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Lan/htpc/work case needed

Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - Lan/htpc/work case needed

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I need a case that is very mobile that can house least 5-7 3.5" hdd's and keep a 4870 kinda cool,any suggestions?

------------------------------ I took a step back to look at the bigger picture and realized i needed better glasses

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are you going for ATX or mATX boards?

Reply to wathman

i'll decide that when i get a case

------------------------------ I took a step back to look at the bigger picture and realized i needed better glasses
Reply to obsidian86

How much are your looking to spend? Do you prefer a HTPC type case or a tower?

The need to house 5-7 3.5" drives will limit the possibilities. Assuming you're looking for a HTPC type case then here's a few options:

These cases all have 5 internal 3.5" bays:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] rder=PRICE

These cases have 6 3.5" bays:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] rchInDesc=

This case has 7 3.5" bays:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811163118

Reply to shortstuff_mt

I looked at some nice mATX cases, your 3.5" requirement is pretty tough for the small cases. Silverstone has this one that will get 5 3.5" HDD and not skimp on cooling:
http://www.silverstonetek.com/prod [...] 8&area=usa

You will have to use a 5.25" to 3.5" adapter mount for the 5th drive though.

Otherwise you're probably looking at small ATX sized cases

Reply to wathman

this one looks ok http://www.silverstonetek.com/prod [...] 8&area=usa but im putting in a 4870 toxic,amd 710, possibly five 1tb drives one 500gb drive and and a 250gb ssd.unlimited budget my company paying for it due to my recent promotion i'll be travelling a lot some places i'll be going will reach 130 f ambient temp

Message edited by obsidian86 on 09-24-2009 at 07:15:00 PM

------------------------------ I took a step back to look at the bigger picture and realized i needed better glasses
Reply to obsidian86

What kind of timeframe do you need this by? If you can wait for the 2TB performance drives coming from WD or Seagate, you could probably compress your storage needs down to 3 physical drives + the SSD. Fewer drives will certainly help with possible heat issues, and open up more options in smaller form factors.

Reply to wathman

i might need to raid5 3 drives and raid1 the other2 due to work(solid works ect noting too intensive) and i'll need the case before oct 31st

Message edited by obsidian86 on 09-24-2009 at 07:25:33 PM

------------------------------ I took a step back to look at the bigger picture and realized i needed better glasses
Reply to obsidian86

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/768
NZXT Panzerbox is pretty compact, 4 internal 3.5", and 2 5.25" external. You'd have to convert one of the 5.25" bays to a 3.5" slot, but it will give you more than enough room and airflow. Just not as small as the Silverstone one.

I'm browsing smaller form factor cases for my own purposes now also, so if I come across anything else I'll post it here.

Message edited by wathman on 09-24-2009 at 07:34:18 PM

Reply to wathman

just found another one... http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/778/1
it's an Enermax, 7 internal 3.5", comes with good fans. It's more of a "no frills case" and has a budget friendly price. Since you have an unlimited budget, there's probably better to be had.

Reply to wathman

i was looking at this one but only 5 3.5 bays http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake- [...] 295&sr=1-3 seems to have good cooling

this for the spacing of a cpu cooler but i think i could add some fans instead

http://www.amazon.com/SilverStone- [...] 587&sr=1-3

Message edited by obsidian86 on 09-24-2009 at 07:56:35 PM

------------------------------ I took a step back to look at the bigger picture and realized i needed better glasses
Reply to obsidian86

I had a bad experience with my Thermaltake Armor Jr. case so I've been keeping away from them, but that HTPC case is a completely different layout so it's probably designed better than the Armor Jr.

Also saw this Antec mATX tower on sale at Newegg today: http://www.newegg.com/product/prod [...] 6811129041

5 internal 3.5, 1 external 3.5, 3 external 5.25. Looks pretty good for a SFF case. Just need to find interior pictures before I decide.

Reply to wathman

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index. [...] mitstart=5 looks ok maybe i could convert a bay or 2

------------------------------ I took a step back to look at the bigger picture and realized i needed better glasses
Reply to obsidian86

yeah im sold i'll take it

------------------------------ I took a step back to look at the bigger picture and realized i needed better glasses
Reply to obsidian86

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Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - Lan/htpc/work case needed