HTPC case for HD5870 + 4HDD?

J

jfromeo

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Jan 13, 2010
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Hello fellows.

I'm planning to build a high-end 1080p gaming + BD playback HTPC and I can hardly find a case to accomodate a 10.5" long GPU (~HD5870). I need it to be "HTPC factor" (not tower), as the room for it is limited in height, and full ATX, as I already have all the hardware I have the intention to put in it.

That said, I have only found the Silverstone Crown CW02 to fit my needs (12" GPU + 6HDD), but with an incredibly high tag price (359€, around +$400) and some issues I'm not too happy with (like the 2x92mm fans on a case of that class, I'd prefer them all to be 120mm at least).

I have found that SFF/mATX cases do hold much larger GPU cards than full ATX ones, but they don't have room for 4 or more HDDs. On the other hand, most of SilverStone/LianLi full ATX HTPC cases can hold +4 HDDs, but can't accomodate a GPU larger than 9.5" (~HD4870 at max).
 
Not sure about other MFRs, but any of the Silverstone cases with this style will work. One of the Hard Drive cages could be removed to accommodate the GPU.

I own the case linked, if you get one that style I suggest a modular PSU. Gets cramped pretty fast with alot of gear.
 
Yeah thanks for the tip. I have already seen it, but I need 4 HDD (BD stuff takes a hell of space) and removing one cage would leave room for only 3.

I have taken a look at the Antec Fusion Max case. It seems capable of a HD5870 plus 4 HDD without having to remove the front HDD cage (which would leave it with room for only 2 again). But I'd need someone with this case if he can assure me a HD5870 fits in without removing the cage (I have seen several HD4870/4890/GTX280/GTX285 in it, but never a HD5870). The HD5870 will go with the Prolimatech MK-13 on it, so I'd gain the -little- extra space that the stock cooler adds.
 
I use the Silverstone Crown CW02 for my HTPC. The two 92mm optional fan are for the hard drive cage which are on the underside of the case. The rear exhaust fan is 120mm.

Gotta check if a 10.5" video card can fit though. Currently have it on right now so I'll open it up either tomorrow or the next day depending on my schedule. Currently have a 9600GT in it, I only used it to play games a couple of times. I prefer playing games on my primary rig.

The great thing about the case is that it is relatively small, but can fit a full size standard ATX motherboard (not extended ATX) and tall enough to fit my Tuniq Tower cooler. The bad thing about it is that it is relatively small for a full size ATX mobo.

Installing / replacing hard drives on the side of the case where the CPU is requires removing the HSF. Removing the HSF involves taking out the entire mobo due to the placement of the screws. I don't remember if anything blocks the hard drive cage on the other side of the case.

If you do decide to get the Silverstone Crown CW02 case, then be sure to do research on the shortest Blu-Ray or DVD drive since that can dictate how long of a video card you can install.
 
Thanks so much Jaguar for your response.

I guess I'll go with the CW02 then. I see from its main page that they show the inside with a 5970 in it

5970_in_CW02.jpg


But they don't have any DVD/BD burner installed so I can't really tell if the GPU "sits below" the Burner (given the case height) so it doesn't really matter how long the GPU is, or if they would get in each others way. Jaguar could you confirm this (that the burner is above the GPU card)?
 
The video card should fit under the DVD/BD drive, but I'll need to check when I get back home.

Looking at the picture above jogged my memory. If you add / replace HDDs in the left cage, then you need to be aware that the PSU blocks the installation; you need to remove the PSU before doing so.
 
Damn, I hope I don't have to do any movement once all the HDD are installed. The cage at the right seems to be quite close to the RAM modules too.
 
hmm, I have the CW02 as well and you wont be able to put in a BD drive with an extended video card. The drive cahe will block it.
 
Thanks for the bad news, danman :p

I'll look at another options then and will let you know if I can find anything.
 
danman said:
hmm, I have the CW02 as well and you wont be able to put in a BD drive with an extended video card. The drive cahe will block it.
Click to expand...

That's strange, we designed the CW02 to fit graphics cards directly under the optical drive so just about any cards up to Radeon HD 5970 will fit without any problems. The two brackets that holds the optical drive should have no chance of touching the graphics card either.

Maybe you are talking about the CW01 or CW03?
 
Silverstone LC-17? sure looks like there is plenty of room for a longer vid card.

I stole this refernce pic from a search.
100_0606.jpg


EDIT: stupid second post! damn, it can hold 6 drives, but that picture has one of the HDD trays removed - so it can only hold 3 3.5 drives and 2 5.25 drives, you could get an adapter and put the 4th hard drive in the second 5.25 bay i suppose - but that won't get you to 6 drives like you want.

- you could probably ziptie or rubberband the rest of the drives to the sides of the drive cages as well - it may be a hack, but it'll save you at least 100
 
Last edited:
Tony Ou said:
That's strange, we designed the CW02 to fit graphics cards directly under the optical drive so just about any cards up to Radeon HD 5970 will fit without any problems. The two brackets that holds the optical drive should have no chance of touching the graphics card either.

Maybe you are talking about the CW01 or CW03?
Click to expand...

Maybe I'm wrong then. I have my optical cage removed but thought I remembered that it prevented my card from being inserted.

Oh well... Your product so your probably right. I love my case, worth every penny.
 
Tony Ou said:
That's strange, we designed the CW02 to fit graphics cards directly under the optical drive so just about any cards up to Radeon HD 5970 will fit without any problems. The two brackets that holds the optical drive should have no chance of touching the graphics card either.

Maybe you are talking about the CW01 or CW03?
Click to expand...

Nice. Maybe he had a "taller" (and shorter then) version of some GPUs like the MSI HD5870:

5870-lightning-1-big.jpg


My TJ10B-W will have a new companion soon then ;)
 
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