So...I'm trying to move my unRAID build over to this AeroCool VS-9 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-039-_-Product
I've had my parts since my first build in an ARK 4U-500 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=ark%204u-500. Then at first sign of trouble (having to replace a bad drive), I realized I wanted a hot-swap solution. After pricing out 5-in-3s, I decided it was more cost-effective to just go for the giant, 20-drive Norco 4220. It was...and I did...but man it was sooo noisy. Sure...I could have swapped out fans and such, but right around the same time, I started to change my ripping strategy, and decided 20 drives was too much.
So I sold the Norco, and went smaller and back to the ARK case. After another hard drive issue (we're talking like a 2-year span at this point), I was back to wanting a hot-swap solution...lol. I tried to just put a 5-in-3 cage in the (3) 5.25 slots of the ARK; but that's when I found out that you have to be careful about the depth, and consider the size of your case.
So now I'm looking to build into a case, that'll take (3) 5-in-3s (I know...that's 15 drives, and I said 20 was too big; but I do have a Pro key, so I figure I might as well allow for the room to take advantage of it). I originally bought this Lian Li LanCool http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112238, but after it was already on its way, I realized it only looked like it had (9) 5.25 slots. Back it went, and now I've picked up this AeroCool VS-9 for a try.
So far I like this case. You get what you pay for, in that it's very light...but that's not necessarily a bad thing; after dealing with the ARK (which is built like a brick shithouse) and the giant Norco, it's refreshing to be able to move this around easily. I also like the fact that it's tool-less. But I have some concerns that it's going to do what I'm looking for.
First thing was, it has this dual-adapter; evidently, it's for mounting a fan in that front location. However, you see it's easily removed (2 screws on either side)...and seems to allow plenty of room for 5-in-3 backplanes?
Next, I wasn't sure what to make of these tool-less drive clips (I guess that's what these are...lol). That adapter I removed on the front of the box...I called it "dual", because evidently it's made to hold the HDD, tool-less, on one side...and a fan on the other (the case came with 4 others). And then I guess these are held in place with these red clips?? In any case...I won't need them, and you can see...they come right off.
So...what's the verdict...lol. Before I order one, will this case likely accomodate the (3) 5-in-3 cages like I want? I know probably the only way to know for sure is to try it out. So...I'll also ask for any opinions of help on backplanes.
So many choices; I know the SuperMicro is kind of the "gold-standard" http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-405-_-Product (and it's what I tried in my ARK, and it was too deep...not that that means anything...I don't think that case was built with these backplanes in mind)...but I've seen some builds lately with these iStars http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-175-_-Product, and I think they're pretty damn cool.
Any advice on SATA cages? This VS-9 case isn't huge, so should my first concern be with finding something as shallow as possible, as opposed to looking cool...or all they all pretty much the same in that regard?
First time kind of going this route; I need lots of help...sorry for all the questions.
Oh, btw...if you need more info and/or pics on the case...I found this great write-up, kind of after the fact http://www.pureoverclock.com/article993.html
CD
I've had my parts since my first build in an ARK 4U-500 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...k=ark%204u-500. Then at first sign of trouble (having to replace a bad drive), I realized I wanted a hot-swap solution. After pricing out 5-in-3s, I decided it was more cost-effective to just go for the giant, 20-drive Norco 4220. It was...and I did...but man it was sooo noisy. Sure...I could have swapped out fans and such, but right around the same time, I started to change my ripping strategy, and decided 20 drives was too much.
So I sold the Norco, and went smaller and back to the ARK case. After another hard drive issue (we're talking like a 2-year span at this point), I was back to wanting a hot-swap solution...lol. I tried to just put a 5-in-3 cage in the (3) 5.25 slots of the ARK; but that's when I found out that you have to be careful about the depth, and consider the size of your case.
So now I'm looking to build into a case, that'll take (3) 5-in-3s (I know...that's 15 drives, and I said 20 was too big; but I do have a Pro key, so I figure I might as well allow for the room to take advantage of it). I originally bought this Lian Li LanCool http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112238, but after it was already on its way, I realized it only looked like it had (9) 5.25 slots. Back it went, and now I've picked up this AeroCool VS-9 for a try.
So far I like this case. You get what you pay for, in that it's very light...but that's not necessarily a bad thing; after dealing with the ARK (which is built like a brick shithouse) and the giant Norco, it's refreshing to be able to move this around easily. I also like the fact that it's tool-less. But I have some concerns that it's going to do what I'm looking for.
First thing was, it has this dual-adapter; evidently, it's for mounting a fan in that front location. However, you see it's easily removed (2 screws on either side)...and seems to allow plenty of room for 5-in-3 backplanes?
Next, I wasn't sure what to make of these tool-less drive clips (I guess that's what these are...lol). That adapter I removed on the front of the box...I called it "dual", because evidently it's made to hold the HDD, tool-less, on one side...and a fan on the other (the case came with 4 others). And then I guess these are held in place with these red clips?? In any case...I won't need them, and you can see...they come right off.
So...what's the verdict...lol. Before I order one, will this case likely accomodate the (3) 5-in-3 cages like I want? I know probably the only way to know for sure is to try it out. So...I'll also ask for any opinions of help on backplanes.
So many choices; I know the SuperMicro is kind of the "gold-standard" http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-405-_-Product (and it's what I tried in my ARK, and it was too deep...not that that means anything...I don't think that case was built with these backplanes in mind)...but I've seen some builds lately with these iStars http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-175-_-Product, and I think they're pretty damn cool.
Any advice on SATA cages? This VS-9 case isn't huge, so should my first concern be with finding something as shallow as possible, as opposed to looking cool...or all they all pretty much the same in that regard?
First time kind of going this route; I need lots of help...sorry for all the questions.
Oh, btw...if you need more info and/or pics on the case...I found this great write-up, kind of after the fact http://www.pureoverclock.com/article993.html
CD
