Really dumb question about a case's external 3.5" drive bays

[smirk]

Hey, I've built a few PCs but for some reason I don't know this. When you buy a PC case and it has a description like "2 External 5.25" Drive Bays, 2 External 3.5" Drive Bays, 4 Internal 3.5" Drive Bays", does that mean you can only install 4 hard drives? Or can you install six hard drives (4 in the internal bays and 2 in the external bays)?

I know those external 3.5" bays are for floppies or Zips, but can you also use them for regular hard disks? I'm building a home server and want the smallest case possible but the most drives possible. There won't be a floppy drive or DVD drive.

Thanks!

 

[TheStu]

Generally the external 3.5" bays will have the mounting holes for a hard drive as well. If nothing else, you may be able to mount the drive with 2 of the 4 screws and it will stick out a little bit, but there should be room.

 

[smirk]

Cool, good to know. Thank you!