Large Case Needed!

scott.holmes

scott.holmes

scott.holmes

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Joined
24 Mar 2004
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Blackpool, England
Hi All

Im thinking about Merging two computers into one, and using it as a storage comptuer. Currently i have 2 computers with 9 HDDs between them, so id need a case with at least 8 3.5" bays in there.

Ive been looking around and most seem to have more 5.25" than 3.5"! Which is very frustrating. I know i could get kits and put the HDDs in the Optical Bays but id rather try and get one that has more 3.5" bays if possible.

Does anyone know of a case with shed loads of 3.5" storage possibilities?
 
CoolerMaster Stacker STC-T01 - Silver Trim (No PSU) (CA-054-CM)
One of the best home server cases around, can be wisper quiet with a bit of effort and has enough space for 12 HDD's.
All for £100 :D

Lian-Li PC V2100 Silver Aluminium Full-Tower (No PSU) (CA-032-LL)
Well what can be said about this case, it’s gorgeous and it’s a Lain-Li , more to the point 12 internal 3 ½ drive bays and 7 x ¼ means it’s a born server case.

£200 Not cheep but it’s a Lian-Li!

There are a few true home-server cases that I’ve worked with but sadly OCUK don’t stock them so if you want some info I’ll link you to the manufacturer’s site :)

But as for a recommendation the CM Stacker is the best space/noise/size case I’ve worked with in a long time and with a little bit of money spent on padding material to blot out the fan and seek noise its bedroom friendly too.
 
Lian-Li 2000/2100 range.
Server cases also (ie Supermicro) Although I would probably fit hot-swop or just in 5.25" cages (ie Coolermaster 4 in 1 module) in a standard large case, Stacker, Thermeltake Armour etc. Here's pic with my stacker with 3 x modules, probably fit three HD's with enough space for good airflow. Probably can fit 4 but too squashed.

http://www.coolermaster.com/more_images/0d661ce42e6403584965259ac814012f.jpg

Here's my pic, with two modules, two drives in one, third on it's own.

http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f184/badbobsausage/?action=view&current=pc2.jpg
 
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Sparky__H said:
CoolerMaster Stacker STC-T01 - Silver Trim (No PSU) (CA-054-CM)
One of the best home server cases around, can be wisper quiet with a bit of effort and has enough space for 12 HDD's.
All for £100 :D

Lian-Li PC V2100 Silver Aluminium Full-Tower (No PSU) (CA-032-LL)
Well what can be said about this case, it’s gorgeous and it’s a Lain-Li , more to the point 12 internal 3 ½ drive bays and 7 x ¼ means it’s a born server case.

£200 Not cheep but it’s a Lian-Li!

There are a few true home-server cases that I’ve worked with but sadly OCUK don’t stock them so if you want some info I’ll link you to the manufacturer’s site :)

But as for a recommendation the CM Stacker is the best space/noise/size case I’ve worked with in a long time and with a little bit of money spent on padding material to blot out the fan and seek noise its bedroom friendly too.
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks for all the info. The Lian Li is out of the question, i dont think ive ever spent £200 on a Comptuer component! Do like the look of the Staker tho, £100 is what i was hoping to spend...

I did also think of SuperMicro too, squiffy. Will have to have a google around for them. The looks of the case are too important either as it will be stuck in a cupboard or loft somewhere... IIRC the supermicro ones dont look the best!

The staker tho, looks nice.... choices choices!
 
A second hand Chieftec Scorpio/Dragon Full Tower!

How could they have not been mentioned yet!

Exactly what your after, and could be had for about £70 including PnP (thats about £60 :p)
 
http://www.coolermaster-europe.com/..._serial=STC-T01&other_title=STC-T01CM Stacker

Looking at that its full of 5.25".... i didnt want to get enclosures for them...? Or am i missing something here. Is this not the same case squiffy pictured?


Can you still get those yewen? I had one years ago, weighed a ton if i remember correctly!

Edit: Just read a rewiew, and it told me you add "Modules" in. Nice one :) I should read before i ask! lol
 
The SuperMicro cases are purpose built server cases; their big, their clunky and they do the job they were designed for.

Points agenised them are their ugly as hell, heavy as an American and not quiet at all, they are not bedroom friendly cases because they were never designed to be.

I take it I’m right in assuming that this is a “bedroom” system in that its going to live in a room frequently occupied by persons?
 
Yes, you can add or remove them. However to fit a HD into a module that's already in the case you need to remove the module, and to do so need to remove the front covers (and of course disconnect power and data cables to the hard drives.. Bit of a pain for swoppable drives, but ok if they're permenent. The fan is silent, but I would remove the front guard and trim away the metal behind the fan. Because you've removed the guard the expanding bolts don't work, so just insert a washer that's the same depth as guard mount holes and the expanding bolts will hold it in place (I replace with screws+bolts for one, then fitted some silicon tubing as the spacer in the other)

The top 5.25" for some reason cannot fit optical drive (something gets caught) but the front panel could stay there (I have it at the bottom) so you have a total of 11 usable. The module takes up three slots, so that's roughly 9 drives in those. You have two spare, possible for two optical drives, or one optical, one hotswappable HD. I would fit a card reader externally to save a slot if you need one.
 
