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The 5X3 Cage review - Norco, SuperMicro, iStarUSA and Icy Dock

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With some cages a fan speed controller will work.  Look at photos of the back of the cage.  If the fan plug is exposed, then there's no reason why you couldn't put a controller between the cage's backplane and the fan.  If the fan plug is not exposed, then chances are it won't work.  I know the Icy Docks definitely would not work with those.  I think the Norcos and Supermicros would.

 

If you want quieter performance, most people just replace the stock fans.  I recommend a few replacement fans in my Greenleaf Prototypes Blog.  Just do a search for the drive cage you want (Supermicro, Norco, etc.) and you'll find my fan recommendations.

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  • JonathanM
    JonathanM

    Or want to keep an absent minded moment from removing the wrong drive, or have kids, etc. It's a very good idea to keep hot swap drives locked, it's not like they are going to be moved that often, and

  • I recently moved and had to find a place for my server. I settled for a closet off my living room for the server. . I have three Norco 5x3 cages in my server and have never modified them. So

  • garycase
    garycase

    These are superb units.   The front-mounted 120mm fan provides EXCELLENT ventilation ( the drives run much cooler than they do in units that have offset rear-mounted 60 or 80mm fans).   The lights can

Posted Images

A 5-in-3 takes up the same space as a 4-in-3 (the drives are just closer together).  It should fit.

 

Technically not true.  Most 4-in-3's have rail slots (so if your case has those support tabs in the 5.25 bays you don't have to bend them out of the way).

 

All 5-in-3's I believe do not have slots (so if your case has support tabs, you Must bend them/cut them whatever to get the cage into 3 bays)

A 5-in-3 takes up the same space as a 4-in-3 (the drives are just closer together).  It should fit.

 

Technically not true.  Most 4-in-3's have rail slots (so if your case has those support tabs in the 5.25 bays you don't have to bend them out of the way).

 

All 5-in-3's I believe do not have slots (so if your case has support tabs, you Must bend them/cut them whatever to get the cage into 3 bays)

 

That's true, and a good point I forgot to mention.  5-in-3 cages will fit in the same space as 4-in-3 cages only after flattening the separating tabs between each 5.25" bay.  Some cases don't have these tabs, but most do.

I have a CMStacker 810, how many of the RC-BPN-350V2-SS will I be able to run in the case?

At the moment I am using all 12x 5.25” drive bays (4x 4in3 modules).

Will the 5x3.5" actually fit the case?

 

Yes.

 

http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1028874979&postcount=10

This guy had the stacker 810 and installed the Supermicro, no mention of having to bend anything outta the way... Looks good to me!

 

I have the CM Stacker 810 with 4 Supermicro 5x3's.

It fits however I had to remove the top usb/switch interface and I had to really jam one of the 5x3's into the front.

I dunno if I'll ever get them out again. <grin>.

I did not have to bend any tabs since there are none in that case.

Also, if you do not put in a second power supply you can retrofit a few extra drives at the bottom of the case near the bottom PSU area (if you put the PSU on top).

Jeez, 25 drives! I did not think of retrofitting... thanks for the confirmation! Off to convince the wife that I NEED to buy at least 3 Norco SS-500..

;-)

 

Jeez, 25 drives! I did not think of retrofitting... thanks for the confirmation! Off to convince the wife that I NEED to buy at least 3 Norco SS-500..

;-)

 

20 drives in a CM Stacker 810.. but if you do some kind of rigging, you can fit about 3-4 drives internally on the floor of the case.

 

I bet something like this could fit in the bottom of the case if nothing blocked the the hieght.. i.e. empty motherboard slots at the bottom.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sans-Digital-HDDRACK5-5-Bay-Organizing/dp/B001LF40KE

51TwsCuK2DL._AA300_.jpg

 

or even

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817993002

17-993-002-06.jpg

If have done this for test in a fractal disign R3 and works nice when i will need to:)

 

Sent from my Optimus 2X using Tapatalk

 

If have done this for test in a fractal disign R3 and works nice when i will need to:)

 

Sent from my Optimus 2X using Tapatalk

 

 

another nice build with 16 drives (not mine) doesnt worth the extra cost since i could buy a rebel12,but nice though(end of offtopic)

 

P3021184.JPG.50b9e339c96396f5e90409cbbfb7a427.JPG

hd2.jpg.f16d4162699a6044974feff8d52efe61.jpg

If have done this for test in a fractal disign R3 and works nice when i will need to:)

 

Sent from my Optimus 2X using Tapatalk

 

What are the drive temps during a parity check?

