Opinions sought: Lian-Li EX-H34 vs Kingwin KF-4001-BK

[domiel]

I've just started building a new fileserver based on the Lian-Li PC-343B http://pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=14613 to replace my current rig http://www.digiconcepts.com/chenbro_cases_35.htm which is a very solid and reliable bit of kit but it's just too noisy for my office.

 

So I'm looking to add some "4 in 3" HDD racks to my new box. I've done a fair amount of research on the web and have narrowed it down to the "native" Lian-Li EX-H34 http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=285&ss_index=12 and the new Kingwin KF-4001-BK http://www.kingwin.com/products/cate/mobile/racks/kf_4001_bk.asp. These two have made the list simply because they seem to be the only ones with 120mm fans - the 80mm fans in my current rig are the main source of noise.

 

Weighing them up so far:

 

 

• 
   
• EX-H34
     
  • 
         
• Pros
         
  • 
             
• 120mm fan
           
• "Native" solution (same brand as case)
           
• user replaceable fan
           
• looks like it has good airflow
         

     

      [*]Cons

       

• 
           
• tight fit between backplane and fan for SATA connectors - my SAS controller has SFF-8087 multilane connectors and it's almost impossible to find an appropriate cable
         

     

   

 

  [*]KF-4001-BK

   

• 
       
• Pros
         
  • 
             
• 120mm fan
           
• trayless
           
• looks like the fan is replaceable but I'm unsure
           
• no problems with cabling headroom
         

     

      [*]Cons

       

• 
           
• I'm unsure about how well the ventilation and heat conduction will work
           
• also unsure about build quality
           
• unavailable in Australia - will have to mail order from the USA
           
• (edit) The Kingwin website describes the unit as "hotswap" yet the manual says "Please do not remove the hard drive unless the power is off"
           
• (edit) Based upon what I can tell from online pictures Kingwin seems to have used a fair amount of plastic in the construction
         

     

   

 

 

 

So I'm wondering does anyone have any experience with either of these and can comment on the pros/cons I've outlined above.

 

(edit) I just read this review http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2372 of a similar unit (perhaps the same OEM) branded as ICYdock and the comments on the build quality at the end of the review are a little concerning

[Kode]

I'm in a similar situation, my biggest problems with those two are cable access on the EX34 and the Kingwin looks like ass, cheap and nasty looking plastic.

[domiel]

I'm in a similar situation, my biggest problems with those two are cable access on the EX34 and the Kingwin looks like ass, cheap and nasty looking plastic.

 

I just did a bit of searching wrt fans and it might be possible to use this http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/casefans/slipstream-120-slim-1200 in conjunction with the EX-H34 and then have some cable headroom. What do you think?

[Kode]

I don't think i'd want to use a fan that thin, the CFM is only 24, would probably be better swapping our cables for something like this http://www.span.com/product_info.php?products_id=22403

[WeeboTech]

I've used the Kingwin's before. They are nice. If the newer models use 120MM fans they are nicer then the models that I've used (Which had the smaller fans).

 

There is something very cool about the trayless removables.

It takes some of the effort out of swapping if you are using older drives.

 

If I had a lian-li case, and it was easier to get the parts for that case, I would go that route.

They look nice. My only beef is they require the metal brackets for the drives.

[domiel]

I don't think i'd want to use a fan that thin, the CFM is only 24, would probably be better swapping our cables for something like this http://www.span.com/product_info.php?products_id=22403

 

Fantastic!

 

I've already found a couple of similar cables: (http://www.amazon.com/CableHero-Multi-Lane-SFF-8087-Discrete-RIGHT-ANGLE/dp/tech-data/B003BIV17Y, http://www.xpcgear.com/multi-lane-sff-8087-mini-sas-to-4x-sata-right-angle-internal-data-hard-drive-forward-break-out-cable.html)

 

But both of these have the cable facing in the wrong direction (so that they would cover the ventilation holes) but if the photo on the span.com website is correct (I think it's actually a mirror image) then that will fix our problem!

