Hello!
I'm currently looking to expand my home server, and I am on extended hunt for a case to hold it all. I'd like to ask for recommendations.
My requirements are as follows:
- ability to house full 12x13" SSI-EEB motherboard, or at least full-size EATX (dimensions are the same, mounting holes are different, but this no issue for me);
- ability to hold 12 or 16 3.5" hdds;
- ability to hold either 8x 2.5" hdds or 2x 5.25" bays, for a cage with backplane I have;
- at least one additional PCI bracket under the motherboard, so at least 8 slots - this alone basically crosses out every single rack mounted case, this is for remote KVM expansion card, so it's important;
- optional: potentially space to accept 360/45 mm radiator for CPUs (I have all required hardware for LC, but no space);
- optional: dual PSU mount, as that many HDDs are a real challenge to power from single PSU;
- optional: high feet, removable feet, and/or ability to mount off-the-shelf casters.
Budget: Ideally less than 180-200 Euro.
I am fine with hunting down older used and damaged cases if it's needed.
What I tried (cases I have or had) that didn't work:
- Fractal Design Define XL R2, which fits 8 HDDs, has 4 bays, so potentially 12x HDDs are possible if I remove 2.5" cage, it has a space for 30mm 280mm radiator (which is incompatible with what I have), top mounted, but it's extremely cramped.
- Lian-Li V2010, which has space for 8x HDDs in bottom compartment, 7x 5.25" bays and dual PSU mount, but no watercooling support at all, and the bottom compartment is very badly ventilated. With all HDDs mounted half of them reach over 60°C (enough to trigger SMART warnings), and it's outside of any decent PSU operating range. On top of it, since it's rather aged case it has literally zero cable management.
- Thermaltake Core X9, which fits the motherboard, has excellent LC support, three 5.25" bays, but can hardly fit and 3.5" HDDs thanks to eerily retarded mounting system in otherwise excellently large bottom... well, half.
- Cooler Master Cosmos S, which has 11 5.25" bays (10 exposed, 9 or 8 with radiator mounted), so fitting HDDs is challenging, but most importantly it had only 7 PCI brackets
What won't work:
- Phanteks Enthoo Pro/Elite - it will fit the motherboard, but has no place for HDDs
- Rosewill cases, since I am located in Europe - shipping would eat half of my budget.
- Cooler Master Cosmos II - Oh gods and monsters, why. While it potentially it would fit everything this is absolute nightmare to work with (had it at work, busted my back working on it almost empty). Has a tendency to overheat everything in PCI region. Far too expensive on top of that.
What would work (mostly):
- Corsair Obsidian 900D - if I hunt down extra HDD cages it'd fit 15 HDDs out of the box, but it's extremely rare to pop up on auction sites. HDD cages are usually what's missing from them, forget tracking extraneous ones.
- Nanoxia Deep silence 6, if I give up liquid cooling and any pretense of cable management; 13 hdds here if I hunt extra cage and find very short PSU;
- Lian-Li PC-D8000, Lian-Li PC-D600W, or Lian Li PC-D888WX - if I ever win a lottery
- Thermaltake Core W200 or (probably) Core W100
Of course all of above are over my budget, and were manufactured in such llimited quantities it's real trouble to hunt them new, get spare parts or find used.
What would work perfectly...
- full DIY from a test bench in a self made box.
Any other suggestions?
I'm currently looking to expand my home server, and I am on extended hunt for a case to hold it all. I'd like to ask for recommendations.
My requirements are as follows:
- ability to house full 12x13" SSI-EEB motherboard, or at least full-size EATX (dimensions are the same, mounting holes are different, but this no issue for me);
- ability to hold 12 or 16 3.5" hdds;
- ability to hold either 8x 2.5" hdds or 2x 5.25" bays, for a cage with backplane I have;
- at least one additional PCI bracket under the motherboard, so at least 8 slots - this alone basically crosses out every single rack mounted case, this is for remote KVM expansion card, so it's important;
- optional: potentially space to accept 360/45 mm radiator for CPUs (I have all required hardware for LC, but no space);
- optional: dual PSU mount, as that many HDDs are a real challenge to power from single PSU;
- optional: high feet, removable feet, and/or ability to mount off-the-shelf casters.
Budget: Ideally less than 180-200 Euro.
I am fine with hunting down older used and damaged cases if it's needed.
What I tried (cases I have or had) that didn't work:
- Fractal Design Define XL R2, which fits 8 HDDs, has 4 bays, so potentially 12x HDDs are possible if I remove 2.5" cage, it has a space for 30mm 280mm radiator (which is incompatible with what I have), top mounted, but it's extremely cramped.
- Lian-Li V2010, which has space for 8x HDDs in bottom compartment, 7x 5.25" bays and dual PSU mount, but no watercooling support at all, and the bottom compartment is very badly ventilated. With all HDDs mounted half of them reach over 60°C (enough to trigger SMART warnings), and it's outside of any decent PSU operating range. On top of it, since it's rather aged case it has literally zero cable management.
- Thermaltake Core X9, which fits the motherboard, has excellent LC support, three 5.25" bays, but can hardly fit and 3.5" HDDs thanks to eerily retarded mounting system in otherwise excellently large bottom... well, half.
- Cooler Master Cosmos S, which has 11 5.25" bays (10 exposed, 9 or 8 with radiator mounted), so fitting HDDs is challenging, but most importantly it had only 7 PCI brackets
What won't work:
- Phanteks Enthoo Pro/Elite - it will fit the motherboard, but has no place for HDDs
- Rosewill cases, since I am located in Europe - shipping would eat half of my budget.
- Cooler Master Cosmos II - Oh gods and monsters, why. While it potentially it would fit everything this is absolute nightmare to work with (had it at work, busted my back working on it almost empty). Has a tendency to overheat everything in PCI region. Far too expensive on top of that.
What would work (mostly):
- Corsair Obsidian 900D - if I hunt down extra HDD cages it'd fit 15 HDDs out of the box, but it's extremely rare to pop up on auction sites. HDD cages are usually what's missing from them, forget tracking extraneous ones.
- Nanoxia Deep silence 6, if I give up liquid cooling and any pretense of cable management; 13 hdds here if I hunt extra cage and find very short PSU;
- Lian-Li PC-D8000, Lian-Li PC-D600W, or Lian Li PC-D888WX - if I ever win a lottery
- Thermaltake Core W200 or (probably) Core W100
Of course all of above are over my budget, and were manufactured in such llimited quantities it's real trouble to hunt them new, get spare parts or find used.
What would work perfectly...
- full DIY from a test bench in a self made box.
Any other suggestions?