Now never goes more than 32(i have low speed fan at full speed 28 C) during summer that ambient temp can go high as 30-32 where server is then i have seen 45-47 To someone drives.. seagate tends To hotter

 

Sent from my Optimus 2X using Tapatalk

  • 4 weeks later...

If only they made a case with a clear front so you can read the serial numbers.

Better yet, a smaller version of the backblaze case, where you simply drop the hard drive into the case upright, no screws or cables to plug, and you see the serial numbers!

  • 1 month later...

did they change the design of the norco?  I don't remember the back looking like this!

 

Is it better?  Is anything else different??  I believe I have two of the older ones and I was thinking about replacing the stock fans.

I saw some pictures that didn't look like the ones I have!

 

Jim

 

16-133-030-16.jpg.c20e2708146f8e108f152e0790850780.jpg

did they change the design of the norco?  I don't remember the back looking like this!

 

Is it better?  Is anything else different??  I believe I have two of the older ones and I was thinking about replacing the stock fans.

I saw some pictures that didn't look like the ones I have!

 

Jim

 

 

 

Yes, they changed the design of the Norco SS-500.  I'm working on a review complete with heat tests right now, I will publish it to the Greenleaf Hardware and Software Blog in a day or two.  In general I like the new design, but I didn't dislike the old design either...so they are both good.  If you installed one of the new cages next to your old cages you would notice the purple color on the tab has changed to a blue sticker, but otherwise they would look pretty similar.  The internals (drive trays, backplane, etc.) are pretty different.  The biggest functional difference is the airflow, hence my heat tests.

I look forward to reading it when you are done!

Please let us know here when you post it!

My Norco SS-500 (Version 2) review is finally up!  Check it out here.

My Norco SS-500 (Version 2) review is finally up!  Check it out here.

 

Awesome review.  Too bad I already bought 2 3x4 stock cages for my case  :'(

My Norco SS-500 (Version 2) review is finally up!  Check it out here.

 

Awesome review.  Too bad I already bought 2 3x4 stock cages for my case  :'(

 

Thank you! 4-in-3 cages are a whole 'nother ballgame - they typically have better cooling and don't require case modification, but they don't give you the same drive density either.  I like Norco's SS-400 4-in-3 cages as well.

  • Author

My Norco SS-500 (Version 2) review is finally up!  Check it out here.

 

Great review! To bad about the step backwards on the fan. Overall though, looks like a positive improvement over the original.

 

Shawn

I'm trying to decide between the Norco and Supermicro.  They are both the same price $99.99 shipping included.  I'm thinking of probably going with the Supermicro due to the bigger / easy to change rear fan, and they come with sata cables ;).

If you want quiet operation, then you'll need to replace the fan on either unit, so factor in the cost of the replacement fan as well.  A 120mm fan isn't much more expensive than a 80mm fan, so the price difference still won't be drastic.

 

I still prefer the Norco units over the Supermicro because of the drive tray design, but your point about the fan is certainly valid.  If you plan to run all hot-running 7200 RPM drives, then I think the Supermicro is a better choice.

Well, the Norco SS500 V1 are now $89.99 hmmmm decisions decision!

Well, the Norco SS500 V1 are now $89.99 hmmmm decisions decision!

 

Where are the Norco SS-500 V1 still for sale?  Newegg is carrying the V2.

Newegg may have had the images set for the V1 Norco still, they've now been updated.  Amazon still had the V1 images up when I ordered one of mine but they still shipped a V2.  I don't believe you will find V1 any longer, unless an establishment happened to have some old V1 still laying around.

 

The review Rajahal is excellent btw, I referenced it in the cases thread.

 

In regards to a fan replacement for the Norco SS-500 V2, will any 80mm fan work?  should I shoot for 1500rpm or anything else in particular?  The model suggested in the review isn't available at any of the places I like to order from.

Well, the Norco SS500 V1 are now $89.99 hmmmm decisions decision!

 

Where are the Norco SS-500 V1 still for sale?  Newegg is carrying the V2.

 

Sorry for not responding sooner, I didn't get a noticed in my email about his post.  I saw them on Amazon.com, but they are now V2 as some else stated.

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