Case for mATX Storage server?

[Synthetickiller]

I have GMC R3 case that houses an AM3 rig. It only holds 2 hdds and its a pain to access anything internal.

Can anyone recommend a good storage oriented case possibly that's no larger than mATX and holds at least 4 drives, at least 1 120mm fan (quiet and keeps everything cool).

I saw an excellent mini itx chenbro storage server on newegg for about $195. Nice set up, obviously won't hold what I need :

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=chenbro_mini_itx-_-11-123-154-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=chenbro_mini_itx-_-11-123-128-_-Product

I have everything but drives and a case. Mobo, cpu, hsf, memory, OS, cables, psu, etc etc is already here.

I'm a little lost, so you guys must know hwo small I can go.

I don't need a DVD drive, btw.

 

[tvih]

Well, as far as mATX goes, theres the Lian Li PC-Q08. It looks nice (well, at least I think so), has one 120mm and one 140mm fan so should be quiet, and can fit 6 3.5" HDDs as well as a standard-size optical drive (though you mentioned you don't need one - but I guess you could use that slot to shove in two more 3.5" HDDs, haha). However at 21,3 liters of volume it probably isn't the smallest option. Nor the cheapest at $109.99 with no PSU.

EDIT: On a side note, one of those Chenbros would certainly make for a nice file server rig for me. Just that the price in Finland is rather hefty at 230 euros. But I suppose with a Clarkdale it could even do double duty as a HTPC (and more) without trouble.

 

[bastage]

Well, as far as mATX goes, theres the Lian Li PC-Q08. It looks nice (well, at least I think so),

The q08 is mini ITX, not mATX.. so if he already has a motherboard it probably wont work.

@Synthetickiller what motherboard do you ahve now. Since the GMC R3 is an ATX it doesnt really tell us that your using a mATX

 

[tvih]

The q08 is mini ITX, not mATX.. so if he already has a motherboard it probably wont work.

D'oh,yeah. I know that well enough, but... teaches me not to reply to topics when braindead from lack of enough sleep

 

[bastage]

D'oh,yeah. I know that well enough, but... teaches me not to reply to topics when braindead from lack of enough sleep

lol, yea but if he had an ITX mobo the q08 would be a most excellent of choices.

 

[Synthetickiller]

Sorry guys. I typed this last night half awake. Ha, amazed you can figure out any of it.

BIOSTAR TA785G3HD AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...8181&cm_re=am3_biostar-_-13-138-181-_-Product

Yes, the q08 would be ideal, but I'd have a useless mobo sitting around, unfortunately. That mATX is actually a really good board and if need be, I can always have it double as a media center PC.

Hmm.... that's an idea, ha!

 

[sheltem]

The Lian Li PC-V354 is your case! I plan on buying one for my WHS build as well. It has 7 3.5" hd bays!! The dimensions are (W x H x D): 9.65" x 12.6" x 16.54" vs. the Q08 which is: 8.94" x 10.71" x 13.58".

 

[Synthetickiller]

I saw that case. When does it come out?

I hate the PSU placement in general, but its better to be over the cards. I'm not using a stock heatsink, so the other psu placements they use in similar set ups wouldn't work.

 

[sheltem]

I saw that case. When does it come out?

I hate the PSU placement in general, but its better to be over the cards. I'm not using a stock heatsink, so the other psu placements they use in similar set ups wouldn't work.

Lian Li issued an official press release for it a couple of weeks ago. It should be showing up at retailers any day now. Someone in the thread for the case has already bought one off Ebay.

 

[Synthetickiller]

When I get around to building that out, the case should out and readily available.

$150 is kind of steep, although the design is top notch and worth it. I was hoping more along the lines of $100 or so.

I'll keep this case in mind and if I can't come up with a better solution cost wise (while staying small), I'll go this route. I might also buy on for a higher end SLI system next time I upgrade.... Liquid cooling this case would be an undertaking, although super interesting. .