 

I'm going to email them and see if I can find out more.

[Kode]

well picked up on! It probably wouldnt be too bad though, bend the cable a bit and it would still have much bigger ventilation holes than 99% of the hotswap enclosures.

 

*edit* That picture on the span site is weird, if its not a mirror image then theres no way for it to fit a normal sata connection o_O

[Kode]

That one from xpcgear is also here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MINI-SAS-SFF-8087-4-SATA-Cable-Assembly-/290463248955?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item43a0f5723b you should be able to arrange that one so it blocks very little (tie wrap to the bars between ventilation)

[domiel]

That one from xpcgear is also here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MINI-SAS-SFF-8087-4-SATA-Cable-Assembly-/290463248955?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item43a0f5723b you should be able to arrange that one so it blocks very little (tie wrap to the bars between ventilation)

 

I had thought about doing something like that, however I've just mailed span.com. Let's see what they've got to say about those cables. I'm pretty sure the photo is a mirror image, but, the cable does run the right thing in relation to the 'L' shape on the connector.

 

When I get a reply I'll post a message here.

[domiel]

That one from xpcgear is also here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MINI-SAS-SFF-8087-4-SATA-Cable-Assembly-/290463248955?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item43a0f5723b you should be able to arrange that one so it blocks very little (tie wrap to the bars between ventilation)

 

I had thought about doing something like that, however I've just mailed span.com. Let's see what they've got to say about those cables. I'm pretty sure the photo is a mirror image, but, the cable does run the right thing in relation to the 'L' shape on the connector.

 

When I get a reply I'll post a message here.

 

Span are amazingly quick!

 

It seems that they are the right way around. When the local supplier gets some more stock of the EX-H34's I'll order some and I'm going to order the cables now.

 

I'll let you know how it turns out.

[smoldersonline]

Wow, that's an amazing case! I'm targeting an A77FB with EX-H34's, but this is for sure an attractive alternative. This is my first project, so I hope it's OK that I raise a question in stead of an opinion - other than that I really like the "all Lain Li look".

 

I's somewhat confused on the SFF8087 cables that are best for the EX-H34. I guess a left angle (to prevent blocking the airflow) is best and then bring the cables down?

 

Thanks

[work_permit]

I have the EX-H34, and am not happy with it.  I bought it a couple of years ago but ended up not using it because it didn't provide sufficient airflow over the drives.  I believe the problem was that the fan is not sealed up against the cage, and so air basically circulates from the front of the fan to the back, and does not pull in air from outside.  If you like, I'll make some airflow measurements this weekend.

 

I just ordered the kingwin, if you like I'll post my experience with it.  At first blush, it appears as if the airflow will be relatively unobstructed:

except of course for the front grill

 

 

Tigerdirect has some good pics on its site.  You can get a sense of its design from there.http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6651018&SRCCODE=WEBLET03ORDER&cm_mmc=Email-_-WebletMain-_-WEBLET03ORDER-_-Deals

 

 

(edit) I just took a few quick measurements on the EX-34. I installed two drives and took airflow measurements. This was all done outside the case.  At the fan, the airflow is roughly 400 ft/min. At the front of the drives (facing the outside of the case) the airflow is roughly 20 ft/min. I also noticed that the the drives block the ventilation holes on PCB board where the sata connectors are.

[joeyke87]

I just bought the same case as you and i'm buying some ICYDOCK MB455SPF-B soon. That's 5 in 3. Just letting you know this might be more interesting since you can have more hdd's this way.

[domiel]

I have the EX-H34, and am not happy with it.  I bought it a couple of years ago but ended up not using it because it didn't provide sufficient airflow over the drives.  I believe the problem was that the fan is not sealed up against the cage, and so air basically circulates from the front of the fan to the back, and does not pull in air from outside.  If you like, I'll make some airflow measurements this weekend.

 

...

