Maximum PC

Scenario:

Currently have a 12-drive SCSI RAID-5 array in my 24-bay InWin widebody, which is 5 years old. It's time to replace the array with something a little more modern. So, I'm looking at about 6 SATA Maxtor 300's. I need and love space.

What I need:

A Case with minimal 6 HDD Bays (Easy)
A Case that is Silver (Easy)
A case which will accept an Extended-ATX motherboard. (Important)
A Case with 2 Floppy bays (for my 9-1 floppy/Media reader and a 4-port USB bay, or a front USB array built in.
A Case with minimum of 2 120mm fan mounts. I have three lighted 120mm's already.
Conservatively styled.

What I don't need or desire:

Drive Doors, ala Antec 1040B. The location prohibits a swinging door.
60mm or 80mm fans. Too damned noisy.
Funky wild paint schemes, or monster-themed front panels.
BTX. 'nuff said, even if it's available.
Mid, Mini, or Flex ATX form factor.
Optical Drive Cover plates. Same with floppy plated bays. I want to drop my drives in.
USB/1394 ports on the side of the unit. Again, location prohibits this. Plus, why are they called "Front Ports" if they're not on the Front?

What is nice, but optional:

Side Window. I have lights and lighted fans, but it's no biggie.
PSU. I have a Thermaltake/Mad Dog 500w Silent.
Removable HDD Bays.
Optical Drive Rails.
Removable Mobo tray.
Rubber-grommet drive mounts.
The Front USB/1394 ports near the top of the unit. Not on top, like the CoolerMaster WaveMaster.

Please post links to any suggestions. Thank you in advance.

SC64

I have one word for you



STACKER!!!!!

11 bays down the front, yes these are 5 1/4 but the case does come with one 4 in 3 convertor and you can get a second for $30ish this would give you room for 8 drives. They each have a 120mm fan on them. Silver and black are is the standard color scheme. There are 6 USB prts and a firewire across the top as well as headphone and mic plug ins. You can purchase a side window for this case as well, as other cooling options. Based upon what you want and don't want this case sounds just about perfect, I know I enjoy mine. I know you said no BTX but it is something you may wish to plan for at any rate.

SC, how about a budget?

The case Garetjax used a Silverstone SST-TJ03 looks pretty roomy, as does the stacker, which was suggested.

i would go with thee silverstone case that is in blondie's post. I dunt think the stacker supports the extended mobo.

Maybe one of them ginormous server cases would do?

The Stacker looks good and seems like it just fits your bill.



They're closer to the front than the back.

Me thinks the CoolerMaster CM Stacker, with an Extra 4x3 Drive module, will fill my bill.

Blondie & nVidia4Ever: The Silverstone has no 3-1/2" External bays, meaning my 9-1 Floppy/Media reader would need a rail conversion kit. Also, budget wasn't an issue here, that's why I didn't specify one. Sorry.

OCNoob: The location of my case prohibits access to the sides, no matter how close.

Thanks for the help.

SC64

*cries* Other then having two additonal hdd bays, this case meets all of your expectations and is just awesome.

Oh well, you win some and you lose some

Sorry, I had big on the mind, not features

Sorry, but those damned drive doors don't fit my space.

SC64

The Stacker does in fact support E-ATX boards.
from the Coolermaster site CM Stacker page.

Can somebody please explain what justifies spending $300 on that case?

Just to toss out another suitable case:

Enermax Maxflow CS-718

Received a decent review in PC Enthusiast magazine.

-Six

but it has a door.

The "mesh door" has removable cutouts for the drives, so in actual use, you don't open it up.

Dammit, [Ch]ams!

Decisions, decisions...

SC64