8 bay HD enclosures

[Dubb]

so I'm looking to consolidate all my external HDs into one clean FW800 case. I've got the bridgeboards and drives, but I need a small case to just hold the drives. I've found:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817424016
http://www.cooldrives.com/saiieihadrho.html

but those are far too expensive, and I don't need the bridgeboards. I just want the case and PS. Hell, I could buy the PS too if need be, I just need the case.

I'm thinking my only option might be to use one of those 7 5.35 bay optical drive towers:

http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=71300

and fill it with two 4-in-3 cages. this is larger and not as tidy as I would like, though.

Has anyone seen any other options that are under $100?

 

[Zepper]

Used to be a fairly compact and cheap ATX mid-tower w/ 8 or 9 stacker-style 5" bays out there that could be modded into what you need fairly easily - you just have to find one. Dealsonic and Directron used to stock them - haven't looked for a while. Not hard to find some on Newegg under the Sigma Shark and Linkworld brands.

.bh.

 

[ShockwaveVT]

this is what zepper was talking about -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811164079

 

[Zepper]

Yup, PSU in it is crap of course, but can probably handle a stack of HDDs it's a shame to have to pay the extra shipping to get it... If you have a better one with at least 16A on the +12 for 8 HDDs, then you can just closet the junker for an emergency spare to tide you over while a good one gets shipped. Crap! That case looks like it could be easily modded for dual PSUs... :light: Could throw in some Cooler Master Device Modules (HDD cages that hold 4 drives in three 5" bays) to hold the drives if you wanted. Around $20. each w/fan. CM has a new version that's even nicer one, (saw it on the Global site) but haven't found it using Froogle yet for sale here in the states.

.bh.

 

[Dubb]

thanks - Seems like a reasonable alternative to the mapower....but still larger than I would like - really trying to minimize the volume and clutter of my computer crap.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Dubb
so I'm looking to consolidate all my external HDs into one clean FW800 case.
...
Has anyone seen any other options that are under $100?

How big are your drives? If not too big, one option would be to consolidate onto larger drives and sell off the smaller drives to pay for the larger drives. There are some quad drive enclosures that can be had for "relatively" cheap.

 

[Dubb]

3x750 and 2x500 at the moment. I suppose I could ditch the 2x500 for a 1TB, but I was also hoping to have a little room for growth.

maybe I could bolt two of the quad drive enclosures together, remove both PSes, and replace with an ATX PS feeding both of them?

 

[jonmcc33]

You can get an Antec 900, which uses the stacker type design. You can order another HDD cage for ~$15 or so and it will hold 9 total hard drives. All fans on low for 3x120mm fans up front and a 120mm + 200mm fan for exhaust will keep your system and drives ultra cool. Much better idea.

 

[Dubb]

Antec 900 is way too big...


so what are the good 4 drive enclosures?

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: Dubb
Antec 900 is way too big...


so what are the good 4 drive enclosures?

This is my favorite SATA enclosure. Supermicro 5-in-3 enclosure. Very solid, has a nice fan, etc.

 

[bakaris]

I'm currently in a similar situation, and I'm wondering what you ended up doing?