Server /Homelab build - Tower case suggestions

[oweneades]

Hi all,

In the middle of configuring a Homelab / Server build based around a Eypc platform and need a decent case that has the following features:

- Space for two dual slots GPU's (will be using ARC cards initially as that is what I have on hand, if they don't work then two AMD/Nvidia cards of equivilant size - think Nvidia RTX2xxx FE sizing as a reference).
- In addition to the above space for a full length Asus PCI-e x16 M2 riser card (shouldn't be an issue but want to be complete)
- Space for at least 4 SATA SSD and two 3.5" HD
- Decent cooling so I retain quiet fan profiles. Tower will reside in our office / spare bedroom so can't too overly loud.
- Not worried by Radiator space as will be using air cooling most likely.
- Not overly large - Will reside on the floor (on a board) as I have no room on my desk.
- Cost wise the lower the better but willing to pay extra for something decent.
- No RGB (!!)

From looking online it seems that space for drives (be that physical room or mounting) is the biggest "issue" with most mid tower cases only having provisioning for around 3 drives total.

I can see that the larger full tower cases from Fractal and NZXT seem to offer what I would be after but only have experience with a Define R2 way back when and my current H510 Flow. The Define 7XL looks like it ticks almost all the boxes barring the size aspect, could the non XL work for my use case? Maybe even the Pop XL as its much cheaper.

Thanks

 

[nightwish]

A Fractal case would probably be where I'd go if buying new. However, you might like to consider older/second-hand cases. Cases used to come with more hard drive slots than they do now. I'm still rocking an Akasa Eclipse 62 for my main PC case. Have considered upgrading to a Fractal case many times, but it has everything I need at the end of the day.

Best of all it has space for hot-swap bays in the 5 1/4 bays (something else modern cases lack) at the front. Ideal for a homelab / server.

 

[bimbleuk]

Silverstone were coming out with a ew tower server case (Alta D1) and I've used Antec cases a lot but they don't seem to do the full towers like they used to do. P101 a mid-tower though lots of drive bays.