why are there no good SSD brackets for hot-swappable drive bays?

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Z

ZippyDan

Platinum Member
Sep 28, 2001
2,141
1
81
Almost every SSD bracket (for use in a normal 3.5" hard drive bay) has either one of two faults:

1. Most commonly, the SSD drive is mounted in the center of the bracket, and is thus incompatible with any kind of computer that is expecting a 3.5" drive with the SATA data and power connections in a very specific place

2. Less commonly, some brackets do work with slide in (or hot-swappable) drive trays, but they accomplish this through the use of an additional pass-through circuit board which offsets the center-mount SSD to one side. This is introducing a whole new point of failure and instability and seems completely unnecessary. You'll find reviews where the additional circuit board doesn't work at all, or introduces performance degradation, or worse: data corruption. I myself have personally experienced with one of these kinds of brackets that the drive will randomly lose connection with the system WHILE IN OPERATION.

Why isn't there an SSD 3.5" bracket that simply mounts the SSD drive off to one side so that the SATA data and power connectors are in the expected place for a 3.5" drive?

Examples of problem 1:
http://www.amazon.com/SABRENT-3-5-In.../dp/B00G57BN1M
http://www.amazon.com/Silverstone-Te.../dp/B002BH3Z8E

Examples of problem 2:
http://www.amazon.com/Newer-Technolo.../dp/B005PZDVF6
http://www.amazon.com/General-Drive-.../dp/B00F3QFKNS
http://www.amazon.com/Icy-Dock-EZCon.../dp/B002Z2QDNE

Here is something frustrating: it looks like all 3 of these are the same product under different brands, and they DO have an offset mount, however the reviews say it STILL doesn't work in a hotswap situation:

Product: http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-3-5-Inch-A.../dp/B002I8MUU0
Stupidity: http://www.amazon.com/Power-ports-mo...x36DY9IX4P3ANP

Product: http://www.amazon.com/Mushkin-Enhanc...dp/B004V9AMI6/
Stupidity: http://www.amazon.com/review/RACN6AKYM38OM

Product: http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Mounti.../dp/B0090UG55A
Stupidity: ??
 
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Carson Dyle

Carson Dyle

Diamond Member
Jul 2, 2012
8,173
524
126
There are plenty of 2.5" hotswap bays/backplanes on the market. If you need hotswap capability for 2.5" drives, use one. 2.5" HDDs have been around for many years and I don't think I've ever heard the same complaint about the inability to use them in 3.5" hotswap bays.
 
Z

ZippyDan

Platinum Member
Sep 28, 2001
2,141
1
81
Carson Dyle said:
There are plenty of 2.5" hotswap bays/backplanes on the market. If you need hotswap capability for 2.5" drives, use one. 2.5" HDDs have been around for many years and I don't think I've ever heard the same complaint about the inability to use them in 3.5" hotswap bays.
Click to expand...

Saying something is true doesn't make it true. Give me a link and I will love you.

Edit: I think maybe this is what I want: http://www.cru-inc.com/products/accessories/2-5-to-3-5-sata-drive-converter-metal/
 
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X

XavierMace

Diamond Member
Apr 20, 2013
4,307
450
126
I've got 4 of the IcyDock ones you linked to, two in servers connected to SAS backplanes, two in desktops. Never had an issue with any of them.
 
nitromullet

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
9,031
36
91
The answer to the OP's question is the side mounting holes, and the fact that they don't line up with each other on 2.5" and 3.5" drives.

If you mount a 2.5" drive from the bottom in an adapter like this the drive has to be inset enough on the side to allow clearance for the 3.5" drive mounting screws. The consequence of that is that the ports no longer line up.

The way to get around this with a universal adapter is to center the drive and use a pass through. I guess theoretically the adapter could not have a method for mounting on the port side of the drive, but I don't think you could sell an adapter than only mounted on one side...

The other way is if the drives are mounted into a proprietary system, and the adapter is designed for that specific system. The Lian Li HD-H32 is an example of that, and it only works with certain Lian Li hot swap drive cages.
 
J

jumpncrash

Senior member
Feb 11, 2010
555
1
81
I believe our supermicro's have bend up tabs that enable mounting into hotswaps, I'll have to check one tomorow at work to be 100% sure though.

But really the cheapest way would be to make yourself a pattern and drill yourself some bottom mount holes for your SSDs in the 3.5" adapter
 
corkyg

corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
240
106
In case others have the same query,consider installing a hot swap rack in a normal front drive bay space.. I have used Vantec EZ-Swaps for years for 3.5-in drives. They are now reasonably available for 2.5-in SATA HDD or SSD.
And, no adapters are needed.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...mS_xoC7Qvw_wcB
 
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