Case Reccomendation for Home Server

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Twitch22

Member
Sep 14, 2006
137
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Hello all.

Just wanted some advice on case selection for a new home server build. Currently have:

- Pentium P4 3.0 Prescott (Pulled from old PC)
- Asus P5GZ-MX Micro-ATX m/b (Intel 945GZ chipset w/Int. Graphics, new)
- 1GB Samsung DDR2 PC5300 RAM

I'm looking to add about a TB of storage using (2) 500 Gig HD, running MS Home Server OS. The server will be on an ethernet connection through my router. My questions are:

- Should I by a Micro ATX/ATX case or go with a server case that features hot-swappable bays? Are these server-type features overkill for home use?
- I don't have any experience at all with server cases. Do they take ATX m/b's or just server boards?

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions!

Twitch
 
dawp

dawp

Lifer
Jul 2, 2005
11,347
2,710
136
in my opinion, a specific server case is overkill for home use, tend to be expensive, and for home use, hotswap is unneeded tho nice, i'd say a matx or atx would be best, you dont need anything fancy. i assume this is going to be a media server, and as such i would get a plain jane low priced case and spend the money on other parts.
 
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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
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I'd suggest something like the Rosewill R5604 or 5605 from Newegg/ChiefValue. Just a good inexpensive case that will keep your system cool and has easy access HDD bays. As said above, you will have some $$$ left in your pocket for the important stuff. However, if you really want the convenience of hot swap, the Silverstone Kublai cases have it for under $150.00 And the Cooler Master iTower 930 (RC-930) also has hot swap bays at under $150. The site that claims the cheapest price on the 930 is fubar this morning. And the Maxtop Domino cases on this page: Arrowmax, with B and C suffix have bottom bays that can hold any type of separate hot-swap cage that take up to three 5" bays while the A suffix case is similar to the Rosewill but is roomier inside. They sell those cases on eBay too so you might get a lower bottom line (total incl. tax and shipping) there. Maybe you could get a hot swap cage cheap on eBay or careful web shopping to keep the total under $150. And eWiz or newegg may have Chenbro or other server cases with integrated SATA hot swap cage. Beware that Newegg's descriptions leave a lot to be desired re. consistency and accuracy: e.g. the SR10568 at $78. they say has hot-swap bays, well, the pics don't show it, they show the standard HDD bays. So be sure you're getting what you want before laying out the money. Stock fans on the Chenbro cases may be noisy, so be prepared to upgrade the fans if you need quieter.

Server cases will take normal ATX as well as EATX mobos and probably microATX and mini-ITX as the mount points are subsets of others. I recommend the Chenbro SR-10568/69 all the time for those who want a serious case. eWiz and Newegg have fair selections of Chenbro.

.bh.

PS: the i-star or Athena hot swap cages at newegg (and maybe elsewhere) are relatively inexpensive and have 3/4/5 drive units available.
 
Fallen Kell

Fallen Kell

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,213
537
126
Personally, for a file server, I like a case that has a lot of easy to access drive bays/trays. I like many of the Lian-Li cases with the configuration like the V series (I am personally using the PC-201B which has room for 12 disks that can be easily removed or new ones installed with simply removing the side of the case). However this is an expensive case if all you are doing it putting it in a closet.
 
VinDSL

VinDSL

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2006
4,869
1
81
www.lenon.com
Originally posted by: dawp
in my opinion, a specific server case is overkill for home use, tend to be expensive, and for home use, hotswap is unneeded tho nice, i'd say a matx or atx would be best, you dont need anything fancy. i assume this is going to be a media server, and as such i would get a plain jane low priced case and spend the money on other parts.
Click to expand...

Golden!

Thank you!!! :thumbsup:
 
VinDSL

VinDSL

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2006
4,869
1
81
www.lenon.com
Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
Personally, for a file server, I like a case that has a lot of easy to access drive bays/trays. I like many of the Lian-Li cases, blah, blah, blah...
Click to expand...

Lian-Li cases are for fruiters!

What this guy needs is an appliance, e.g. a toaster, of sorts!

Just get something that won't start you house on fire from years of misuse... ;)
 
M

ma1kmcn1

Member
Jun 5, 2006
152
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I put my server in a P180. It has 4 500 GB drives and 2 250 Gb no problem. Good ventalation and quiet fans.
 
VinDSL

VinDSL

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2006
4,869
1
81
www.lenon.com
Originally posted by: tylerdustin2008

Are you saying it has not run for 2 years and thats just a pic, or it has not been on in 2 years, and you just turned it on?

Because it is on....
Click to expand...

I'm saying it's been running for like 5 years (when I replaced the mobo) but I had to reboot it a couple of years ago, when we had a power outage (someone hit a power pole) and FSCK hung, the first time 'round... no kidding!

Servers aren't supposed to be pretty!

For crying out loud, look at all the ass & leg hairs sitting on top of my server case!

That's a REAL server, not a wannabe... :D
 
VinDSL

VinDSL

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2006
4,869
1
81
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Originally posted by: tylerdustin2008
Whats the specs of it?
Click to expand...

A 386 something or other.

Finding a replacement mobo was hell! Had to go to a salvage yard down by the airport to find one. The guy dug it out of a pile. When I asked how much he wanted for it, he said, "I dunno? What's it worth to you?" Yada, yada...

Why? Do you want to build one like it? :D

 
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tylerdustin2008

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2006
3,436
0
76
No its just old, and interesting. I don't like old computers, they piss me off.

How much hdd space does it have?

 
VinDSL

VinDSL

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2006
4,869
1
81
www.lenon.com
Originally posted by: tylerdustin2008
How much hdd space does it have?
Click to expand...

Once again, I dunno...

I don't think I should DISTURB THE DUST BUNNIES for idle curiosity -- how about you? :D

Seriously, this thing just sits there and works. With the exception of the mobo dieing, it hasn't been opened up in years...

The larger point is, web servers don't need to be high-tech -- they just need to be dependable!
 
skillyho

skillyho

Golden Member
Nov 6, 2005
1,337
0
76
Originally posted by: VinDSL
Originally posted by: tylerdustin2008
How much hdd space does it have?
Click to expand...

Once again, I dunno...

I don't think I should DISTURB THE DUST BUNNIES for idle curiosity -- how about you? :D

Seriously, this thing just sits there and works. With the exception of the mobo dieing, it hasn't been opened up in years...

The larger point is, web servers don't need to be high-tech -- they just need to be dependable!
Click to expand...

Yeah...you might want to hit staples up for a can of air......
 
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