[LYL]Homer
01-07-2008, 11:54 PM
My Windows Home Server is running 9 hard drives in an Antec 3700BQE and I'm looking for an upgrade. With the drives packed in there I don't have very good airflow and I'm concerned about longterm reliability. I have something similar to this 3-in-3 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817988003) now in my case (mine is Thermaltake brand but I can't find a link now), but without a front grill - just a 120mm fan up front - that I could reuse if I have to.
I think the Lian Li PC-V2100B Plus (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112064) is tops as a replacement but at $352 shipped it is out of my price range, and by that I mean out of my wife's price range. I have a soft budget that I can 'get away with' - around $150 presently. This can increase over time (like about $50/month). But, as in many things, sooner is better.
The CoolerMaster RC-690, Cosmo, and Antec P180 are nice, but it would be more of a lateral move in terms of overall expandability. I feel I need to think bigger. I even aspire to build something like a little brother to PS-RagE's setup (http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1031604716&postcount=449), but with my ATX mobo and gear in it - but I think price is an issue again there. As a compromise, a 5-in-3 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817995001) backplane arrangement is a possibility for future hdd expansion in a more standard case unless there are cheap server cases out there that I don't know about.
So, I currently have 9 hard drives and with my controller cards I have the option to go up to 12 drives as I buy them. I've mostly looked on Newegg, but I know there must be something out there from another vendor.
So, here's the wish list:
~$150 (could go higher over time)
can hold 9 hard drives plus an optical drive, with possible expansion to 12 hdd (possibly using 3-in-3 cage)
decent airflow through case
somewhat quiet overall, 120mm fans a plus
No monster/alien/extreme looking cases please, let it be a server with dignity =)
Black, gray, and/or silver are nice
No side window preferred
Can anyone give some [H]elp finding me a case?
I think the Lian Li PC-V2100B Plus (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112064) is tops as a replacement but at $352 shipped it is out of my price range, and by that I mean out of my wife's price range. I have a soft budget that I can 'get away with' - around $150 presently. This can increase over time (like about $50/month). But, as in many things, sooner is better.
The CoolerMaster RC-690, Cosmo, and Antec P180 are nice, but it would be more of a lateral move in terms of overall expandability. I feel I need to think bigger. I even aspire to build something like a little brother to PS-RagE's setup (http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1031604716&postcount=449), but with my ATX mobo and gear in it - but I think price is an issue again there. As a compromise, a 5-in-3 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817995001) backplane arrangement is a possibility for future hdd expansion in a more standard case unless there are cheap server cases out there that I don't know about.
So, I currently have 9 hard drives and with my controller cards I have the option to go up to 12 drives as I buy them. I've mostly looked on Newegg, but I know there must be something out there from another vendor.
So, here's the wish list:
~$150 (could go higher over time)
can hold 9 hard drives plus an optical drive, with possible expansion to 12 hdd (possibly using 3-in-3 cage)
decent airflow through case
somewhat quiet overall, 120mm fans a plus
No monster/alien/extreme looking cases please, let it be a server with dignity =)
Black, gray, and/or silver are nice
No side window preferred
Can anyone give some [H]elp finding me a case?