Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 HDDs
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Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 HDDs
I'm looking for a small foot print Mini-ITX case that has a small footprint (12" depth or smaller), yet has the ability to hold 6 3.5" HDD or more. I want it to be able to fit on my slim bookshelf.
The thing is that a Mini-ITX motherboard is a mere 6.7 x 6.7 in, yet I don't understand why almost all Mini-ITX cases are over 1ft in depth (300mm). I always see cases where the hard drives are in front of the motherboard or a psu in front or behind the motherboard, when so much footprint can be saved having these components on top or below the motherboard. I imagine the optimal configuration for me be a case that is built tall instead of deep, like a multi-story building topologically with the mobo/psu/drives having their own story.
The closest ive found are the Fractal Node 304 cases and the Lian Li PC-q08 which holds 6 HDDs, but are over 300mm in depth
The thing is that a Mini-ITX motherboard is a mere 6.7 x 6.7 in, yet I don't understand why almost all Mini-ITX cases are over 1ft in depth (300mm). I always see cases where the hard drives are in front of the motherboard or a psu in front or behind the motherboard, when so much footprint can be saved having these components on top or below the motherboard. I imagine the optimal configuration for me be a case that is built tall instead of deep, like a multi-story building topologically with the mobo/psu/drives having their own story.
The closest ive found are the Fractal Node 304 cases and the Lian Li PC-q08 which holds 6 HDDs, but are over 300mm in depth
Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
That's about all what current market holds for you. You'd have to build one yourself, i'm afraid.mkygod wrote:The closest ive found are the Fractal Node 304 cases and the Lian Li PC-q08 which holds 6 HDDs, but are over 300mm in depth
You might get away with a combination of small itx case with external SATA/SAS HDDs in an enclosure, but i doubt your size requirements can be met.
Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
It's just frustrating because i want to build NAS that is of comparable size to prebuilt NAS; at least in the depth department.
The LIAN LI PC-Q07 is actually the perfect footprint, but only holds a couple of HDDs. If they just made it a few inches taller, it wouldn't have a problem holding 6 HDD's.
The LIAN LI PC-Q07 is actually the perfect footprint, but only holds a couple of HDDs. If they just made it a few inches taller, it wouldn't have a problem holding 6 HDD's.
Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
i stumbled upon this case, but didn't check any availability:
http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=452&area
http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=452&area
Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
If you can find one with 4 5.25" bays, you could use 2 (5.25") to 3 (3.5") adapters to get your needed bays.
Or one with 3 3.5 and 2 5.25s (with 1 adapter).
Or one with 3 3.5 and 2 5.25s (with 1 adapter).
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Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
Pappnaas wrote:i stumbled upon this case, but didn't check any availability:
http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=452&area
It won't fit any "Billy" & the likes (it's huge for a mITX).
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Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
a q07 would easily work for your plan. custom mount two drives on the front face, and one under the opti cage.
ill bite. whats a billy?quest_for_silence wrote:
"Billy"
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Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
@qfs thats a new one on me. thanks!
@ OP what about putting a case in sideways? that would really open up your options for a ready made case.
@ OP what about putting a case in sideways? that would really open up your options for a ready made case.
Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
I'm very short on shelf space, so having the computer horizontally will not be feasible. However, i do have an unlimited amount of headspace, so a tall case would be good.
This is would be a perfect size, but it only fits THREE 3.5" HDDs - http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.p ... 91&area=en
Shame that a case that tall only fits 3 hard drives.
This is would be a perfect size, but it only fits THREE 3.5" HDDs - http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.p ... 91&area=en
Shame that a case that tall only fits 3 hard drives.
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Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
plenty of room for 3 more drives in there, you just have to get a bit crafty.
Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
Crafty or ghetto? In my mind, im thiinking of zipties.xan_user wrote:plenty of room for 3 more drives in there, you just have to get a bit crafty.
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Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
For the Silverstone FT03, perhaps a custom aluminium HDD cage (or even a ready-made one if you can find something suitable) situated where the PCI-e slots are? Should be able to fit 3x 3.5" drives in that space. Prop it up from the bottom of the case, or bolt it to the side panel. Whatever works.mkygod wrote:Crafty or ghetto? In my mind, im thiinking of zipties.xan_user wrote:plenty of room for 3 more drives in there, you just have to get a bit crafty.
For the cases that you said are ideal, but simply too deep for your shelf, have you considered simply turning the case around so it's sideways on the shelf? Shouldn't be too hard to manage cabling? The PSU power cord is black, and you can get black USB and display cables. Shouldn't be hard to make it look neat and tidy.
Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
This Logic Supply case looks promising.
Couple that with a an ASRock C2750D4I and you could do 12 drives, although cabling and power would be a nightmare.
Couple that with a an ASRock C2750D4I and you could do 12 drives, although cabling and power would be a nightmare.
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Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
fortezza wrote:This Logic Supply case looks promising.
Couple that with a an ASRock C2750D4I and you could do 12 drives, although cabling and power would be a nightmare.
Taking apart the Avoton usual outrageous pricing, I don't understand how it can handle six 3,5" HDDs.
Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
That's the right depth, but its much to wide. I'm looking for more of a tower form factor with minimal footprint, instead of the wide htpc/vcr shape or bread box shape. Something in the realm of 12 x 12 in footprint with height not being a factor.fortezza wrote:This Logic Supply case looks promising.
Couple that with a an ASRock C2750D4I and you could do 12 drives, although cabling and power would be a nightmare.
Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
You could screw long subwoofer spikes to the back of the Fractal Node. The footprint would only be 210mm x 250mm. The spike are tall enough for airflow, they are designed to reduce vibration and you might not even need cables with angles plugs depending on the lenght of the spikes.xan_user wrote:@ OP what about putting a case in sideways? that would really open up your options for a ready made case.
Re: Looking for small footprint Mini-ITX case that holds 6 H
If you are lookin for small footprint MiniITX case, this is smallest you can find:
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=67099
But you must say goodbye to discrete graphics.
It fits 3 HDD drives and 1 mSATA SSD.
If you haven't bought drives yet, 2.5" version are around 5% more expensive in my country, but much more quiet, space and power saver.
If you already have six 3.5" drives than it is better to separate storage from other components, because miniITX case with six 3.5" drives is hard to find.
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=67099
But you must say goodbye to discrete graphics.
It fits 3 HDD drives and 1 mSATA SSD.
If you haven't bought drives yet, 2.5" version are around 5% more expensive in my country, but much more quiet, space and power saver.
If you already have six 3.5" drives than it is better to separate storage from other components, because miniITX case with six 3.5" drives is hard to find.