Update: Need a Standard ATX Case with good HDD Cooling

[Ketchup]

Update Narrowed it down: see post 15. Appreciate any thoughts.

So I am doing some upgrading and the CPU/motherboard in my sig are going to replace the old Compaq for server duties. So, same query applies, just on a larger scale. And BTW, Thanks for the suggestions on the smaller case!

(original content)So I was looking inside my file/media server last week (an old compaq), and after checking the dust level I realized the hard drives are going to need some active cooling. Way too hot!(end original content)

I would appreciate a suggestion for a new case, standard atx tower, staying around $60.

Thanks for any suggestions before I buy.

 

[aigomorla]

i dont think the single 120 will cover all the hdd's.

it looks like its possitioned right below the usb headers, which means its located right below the 5 1/4 inch bays.

that means the lower positioned HDD may not get air flow though them.

 

[ethebubbeth]

Any case with at least 2 5.25" bays will fit an evercool armor. http://www.evercool.com.tw/products/hd-ar.htm

It holds 3 3.5" hard drives and has an 80mm filtered intake fan to cool them.

As is, the case will not really put any active cooling on the drives (as stated by aigomorla).

 

[Ketchup]

i dont think the single 120 will cover all the hdd's.

it looks like its possitioned right below the usb headers, which means its located right below the 5 1/4 inch bays.

that means the lower positioned HDD may not get air flow though them.

Thank you for that. Was looking some more this afternoon and found a nice cm case which would allow me to just add one of my 120s:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA4CP1EP1175

Just trying to decide if I like the looks.

 

[Charlie98]

Fractal Core 1000 or Arc Mini. You can run twin 120mm fans up front and either stagger the drives (every other slot) or take out the upper cage for better airflow. Both are filtered (not like the Defines, but mesh and foam.)

 

[Essence_of_War]

OP, are you buying in the US?

Rosewill's line-m and ranger-m are available for under $40, and are reasonably well built cases at their price point.

ranger m for $30

line-m for $39

 

[aigomorla]

Thank you for that. Was looking some more this afternoon and found a nice cm case which would allow me to just add one of my 120s:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA4CP1EP1175

Just trying to decide if I like the looks.

that case may work.
If it can fit a 120x2 radiator up front, it can most definitely handle 2x120mm fans which would sit right next to the hdd's
It would also have good air flow to the cpu IMO, due to the open 120mm top above the HDD cage.

OP, are you buying in the US?

Rosewill's line-m and ranger-m are available for under $40, and are reasonably well built cases at their price point.

ranger m for $30

line-m for $39

the OP wants a active fan to sit in front of the HDD's which i think both those cases don't.

 

[Essence_of_War]

My bad! I saw the front fans and didn't check if they were over the drive cage or not!

 

[Ketchup]

My bad! I saw the front fans and didn't check if they were over the drive cage or not!

No worries here. That is one reason for the thread. Newegg's pics, as good as they are, don't cover the front inside layout very well.

Will be ordering from the US.

And I can live with a single front fan. Right now the OS (server 03) is sitting in a pata drive because I really have no other use for it, but it would be simple just to throw it on a partition and remove one less element producing heat.

And I don't care to be extreme here (eg water). Even though my important data is backed up, I still don't want to lose a drive and the less important data on it.

Thanks for all the replies. You folks are really helping me think this through.

 

[Essence_of_War]

I think the Fractal Design Core 1000 might fit the bill:

$40 from Amazon

From the newegg video it looks like the included fan can be right over the drives. It uses a slightly different mounting mechanism.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dutIgZRjAvo

 

[Ketchup]

That is a nice case, but doesn't sound like there is much room for cable management. I know that could be a lot to ask for a case of this size, but my cm power supply that has a lot of cables that I would like to get out of the way.

 

[Charlie98]

That is a nice case, but doesn't sound like there is much room for cable management. I know that could be a lot to ask for a case of this size, but my cm power supply that has a lot of cables that I would like to get out of the way.

Nope, the Core 1000 has zero cable management and, I forgot, it only holds 2 HDDs.... and I just realized the Arc Mini is... $100! Jeepers.

EDIT:

Core 1000 build with SSD and HDD... I put the SSD in the lower 5.25" bay. I tucked the extra cables from the PSU up on the top of the case and secured them with sticky ziptie holders. But, no, cable management is abysmal.

 

[Essence_of_War]

That is a nice case, but doesn't sound like there is much room for cable management. I know that could be a lot to ask for a case of this size, but my cm power supply that has a lot of cables that I would like to get out of the way.

I suspect it's not so much the size, as the price point

 

[Ketchup]

Updated OP. Although I will need to go larger to fit the full ATX motherboard, it will be worth it for the better speed and connections available (and of course, fitting more drives). The Antec 300 looks like a good one. I don't need USB 3.0 ports on the front, and I don't care which direction the hard drives mount, which is the only real difference I see between the original and the Two.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...gnorebbr=1&cm_re=antec-_-11-129-042-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...gnorebbr=1&cm_re=antec-_-11-129-180-_-Product

I am a little surprised that the original 300 isn't going for a sellout price though. Maybe there is something better for the money?

 

[Ketchup]

I have it narrowed it down to two. Anyone have some input?

http://www.amazon.com/BitFenix-Alpha...615882&sr=1-49

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119277

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I like Cooler Master's offerings because they seem to offer more options. I just got a HAF XB and am very pleased with it.

 

[Ketchup]

I like Cooler Master's offerings because they seem to offer more options. I just got a HAF XB and am very pleased with it.

Agreed. Been very pleased with my Trooper case. Saw some good feedback on the BitFenix, but in the end like the front-end cooling of the CM better. Just pulled the trigger on the N400. Thanks for the input.

 

[MongGrel]

Did they stop making the old standard HAF 912s?

I was going to through that out there as a good basic one, bought one of those awhile back for a rebuild.

Oh well.

http://www.newegg.com/global/in/Prod...82E16811119233

I guess they were getting dated anyway, what I used for a HTPC in the bedroom.

 

[Ketchup]

That is a good case, I just don't like the looks of it.

Actually, there are a couple CM cases that I have built with over the years that I would have loved to use for this one, but they are discontinued.

But what may be worse is that once this case comes, I will have a total of 4 cases on the property that I have nothing to do with!