Decent Home Server Chassis

[sibeer]

I think there is a big gap at the moment for a reasonably priced home server case. Something similar to the NAS boxes (preferably with the hot swap trays), includes PSU and is designed for MATX or ITX. Minimum 4 HDD bays, but a compact design that took a maximum of 6-8 would be even better. This is a beaut but too expensive:

http://www.xcase.co.uk/Chenbro-ES34069-Mini-ITX-p/case-chenbro-es34069.htm

This ain't bad, but not specific enough:

http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_1105.html

Surely one of the budget manufacturers can have a crack at such a open market?

[sibeer]

I think there is a big gap at the moment for a reasonably priced home server case. Something similar to the NAS boxes (preferably with the hot swap trays), includes PSU and is designed for MATX or ITX. Minimum 4 HDD bays, but a compact design that took a maximum of 6-8 would be even better. This is a beaut but too expensive:

http://www.xcase.co.uk/Chenbro-ES34069-Mini-ITX-p/case-chenbro-es34069.htm

This ain't bad, but not specific enough:

http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_1105.html

Surely one of the budget manufacturers can have a crack at such a open market?

Come on staff, help me out here.

[Mighty_Red]

At the moment I think most of the matx cases are either way too big, or way too expensive (e.g. Shuttle). Wouldn't it be cheap to simply take a mid-sized case and make it smaller? Fair enough, heat is a problem if you want high-end CPUs/GPUs in there but for an ION plus 4 disks it should be a good market.

At the moment the best bet might be an Aspire Revo + external USB with 2/4 bays.

[InvaderGIR]

The top one you linked is quite cheap for a server box to be honest.

[jonwoad]

I like the first case... might have to invest in one at some point

[Gunda]

That Cenbro case looks perfect, i'd buy one.

[sneeker]

I want want of these next, this, a mini itx board and 6 2tb drives would make an awsome little WHS box

http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=480&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=63

[sibeer]

I want want of these next, this, a mini itx board and 6 2tb drives would make an awsome little WHS box

http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=480&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=63

It doesn't have the correct drive bays, but if you used a PICO PSU or similar there is definitely room inside. Still isn't the same as the nice hotswap options though :drool:

[sibeer]

The top one you linked is quite cheap for a server box to be honest.

Thing is that there must be a way of lowering the spec and making it cheaper. I can get a half decent coolermaster MATX tower for £20, it would be ideal if a little smaller and using the full front for 3.5" bays. Surely it can't be hard to give a case ITX board dimensions and room for 4-8 fairly easy access 3.5" drives.

[sibeer]

All this wait and now two are coming out soon. Any details on prices and availablilty for these would be appreciated:

http://members.cox.net/bock1-1/21-q8.jpg

And Fractal

http://www.fractal-design.com/img_prod/array2.jpg

More info on the Fractal here:

http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2∏=39 (http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=39)

[Gunslinger]

Personally, i like these ....

http://www.accware.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/psem-computervault-mini.jpg

12U Server Cabinet Model PSE12 from KellSystems

room for the UPS in there too, and if you opt for one of the fancy wood finishes, it'll look like part of the furniture, except that it will be kicking out a shed load of heat :D