SR-2 Case Discussion

[musky]

Pulling this out of the Hot Deals thread so we quit mucking it up. The 1200 deal at Newegg is still a good deal if you are in the market. This is an interesting discussion as well, so I figured it deserved its own thread. With all of the SR-2s coming on-line, it is definately relevant.

Antec 1200 @ Newegg - $154.99 - $10 promo code - $25 MIR = $119.99

After looking at it every way i can think of, I believe you could shoehorn an SR-2 in one of these. I am thinking about finding out...

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

I don't know if it's deep enough. The Lian Li cases that fit are 25" deep, and the 1200 is only 20". You might have to apply a Dremel to the drive bay area.

edit: just looked up the Cosmos S dimensions which has been proven to work (sort of) on the EVGA forum, and it's also about 25" deep.

I would love to know the answer musky
Posted via [H] Mobile Device

SR-2 supposedly fits in a HAF X ok but you can't do 4 way SLI because there's not enough PCIe slots (not that that would be a problem with any of us SR-2 owners).

I'm curious about the HAF 932 because there's an open box one at my MC for $100, if it would fit I'd probably snag it up.

Do yuo remember where you read that? I'm just curious because I haven't seen any posts from HAF X users, yet.


Thanks a lot for posting that, bro. I just bought 12GB (sent to different addresses), probably stupid since I'm sure it will be even cheaper later this year, but I didn't want to wait. Now I just need to find a decent price for an SR-2

Based on what i can tell talking to WFeather and seeing a bunch of pictures, the board would go well into the drive bay area. But, because of how that is set up, you can do it. You lose 13 1/8" worth of drive bay space, but that wouldn't be a problem for me at least. You definately also lose the last PCI-e slot, which again isn't a probelm.

If the 932 works, here is a new one and free prime shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master...r_1_2?s=gateway&ie=UTF8&qid=1285382411&sr=8-2

The 932 looks to have the same issue: depth. If the motherboard tray is not 15" deep, the SR-2 is going to be interfering with the drive bays. Keep in mind the 24-pin power connector (among other stuff) is on the very edge of the board, so it's not going to be easy to just slip the motherboard behind the drive cage. All of the "make it fit" cases I've seen online (Cosmos S, Corsair 700D) are at least 24" deep.

Sazan, it will fit easily in the 1200, with 2 drive cages removed, and some jerry rigging on the fans(they mount in the cages)


i think it would fit with the cages, but it would be very close, though w/o cages it will def. fit.

The 932 doesn't look promising. The 1200 does because of how the motherboard tray and the one upright for the drive bays is the same piece of metal. I'll take another good look at the SR-2 tomorrow and make a decision on whether or not to pull the trigger on one.

http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=566478


But then he says


IDK who to believe with these things. Seems like a lot of people hypothesize what it will fit in without trying, and they usually fall back on the EVGA list of cases they've personally tested it with. (absent of course are any cases that require modding, ie no 800/700D on there)

I have to go to MC for extra 8pin ATX and 6pin PCIe cables tomorrow so I'll check the cases that I can. They do have the 1200, I'll check that one for sure.

Another interesting link: SR-2 in FT01 http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showpost.php?p=4552310&postcount=6686

I guess I don't see the point in spending over $100 on a case that may or may not work with some hacking, and will have limited functionality (can't use all drive bays or expansion slots). Given a "cheap" SR-2 build is probably $1500, how hard is it to spend $300 on a proper case that fits? If I get a second SR-2, I'm going to get the new Lian Li PC-V2120 case which is designed for HPTX, can hold a ton of drives and even has room a 3x120 rad with no modding.

For a motherboard like that, I would honestly just build a custom enclosure. You could build something decent out of 30 bucks worth of material from the hardware store.

Well for me personally, I don't like monster cases. Yes I know I could choose a smaller board, but I really don't need any 5.25 drive bays and only need one 3.5 mount, so if the board takes up most of the interior space thats fine. I plan on grabbing a mid size case and gutting it till an sr-2/psu and single hdd fit. That Silverstone case looks about what I expect to end up with.

 

[musky]

I guess I don't see the point in spending over $100 on a case that may or may not work with some hacking, and will have limited functionality (can't use all drive bays or expansion slots). Given a "cheap" SR-2 build is probably $1500, how hard is it to spend $300 on a proper case that fits? If I get a second SR-2, I'm going to get the new Lian Li PC-V2120 case which is designed for HPTX, can hold a ton of drives and even has room a 3x120 rad with no modding.