 

(edit) I just took a few quick measurements on the EX-34. I installed two drives and took airflow measurements. This was all done outside the case.  At the fan, the airflow is roughly 400 ft/min. At the front of the drives (facing the outside of the case) the airflow is roughly 20 ft/min. I also noticed that the the drives block the ventilation holes on PCB board where the sata connectors are.

 

I am interested in what you said about the lack of airflow over the drives but if you wouldn't mind could you do the same test with the Kingwin and post the results?

 

Thanks

 

To those who have been following this thread - sorry for the delay in following this up.

 

Both the EX-H34's and the right-angled cables arrived a couple of weeks back but I've just been way too busy to even unpack them.

 

That said I did have a quick peek at one of the EX-H34's and the cables and they seem to be the right way around - so if anyone else (Kode?) is thinking of going down this route I can recommend the span.com cables with relative confidence.

 

[domiel]

I just bought the same case as you and i'm buying some ICYDOCK MB455SPF-B soon. That's 5 in 3. Just letting you know this might be more interesting since you can have more hdd's this way.

 

Yeah I thought about going for some 5-in-3 cages but most of what I've read indicates that there are pretty significant heat dissipation issues - this server is going to have all my data so I'd rather not risk it - besides with space for 24 spindles I can always just upgrade some of them.

 

Also, my SAS controllers are 8-port so 4-in-3 cages are a nicer fit in that respect - I could get extra controllers but it would mean wasted ports and I'd also have to buy a new motherboard so I could fit more controllers on it

 

[cepler]

This cage is the one I'm considering using on my unRAID rebuild.  I'm awaiting the arrival of a single unit today to put in my wife's machine and evaluate.  If it looks good I'll put 4 of'em on my Christmas list along with a Lian Li PC-P80 case.  Of all the trayless cages I've looked at this is the best one I've seen.  It has a 120mm fan, has metal contact area latches vs. plastic latches, it appears to have nice clear airflow, fan can easily be removed/replaced...very excited to see how it works out.  If I use'em in the Lian Li I'll probably see about removing all the fans and just use the front fans on the case.

 

All the other units I've seen had cheap latches, really small crappy fans, bad airflow, too many connectors, etc.  This thus far looks to be the best option to me.

[cepler]

Well I just got one of these installed in my wife's Antec 900 case.  Tight fit between it and the video card but it fits.  Fan is reasonably quiet.  The PCB design appears to have changed a bit.  There are markings for the cutouts between drives but they are not cut out, they are solid.  I suspect perhaps they had issues with the board not being rigid enough perhaps?  Or maybe it's a cost-cutting measure, either way the airflow is a bit more restricted...  They drives are in a rebuild state in a 3WARE RAID array right now and are around 33C so far, ambient is about 72ish...

[aiden]

What rpm on your drives?

[domiel]

Well I just got one of these installed in my wife's Antec 900 case.  Tight fit between it and the video card but it fits.  Fan is reasonably quiet.  The PCB design appears to have changed a bit.  There are markings for the cutouts between drives but they are not cut out, they are solid.  I suspect perhaps they had issues with the board not being rigid enough perhaps?  Or maybe it's a cost-cutting measure, either way the airflow is a bit more restricted...  They drives are in a rebuild state in a 3WARE RAID array right now and are around 33C so far, ambient is about 72ish...

 

I certainly hope that your ambient is in Farenheit!

[cepler]

Oops, sorry for mixing up units there heh...72C would be a little hot for my tastes and I doubt the case would cool down to 33C from that, if it did then heck who needs fans!

 

Anyhoo, after a couple RAID rebuilds to test temperatures with 4 Western Digital 1TB Black Edition 7200 RPM drives the temps got up to around 98F and at idle I believe they are down around 90F at the highest.  Overall so far I'm pretty happy with it 'cept for the minor 'groan' fan sound that it added.  I might ponder popping the enclosure open to take a look at the circuit board and see if I can Dremel out the vents or perhaps drill a few holes.