Custom Home Server Case Thread

[antecuser]

Ok I am in need of a small case that I can move my WHS build into. My current build is loud and not as expandable as I like. Its also bigger then I would like it as well.

I have searched and searched, but I cannot find anything that even remotely comes close to my vision of the ultimate home server case. Here is my vision which I think would be a great WHS case.

This case should have 6-10 hard drive mounts, facing sideways just like the NZXT Alpha. These hard drive mounts should extend all the way from the bottom of the case to the top. Either have no optical or a single optical.

The hard drives should be hot-swap, or at least be able to slide in and out with some type of sled system. Also, there should be fans all on the front of the case, much like the Antec 900. The front of the case should be mesh to allow as much airflow as possible.

It should have a small PSU (around 500 watt) with enough sata connectors. I am thinking it should be mATX just to save on space.

Also, the front bezel around the top (if there is no optical) should have an LCD readout of temps, cpu utilization, network use, and etc.

After all this, you can see why there is no case like this on the market. Home servers are currently a small niche, and I do not think any of the case manufacturers think this would profit.

Now, I want to make this case from scratch. For simplicity and cost reasons, I think the best idea would to use wood. It is easy to work with, easy to shape, and is cheap compared to any other material. It is also non-conductive and takes paint really well. I also have many tools to work with it.

Wood can be used for the case and HDD cage. For the hot-swap, I found these units which are quite cheap and I can buy only as many as I need. The tricky part is cutting the wood so that the modules are EXACTLY in the right location or else it fails. http://www.aerocooler.com/shop.cart?action=ITEM&prod_id=CASSCP5

I will use some nice very low-rpm 120 mm fans (600-1000) to noise down but airflow up.

As far as the LCD, besides going with Alphacool, are there any smaller cheaper units instead? Not really a big deal with the case, but if I can source this cheap enough, its a definate addition.

I will gladly take any advice, suggestions, and ideas for this. I do not know when I will begin on this, so this may take some time to finish.

 

[Adidas4275]

ignore

 

[Adidas4275]

okay well i am just embarking on a WHS build as well so here is my hardware list:


Case:
Antec Mini P180 Black
It has 5 internal 3.5" and 3 5 1/4"
I bought a 3-in-2 sata backplane to put into the bottom 2 x 5 1/4"
That makes for 8 internal drive slots.
I also think i will but a Slim DVD in the top 5 1/4" with an adapter that also allows for another 3.5" drive in the 5 1/4"
Total 3.5" drive = 9 drive bays
I am going to use 2 x dummy sata pcie controller 4 port



I currently have 2x750gb WD GP, 2x500gb WD GP, 2x250gb WD drives
and will purchase 3x1TB drives after xmas


I bought my Antec P180 mini off ebay with the live 25% discount @ $100 shipped prior to discount of $21 $89+$21 shipping)

here is a review of the case:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article810-page1.html

i was going to use an Xpack or Qpack and put a 3-in-2 sata hotswap into it, but the look and expandability of the mini p190 is great

 

[Blazestorm]

The Mini P-180 is like 2 inches shorter than the normal P180... the height of 3 PCI slots basically...

Not mini at all... still a nice case

 

[Adidas4275]

yeah little smaller, not a SFF but it will fit nicely in my bedroom a lot better than a full tower case or a mid tower

 

[antecuser]

I have a mini P180 actually. While it would make a nice WHS, still bigger then what I want. Also, the hard drives cannot be air cooled due to the lack of space between front and hdd cage. Also the seperation of cages will cause major problems with wiring.

If Antec were to create a case with my recommendations above, they would have a winning combo.

BTW.. if my description was not enough, here is an example of the case that I would like to make. Nothing to scale as I dont know exact measurements yet.