Been running with the Norco 4224 a couple of weeks and has been a pleasure. I want to add a couple SSD drives but don't want to install them inside the case. I know there are adapters where you can install/place a 2.5 SSD on a 3.5 bracket and screw it on right onto the HD tray. Wanted to see if anyone has real world experience with these? I've seen over 20 different types/models, and some dirt cheap too.  The Norco case did come with a 2.5" drive bracket but removed it so I could mount different fans on the other side of the board so I would have more room at the back of the back planes. I'd rather not even open the case and just use the tray. An example bracket I was looking at is something like this.

http://www.amazon.com/Newer-Technology-AdaptaDrive-Converter-Bracket/dp/B005PZDVF6

 

So many out there.

 

I got one of the 2 drive - ssd to pci slot adapters - I have 2 extra slots that go past my mb.  I just got one of those and 2 8" sata cables and installed it in a case slot past the end of my MB

 

ebay has all sorts of them....

 

Myk

 

Been running with the Norco 4224 a couple of weeks and has been a pleasure. I want to add a couple SSD drives but don't want to install them inside the case. I know there are adapters where you can install/place a 2.5 SSD on a 3.5 bracket and screw it on right onto the HD tray. Wanted to see if anyone has real world experience with these? I've seen over 20 different types/models, and some dirt cheap too.  The Norco case did come with a 2.5" drive bracket but removed it so I could mount different fans on the other side of the board so I would have more room at the back of the back planes. I'd rather not even open the case and just use the tray. An example bracket I was looking at is something like this.

http://www.amazon.com/Newer-Technology-AdaptaDrive-Converter-Bracket/dp/B005PZDVF6

 

So many out there.

 

I've got one of these.

I guess I was too much in a rush to build it and didn't notice the trays have screw holes just for 2.5" drives. Perfect fit. More happier I didn't opt for a trayless design. I wonder if the Norco 4224 V1 has these trays too?

 

Screw on any drive and slide it right in. Have to use normal thread HD screws but they have to be flat tops, so they don't stick out. I have an entire container of screws and found about 7 or 8 just for this. Have to try and find more screws like it.

 

 

Been running with the Norco 4224 a couple of weeks and has been a pleasure. I want to add a couple SSD drives but don't want to install them inside the case. I know there are adapters where you can install/place a 2.5 SSD on a 3.5 bracket and screw it on right onto the HD tray. Wanted to see if anyone has real world experience with these? I've seen over 20 different types/models, and some dirt cheap too.  The Norco case did come with a 2.5" drive bracket but removed it so I could mount different fans on the other side of the board so I would have more room at the back of the back planes. I'd rather not even open the case and just use the tray. An example bracket I was looking at is something like this.

http://www.amazon.com/Newer-Technology-AdaptaDrive-Converter-Bracket/dp/B005PZDVF6

 

So many out there.

 

I've got one of these.

 

I was looking at a very similar option (in the US) until I saw the 2.5mm screw holes on the tray. Now to figure out how to use the on-board SATA ports with the Norco case. Each backplane has 4 drives so in theory I guess I could run a SAS break-out cable right from the backplane and plug the ends right into the SATA ports on the board.

You can buy cheap WD Ice Packs.  They sometimes come with a free 10k SATA drive.  They work great, except for one issue in that they don't pass through 3.3v power.  Not an issue on almost all drives, I came across the issue when trying to use a mSATA SSD in a cheap adapter that didn't have a power circuit in it.

Been running with the Norco 4224 a couple of weeks and has been a pleasure. I want to add a couple SSD drives but don't want to install them inside the case. I know there are adapters where you can install/place a 2.5 SSD on a 3.5 bracket and screw it on right onto the HD tray. Wanted to see if anyone has real world experience with these? I've seen over 20 different types/models, and some dirt cheap too.  The Norco case did come with a 2.5" drive bracket but removed it so I could mount different fans on the other side of the board so I would have more room at the back of the back planes. I'd rather not even open the case and just use the tray. An example bracket I was looking at is something like this.

http://www.amazon.com/Newer-Technology-AdaptaDrive-Converter-Bracket/dp/B005PZDVF6

 

So many out there.

 

I've got one of these.

 

I was looking at a very similar option (in the US) until I saw the 2.5mm screw holes on the tray. Now to figure out how to use the on-board SATA ports with the Norco case. Each backplane has 4 drives so in theory I guess I could run a SAS break-out cable right from the backplane and plug the ends right into the SATA ports on the board.

The one I linked to is great, it basically turns a 2.5inch drive into a 3.5inch drive, holes and all.  I used it to mount my SSD into my 5 in 3 hotswap.

I use one of these: 2x2.5 to 3.5 adapter.

