
SilverStone LC03B
SilverStone LC13B
SilverStone LC14B
SilverStone LC14S
Silverstone LC17B-C
Silverstone LC17S-C
SilverStone LC17S
Silverstone LC17B
Silverstone LC20B
SilverStone LC20S
Silverstone SST-GD01B-R
Silverstone SST-GD01S-R
SilverStone SST-LC17B

all the cases listed have. 2 x 5.25" External Drive Bays

robcat101 · 12 Sep 2007 at 20:48

Sareth said:
If thats your battle plan then you may want to take into account that there is a combo drive already.

Funnily enough that occurred to me just after I posted it! I guess the price of a combo unit will have to weigh in at under the cost of two separates.

It may be slightly more expensive intially, but is the best way of future proofing.

Pulse · 14 Sep 2007 at 00:41

the XPC SSxxT series have space for 2 cd/dvd drives but im not sure what socket you are after.

SS21T (AM2)
SS31T (775 P4/Celeron)

other then that some Asus barebones come with space for 2.

V2-P5G965 (775, P4 - Prescott,Smithfield,Cedarmill,Presler,Conroe, Kentsfield) (1066FSB)
V2-M2V890 (AM2)
V3-M2V890 (AM2)
V3-P5945G (775, P4 - Prescott,Smithfield,Cedarmill,Presler,Conroe) (1066FSB)
V3-P5G965 (775, P4 - Prescott,Smithfield,Cedarmill,Presler,Conroe) (1066FSB)

hope this helps

robcat101 · 14 Sep 2007 at 09:56

Thanks for the info.

I think I'm going to go for one of the Silverstone cases.

Supercow · 14 Sep 2007 at 14:49

Silverstone do nice HTPC cases.
Wouldn't recommend getting a SFF pc for HTPC purposes, you will me limiting yourself unnecessarily and end up spending more money that intended