Ultimately, you are right. We are talking $150 compared to $300, Happy Meal money relatively speaking considering the SR-2 cost. To me at least, the fact that these cases aren't made for the SR-2 is most of the point of trying it. My plywood functions just fine. The only reason I am considering this is to see if I can do it. That is a little different motivation, and does make these non-approved cases more interesting to me at least.

 

[sirmonkey1985]

Ultimately, you are right. We are talking $150 compared to $300, Happy Meal money relatively speaking considering the SR-2 cost. To me at least, the fact that these cases aren't made for the SR-2 is most of the point of trying it. My plywood functions just fine. The only reason I am considering this is to see if I can do it. That is a little different motivation, and does make these non-approved cases more interesting to me at least.

its not [H] if you aint hacking it and modifying it to work! but would be cool to see an SR-2 in an antec 1200 since that lian li case and that over grown front panel looks horrible..

 

[APOLLO]

I was going to reply in that thread but will decide to do it here instead:

I've been looking long and hard for a decent case that will house my SR-2, but unless you're willing to spend the extra funds it's gonna be tough. I *almost* pulled the trigger yesterday on the MPC Dream machine boxen from Mountain Mods, but the thing that gets me the most from them is that you get the box and nothing else. Accessories you have to buy independantly of the case (i.e. 5.25 bay covers, fan grills, etc) The lack of front USB ports on any of the MM cases doesn't set too well with me either. If I'm paying that kind of money for a good case, it should at *least* include the items mentioned above. I ended up just buying the SR-2 MB tray with the backplate...I'll figure out what I want to do with things from there I guess...

What MM is charging for that model and similar cases in their lineup seems almost a bargain to me. Not stating their prices are cheap by any stretch of the imagination, only that for a dual compartment server-type chassis you will likely spend more than single compartment towers. It has usually been the case (no pun).

I have 2 Chenbro dual compartment server chassis built 10 years and earlier. All of them were priced more back then than the MPC MM. They are still very useful today despite lacking the 'benefit' of certain modern accouterments part and parcel with today's cases. The expansive room and drive bays located in the second compartment allows for simpler cable management and it's easier to produce an organized looking interior if you're into aesthetics. Air-flow management is also better for the same reasons without having peripherals and their associated cables in the way.

 

[Zero82z]

I'm pretty sure the SR-2 will not fit in the 1200. A big problem with that case when it was first released was that although it is taller than the 900, it isn't actually any deeper. It has depth issues with normal hardware, and with a board like the SR-2 which is significantly larger than standard ATX boards, I don't think it will work.

 

[SazanEyes]

I don't want anybody to think I'm bashing case modders. The Cosmos S case mod looks kinda silly, but if someone already has a Cosmos case and wants to cram a SR-2 into it, that's cool. I just don't see the point of buying a brand new case and immediately chopping it up, especially for an SR-2 build.

I went with Mountain Mods for a couple reasons. I like the looks of the PC-P80 but it wouldn't really fit under my desk. The MM U2-UFO is about the size of two mid-towers side-by-side, so it should fit nicely on top of my desk. Also, they offer custom work, so I got the case modded to support dual PSUs. Finally, unlike most PC parts, cases last pretty much forever (as demonstrated by all of these beige boxes cluttering up my condo). I figure the MM case is flexible enough to house whatever system replaces the SR-2 when it becomes outdated.

My case should ship next week, so I'll post some pics when I get it built.

 

[Tobit]

FWIW, I still have no regrets in buying a Mountain Mods case earlier this year. I haven't had to do any mods to it. I got around the lack of frontal ports by installing a multi-function bay device for my audio and USB plugs. Ironically, I rarely use frontal ports so it was kind of a wasted expenditure in my case.

I am really looking forward to putting a SR-2 in my MM case here in the coming months.

 

[APOLLO]

I don't want anybody to think I'm bashing case modders. The Cosmos S case mod looks kinda silly, but if someone already has a Cosmos case and wants to cram a SR-2 into it, that's cool. I just don't see the point of buying a brand new case and immediately chopping it up, especially for an SR-2 build.

I agree with you to a large extent. The main problem with the SR-2 is that we cannot find that many cases tailor-made for it. I actually would buy a case for it (if none of mine would work) even if it meant losing an expansion slot and some minor modding (emphasis on minor).

The link you posted is way too extreme for me; not so much in the actual modding work but by what is sacrificed in the endeavor, and the overall result of this project leaves a lot to be desired. That isn't shoehorning, it's sardine canning. The PSU is covering a large region of the motherboard and he lost a couple of PCI-E slots with this execution. Bad form, IMO.

Like I have posted a number of times, I would accept losing the last PCI-E slot due to lack of a corresponding opening at the rear of an otherwise nice case, but not smothering the motherboard with a PSU to get the whole shebang to work...!