 

Since it is lightweight and so are the 2 SSDs I put in it, I just have it stuck to the bottom of my hotswap cage with double-sided tape. This allows me to get 7x3.5 and 2x2.5 drives in my tiny case.

I bought a replacement tray for my 2212, because it did not have 2,5in holes in my version.

 

http://www.amazon.com/RPC-4224-RPC-4220-RPC-4020-RPC-4216-RPC-4116/dp/B00DV77J1C

 

here are the screws

http://www.amazon.com/2-5-mounting-RPC-4224-RPC-4220-RPC-4020/dp/B00DV6Q3GK/ref=pd_sim_147_2/181-9882351-9559648?ie=UTF8&refRID=0YTC6HYHQB8ZMJV2M8GS

I bought a replacement tray for my 2212, because it did not have 2,5in holes in my version.

 

http://www.amazon.com/RPC-4224-RPC-4220-RPC-4020-RPC-4216-RPC-4116/dp/B00DV77J1C

 

here are the screws

http://www.amazon.com/2-5-mounting-RPC-4224-RPC-4220-RPC-4020/dp/B00DV6Q3GK/ref=pd_sim_147_2/181-9882351-9559648?ie=UTF8&refRID=0YTC6HYHQB8ZMJV2M8GS

 

I guess Norco updates their products and keeps the model number the same. They have done some significant changes which deserves at least a V2.

 

Backplanes only have 1 power port

Comes with 120mm fan board

Comes with 2.5 internal tray mounted to fan board if you wanted to install

All trays have screw holes for 3.5 and 2.5 drives

 

I bought some screws else where. IPCDirect is actually Norco themselves selling to consumers. They wanted $14 for 50 screws. I went to Ebay and got the same ones for $5+free shipping and was I think 200 screws. Of course I'll never use them all, but $5 can't go wrong.

I've used these a few times with success. Why use a 3.5" slot when you can add some 2.5" slots in the back.

 

StarTech.com 2.5in SATA Removable Hard Drive Bay for PC Expansion Slot

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-2-5in-Removable-Drive-Expansion/dp/B002MWDRD6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1439232919&sr=8-2&keywords=startech+pci+2.5

 

I've also used this with a PMP for access to 2 drives.

 

KingWin Dual 2.5-Inch to 3.5-Inch SATA HDD Converter with Raid Components Other HDCV-2

http://www.amazon.com/2-5-Inch-3-5-Inch-Converter-Components-HDCV-2/dp/B00856XFVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439233037&sr=8-1&keywords=kingwin+2.5+to+3.5+raid

 

In my hp micro server I use this and bolt it to a bracket.

 

Upside of this config is 2 drives are accessible via PMP or RAID0/1. Downside of this config is the interface to the host is limited to SATA II 300MB/s.  (for me this is OK).

StarTech.com Dual mSATA SSD to 2.5-Inch SATA RAID Adapter Converter (25SAT22MSAT)

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-2-5-Inch-Adapter-Converter-25SAT22MSAT/dp/B00ITJ7WDC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439233100&sr=8-1&keywords=msata+raid

For many of us with Norco cases, these are not an option.  For instance, I have a 12 bay Case.  4 onboard ports and an 8 Port SAS.  No reason to buy anything larger from a board perspective.  For someone with extra ports...its an interesting idea.

I've used these a few times with success. Why use a 3.5" slot when you can add some 2.5" slots in the back.

 

StarTech.com 2.5in SATA Removable Hard Drive Bay for PC Expansion Slot

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-2-5in-Removable-Drive-Expansion/dp/B002MWDRD6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1439232919&sr=8-2&keywords=startech+pci+2.5

 

I've also used this with a PMP for access to 2 drives.

 

KingWin Dual 2.5-Inch to 3.5-Inch SATA HDD Converter with Raid Components Other HDCV-2

http://www.amazon.com/2-5-Inch-3-5-Inch-Converter-Components-HDCV-2/dp/B00856XFVW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439233037&sr=8-1&keywords=kingwin+2.5+to+3.5+raid

 

In my hp micro server I use this and bolt it to a bracket.

 

Upside of this config is 2 drives are accessible via PMP or RAID0/1. Downside of this config is the interface to the host is limited to SATA II 300MB/s.  (for me this is OK).

StarTech.com Dual mSATA SSD to 2.5-Inch SATA RAID Adapter Converter (25SAT22MSAT)

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-2-5-Inch-Adapter-Converter-25SAT22MSAT/dp/B00ITJ7WDC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439233100&sr=8-1&keywords=msata+raid

 

The first item is pretty cool. Never even seen that before. I just ended up screwing a couple SSD's onto the 3.5 trays since I have a 24 bay box and only using 14 slots. I could have sprung for the cheaper Norco 20 bay case but got a pretty good deal on the 24.  Been very happy with it so far.