I currently have a 15 drive array setup with a LianLi PC-A17b with three Norco SS-500 5in3 modules installed in it. It currently has a mix of ten 1tb and five 500gb drives in it.

 

I've recently been thinking about expanding my capacity but at the same time dropping down the number of drives I have. I'm wanting to move down to a ten drive server with either ten 2tb drives or ten 3tb drives. Ideally I would like to keep two of the hotswap modules and sell off the third or move it to a different machine.

 

What I'm wondering is if anyone knows if there are any cases out there that are like the PC-A17b (or CM Stacker etc) that are floor to top 5.25" drive bays but only 6 bays instead of the 9? I'm guessing if so it would probably be a mitx or matx board because it would only be 6 bays tall (+ buffer for frame etc).

 

If one doesnt exist I guess I will just be keeping the PC-A17b and just using 6 of the bays for my Norco's and putting the blanking plates back in for the other 3 bays but i'd ideally like something a bit smaller.

Here is a list of cases with 6 x 5.25" bays.  However, none of them will really save you any space, since they have internal 3.5" bays as well.  I would suggest just sticking with your current Lian Li case and using the blanking plates.

 

If you aren't afraid of some heavy case-modding, check out Queeg's TinyTen design.  As far as I know, it is the most compact 10 drive design out there.  I know he's willing to sell pre-modded cases as well, or he might be convinced to just build an entire TinyTen for you.

 

The only way I can think of for you to get 6 x 5.25" bays in a small form factor without case modding is to use two miniITX cases such as the QBox4.  One would contain your core components (mobo, RAM, CPU, PSU etc.) and a single 5-in-3.  You would then use extra long SATA or SAS cables (probably 1 m would do) to connect the second box, which would contain only a 5-in-3, a PSU, and possibly a SAS expander.  The second box would not need any core components.  This option is likely to be expensive and somewhat complicated, so in my opinion it isn't really worthwhile.

 

Your current server has an 11.5 TB capacity.  If you upgraded all of your drives to 3 TB drives and used the latest unRAID beta, you could achieve a 12 TB capacity with just 4 drives (plus 1 parity drive).  Check my prototypes thread for my recommended 5 drive builds (link in my sig).

I recently got one of these NZXT H2 Classic Cases:

 

http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/PID-MX33136%28ME%29.aspx

 

it has eight 3.5" drive trays (screwless) that are accessible from the front panel and three 5.25" bays at the top (I put a coolermaster 4 in 3 in this section to bring the capacity to 12 drives).  It has some acoustic foam on the panels and the back of the front door which helps with noise too.

 

Regards,

 

Stephen

 

...I like - and use - this YeongYang YY-0221, a compact cube: http://www.yycase.com/yy-0221.htm

It has 6x5.25 in the front and room for another 7-8 drives in the back.

The mobo itself has its own compartment/section, away from the drive bays.

 

I would suggest just sticking with your current Lian Li case and using the blanking plates.

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I didn't think there was a case of the likes I am after but figured if anyone would know for sure it would be this forum.

 

Ultimately I think ill just be doing as above. Keeping my PC-A17b and putting three of the blanking plates back in.

If you're interested in the YeongYang case and you're in the San Jose, CA area I have one I'll give to you for free.  Includes a Intel D845WM MB, fanless PSU, ATI video card, etc.  PM me if interested.