PC Case for storage array... needed...

[DrMekon]

My requirments are quite simple, yet I am struggling to find a single case that suits my needs...

I need 4 external drive bays, for the insertion of a dvd drive, and a 4 drive hotswap drive caddy... I dont want or need any 3.5 bays/floppy drives whatsoever.

I would like it to be micro atx primarily, but as Im struggling to find a micro-atx only case that has more than 2 visible bays, a standard atx will do! But definatley less than 40cm high.

It seems to be the combination of 4 drive bays and 30-40cm tall that I am having the problem with... I really dont need any more bays than that!!

12cm rear cooling option.

My aim is to build a dedicated storage array/nas/web/print/gateway linux server, so I need it be small enough so I can hide it somewhere, yet house athe drive bays I require...

Most cases I have seen have needless floppy drive bays, or not enough visible bays.. or are simply too tall...

Im sure I will have to give a little on something!!

ANyone got any ideas/suggestions... as I cant seem to find the perfect solution, which probably doesnt even exist!!...

Thanks

 

[DrMekon]

I have found a couple which would do, im just trying to see if there is anything ideal... My main rig is a stacker810, with 12 drive bays allthe way up the front, now something half the size of that would be ideal!!

I really dont need 3.5's, I dont see why every case has to have them, it is easy to convert a 5.25 bay to take one, but not the other way around!! In fact, like with the stacker, drive bays allup the front, you can have it however you want it!!!

Just wish they did a mini version...

Thanks for you help

 

[DrMekon]

The PC-V600 ATX Mid-Tower Case is one I hadnt seen before.. hmmm, certainly ticks a few boxes, think that one belongs on my shortllist!! Thanks for that!!!

The only downside is the cost... my aim for this project was inspired by the need for a nas, and after looking into them, found a few that offered many other functions...i.e., web/print/file/media/ftp etc... and they were about £150ish.. I thnen found out that transfer sppeds on these devices, even with gigabit, was a mere 12MBps.. which was, lets just say shocking!!!

After a bit more research, and the fact I had spare pc bits, I was advised to go down the root of building one, and using linux.. hmmm.. not tired that before, and then I found linux distro which answered all my needs

http://www.clarkconnect.com/

And so, the search for suitable case began... I was also inspired by this

http://www.mashie.org/casemods/udat1.html

I was hoping to bring in the project at around the same price as the NAS devices, as I currently have an Asus !7n8X Deluxe board, XPM2600>3200, and a gig of ram, collecting dust...

I did consider m-atx, but would then need new board, chip etc.. then the price went up, however, the board I have lacks a few essentials for the nas, it only has 2 sata, and I would rather keep my 9800pro for another project than waste it in a nas... so I may just go m-atx afterall with onboard everything, which would keep running costs to a min also.

I could probably also settle for an external dvdrw as it would only initially be needed to set the box up, and then to make backups.. so this would save a drive bay.. and you can get 4 drives in a 3 bay rack...

I stilll cannot decide!!!

 

[DrMekon]

Its easy to add a SATA board even a external SATA port or two. External SATA ports are as quick as in internal one.

Yeah I know.. I was probably going to go down the raid route (pci card) at some point... so the 2 I have should keep me going until I build the array up over time...

Thanks very much for allyour help.... the Lian-Li PC-G50 looka ideal!!!