I went with Mountain Mods for a couple reasons. I figure the MM case is flexible enough to house whatever system replaces the SR-2...

And it shall barring a foray into quad-socket territory...

My case should ship next week, so I'll post some pics when I get it built.

Awesome, can't wait. Great choice.

 

[jebo_4jc]

I don't want anybody to think I'm bashing case modders. The Cosmos S case mod looks kinda silly, but if someone already has a Cosmos case and wants to cram a SR-2 into it, that's cool. I just don't see the point of buying a brand new case and immediately chopping it up, especially for an SR-2 build.

wow...looks like you could fit about.....two?.....expansion cards in there

not worth buying for a new build, that's for sure

 

[musky]

An update on the 1200 - it will not work with any sort of tower HSF. I took some measurements on my board and got some measurements from the case and the back HSF will hit the drive cage mounting upright by at least 1/2 inch. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

 

[capreppy]

Other than spotswood, does anyone know if there is a bench style that will take an SR2?

 

[10e]

I'll post some photos of my SR-2 in the Lian Li PC-P80.

The mobo is so big it actually hangs over the motherboard tray by nearly two inches, but it does fit.

I used those plastic standoffs as well for three or four of the holes but I removed the double-sided tape off them to allow removal if need be.

I also took a photo of the SR-2 vs. my Asus KGPE-D16 so you can see the size difference between "HPTX" and "SSI EEB" mobos.

Expect some [h]ardc0re pr0n tonight.

 

[rflcptr]

What kind of modifications do the 700/800D require?

 

[zero2dash]

IIRC all you have to do is drill out the rivets for the divider plate and flip it around; you can then either let it hang there semi-loosely (but it will stay, apparently) or you could always use a tap and drill new threads and secure it with screws.

Not sure on the standoffs, I think there's a few that you would be missing by default, or, likewise you can use a tap and drill new holes for the extra ones you need.

 

[rflcptr]

Is that so the board will simply fit, or is it to be able to use all of the PCI-E slots?

 

[musky]

Is that so the board will simply fit, or is it to be able to use all of the PCI-E slots?

It is so the board can fit. You still lose the last PCI-e slot.

 

[zero2dash]

You could also do more intense stuff - buy the MM tray+backplate, dremel/jigsaw out the stock one, and install the MM tray+backplate in the 700/800D. There's some vids and pics out there of someone doing it (and now they sell that exact modded case at P-PC's.com, at a ridiculous markup, I might add).

 

[Axdrenalin]

I got an e-mail from Scott over at HighSpeed PC's (Makers of the Tech Station) and they say they are working on a version of that unit that will be compatible with the HPTX form factor. Not sure what the price will be on it, but just wanted to let you guys know as an FYI.

Hi Robert, thanks for your comments on the HPTX motherboards. We are actually working on this now and should have an HPTX compatible Tech Station ready within the next few weeks. Be sure to add your email to the Wait List to get instant in-stock notification, or feel free to drop us a line anytime for an update.

Thanks!
Scott

HighSpeed PC customer support
http://highspeedpc.com
Home of the Tech Station ~ Fast Access PC Workbench!

 

[capreppy]

I saw that on their website a few weeks back. I'm glad to hear they are getting closer.

spotswoods Tech Station is very similar, but he's been pretty busy with his current project and if I do decide to get an SR2, I'd like to mount it to something (other than a pizza box).

 

[Xilikon]

pizza boxen FTW !

 

[10e]

As promised I have a couple of pix here:

One of the board beside my Asus KGPE-D16 (twin Opteron 6168 board) sitting beside it. The SR-2 is on the Lian Li PC-P80 removable mobo tray and the KGPE-D16 (SSI EEB form-factor) sitting on the mobo tray of its new home, a CM ATCS 840.

I could guarantee you that based on what I've seen, but not tried, the SR-2 would likely have a lot of trouble comfortably sitting inside an unmodified ATCS 840.

The second dark one is of the SR-2 working (perfectly) inside the PC-P80. Getting it shoehorned in is fun. I had to get the mobo tray in and then insert the 24-PIN ATX connector, or otherwise, the mobo tray doesn't easily slide in.

I added the ruler for effect to show the difference in length between HPTX and SSI EEB (e-atx size). HPTX is massive.

I was able to get a couple of 2000 RPM, Coolermaster Red LED fans in there to keep the black and red theme going along with the G.Skill F3-12800CL9D DDR3-1600 RAM. Sorry for the dark photo but with all that aluminum a high flash causes major clipping and everything turns white.

