Best rack mount case with support for 24 drives

[glitch452]

Hi Everyone,

 

I’m looking for some input on a home-lab server case.

 

Here are the features I’m looking for:

• Rack Mount (Probably 4U)
• 24 Hot-Swappable 3.5” Drive Bays
• Backplane with support for SATA (II or III) (Maybe SAS 12G) that adapts to Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8643) connectors
• ATX Power Supply Support
• Support for CEB 12 inch x 11 inch Motherboard (Specifically the ASUS PRO WS TRX50-SAGE WIFI https://www.asus.com/motherboards-components/motherboards/workstation/pro-ws-trx50-sage-wifi/)
• Available for purchase in and shipping to Canada

 

I’m looking for any recommendations for cases that fit those requirements.  Alternatively, I’m open to exploring options for a case without built-in drive bays, and an external disk shelf.

 

So far I found this one (https://www.amazon.ca/RROYJJ-Rackmount-Mini-SAS-Interface-Hot-Swappable/dp/B0BS44VYFN) and I’m wondering if it’s any good.  I’ve heard of horror stories with some of these cheaper cases where the backplanes kill drives.

 

Any help is very much appreciated, thank you!

[Electronics Wizardy]

Mind going with ebay?

 

Id look for systems using the Supermicr 846 chassis. 

 

This is a 36 bay unit, so less space for the board and low profile cards.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/374779823226?epid=1383042983&hash=item57429e447a:g:fm8AAOSwdY5km03o&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwLhH1MK13dbQDGbNLqm9YUWUHRBrQYuOH6fwm5LyCriS5Wv%2FY%2F8soJeXyka%2BlR%2BOS7THBB3XAvLeFe9cPhB2IL6Npx5hlzMAYzEkfrGOfPGXwTULooO6LRiFHB8GF1ypa0bJJ9EPPqqLtGWGQY6n2eHUXu%2BiSOsA8r7ccaC1LgBROScGf%2FPZkYzMXoIw0SPifS6abf8P1OgOvryfjq3F1tQcm2IAOASLYFvc%2FH5NN2CkoLZrlWPGjnqpZLsZO%2BQHNg%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR7j8h_GYYw

 

Here is a 24 bay version.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/144625128370?hash=item21ac5453b2:g:p0AAAOSwjl9hyj~1&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA4FP6DblA6EbH7iwjGFn6W7vsRMxZQGutvzDnnGEWRwTBCDCqZrIbsVFOquHoO%2FHFlKmni4K4BZSXno3tEM8V2kY%2FBS3putMrWVdJXoydK8G1oySfl%2Bbm3yRJ7UMmMidqnoP5r%2BDwRvBJoLeQSEB0htqY3L1RimrSbKZDNMKEqFMCtaHYq9EkqOTqkdaRPKGFGY3Rq8FJrEjgaFI1mJuJ3qd%2F%2F%2B6%2BvxCWQDBHPShqmT15Zd6YAjSXrrwZv%2B0cTEf3Bi47ZwwRyS8RdkmgI6hlUvzIFizy1FDeWXDblLUGF9r1|tkp%3ABFBM8KiT8Zhj

 

Keep looking on ebay, there are lots more options, and these are some I found quickly.

 

 

[glitch452]

8 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Here is a 24 bay version.

Thanks! The 24 bay version looks interesting. I can't tell if the PSU can be swapped for a standard ATX form factor one, do you know if this is possible?

[Electronics Wizardy]

1 minute ago, glitch452 said:

Thanks! The 24 bay version looks interesting. I can't tell if the PSU can be swapped for a standard ATX form factor one, do you know if this is possible?

Not easily typically. There is often enough room if you want to cut a hole in the back and make it fit.

 

The built in PSUs are ATX standard internally so they should work with a standard board, and there pretty high quality, so I don't see a issue using them here.

[glitch452]

Intersting. I was more concerned about sound level, as this will be sitting in my home office. From what I understand, server parts have loud fans... I was hoping to swap all the internal fans to Noctua and get a nearly silent PSU. 

[mariushm]

Newegg has cases with lots of 3.5" bays here : https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?N=100008044 600010490 600010489 600166623&Order=1

 

For example the Norco 4U with 24 drives:  https://www.newegg.com/norco-rpc-4224/p/N82E16811219038?Item=9SIBMANK5N4056

 

also cheaper cases like the Rosewill one with 12 bays for $360 : https://www.newegg.com/rosewill-rsv-l4412u-black/p/N82E16811147330?Item=N82E16811147330

 

 

[TheGreatestGazoo]

3 hours ago, mariushm said:

Newegg has cases with lots of 3.5" bays here : https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?N=100008044 600010490 600010489 600166623&Order=1

 

For example the Norco 4U with 24 drives:  https://www.newegg.com/norco-rpc-4224/p/N82E16811219038?Item=9SIBMANK5N4056

 

also cheaper cases like the Rosewill one with 12 bays for $360 : https://www.newegg.com/rosewill-rsv-l4412u-black/p/N82E16811147330?Item=N82E16811147330

 

 

I have a version of that Rosewill case. It's not terrible for setting up a homebrew server at home with consumer parts and the price is reasonable. I do have 3 Noctua intake fans in the front with two smaller exhaust fans and I used a Corsair Commander to control them. I didn't get hot-swap drive bays for mine though as it's not necessary. I have 6 10TB drives in it for mostly media serving plus a couple of other drives for other things, and I also have MS Server 2022 running in it so I set up a domain for home use since we have 11 computers in our house. That lets me play Network Admin for the house. One thing is that the inside of the case is not good though with lots of sharp corners just waiting to cut up your hands. I used an MSI Carbon X370 mobo and Ryzen 1600 with a RM650x PSU (no room for dual PSUs).

[glitch452]

Hey everyone, Thanks of much for the responses.  Just to close the loop on this, I've decided to look out for a decent deal on a CSE-846 chassis, seems like the perfect fit for what I want to accomplish :).