ICY DOZEN

 

I'm getting interested in building a new system.  For the case I've selected the Rosewill Destroyer.  

After the TinyTen I wanted something a little bigger, lots of ventilation so it will stay cool while being silent and I want it to be an energy mizer.  

 

That case looks to have really great air flow.  I usually replace the fans to make sure they are quiet but the last several Rosewill cases I bought have had quiet fans so I'm going to wait an see.

 

Icy Dock's will provide access to the 12 hard drives.  (Actually there is also an baker's Dozen version that I'm going to call Lucky 13 for now).  

 

A combination of these two Icy Dock 3-in-2  MB973SP-B, MB453IPF-B 3 and  MB455SPF-B 5-in-3 fills out the array.  I'm pretty much leaning towards the 3-in-2's because from a cost approach buying 4 of them versus 2 5-in-3's + 1 3-in-2 is only $24 it's ok can just wait to buy some of the the 3-in-2's later.

Notice the one with two 5 in 3's and a 3 in 2 is the thirteen drive version.

The reviews on the Icy Docks have been very encouraging.  The fans are nearly silent, on all the models.  Also the fans are simple and cheap to replace later. I know from experience they are built well and the quality is great.

 

For this build I'm planning on using mostly or maybe completely WD 2TB green drives.  Now that unRAID 4.7 doesn't require those drives to be jumpered I'm more open to using them.

 

EDIT:  I added a mock up of three versions of the server.  This is a server with enough style to impress without needing a forklift to move it

I think I like the bottom one the best

I like the middle one, and will complicate your decision even further: http://www.icydock.com/goods.php?id=128

I like the top one.

Here's an angled view.  The gap between the trayless 3 in 2's is exaggerated because I was trying to (too sloppily) blend a little gray into the white background from the original picture.

I like the middle one, and will complicate your decision even further: http://www.icydock.com/goods.php?id=128

 

Too bad there's no 5in3 trayless like this.

I like the middle one, and will complicate your decision even further: http://www.icydock.com/goods.php?id=128

 

sexy.... how much is that

I like the middle one, and will complicate your decision even further: http://www.icydock.com/goods.php?id=128

 

sexy.... how much is that

 

Price will be posted here.  Sorry for the cross posting, didn't intend that.

I like the middle one, and will complicate your decision even further: http://www.icydock.com/goods.php?id=128

 

sexy.... how much is that

 

Price will be posted here.  Sorry for the cross posting, didn't intend that.

 

I was actually more meaning the icydock in the link

I like the middle one, and will complicate your decision even further: http://www.icydock.com/goods.php?id=128

 

sexy.... how much is that

 

Price will be posted here.  Sorry for the cross posting, didn't intend that.

 

I was actually more meaning the icydock in the link

 

I understand.  I generally go with newegg pricing but sometimes Icy Docks are cheaper in other places.  I noticed yesterday that the 5 in 3 at Provantage was $107 + $8.45 shipping ($115) and there was a $10 mail in rebate so $105 after rebate.

 

The 3 in 2 with tray was $77 + $6.30 with $15 MIR ($68 after rebate) which is a pretty nice price.  The 3 in 2 trayless usually a dollar more than the one with trays but I don't see a MIR for it at the moment so Newegg has the best price on that one.

 

Here's a link to the Icy Dock MIR page good until Feb 28th.

I like the middle one, and will complicate your decision even further: http://www.icydock.com/goods.php?id=128

 

Too bad there's no 5in3 trayless like this.

Email Icy Dock and tell them. I did. They have no plans to make a 5-in-3 like that.

The case (Rosewill Destroyer) arrived yesterday.  I really liked it in the pictures and it's NICE in person.  Very stylish and subtle.  Some cases have an almost clownish look but not this one.  It's really solid.  No flexing and even the plastic parts are solid.  The sides are those non-sliding kind like a hinge on the front and as they swing away can be removed. 

Power and reset button are almost flush making it less likely that they will get accidently pushed.  I like that. 

The mesh metal screen on the top fans is just cool looking.  Really good lines.  The feet are round and a bit larger (both diameter and height) so there is clearance below for air intake which there are fan mounts for.  The psu is bottom mounted.

 

 

One thing to note about the new Icy Dock's with the "smart" fan control is that when the web page says powered on, it literally means the power button for the individual disk is powered on. If you have a disk in it and it is on (enabled for use effectively) the fan never shuts off. Even when unRAID spins the disks down.

 

If I had understood this I wouldn't have went the route I did. Trayless 5-in-3's would have been my choice.

