Xclio Nighthawk..... Anyone got one?

[smitbret]

Building a NAS and I just don't feel like springing for a Server Case to store movies. Ran across the Xclio Nighthawk and it seems to be a pretty decent budget choice if it fits a couple of criteria:

1 - The Smart HDD Modular System.... are they just some HDD cages that are sitting in 5.25" bays? Can I remove them and just use a standard RAID cage or 5x3 in the bays?

2 - Can you replace those stupid LED fans with unlit 120mm fans or are they proprietary?

I would imagine that the answer to both is "Yes" but I wanted to be sure.

[Eureka]

http://www.pureoverclock.com/Review-...o-nighthawk/4/

1 - Looks like it to me
2 - The 120mm fans should be standard. The 180mm fan on the side might not be. Either way, you can just pop out the LEDs with a screwdriver usually and then clip the wires.

[lehtv]

I don't quite see the point of buying a case and then replacing the fans because you want them less flashy. Why not buy a case with non-LED fans to begin with? Nighthawk seems to go for about $50 on newegg, for that price you can get a Corsair 200R.

[smitbret]

Originally Posted by lehtv

I don't quite see the point of buying a case and then replacing the fans because you want them less flashy. Why not buy a case with non-LED fans to begin with? Nighthawk seems to go for about $50 on newegg, for that price you can get a Corsair 200R.

I looked at that case and considered it, but the Xclio could potentially have room for 10 HDDs in 5x3 RAID cages, 4 additional 3.5" drives in the bottom bay and a 120mm fan in front of all 3 for cooling.

The Corsair could do the 5x3 and I like the 4 side mounted 3.5" bays at the bottom, but the fan above the internal bays leads me to believe there wouldn't be any cooling on those lower drives.

I just want a case that I can stack 6-10 drives into that will give me easy access and a quiet fan to push or pull air across the drives. The Corsair looked good, but the drive/fan setup didn't convince me.

[Eureka]

Originally Posted by smitbret

I looked at that case and considered it, but the Xclio could potentially have room for 10 HDDs in 5x3 RAID cages, 4 additional 3.5" drives in the bottom bay and a 120mm fan in front of all 3 for cooling.

Actually, there seems to be 9 5.25 bays, so you could do three 5 in 3 bays if you wanted.

Fractal Core 3000 might fit your needs too.

[smitbret]

Slip a 2x3 in there and that Fractal Design 3000 is right what I'd be looking for.

[lehtv]

Originally Posted by smitbret

I just want a case that I can stack 6-10 drives into that will give me easy access and a quiet fan to push or pull air across the drives. The Corsair looked good, but the drive/fan setup didn't convince me.

Some options for you:

7 internal + 1 external 3.5"

Xigmatek Asgard Pro $40 +$10 shipping
- toolless front-to-back drive bays
- has one front fan, add another ($7)

7 internal 3.5"

Lian Li PC-A04B $100
- drive bay orientation and position switching
- aluminium construction
- includes two front fans

8 internal 3.5"

NZXT Source 210 $40 +$6 shipping
- front-to-back drive bays
- lacks front fans, add 2x Silverstone 1200RPM $7 each

NZXT Tempest 210 $45 +$10 shipping
- toolless front-to-back drive bays
- move rear fan to front, add one Silverstone $7
- NZXT Source 210 Elite ($58 shipped) and Source 220 ($60 shipped) are similar

Rosewill Line $50 ($40 AR)
- front-to-back drive bays
- includes two front fans

8 internal + 1 external 3.5"

Fractal Design Define R4 $90
- sideways drive bays
- superior quality and features, e.g. 140mm fans, dust filters, noise absorbing padding, fan controller
- add one front fan e.g. Prolimatech 140mm $10

[Eureka]

Originally Posted by smitbret

Slip a 2x3 in there and that Fractal Design 3000 is right what I'd be looking for.

What do you mean 2x3?

http://www.fractal-design.com/img_pr...3000-BL_2X.jpg

It's already got 6 hdd bays, add a 4 in 3 module in the 5.25" and you have 10.

Source 210 is also a great budget case. I have one, it has 8 drive bays already and you can add a 4/5 in 3.

And the case was $25 after rebates.

[lehtv]

By 2x3 he probably means a 3-in-2 module

[smitbret]

Originally Posted by lehtv

By 2x3 he probably means a 3-in-2 module

Yeah, shouldn't have used my personal lingo. That's exactly what I meant.