Why no cases without 5.25" bays?

[Skyhawk Delta]

It seems to me that with optical drives becoming less and less used, that at least one case manufacturer would come out with a case without 5.25" drive bays.  But no such case exists to my knowledge.

 

The way I think about it is this.  You could use an external drive to install windows and do anything else that a traditional internal drive would do.  With the large drive bays out of the way, you would have much better cooling with air blowing directly at the cpu cooler (assuming air cooling) or you could fill it to the brim with 3.5" or 2.5" bays for hard drives and ssds, if you have a need for a large amount of storage.  Alternatively, there could be a basement type design such as with the Corsair 900D or Silverstone TJ07 that handles all the storage drives as well as the PSU, and make the case shorter and taller.  This brings the motherboard closer to the front of the case and further improving cooling for the CPU and graphics card.

 

So why has no manufatcurer taken a leap like this?  Is it too risky?  Would a case without them not sell well? Are there design challenges that I'm not seeing?

[gibbsy81]

Well what's the point in them taking them out they can be used for things like hot swap bays.

[ThunderShark]

The truth is that there are still many people that have an optical drive. There is no reason for them to not put one in as there would be less of a market (although not a large portion). People aren't suggesting it so they aren't making it.

[gibbsy81]

And what would they put there.

[Skyhawk Delta]

And what would they put there.

 

I was thinking fan(s) or more hard drive or ssd bays.

[gibbsy81]

I was thinking fan(s) or more hard drive or ssd bays.

True.

[tk421]

Fractal's node 304 doesn't have an optical drive bay.  I think there a couple of others but not many.  Most manufacturers don't want to exclude certain parts of their market that do still need one.

[airdeano]

 

ypu mean like this? ODD bays are slowly dying, but still users request them.. drill

bit and a drill makes them go away..

 

airdeano

[FluffyNuggets]

Caselabs cases all have no optical bays. Instead they come with brackets that you can install if needed.

[miksu103]

I would buy one of it would be suitable. I don't have drive in my r3. Sometimes I have used external for os install but now I install from usb stick.

[Glenwing]

-Fan Controllers

-Card Readers

-Additional Ports

-Hot-Swap Drive Bays

-Water Cooling Pumps/Reservoirs

[Cs342]

Optical drives are far from obsolete. Many people still prefer the experience of physically purchasing and installing a game, and most music lovers will definitely prefer an actual CD over an iTunes download. 5.25 inch bays can also be used for things like fan controllers.

[NeutronGTX]

it would be cool, if they still had the slot on the case for the 5.25 inch bay, but with a removable cage and another cage for hdds and ssds that could be put in place of it.

[Glenwing]

it would be cool, if they still had the slot on the case for the 5.25 inch bay, but with a removable cage and another cage for hdds and ssds that could be put in place of it.

 

Well they're completely different sizes so it's easier said than done.  5.25"-mounted drive bays are an simpler solution.

[brownninja97]

I think they should stay, cases look better with them anyways and its doesnt case space problems in every case.