SPCR

Hi,

I've built PC for data storage. It runs on Linux with software RAID.

Specs:
- ASRock E350M1 - 120 USD
- GOODRAM DDR3 2 GB/1333 MHz/CL9 - 22 USB
- PSU FORTRON FSP350-60APN 85 - 40 USD
- 3x Samsung EG F4 2 TB - 3x 95 USD (RAID5 for data)
- 2x used WD 160 GB/2.5/SATA - 2x 35 USD (RAID1 for system)
- Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 - 50 USD
Total: 587 USD.

Discs are soft-mounted. Also fan in PSU is slowed down by 4 diodes in series.

Power usage:
- idle - 36W
- discs off - 26 W
- CPUBurn - 45 W

Temperatures:
- CPU - 50 oC
- Samsung HDDs - 33 oC
- WD HDDs - 36 oC

And some pictures...

Left side. I've done some modification to case Now I can add more soft-mounted drives


Front without cover.


Right side.


Back. You can see E-SATA to SATA cable...




Front cover. A fan is pretty noisy, so I keep it off.


Front cover (no flash).


Front cover (photo with flash, looks ugly...).


With all drives mounted.





It runs pretty quiet

Excellent mod, transforming the case from from horrid to usable.

Very nice mod.

That case is cheap and at the same time not ugly as hell. How's the build quality?

Have you thought about replacing the CPU heatsink with a (semi)passive one? Maybe Thermalright HR-05 would fit? You can attach an 80mm fan to it

I like your drive cage, but cable spaghetti needs more attention

@Vicotnik:
I was looking for microATX case with possibility to soft-mount several hard drives. Build quality is OK. Sheets have around 0.8 mm. I'm happy with everything except front mesh... It's very thin.
Before this case I've tried Chieftec BT02-B. Unfortunately I had to screw one 3.5" drive to metal frame. BT02-B is too small for 5 drives



@KadazanPL:
Maybe later Standard fan is quiet. At now noises from drives are louder

Hi there,

I have a question regarding your case, the Fractal Core 1000. Can anybody explain to me how you access an optical drive installed in the front? Say, if I built a system with a single DVD writer in the front using this case, would I need to remove the front cover to access the writer?

- Beyond here is for interest only -

I'm currently looking to build a small, quiet, budget entertainment computer which needs to cope with gaming. At the moment my plan is to build around an i5-2500, 4GB PC3-10666, 1GB GTX460. I've always been a fan of small, minimalistic cases like this Core 1000. I built my first custom build 3 years ago (Intel e6850, 8800GTS) in a huge coolermaster tower, and it was noisy. This time around I want an understated mini tower.

Thanks!

csplice wrote: I have a question regarding your case, the Fractal Core 1000. Can anybody explain to me how you access an optical drive installed in the front? Say, if I built a system with a single DVD writer in the front using this case, would I need to remove the front cover to access the writer?

Your case would look like this: Swedish Tech Report (big photo of FD Core 3000).

csplice wrote: I'm currently looking to build a small, quiet, budget entertainment computer which needs to cope with gaming. At the moment my plan is to build around an i5-2500, 4GB PC3-10666, 1GB GTX460. I've always been a fan of small, minimalistic cases like this Core 1000. I built my first custom build 3 years ago (Intel e6850, 8800GTS) in a huge coolermaster tower, and it was noisy. This time around I want an understated mini tower.

Have you checked Antec NSK3480, Antec NSK1380 or CoolerMaster Elite 341/342/343 ?

Thanks for the picture, I spent hours image searching for a Core 1000 with an optical drive installed; it never occurred to me to search for a Core 3000! The picture pretty much answers my question, it was just unclear from your photos whether the top part of the grill was removable. Clearly it was not a part of the lower grill since there are visible lines dividing them, but hey, you can never be too sure.

I did infact consider all the cases you have listed. I personally dont like the Antec cases, I guess due to them being silver and the high price. I did like the Elite 341 and 343 (The power button on the 342 is horrible) however the 341 is no longer available in the UK and between the 343 and the Core 1000 I'd have the Core 1000, which is why I have just ordered one from Ebuyer!

I have also aquired an i7-2600 (overkill yes, but it was a good deal) and now plan to buy a HD6870 instead of the GTX460. I have always liked Nvidia over ATI, but I'd hate to be the kind of guy whos only loyal to a single brand for no real reason. As far as I can tell the HD6870 is not only more powerful and less power hungry, but is also cheaper than the GTX460.

So, using a mixture of new and spare parts, on friday I'll be building my new i7-2600 - Core 1000 - HD6870 mini tower! Thanks for your help.

I'm having a really hard time finding detailed photos of the stock hard disk mounts for the Core 1000. Can you describe how it works? From the official page it seems like there's only 2x internal 3.5" drives mounted...vertically?

Yes, they are mounted vertically

You can mount vertically 2x3.5" or 3x2.5" drives. Also, there is a converter from 5.25" bay to one 2.5"/3.5" drive. It can be mounted horizontally, but it hasn't got any silicone grommets...

Pretty disappointing then. This case could have been a great option for a budget server if it wasn't for a lack of drive space.

If you don't care about size, you can go for full-ATX case Sharkoon Rebel 9 Economy.

It has 9x 5.25" drive bays and costs about 75 USD.