Can I mount a HDD without the drive bay?

[BenKavanagh]

My case is a coolermaster n200. I have a ssd mounted on the mobo tray and will later put in a hdd. I would prefer taking out the drive bay. Can i mount a hdd in the case with the drive bay?

[W-L]

4 minutes ago, BenKavanagh said:

My case is a coolermaster n200. I have a ssd mounted on the mobo tray and will later put in a hdd. I would prefer taking out the drive bay. Can i mount a hdd in the case with the drive bay?

As in putthe the HDD in the 5.25" drive bay, yes you can always get an adapter:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005OJFASY/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687662&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0094D8UGU&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=32YST99Q52WBJ7CC9KVG

[Idefinitelyknowstuff---]

Yeah just use some velcro strips and attach it to a wall of the case or use double sided tape

[ARikozuM]

You can also buy a hot-swap tray.

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

6 minutes ago, Idefinitelyknowstuff--- said:

Yeah just use some velcro strips and attach it to a wall of the case or use double sided tape

Never do that with a HDD. An SSD can survive being dropped even during operation. If a HDD falls, it could shatter the disk platters inside, loosing all of your data and damage other components in your system if it falls onto anything. Also, a HDD spins at 5400 to even 7200 RPM so you want it mounted securely as possible.

[Idefinitelyknowstuff---]

Just now, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

Never do that with a HDD. An SSD can survive being dropped even during operation. If a HDD falls, it could shatter the disk platters inside, loosing all of your data.

If you look back at some of Linus's old build log videos he does it multiple times, along with many other tech youtubers. Jayztwocents just made a video where he did it. As long as you're not throwing your computer around youre fine. Also I just took apart some old HDDs and dropped it on cement and pounded on it with a hammer and it was fine. Hell i even pried it open using a screwdriver between the platters and they never broke. Its more likely theyll be scratched.

[BenKavanagh]

16 minutes ago, W-L said:

As in putthe the HDD in the 5.25" drive bay, yes you can always get an adapter:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005OJFASY/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687662&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0094D8UGU&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=32YST99Q52WBJ7CC9KVG

Do i need an adapter if i put it in the 3.5" bay under the 5.25 bay?

[ARikozuM]

2 minutes ago, Idefinitelyknowstuff--- said:

If you look back at some of Linus's old build log videos he does it multiple times, along with many other tech youtubers. Jayztwocents just made a video where he did it. As long as you're not throwing your computer around youre fine. Also I just took apart some old HDDs and dropped it on cement and pounded on it with a hammer and it was fine. Hell i even pried it open using a screwdriver between the platters and they never broke. Its more likely theyll be scratched.

 

6 minutes ago, BlueChinchillaEatingDorito said:

Never do that with a HDD. An SSD can survive being dropped even during operation. If a HDD falls, it could shatter the disk platters inside, loosing all of your data and damage other components in your system if it falls onto anything. Also, a HDD spins at 5400 to even 7200 RPM so you want it mounted securely as possible.

The issue is usually the reading head that becomes damaged by the shock or the platter being taken out of stable spin (like when you spin a frisbee and place it on a stick).

 

If the OP wants to use double sided tape: Screw down the hard drive and tape the SSD to it.

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

1 minute ago, Idefinitelyknowstuff--- said:

If you look back at some of Linus's old build log videos he does it multiple times, along with many other tech youtubers. Jayztwocents just made a video where he did it. As long as you're not throwing your computer around youre fine. Also I just took apart some old HDDs and dropped it on cement and pounded on it with a hammer and it was fine. Hell i even pried it open using a screwdriver between the platters and they never broke. Its more likely theyll be scratched.

If you want to risk that, then go right ahead. But don't come crying to me if your HDD drops and you loose all of your important documents and photos. Hard Drives are not designed to be dropped or jostled severely. These are extremely delicate components. Have you ever wondered why portable hard drives fail so often?

[W-L]

5 minutes ago, BenKavanagh said:

Do i need an adapter if i put it in the 3.5" bay under the 5.25 bay?

Oh you want to physically put the drive under the 5.25" bays and not in the bay itself? 

 

If you did that you would need to make some custom mounting or brackets to hold it to the existing 5.25" bay but it's doable. 

[xGGAx]

As W-L pointed out, your best bet would be to get a 5.25" adapter. If I were you I would get something like this:
 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994163

 

[Flavortown2k16]

6 minutes ago, xGGAx said:

As W-L pointed out, your best bet would be to get a 5.25" adapter. If I were you I would get something like this:
 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994163

 

that looks really handy. Wouldn work in my small case so ill stay with ssd in the cord pile in bottom of my case ;(