One thing to note about the new Icy Dock's with the "smart" fan control is that when the web page says powered on, it literally means the power button for the individual disk is powered on. If you have a disk in it and it is on (enabled for use effectively) the fan never shuts off. Even when unRAID spins the disks down.

 

If I had understood this I wouldn't have went the route I did. Trayless 5-in-3's would have been my choice.

 

The fans in the 5 in 3's also stay running when the drives spin down.  The trayless is more of a desktop model while the others are aimed squarely at servers that run 24x7. 

Since the fans in all of them are inaudible it doesn't bother me if they run.  I just really respect the Icy Dock products.  I also really like that the fans can be replaced with off the shelf fans by the user.

 

I just got another 3 in 2 unit delivered today. 

I've played with these 3 - 2 docks before, and that fan in the back is completely replaceable if you want to use a PWM fan with scripted speed control.  And Queeg, your newest case find has me wanting to build that box we talked about 3 months ago. 

I've played with these 3 - 2 docks before, and that fan in the back is completely replaceable if you want to use a PWM fan with scripted speed control.  And Queeg, your newest case find has me wanting to build that box we talked about 3 months ago.  

 

I think it's perfect for that.  I'm really impressed with this case.  I'm researching some different motherboards to use right now with 8 and 10 sata ports.  I'm planning on a version that can run ESXi and use unRAID in a VM.

Alright, I just found that case listed under HEC Blitz and that version has a screen on the side for even more ventilation.  And it's cheaper!  $40. 

Alright, I just found that case listed under HEC Blitz and that version has a screen on the side for even more ventilation.  And it's cheaper!  $40. 

 

I got all excited when I saw all those external bays, but I would have rather had 9 5.25" bays.

Alright, I just found that case listed under HEC Blitz and that version has a screen on the side for even more ventilation.  And it's cheaper!  $40.  

 

I got all excited when I saw all those external bays, but I would have rather had 9 5.25" bays.

 

I'm a little torn, even though the choice should be obvious.  Sharkoon makes a 9 bay version of the case bjp is using in his build that is about a half inch shorter and only one inch taller than the 8 bay that Queeg is using.  I also like the fact it isn't covered in plastic bezels.  But it's $105 shipped to the US.  Worth it to gain 1 more bay, knowing I will be using 3-in-2s and not 5-in-3s?  Queeg, what kind of internal depth do I have for drive cages, especially near the PSU?

Alright, I just found that case listed under HEC Blitz and that version has a screen on the side for even more ventilation.  And it's cheaper!  $40.  

 

I got all excited when I saw all those external bays, but I would have rather had 9 5.25" bays.

 

I'm a little torn, even though the choice should be obvious.  Sharkoon makes a 9 bay version of the case bjp is using in his build that is about a half inch shorter and only one inch taller than the 8 bay that Queeg is using.  I also like the fact it isn't covered in plastic bezels.  But it's $105 shipped to the US.  Worth it to gain 1 more bay, knowing I will be using 3-in-2s and not 5-in-3s?  Queeg, what kind of internal depth do I have for drive cages, especially near the PSU?

 

Actually I like the Sharkoon Rebel 9 quite a bit.  Thanks for bringing it to my attention.  

Here is a pic of the Destroyer with an Icy Dock 3 in 2.   The psu is 4.5" from the back of the 3 in 2.

 

EDIT:  Where were you going to buy it from?

Actually I like the Sharkoon Rebel 9 quite a bit.  Thanks for bringing it to my attention.  

...

EDIT:  Where were you going to buy it from?

 

Based on bjp's advice, I have it source from Amazon Germany, which makes shipping expensive.

Just wanting to follow up with you to see how you are liking this case.  With Newegg offering $2 shipping on it I am very tempted to get one with some Icy Docks.

Just wanting to follow up with you to see how you are liking this case.  With Newegg offering $2 shipping on it I am very tempted to get one with some Icy Docks.

 

If you mean the Destroyer then it's a pretty good case for the price.  It's smaller than a 9 bay case so that is it's real appeal I suppose.  Lots of ventilation so that's a plus. 

If you mean the Destroyer then it's a pretty good case for the price.  It's smaller than a 9 bay case so that is it's real appeal I suppose.  Lots of ventilation so that's a plus. 

 

Yeah, I meant the Destroyer / HEC Blitz.  I can't wait to get mine and start moving stuff out of my CSE-933T-760B so I can sell it.  It's just too big for my needs, and I played with some Icy Dock mock ups with the Destroyer and liked what I saw.  Thanks for finding such a great little case.