recomendation for an ATX case with 8 3.5'' HDDs

[asheenlevrai]

Hi

 

I'm currently shopping for an ATX case that could

 - host 8 3.5'' HDDs

 - provide decent airflow

 - not provide an unrealistic challenge to build and work with

 - not bring the budget to the roof (although paying more for a better quality is obviously the goal)

 

For now I am thinking about the Fractal Meshify 2 with some additional (optional) HDD tray kits, in order to fit the 8 HDDs.

 

However, I found difficult to filter results in most search engines because specs sheets for cases do not systematically specify that more HDDs could be added by purchasing optional HDDs mounting accessories.

 

Do you have any suggestions for cases that could compete with the Fractal Meshify 2 in that scenario?

 

Thank you very much in advance for your help.

Best,

-a-

[Elle1217]

The best cases around the same price that come to mind is  the "Corsair iCUE 220T RGB Airflow" and the "Phanteks Eclipse P400A D-RGB". In my region they cost the same as the Meshify 2 and they preforme really well if you move one of the front fans to exhoust in the rear. 

 

Now I dont know if your region has anythong better. but in my region these ar the best for around 100$ along with the "Antec P101 Silent" of you dont need a sidepanel or rgb fans.

[mariushm]

 

You can buy adapters that convert several 5.25" bays into 3.5" slots. So if you buy an older design case with slots for optical drives, you can increase the number of hard drive bays.

 

Also, there's "server" cases with 12 or more 3.5" bays on the front... the kind that stay horizontal instead of vertical. Their only downside is weight and the fact you may have problems with very tall fans.

 

Here's some example links for the adapter cages but note they're expensive, you can find more plain cages for 10-30$ :

https://www.amazon.com/ICY-DOCK-MB155SP-B-Hot-Swap-Backplane/dp/B00DWHLFMA/ref=sr_1_26?crid=3AK36HAXSFD6E&dchild=1&keywords=5.25+to+3.5+bay+adapter&qid=1614509360&sprefix=5.25+to+3.5+%2Caps%2C296&sr=8-26

https://www.amazon.com/ICY-DOCK-MB830SP-B-Tray-Less-Removable/dp/B07YQKHL8N/ref=sr_1_18?crid=3AK36HAXSFD6E&dchild=1&keywords=5.25+to+3.5+bay+adapter&qid=1614509296&sprefix=5.25+to+3.5+%2Caps%2C296&sr=8-18

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Bay-3-5-SATA-Backplane/dp/B077PMJ2X4/ref=sr_1_10_sspa?crid=3AK36HAXSFD6E&dchild=1&keywords=5.25+to+3.5+bay+adapter&qid=1614509296&sprefix=5.25+to+3.5+%2Caps%2C296&sr=8-10-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyQTVHVTJaWTE1WDNJJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjA3ODQyMVZSRFAzREROVkc1RiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDc4NzI4M0VFSFdOWkxHN0RPSiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

https://www.amazon.com/MB074SP-B-Vortex-Removable-Module-Cooler/dp/B00GSQMYY0/ref=sr_1_19?crid=3AK36HAXSFD6E&dchild=1&keywords=5.25+to+3.5+bay+adapter&qid=1614509348&sprefix=5.25+to+3.5+%2Caps%2C296&sr=8-19

 

 

Here's example of a regular vertical / tower case with plenty of internal 3.5" slots AND 3 5.25" bays you could convert into 3.5" bays  : https://www.newegg.com/black-chenbro-sr20969-co/p/N82E16811123127?&quicklink=true

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[IkeaGnome]

It's a bit more than the meshify and bigger in size and weight, but this was my old case. It's getting turned into a NAS now. There is still room for the front fans with the removable HDD cages. 

https://www.phanteks.com/Enthoo-Evolv-X.html

[asheenlevrai]

20 hours ago, mariushm said:

 

You can buy adapters that convert several 5.25" bays into 3.5" slots. So if you buy an older design case with slots for optical drives, you can increase the number of hard drive bays.

 

Also, there's "server" cases with 12 or more 3.5" bays on the front... the kind that stay horizontal instead of vertical. Their only downside is weight and the fact you may have problems with very tall fans.

