I ordered a Coolermaster 590 case. The price was right. I also ordered an iStarUSA backplane but may return it if it doesn't work right or I don't like it. Also, how do you connect an URL to text in the post?

 

 

No 5in3 backplanes have drive cage slots in the sides. That case has the 5.25" drive support tabs sticking out of the sides of the drive rack. So, since no 5in3 has the slots then no 5in3 will work in that case without removing or bending those tabs out of the way.

 

Peter

 

What the above poster said is correct.  You will have to bend or cut off the tabs to get the 590 to work with 5-in-3

But I would be able to install 3 of the Cooler Master 4 in 3 cages, right? Which would give me 12 drives. I hope I will be able to do that.

 

 

But I would be able to install 3 of the Cooler Master 4 in 3 cages, right? Which would give me 12 drives. I hope I will be able to do that.

 

 

 

Yes, the 4-in-3 fit without modification.  I just built a server for a client that uses the 4-in-3's in a CM590 case and the slide in like a dream.

Tap the tabs in with a hammer, no need to cut. I assume these are the same metal tabs y CM case has - couple of taps with a hammer (powered down) and in went my Supermicro 5n3s 

Some users report using a C-clamp to bend the tabs out of the wat for 5 in 3 installs. You really ought to consider it as it is cheaper to pass on the 4 in 3s than to have to replace them when you need more disks.

 

3 5-in-3s will mean 3 more drives (soon that will mean 9T of extra space). Seems worth this minor case mod IMO.

I had a few of the CM 4in3 stackers and frankly, I didn't like them.

 

Getting a drive in and out of the stacker is a PITA.. Add that to the fact that I think the thing just looks butt ugly and it was a receipe for a change.

 

Bought myself the same case Limetech uses to distribute its servers and some supermicro 5in3s and my stress level has gone down considerably

 

All this to say that I'd recommend taking a hammer or whatever tool you prefer and giving it to those tabs so some nice 5in3s can fit in there.

 

C clamp is considerably easier than a hammer, in my opinion.  You just have to find one that is deep enough.

 

Here's how you embed links in text:

 

[url=www.google.com]Google[/url]

 

The above gives you this:

 

Google

bravo! Thanks for the suggestions. Since the case is a pretty cheap one I think I will bend those tabs to fit the 5 in 3's. I know down the road I will eventually fill up the other ones and having and extra 3 drive spaces may help! Whatever works these days I guess.