Cheap server case?

[BigFatCow]

My home server has overgrown its case so im looking for a new one. The only things it really needs is room for at least 6 HDs and good cooling. Some things i would like for it to have is room for 2 cd roms, and it to be cheap.

 

[klah]

What do you condsider cheap? $150? $50?

For around $70 you can get a Chenming ATX-901A or 901AD(door).

It uses 3x80mm intake fans, 2 of which are directly in front of the two hdd cages(3HDDs each). It also has 2x80mm exhaust fans and a third 92mm exhaust fan.

This is the same case as the Chieftec DA-01BD and Antec SX1240.

 

[BigFatCow]

Originally posted by: klah
What do you condsider cheap? $150? $50?

For around $70 you can get a Chenming ATX-901A or 901AD(door).

It uses 3x80mm intake fans, 2 of which are directly in front of the two hdd cages(3HDDs each). It also has 2x80mm exhaust fans and a third 92mm exhaust fan.

This is the same case as the Chieftec DA-01BD and Antec SX1240.

For this i consider $50 to be cheap. I took a look at the Chenming case you recommended, and it looks huge but it doesnt seem to have too many HD places, i know in my original post i said 6 but now im thinking i need more than that for future expansion.

I think im gonna go to the local mom and pop computer store here and see if they have anything that will fit my needs.

 

[Operandi]

Isn?t a cheap server case an oxymoron?....

I mean really?.. it?s a server.

 

[klah]

Originally posted by: BigFatCow

Originally posted by: klah
What do you condsider cheap? $150? $50?

For around $70 you can get a Chenming ATX-901A or 901AD(door).

It uses 3x80mm intake fans, 2 of which are directly in front of the two hdd cages(3HDDs each). It also has 2x80mm exhaust fans and a third 92mm exhaust fan.

This is the same case as the Chieftec DA-01BD and Antec SX1240.

I took a look at the Chenming case you recommended, and it looks huge but it doesnt seem to have too many HD places, i know in my original post i said 6 but now im thinking i need more than that for future expansion.

You can buy some of THESE to mount HDDs in the six 5-1/4" bays also.

 

[akira34]

I really don't think you should go cheap on a case (especially a server case). To get one that holds enough hard drives without having to use those cheasy adapter brackets, look at ones like this. That will give you plenty of room for hard drives.

BTW, looking to get any case worth a damn for under $50 AND be server class is asking WAY too much. When you say 'server' and room for 6+ hard drives you're out of the $50 range. Hell, looking to install 6 (or more) hard drives in any case that's worth a damn (and not chew up some 5-1/4" bays) is going to cost you. Then again, if you don't mind slicing your hands up during install, or having a case that wobbles when you walk past it, then go ahead and be cheap.

Just remember, as with most things in life (and the real world), you DO get what you pay for. Pay cheap money for a case, and you're getting a cheap case.

 

[BigFatCow]

I dont really care if it is a cheap case as long as it has room for all of my HDs and has decent cooling. Ive seen that Lian Li case akira34 posted and that is a badass case, if i somehow find a load of cash ill be getting that case.

 

[Operandi]

6 HD's and good cooling..... Your not gona find a cheap case thats gona fits that description.

 

[Zepper]

Codegen 9000 series, Silverstone Berserker or similar.
.bh.

 

[Zap]

What sizes are your hard drives? If they aren't very large drives, perhaps it would be worth your while to start replacing the smallest drive with something more capacious. For instance, if all six of your drives were 80GB models, replace one with a 200GB drive (Staples, $100 no rebate). Then, sell off the replaced drive.

 

[BigFatCow]

4x160s in raid 5. Then an 80gig and a 40 gig. I wanted to replace the 160s with 250s in the raid 5 but my card doesnt support upgrading to bigger size drives as far as i can tell. Unless i can find a way to upgrade the 160s my plan is to buy another raid 5 card that supports 6 drives and start off with 3x250s or something like that and transfer the data from the 160s to the 250s, or just keep the 160s up for more storage or as a secondary backup.

 

[Zap]

If your card supports 160GB drives properly then it should support any size currently on the market. There was a 128GB limitation that "48bit LBA" fixed. If you are already running 160GB units with full capacity then you aren't limited.

You can also start saving up for them 400GB drives.

 

[akira34]

What RAID card do you have? Have you checked the maker's site for firmware updates to get over the 137GB barrier (RAID cards shouldn't have that issue, and haven't for over 3 years). If your RAID card IS that old, then it's time to get a new one anyway. I suggest going with a SATA RAID card and get the largest drives you can afford (PATA and SATA drives are about the same price, for similar/same spindle speeds and such).

 

[wheatr]

CODEGEN Black/Blue ATX Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "8011-CA 350W
$39.50 +$15.99 Shipping at NewEgg

 

[BigFatCow]

Originally posted by: akira34
What RAID card do you have? Have you checked the maker's site for firmware updates to get over the 137GB barrier (RAID cards shouldn't have that issue, and haven't for over 3 years). If your RAID card IS that old, then it's time to get a new one anyway. I suggest going with a SATA RAID card and get the largest drives you can afford (PATA and SATA drives are about the same price, for similar/same spindle speeds and such).

I have a promise fasttrak sx4000. It does accept larger drives but i cant find a way to get the new larger drives and plug them into the raid card and keep all of my files and get the extra capacity.