 

Here's some example links for the adapter cages but note they're expensive, you can find more plain cages for 10-30$ :

https://www.amazon.com/ICY-DOCK-MB155SP-B-Hot-Swap-Backplane/dp/B00DWHLFMA/ref=sr_1_26?crid=3AK36HAXSFD6E&dchild=1&keywords=5.25+to+3.5+bay+adapter&qid=1614509360&sprefix=5.25+to+3.5+%2Caps%2C296&sr=8-26

https://www.amazon.com/ICY-DOCK-MB830SP-B-Tray-Less-Removable/dp/B07YQKHL8N/ref=sr_1_18?crid=3AK36HAXSFD6E&dchild=1&keywords=5.25+to+3.5+bay+adapter&qid=1614509296&sprefix=5.25+to+3.5+%2Caps%2C296&sr=8-18

https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-Bay-3-5-SATA-Backplane/dp/B077PMJ2X4/ref=sr_1_10_sspa?crid=3AK36HAXSFD6E&dchild=1&keywords=5.25+to+3.5+bay+adapter&qid=1614509296&sprefix=5.25+to+3.5+%2Caps%2C296&sr=8-10-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyQTVHVTJaWTE1WDNJJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjA3ODQyMVZSRFAzREROVkc1RiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDc4NzI4M0VFSFdOWkxHN0RPSiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

https://www.amazon.com/MB074SP-B-Vortex-Removable-Module-Cooler/dp/B00GSQMYY0/ref=sr_1_19?crid=3AK36HAXSFD6E&dchild=1&keywords=5.25+to+3.5+bay+adapter&qid=1614509348&sprefix=5.25+to+3.5+%2Caps%2C296&sr=8-19

 

 

Here's example of a regular vertical / tower case with plenty of internal 3.5" slots AND 3 5.25" bays you could convert into 3.5" bays  : https://www.newegg.com/black-chenbro-sr20969-co/p/N82E16811123127?&quicklink=true

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks!

 

I didn't know about these HDD cages (4 disks into 3 5.25'' slots).

I really, really like the concept very much. However, I believe I no longer have an empty/unused case with external 5.25'' bays around.

Given the price of these cages and the fact that I would still need to purchase a regular case in order to replace the one I would take from a current machine that has 5.25'' bays, I am not sure that this solution would make sense financially. I'll look into it though, see if I may find better deals for such cages.

But thanks again. A lot

-a-

[mariushm]

2 minutes ago, asheenlevrai said:

Thanks!

 

 

Given the price of these cages and the fact that I would still need to purchase a regular case in order to replace the one I would take from a current machine that has 5.25'' bays, I am not sure that this solution would make sense financially. I'll look into it though, see if I may find better deals for such cages.

But thanks again. A lot

-a-

Like I said, you can find more basic models much cheaper on ebay and other sites.

Here's some links in the 18-25$ range : 

 

5x3.5"

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hard-Drive-Caddy-Cage-Rack-5-25-to-5x-3-5-SATA-SAS-HDD-Tray-Bracket-Case/202863565175

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Hard-Drive-Cage-Chassis-Caddy-Rack-3-x-5-25-to-5-x-3-5-SATA-SAS-HDDs/293697697061

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-25-to-5x-3-5-SATA-SAS-HDD-Cage-Rack-Hard-Drive-Tray-Caddy-Adapter/124325546964

 

4x3.5"

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rosewill-RSV-Cage-4-x-3-5-HDD-Hard-Drive-Cage-Tray-for-RSV-R4000-RSV-L4000/183280243932

 

 

You could combine it with a case like Rosewill THOR  for example : https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16811147158?&quicklink=true

 

It has 6 internal hard drive bays, and 6 5.25" bays, so you could have up to 2 such cages, so 16 hard drives in total. 

You should probably also replace the fans in front of the drives with higher quality fans so that's also a small cost.

 

The case is quite similar to the one I have, Aerocool XPredator, probably same OEM manufacturer makes both ... in which case I can say I'm quite happy with the build quality, it's a good (but HEAVY) case.

