Case, HDD, MoBo Issue...Best Option? Opinions?

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Franklin_4

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So i got a very cheap micro atx case from newegg....
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811353050

and a 3.5 inch 1 TB baracudda HDD...

and an am3+ MoBo
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157582

...

now this case has a nice 3.5" slot right where youd expect, a little below the optical drive.
it also has like four 2.5" slots below that.

the problem is the 3.5" drive interferes with my RAM slots when my HDD is actually installed. It completely covers the first two RAM slots and is close enough to the third slot that once i have the SATA cables plugged in, i can only fit 1 RAM stick in. Currently have my HDD rigged up like a real idiot in a place it doesnt belong. Its not perfectly level and I believe leading to some staccato operations in certain programs. This was not a problem before. (I replaced my old asus case because i wanted a USB 3.0 upfront instead of just in the back on MoBo).

So heres what im thinking....

option one: buy a 8gb stick and replace my RAM.

option two: sell my 1tb HDD and buy a 250gb 2.5" SSD. ( i have like 900gb of room left on my current HDD)

option 3: RAM risers? is this a thing?

option 4: leave my HDD mounted like a loon, i can post pics if anyone is really curious.

option 5: throw the whole rig down a mountain and build a ryzen based.

option 6: open to suggestions.
 
Solution
raisonjohn
HDD can be mounted vertically, horizontally, upside down, without bad effects on its performance or lifespan. However, TILTED mounting (such as in your case) will.

In fact, server builds / NAS usually have vertically-mounted HDDs. Some cases also have 3.5" HDD mounting designed vertically (for example: Fractal Design Define S http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-s).
hero3_062216.jpg


According to HDD manufacturers:

From Seagate: “All Seagate and Maxtor-brand hard drives can be fitted sideways or upside down. As long as they are not moved during use and get enough cooling, it is irrelevant in...
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thx1138v2

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option 7: ship the whole rig to me and build a ryzen based. ;)

If it were me, I'd do a modified option two. Keep the 3.5" drive for a later ryzen build and install either a 2.5" SSD or HDD.

option 3: You might find RAM risers but that's an unnecessary hack.
option 4: don't be a loon. I don't need pics.
option 5: what if the mountain gods throw it back at you?:ouch:
option 6: see option 7
 
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raisonjohn

raisonjohn

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What I'm curious is... why did you get a micro-ATX case for an ATX-sized mobo? The motherboard itself won't fit, so, the RAM and HDD are the least of your problems.

11-353-050-05.jpg

13-130-790-01.jpg


:??:

Personally, I'd scrap that case (due to it's poor design, component configuration, and limited upgradability).

If you really like that case for some reason, you can setup a Ryzen build in it (https://pcpartpicker.com/b/KyFtt6):
209913.b2f039d8407f4136384270fba9f8eb07.1600.jpg

Make sure you get an mATX mobo (not an ATX like what you got).
 
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Franklin_4

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gahhh i do have an mATX mobo. i copy pasted the wrong link from newegg like a total chump.
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157582

same chipset and stuff, but micro of that other one.
 
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Franklin_4

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dang great reference on that R3 build in the same case. i wish i could see how he fit the ram in better. its literally unbelieveable how in the way my HDD is, and its the same exact one as him. Im thinking about removing the little brass risers that the mobo sits on and seeing if there is enough clearance that way. Is thereany dangers to mounting my MoBo directly to the case instead of on the brass nipple that came with?>
 
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Franklin_4

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LOL thanks for this
 
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thx1138v2

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DO NOT do this. Pins on the bottom of the motherboard will short out against the case and damage the mobo and possibly other components. It would also modify air flow around the mobo and cause it to run hotter.

Another, larger case might be cheaper than taking chances unless you just have to have that sized case.
 
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raisonjohn

raisonjohn

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Don't remove the stand-offs. As said above, you don't want your motherboard to have a direct contact with the metal case.

Two alternative solutions to your HDD location problem (hitting the RAMs) are these:

1) Use a 3.5" to 2.5" bracket and mount the HDD verticaly like the SSD in the sample build I posted above, using this: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994159
17-994-159-02.jpg

The screw holes at the bottom of this bracket lines up with the screw holes of your case's 2.5" SSD mounts. The screw holes at the sides of this bracket is for the 3.5" HDD.

2) Use a 5.25" to 3.5" tray and mount the HDD in your case's Optical Drive cage, using this: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994160&cm_re=5.25%22_to_3.5%22-_-17-994-160-_-Product
17-994-160-02.jpg
 
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Franklin_4

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Hey everyone thanks a lot for weighing in, especially about the risers. I decided against that until i heard back from yall, glad i held out (i can be a serious hardheaded dumby at times).

I really didnt like having my HDD mounted vertically. I felt like a spinning disc wasnt a good thing from the start, but staccato frame rates kinda proved this for me. I really wouldnt recommend anybody mount a HDD on its side, SSds are very different story.


Anyway, I ended up flipping the HDD around, so the SATA cables go thru the 5.25 inch bay, run down the front panel, and plug into the HDD 'backwards."

However, this created another problem...the "front" of my harddrive is butting but against one of my ram sticks slightly. both sticks are still recognized, accepting my overclocks in CAS, and operating at normal temps it appears, but i was wondering if there are any unforseen problems i should keep an eye out for in the near furture.

 
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raisonjohn

raisonjohn

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HDD can be mounted vertically, horizontally, upside down, without bad effects on its performance or lifespan. However, TILTED mounting (such as in your case) will.

In fact, server builds / NAS usually have vertically-mounted HDDs. Some cases also have 3.5" HDD mounting designed vertically (for example: Fractal Design Define S http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-s).
hero3_062216.jpg


According to HDD manufacturers:

From Seagate: “All Seagate and Maxtor-brand hard drives can be fitted sideways or upside down. As long as they are not moved during use and get enough cooling, it is irrelevant in which direction they are mounted.”
Source: http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/195931en

From Western Digital: “The drive can be mounted sideways, on end, or even upside down as long as the mounting screws are used properly.”
Source: https://support.wdc.com/knowledgebase/answer.aspx?ID=981#mount

From Hitachi: “Hitachi Deskstar drive can be mounted with any side or end vertical or horizontal. Do not mount the drive in a tilted position.”
Source: https://www.hgst.com/sites/default/files/resources/SATAInstallposter.pdf

 
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Franklin_4

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i believe this to be true but if a HDD is mounted flat one way for a year or two i dont think its wise to change its orient. Bearings work the same way in almost all equipment and wearing them in different directions isnt the best thing for any bearing. The way i initally had my hdd mounted it was probably a little wobbly (only 3 connection points), but its seems to be doing fine now. going to upgrade to a 2.5" SSD in the near future anyway though.



 
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