Case recomendations for home file server.

[C7J0yc3]

I'm about to pull the trigger, but I wanted some outside input before I plunk down the cash. I am looking to add another 3 drives to my current home server for more content. My current case (Thermaltake Matrix) has no more room for drives, not to mention its getting cramped (3 hotswap bays + 4 internal drives + floppy + CDROM + everything else makes for a hot crowded mess). So I'm looking to dump this midtower and get a full tower with all the expansion I need. My two thoughts are

Antec 1200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129043

or

NZXT WHISPER WHI - 001BK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146051

Ideally I would have liked a Lian Li v2000 or v2100 but can't seem to find one for less then $200.

Basically here are the requirements, at least 8 hard drive bays, under $180, and preferably not too flashy (I love me some blue LEDs and UV cathodes, but I don't want my server to be rice).

 

[Zepher]

I have this case,
http://www.yeongyang.com/yy-0221.htm

and I have seen it available for around $150. I paid $200+ when I bought it 5 or so years ago.
I currently have 9 drives in it. Pics were taken when there were only 8 drives in there.

Drives side,

Mobo side,

front with panel removed,

rear,

looks like a mini fridge, lol

 

[-=Antimatter=-]

If you only need 8 bays, you can get pretty much any normal case and add a bracket to convert some of your 5.25" bays into hard drive bays.

I have a Cooler Master Elite 335 and one of the Cooler Master 4-in-3 modules and so far I've squeezed 11 drives in there.

 

[C7J0yc3]

If you only need 8 bays, you can get pretty much any normal case and add a bracket to convert some of your 5.25" bays into hard drive bays.

I have a Cooler Master Elite 335 and one of the Cooler Master 4-in-3 modules and so far I've squeezed 11 drives in there.

I considered this, and if I were going to go that route I was going to get a 5 slot hot swap backplane that converts 3 5.25 bays to hot swap SATA slots. The problem with this is that they cost about $100. My Idea currently is to get a case like the NZXT, fill all 9 drive bays, then get one of the 5 space backplanes, and then a 3 space hot swap that takes 2 of the 5.25 bays once the first one fills up for a total of 17 drives instead of a standard case that would max out around 12-14.

 

[nlancaster]

Always the tried and true

Norco 4020

4u Rackmount but could easily by modded to stand on its side as a pedistal. Gets you 20 Sata hotswap bays for the price of a case and 2 3x5 hotswap converters.