NAS Case - 16 Drives

[OhioYJ]

So I've been looking to upgrade my NAS a bit. I'm hesitant to just upgrade my drives with larger ones, as my drives have very little usage (8 Total at the moment). So I'd like to just add more drives (8 More).  This leaves me search for a case that can hold 16 SATA drives. Preferably without a backplane (one I can plug directly into the drives, reduce failure points). Am using an ATX board, standard ATX PSU. Would prefer to keep my current hardware, could switch the PSU if that helps.

 

• It's kind of looking like my only option is the Define 7 XL? (Currently using an R5).
• Server / Rack cases are fine, don't care about height (4U, 6U etc), it's the depth, I don't really want getting out of hand. Would prefer to stick to the shallower depth cases.
• The Enthoo Pro 2 says 12 drives, but it sort of looks like you might be able to put more brackets in there than they say? Can anyone confirm?

 

Am I missing obvious choices? I'm in the US, prefer purchasing from major vendors.

[thrasher_565]

with a big case and something like this?

there are some case that have hdd cadys but they cost alot and dont think you can do 16.

an old case with 5.25 bays could also work.

3.5 to pci

3.5 to 120mm

3.5 to 120mm/140mm hdd mount 4x4 = 16 hdd so you could do even more then 16 i guess in say the Enthoo Pro 2...

something like this would give a 120mm mount and hdd can slide in.

Edited July 17, 2023 by thrasher_565

[jd680]

I would suggest the Fractal Meshify 2 XL and using it in storage mode. Should fit your use case quite well!

[OhioYJ]

3 hours ago, jd680 said:

I would suggest the Fractal Meshify 2 XL and using it in storage mode. Should fit your use case quite well!

It does look like a very good option. It wouldn't require modifications to breath either like the Define 7 XL. I like this one. Not sure how I missed it. Doesn't look like it's an easy one to obtain at the moment, but still obtainable.