Looking for new case/controller card


cynicaljoy

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I am running out of space in my current configuration. I have 7 drives currently installed and thats the limit of my case, I have another 6 hard drives that I am trying to get installed but in order to do so I am going to need a case that can fit at least 15 (a little room for growth) but I am trying to figure out if I should go ahead and get something like the Rosewill RSV-L4500 or go all out and get the NORCO RPC-4224 that so many others here have (seemingly). My holdup is that the NORCO RPC-4224 is 3 times the price. But from what I am seeing people taking full size ATX cases and installing multiple backplanes are spending just as much. If people have a configuration out there they'd like to suggest I am all ears! I don't intend on needing to get in and out of my cases often so I can live without hot swap. But again, please tell me if I am crazy on that one.

 

Additionally, I am only using a PCI SATA controller with 4 ports and my mobo has 5 itself so I intend on needing to purchase 2xAOC-SASLP-MV8 (which cables should I get?) my PSU should be able to handle up to 15 drives according to this Power Supply Calc.

 

 

Thanks in advance for all the help!

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I shifted from a rack mount into a tower mainly because we moved to a new home and the server is now in my media room. My SuperMicro case fans were extremely loud, and my rack had a large footprint. My tower is very quiet. If noise and space for a rack mount are not an issue you will save money in the long run as the norco already comes with the hot swap bays. These are anywhere from $90-120USD.

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I have both a Norco RPC-4220 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811219033) and a Rosewill RSV-L4411 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147165).

 

While the Norcos are VERY popular (due to drive capacity and backplanes), I find the Rosewill to be a little better constructed.  One knock is that they use plastic drives trays.  However, I think the Norco drive trays are absolute crap.  Also, the Rosewill trays and accommodate 3.5" and 2.5" drives.

 

Now, as far as you application...the Rosewill that I have can hold only 12 drives and...again...does not have backplanes.  I haven't checked but maybe that make a 15 or 20 drive model.  One other thing that I like is that the fan wall in the Rosewill butts right up against the back of the drives.  This allows for extra room for an EATX MB...if that is important.  You can fit an EATX in the 4220, but it is VERY tight.

 

The other option is the Norco RPC-4020 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811219021).  This is basically the 4220 without the backplanes.

 

Another option may be something like this one:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815011&IsVirtualParent=1  and load it up with 4x3 or 5x3 cages.  It even has a HD dock in the top which is damn cool!  :)

 

John

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However, I think the Norco drive trays are absolute crap.

What don't you like about the Norco drive trays in particular?

 

Also, the Rosewill trays and accommodate 3.5" and 2.5" drives.

The Norco drive trays can also be used with 2.5 in drives.

 

The other option is the Norco RPC-4020 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811219021).  This is basically the 4220 without the backplanes.

I would not go with the 4020.  All those SATA ports are a complete pain in the arse to deal with.  It makes cabling and cable management a pain.  I just built 2 ESXi server in a Supermicro case that had SATA ports on the backplanes and dealing with it was not a whole lot of fun.  It was a nice case... but the backplanes in the 4220 or 4224 are much easier to deal with.

 

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I have both a Norco RPC-4220 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811219033) and a Rosewill RSV-L4411 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147165).

Another option may be something like this one:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811815011&IsVirtualParent=1  and load it up with 4x3 or 5x3 cages.  It even has a HD dock in the top which is damn cool!  :)

 

John

This is the case I just transferred my server into, it comes with 2x 4x3 bays, so 8 drives out of the box. I installed 2 istar 5x3 in my and I can verify that 4 5x3's will fit with maintaining the hot swap bay on the top. 2 draw backs for me were:

1. The access hole for the CPU cooler swap does not line up with my X8sil-f MB, small issue, but I left my passive cooler on there unsure how the case would perform. Lucky for me temps are fine with seven drives. We will see as my server grows.

2. The USB 3 cables are external cables and I have to run them to the back of the case. Not a big deal, but I think could have been done more efficiently.

 

Other than those 2 it's a great case, lots of room cooling is good, and for me the case is reasonably quiet.

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