Which case for Raptor X?

[Sobtanian]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster

I need some help regarding case choice. First of all, some specs

Abit AB9 Pro mobo
intel e6700 core2duo
4x1gig ddr800 corsair (paired)
sound blaster x-fi fatal1ty
XFX 8800gtx
3.5" floppy + card reader
Pioneer 111D dvd-r
Plextor 750a dvd-r
Raptor 37gb
2xRaptor 74gb (RAID 0)
WD Caviar 500gb
antec trupower 500
Sound card + mobo both have a 5.25" slot thingie that I would like to keep

I use the small 37g raptor as c:\, and that only has windows + some program files on it, the raid is for game installations only.
Since getting vista, the 37g is struggling for space, so I want to upgrade it. I recently got a 150gig Raptor X, and I was going to get the Armor Jr for it, seeing that it can display the clear side of the Raptor X

But, the more I read about the matter, I think that if you install the raptor sideways (ie with clear side showing through window), you actually block the use of the 4 3.5" bays! That sucks cos I need them for the other drives.

What I'm looking for ideally is a case that can:
1\ Display the Raptor X's interior
2\ has 4 external 5.25" bays (2 dvd drives, s blaster, mobo)
3\ has at least 3 internal 3.5" bays (other than the raptor x) for the other drives.
4\ has one external 3.5" bay for the floppy (yes, I want to keep it )

I initially thought I would get the Jr, ditch the mobo's front panel, and install the 2 dvds, the s/blaster's panel, mount 2 hard drives in 5.25 bays, and one in the power/reset 3.5" bay. The raptor x will go in the sideways 5.25 slot. Not sure I can keep the floppy like this?

Any advice highly appreciated and many thanks for reading, and for any replies

PS: to mount the Raptor X sideways, the thermaltake website says I need an adaptor (a2407) which I cannot find anywhere at all. I'm guessing that all I need to do is get a 3.5 to 5.25 bracket? seeing that the armor's sideway 5.25 bay is standard? Please, again, any help or explanation with regards to this is greatly appreciated.

Ta

 

[lsg1r]

looking at this page on the thermaltake website it looks like the 5.25" is to the side of the 3.5" bays. So looking from the front you have the 5.25" bay (on its side) and the square with the fan, behind the fans is the area for the hard drives with an external one above it. The raptor x would go in the vertical 5.25" bay (with an adapter probably)

You can keep all the other bits that you want.

 

[milkinc13]

I have this case and the first thing i would advise you to do it replace the rear fan is it is noisy. also it's not the roomest case. my x1800xt with the power adaptor attached is touching the hdd holder.

 

[clone]

Coolermaster 830 evo,you can fit the raptor x to the top vent to show the drive,i was looking at getting one but got another case

 

[Sobtanian]

looking at this page on the thermaltake website it looks like the 5.25" is to the side of the 3.5" bays. So looking from the front you have the 5.25" bay (on its side) and the square with the fan, behind the fans is the area for the hard drives with an external one above it. The raptor x would go in the vertical 5.25" bay (with an adapter probably)

You can keep all the other bits that you want.

I've studied that page hard and long and I think that putting any drive in the vertical 5.25 bay will block the rear access to the 4 3.5 inch bays, hence making cable attachment impossible.

I'll check out the coolermaster, thanks

to the guy that has the armor, thank you for the tip. can you please tell me if the vertical 5.25 bay is standard? and also is there room behind it for cables to go in the 3.5 drives if something was installed in it? thanks