Sparky__H said:
The SuperMicro cases are purpose built server cases; their big, their clunky and they do the job they were designed for.

Points agenised them are their ugly as hell, heavy as an American and not quiet at all, they are not bedroom friendly cases because they were never designed to be.

I take it I’m right in assuming that this is a “bedroom” system in that its going to live in a room frequently occupied by persons?
Click to expand...

It wont be in a bedroom where people are, so looks/noise dont matter *too* much. It will either be in an office or stuck in the loft if i can get it up there! lol
 
squiffy said:
Yes, you can add or remove them. However to fit a HD into a module that's already in the case you need to remove the module, and to do so need to remove the front covers (and of course disconnect power and data cables to the hard drives.. Bit of a pain for swoppable drives, but ok if they're permenent. The fan is silent, but I would remove the front guard and trim away the metal behind the fan.

The top 5.25" for some reason cannot fit optical drive (something gets caught) but the front panel could stay there (I have it at the bottom) so you have a total of 11 usable. The module takes up three slots, so that's roughly 9 drives in those. You have two spare, possible for two optical drives, or one optical, one hotswappable HD. I would fit a card reader externally to save a slot if you need one.
Click to expand...

Sounds perfect... Do you get the modules with it, or do you have to buy them all seperatly?
 
scott.holmes said:
It wont be in a bedroom where people are, so looks/noise dont matter *too* much. It will either be in an office or stuck in the loft if i can get it up there! lol
Click to expand...


Ahh hell to it then:
Chieftec BA-01BBB Bravo Series BigTower Black - £60

It’s basically a bigger version of their BX series and as Yewen said their perfect server cases.

I use one as a server :)

http://www.chieftec.com/products/Workcolor/BA-01.htm

Ugly cases but guaranteed to survive a nuclear winter!
 
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You get one module with the case. OC have them for about £13, not bad since it comes with a fan. They've good enough for HD airflow. You could replace them with a Crossflow delta...might do a Alien 3 hit the fan impression though :p

There are two versions of the Stacker, the version with PSU that can fit on the top or bottom with the crossflow fan, or mine with PSU at the bottom but with a second 12cm on exhaust fan. I guess there's so much space where on top of the motherboard you can rig another module up with zip ties or something. I doubt you'll need the crossflow, with three drive modules plenty of airflow (and option to them with higher CFM later)

The stacker also has a 8cm top exhaust included, the side window can mount a 8cm fan, I've bought the 8cm to 12cm adaptor and fitted a 12cm fan there, where the blue square is located.

Oh you can get the Stacker in various colours- black/silver with colour trims (blue, black, silver)
 
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Yewen said:
Mine survived falling down the stairs :)

Cheap, built like tanks, and deffinately perfect for server systems.
Click to expand...

A testing method that all cases should be forced to endure!

Mines survived numerous drops, knocks and kicks (don’t ask) it doubles as a bed for the cat when she can’t get any lap love.
 
Ooo, well its between the stacker and the Bomb Proof Chieftec then :) I did find this:

http://www.aerocool.com.tw/p-case/baydream/baydream.htm

Hope that links ok, its only a Manufacturer site!!

Quite cheap, but i would have to eitehr buy more 3.5/5.25 adpater kits, or get enclosures which adds to the cost.

If i was to get a Stacker, id need two extra modules would take it to near £140... bit to pricy for what i was looking at :( Really nice looking case tho, and tons of room inside!

That Chieftec is HUGE, that would be perfect tho, side mounted HDDs tho.. the wiring problems that could come from that would be annoying, i have a Mix of IDe and Sata HDDs... Do you find any problems fitting he wires in
 
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Don't buy a aerocool, for the love of captains birds eye fish fingers don't do it :p

Side mounting isnt a issue, I have not used that new style chieffy, but usually in thoose cases you mount SATA at the top of the pile, and IDE at the bottom.

Usually works fine :)
 
Aerocool that bad? If so i will steer clear :)

Could be the Chieftec then, its the cheapest for what i need and doesnt need to be a supermodel as i wont be looking at it much!

Need to see if i can find somewhere that sells em now...

Thanks for all your help people, which i could stretch to a Stacker tho, they do look nice!!

Scott
 
Coolermaster are having quality control issues at the moment, the Stacker 830 is a no no, the older model is still OK, I think.

Just seems to be everyone who has got one is having issues, and there are a few.
 
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