I'll try and take a better photo of the SR-2 in the case with my better camera this week. I was surprised the cable management wasn't a nightmare. The PC-P80 is pretty good for that.

The "57" is the load temp of the first CPU at 3333mhz right now. I plan to get another 500mhz out of each. The Prolimatech Megahalem B and Megashadow are the coolers used.

 

[lehmann]

Drools on keyboard

 

[tjmagneto]

I thought that motherboard tray on the right looked familiar.

 

[Zero82z]

I thought that motherboard tray on the right looked familiar.

I've got two of them . The Coolermaster store sells them for 12 bucks, so they make a pretty good and cheap starting point for a custom tech bench.

 

[[H]ecklerKoc[H]]

Anyone know who make this rack case that has an SR-2 in it??

 

[Tobit]

Anyone know who make this rack case that has an SR-2 in it??

Wow, whatever it is, it has been heavily modified. That's a mountain mods tray but I don't recognize anything else.

 

[jebo_4jc]

are we sure that's the SR2 in there and not the X58 Quad SLI mobo?

 

[Veeb0rg]

oops, finger slipped

 

[[H]ecklerKoc[H]]

Sure now the related ad was located

"4U RACKMOUNT / 24 CORES @ 3.6 GHz / 24 GB RAM / BLU-RAY / OSX 10.6.4

"HARDWARE SPECS:
4U Rackmount Case 2 x Intel Xeon X5650 "Westmere" 2.66GHz 12MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 95W Six-Core Server Processors @ 3.6 GHz
1 x Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB 7200 RPM 2.5" SATA 6.0Gb/s Internal Hard Drive
2 x Corsair Hydro Series H50 CPU Cooler
EVGA Classified SR-2 (Super Record 2) Dual LGA 1366 Intel 5520 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Motherboard
SILVERSTONE ST1000-P 1000W ATX 12V v2.3 & EPS 12V 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
Kingston Hyper-X 24 GB (12 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600 MHz Memory
NVidia GeForce GTX 260 896 MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Sonnet Presto Gigabit Pro PCIe Ethernet Card
SIIG 3-Port FireWire 800 PCIe Card
LG WH10LS30K 10X Blu-ray Burner
ASUS USB-BT21 USB 2.0 + EDR Mini Bluetooth Dongle

PORT SPECS:
1 x Firewire 400
2 x Firewire 800
3 x eSATA II (3 GB/s)
12 x SATA II (3 GB/s)
12 x USB 2.0 (480 MB/s)
2 x Dual Link DVI


ACTIVE COOLING:
4 x 120mm Fans
2 x 120mm Radiators

MAXIMUM HARD DRIVE CAPACITY: FIVE 3.5" DRIVES

DIMENSIONS: 28" L x 19" W x 7" H" "


Nice finger choppers on the front too

 

[cn06]

Anyone considering picking up one of the new Lian Li PC-V2120s for their Evga SR2s?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112311

 

[SazanEyes]

Anyone considering picking up one of the new Lian Li PC-V2120s for their Evga SR2s?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112311

Nice, it's available. I had heard October, so I guess that was right. I'm thinking about this as the case for my 2nd SR-2, which I don't actually have.

 

[jebo_4jc]

Anyone considering picking up one of the new Lian Li PC-V2120s for their Evga SR2s?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112311

Nice, it's available. I had heard October, so I guess that was right. I'm thinking about this as the case for my 2nd SR-2, which I don't actually have.

it's a beauty. $400 is a lot of money that could be spent on more folding hardware though.

 

[SazanEyes]

it's a beauty. $400 is a lot of money that could be spent on more folding hardware though.

It would be the perfect case for a SR-2 WHS build, but since that's not going to happen, I need to re-evaluate. I want a case with a door for my WHS to hide the beige drives.

 

[leagle]

HK, that case is a modified Norco RPC-450 or RPC-470 (only difference is the length of the case and a mid-case fan bar in the 470). I have both of those cases, so I am pretty familiar with them.

I don't know what it takes to fit an SR-2 into one of them, but I am happy to take some measurements for you guys.

Manufacturer web site: norcotek.com

 

[may i be worthy]

My second SR2 is naked, sitting on some spare floor tiles, down low on the floor, in the coolest air.

The $400 I saved on the case went into x5660s rather than x5650s, making that a zero cost experiment.

 

[[H]ecklerKoc[H]]

HK, that case is a modified Norco RPC-450 or RPC-470 (only difference is the length of the case and a mid-case fan bar in the 470). I have both of those cases, so I am pretty familiar with them.

I don't know what it takes to fit an SR-2 into one of them, but I am happy to take some measurements for you guys.

Manufacturer web site: norcotek.com

Thank you.