What 2.5" SSD to 3.5" drive tray adapter for HP z420 ?

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bambiboom

bambiboom

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Apr 7, 2012
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Gentlemen?,

Those on a schedule may skip the History and go directly to the Question >

History > I have a tiny but frustrating problem. I recently bought a Samsung 840 250Gb SSD for a new HP z420 workstation. I realized that in 250GB I can have the OS, all my applications (about 110GB total) and all the files for which I need easy access- about 34GB. The 500GB mechanical drive will be the backup, archive, and system image (77GB) storage drive.

The problem is that I can't discover which 2.5" SSD to 3.5" drive bay adapter will work unless I had super-accurate dimensioned drawings. The HP uses tool-free clip in drive holders that slide out like a drawer when clips on the side are compressed. There is a single HD power cord with three power connectors that are spaced corresponding to the vertical spacing of the drive bays that means the SSD need to be mounted to the "floor" of the adapter and must be mounted with the power connector well to the front of the tray. The tolerance in terms of position is very small.

I bought a Thermaltake SSD adapter, but as nicely made and finished as it appears to be, there is no way to mount the drive so the power connector that will work. It's maddeningly close, but even mounting with only two screws doesn't work as the holes are a fraction of a mm too far apart and the drive is still too far back by about 3-5mm. I've thought of buying a short (5cm?) SATA power to SATA power cable and mounting the drive well to the back and raised, but can't find one. The HP site doesn't offer this adapter for sale.

Question > Which SSD adapter will work on an HP Z420?

Thanks!

Cheers,

BambiBoom
 
Solution
bambiboom
k1114,

I had considered that option. The power cable for the external 5.25" bays has a similar configuration in which there are 3X power connectors spaced at the vertical locations for the drives. It would be possible to run a power cable from one of those connectors around to the HD bays that are side facing, but it seemed to me an ad hoc, messy solution, plus the extension cable could cost within a couple of $ of an adapter- if I can find the proper one- and neat solution.

Another possibility for an adapter >

http://www.amazon.com/ORICO-AC325-1S-BK-Aluminum-Mounting-Converter/dp/B005MICJKE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

> which uses bottom mounts and which should put the connectors right at the edge. The mounting holes are...
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bambiboom

bambiboom

Splendid
Apr 7, 2012
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21,965
k1114,

The bracket is Thermaltake AC0014 >

http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Drives-Converter-AC0014-Black/dp/B003WOL4VK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1377069073&sr=8-5&keywords=ssd+adapter

I looked for all kinds of solutions involving power cable extensions. The bizzare thing is that the amount by which the power cable doesn't work is so small- about 1/2"- that I think any extension is too long. I'd have to buy one for each drive- almost double the cost of a bracket. It is possible, by substituting the entire power cable, but all the power cables are together in such a tight bundle, and until I cut the ties I haven't been able to trace it back to the power supply. I also don't know how many take-offs there are if I decide to have a separate cable for each drive, though there are dual cables. I thought I'd try finding a bracket that worked first, neater and less expensive. Amazingly, though HP sells the z-series workstations with SSD's, they don't sell the bracket.

These must go wrong often. When I asked to return the Thermaltake bracket, for the first time ever, Amazon said they're refunding the money ($11.99) and I can keep the bracket! I see that in less than a week the price has dropped from $10 to $7.50. It's maddening, the mounting holes to use the bottom mounting are too far apart by a tiny amount!

I'm thinking this bracket might work >

http://www.amazon.com/SILVERSTONE-SDP08-3-5-2-5-Inch-Converter/dp/B002BH3Z8E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377069764&sr=8-1&keywords=ssd+adapter

> as it keeps the drive very close to the outside rather than recessing it.

What an annoying problem for something that should be so simple.

Thanks!

Cheers,

BambiBoom

 
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bambiboom

bambiboom

Splendid
Apr 7, 2012
2,462
5
21,965
k1114,

I had considered that option. The power cable for the external 5.25" bays has a similar configuration in which there are 3X power connectors spaced at the vertical locations for the drives. It would be possible to run a power cable from one of those connectors around to the HD bays that are side facing, but it seemed to me an ad hoc, messy solution, plus the extension cable could cost within a couple of $ of an adapter- if I can find the proper one- and neat solution.

Another possibility for an adapter >

http://www.amazon.com/ORICO-AC325-1S-BK-Aluminum-Mounting-Converter/dp/B005MICJKE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

> which uses bottom mounts and which should put the connectors right at the edge. The mounting holes are elongated and appear to be wider than the screws (which have washers) so there wouldn't be a problem with microscopic inaccuracy of the hole alignment.

It's been amazing to read on newegg and amazon how many people bought various SSD adapters and either toss them in the bin or ended up machining them. Someone wrote, "Anyone using these adapters should plan on a couple of hours in the shop." It reminds me of upgrading in 1993 when you couldn't assume anything would simply plug in and work.

Cheers,

BambiBoom
 
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