HDD cages

[perdomot]

The drive cage in my current rig faces the side panel and I noticed not much air movement over my 3 hdds from the 120mm fan going at 1300 rpms. Would a case where the cage is oriented towards the rear be better? Thanks.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Generally speaking yes. There are a couple designs of transverse hard drive cages that are as efficient as longitudinally mounted hard drive cages but, not so many.

 

[imported_wired247]

I say, whatever orientation gives you the best airflow and cable management. Generally this is perpendicular to the case, rather than lengthwise with the case

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: wired247
I say, whatever orientation gives you the best airflow and cable management. Generally this is perpendicular to the case, rather than lengthwise with the case

actually I'd say that in about 90% of cases with perpendicular hard drives you're going to get decreased airflow versus a longitudinal hard drive cage, like I said in the post just above yours. Trust me, the only transverse hard drive cages that flow as well and longitudinal ones are either aftermarket cages or lian li.

 

[Zepper]

The sidesaddle bays in my Rosewill R5604 allowed my HDDS to be kept cool enough. As far as the fan helping cool the rest of the system, there is where there won't be a lot of help. Just make sure that there is enough extra venting near the front so the exhaust fan can draw sufficient air to do the job. Check the rpm of your rear fan with the side panel off, then put the side panel back on and check the rpm again after a while. If there is a significant drop, then you need to free up some venting.

.bh.

 

[perdomot]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811147038
I'm currently using the above case with 3 hdds in the cage and not much air passing through the perpendicular cage. If only the cage faced the back of the case, it would be perfect as I love the stealthed dvd drive and having all the connections at the top front of the case. The 3 'blinds' in front of the case are nice for controlling air and noise.

 

[Zepper]

Yup, I really like the R5600 series and reviewed it here: http://www.techimo.com/reviews/ it's under Yeong Yang/Rosewill as YY is the OEM of those cases. Excellent budget cases. I blocked off the side vent with a sheet of saran wrap on mine.

.bh.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: perdomot
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811147038
I'm currently using the above case with 3 hdds in the cage and not much air passing through the perpendicular cage. If only the cage faced the back of the case, it would be perfect as I love the stealthed dvd drive and having all the connections at the top front of the case. The 3 'blinds' in front of the case are nice for controlling air and noise.

to be totally honest with you, unless there is a gap of atleast .5" between the hard drives, it wouldn't matter which direction the cage was facing.

 

[perdomot]

The gap size is also something I've been considering.