 

[asheenlevrai]

On 2/28/2021 at 11:21 AM, Elle1217 said:

The best cases around the same price that come to mind is  the "Corsair iCUE 220T RGB Airflow" and the "Phanteks Eclipse P400A D-RGB". In my region they cost the same as the Meshify 2 and they preforme really well if you move one of the front fans to exhoust in the rear. 

 

Now I dont know if your region has anythong better. but in my region these ar the best for around 100$ along with the "Antec P101 Silent" of you dont need a sidepanel or rgb fans.

Thanks a lot

Indeed I don't need RGB fans

 - The Antec p101 silent looks good and is a little less expensive than the Meshify 2 in my region (although currently unavailable). I may get this one. I wonder though if the airflow will be inferior/limited when the front panel is closed (compared to the mesh front panel of the Meshify 2. But I guess this shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for the advice.

 

EDIT: Currently the Phanteks p500A non-RGB seems to be the cheapest option in my region. But it looks less convenient than the Antec p101 since some HDDs will be located under the PSU shroud. I really like this Antec case now

 

- The Corsair iCUE 220T RGB Airflow is limited to two 3.5'' HDDs as far as I can tell. I couldn't find in the manual how to fit 8 of them in this case. Did I miss something?

 

 - The Phanteks Eclipse P400A D-RGB is limited to six 3.5'' HDDs. 2 in the HDD cage and up to another 4 by purchasing additional HDD trays. Right?

 

Thanks

-a-

[TVwazhere]

10 hours ago, asheenlevrai said:

 - The Antec p101 silent looks good and is a little less expensive than the Meshify 2 in my region (although currently unavailable). I may get this one. I wonder though if the airflow will be inferior/limited when the front panel is closed (compared to the mesh front panel of the Meshify 2. But I guess this shouldn't be a problem. Thanks for the advice.

 

EDIT: Currently the Phanteks p500A non-RGB seems to be the cheapest option in my region. But it looks less convenient than the Antec p101 since some HDDs will be located under the PSU shroud. I really like this Antec case now

 

- The Corsair iCUE 220T RGB Airflow is limited to two 3.5'' HDDs as far as I can tell. I couldn't find in the manual how to fit 8 of them in this case. Did I miss something?

 

 - The Phanteks Eclipse P400A D-RGB is limited to six 3.5'' HDDs. 2 in the HDD cage and up to another 4 by purchasing additional HDD trays. Right?

 

Thanks

-a-

You have all the information correct on all accounts. 

 

For reference, should you decide to go the Meshify 2 route, you'll need "Type B" HDD Trays. The Type A's will only work with the Define R6. 

https://www.alzashop.com/fractal-design-hdd-tray-kit-type-b-black-d6102824.htm

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Fractal-Case-Tray-Type-Black/dp/B08GZRSW7T/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=type+b+hdd+tray&qid=1614627316&s=computers&sr=1-2

 

Double check if you can find a Define R6 in place of the P101, you'll get decently better airflow and definitely better build quality. Prices between the R6 and P101 are within $3 of each other here in the States

[asheenlevrai]

11 hours ago, TVwazhere said:

...

 

Double check if you can find a Define R6 in place of the P101, you'll get decently better airflow and definitely better build quality. Prices between the R6 and P101 are within $3 of each other here in the States

You mean Define R5, right? The R6 is substantially more expensive in my region...

 

Thank you so much

[TVwazhere]

6 hours ago, asheenlevrai said:

You mean Define R5, right? The R6 is substantially more expensive in my region...

 

Thank you so much

I did mean the R6, though if the R5 is available that would be a decent budget solution too. That version should come with 8 pre installed HDD's as it was made in a time where that was still commonplace.

[asheenlevrai]

17 hours ago, TVwazhere said:

I did mean the R6, though if the R5 is available that would be a decent budget solution too. That version should come with 8 pre installed HDD's as it was made in a time where that was still commonplace.

OK thanks

 

In my region, the R5 is around $125 (like the Antec p101), the Meshify 2 is around $150-160 while the R6 is between $150 and $200

[TVwazhere]

5 hours ago, asheenlevrai said:

the R6 is between $150 and $200

OOF! That's way too high!