February 17, 201313 yr Hello everyone, I am slowly trying to gather the pieces for a home server built and since I already have 20HDs I decided to go for a 4U 24 Hot Swap case. So the obvious way to go is the Norco 4224 which costs 358 GBP and comes with 120mm fans. However, after comparing it to their other option the X-Case RM424 - Pro version there seems to be differences both to the chassis and functionality. Here is the link to it http://www.xcase.co.uk/X-Case-RM-424-Pro-p/case-424-pro.htm - It has SGPIO supports (not critical) - Much better cable management between the backplanes and the fans clearly allowing for better airflow and clutter - Better (quiet) hot swap fans that I could of course replicate noise wise with the T-Balancer fan controller I have sitting and collecting dust - It seems like there is more space. - The backplanes seem different. Are they better? - The rear of the chassis is different and the fan holes are 60mm instead of the 80mm they say however I have a cooler master cross flow fan (bar) I could install just above the normal fan holes and set to low. - In general it seems as it is a different chassis although the front is probably the same. Now the critical part for me is noise. I want it as quiet as possible so better airflow might make a difference but then again I do not know how quiet those Hot Swap fans are in there. Has anyone bought that? Is it worth the price difference? It is 180 GBP more expensive!! Any help would be greatly appreciated.
February 18, 201313 yr If noise is your critical factor, just get the Norco 4224 and install the 120mm fan plate (along w/ the fans), and some quieter smaller fans for the back and call it quits. That case is dead sexy, and I'm sure offers some benefits in relation to the Norco, but if lack of noise is all you want, the Norco can deliver there.
February 18, 201313 yr Author Thanks for the reply. The other thing about this case is the better cable management and better (?) SAS backplanes as a mentioned above and maybe better overall quality that may not be that important at the end of the day (the chassis I mean). So it basically comes down to the better SAS Backplanes then + the other bonuses. One minus I can see on that case is that it only supports 60mm fans at the back that I can omit and install a Coolermaste Crossflow fan I already have in a drawer just above the 60mm slots.
February 18, 201313 yr Thanks for the reply. The other thing about this case is the better cable management and better (?) SAS backplanes as a mentioned above and maybe better overall quality that may not be that important at the end of the day (the chassis I mean). So it basically comes down to the better SAS Backplanes then + the other bonuses. One minus I can see on that case is that it only supports 60mm fans at the back that I can omit and install a Coolermaste Crossflow fan I already have in a drawer just above the 60mm slots. Backplane quality is unfortunately not an easy thing to evaluate
February 19, 201313 yr Author I guess it's only through the "hard way" that can really show its ugly head if that is the case indeed then.
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