Htpc/storage server hybrid

[[DANGERDAN]]

Building a storage server that will also be a HTPC for the lounge, my main PC is being overwhelmed by multiple hard drives and need to put them elsewhere. Seems this would be the best solution as i already have a HTPC in the lounge and just need to upgrade the case to accomodate the extra hard drives.

So i need a case to hold all my hard drives (8) and one that will also hold a gtx280 so needs to probably be a mid tower case. I have two that i am looking at and seem to be feasible options for it but i am not fully sure.

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=51...actal%20Design

http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/comp...p?partid=14743

One other thing i also have two of these.
http://benchmarkreviews.com/images/r...fan_filter.jpg

So a case with 6 5.25" drive bays will also suffice as i will be able to use those drive bays to hold the drives in, handy really.

[NKrader]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352019

i like that with amd APU, six slots and good htpc size (or i5-2300)

[[DANGERDAN]]

that's a viable option man cause i might only need 6 in the end as one needs to stay with the main for profiles and what not, can a gtx 280 fit in there do you think ?.

[zanzabar]

that's a viable option man cause i might only need 6 in the end as one needs to stay with the main for profiles and what not, can a gtx 280 fit in there do you think ?.

i dont think that a 280 will work with the 300W psu since it would be about 240W

fractal dose have more tradition mini p180 like case that uses a normal psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352011

[[DANGERDAN]]

Na i just mean the case, sorry if i didn't state but i have everything else in regards to motherboard parts cpu etc, just need a case and that's it.

[zanzabar]

Na i just mean the case, sorry if i didn't state but i have everything else in regards to motherboard parts cpu etc, just need a case and that's it.

if you have the reference card that is motherboard length and has the power coming from the side instead of the back it will fit

[Bobsama]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811204037

But I don't think it'd have the clearance needed for a GTX-280. To be honest, would you consider selling the 280 & looking at a GTX560 or the like instead? It should do better at gaming, consume less power, and most are smaller cards (small enough to fit). Just measure your card--if it's <9.6", almost any case will work (though I don't think that Fractal one will--due to the location of the HDD bays).

[Bun-Bun]

I like the fractal design cases personally. Cheap and well thought out.

But you could fit everything in one of these if you are up to the challenge...

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=54...acture=LIAN-LI

Love the case. But working in it is a bit of a pain...

And 280's are not that long. As long as the case orients to drives side to side through the case instead of front to back it should work



They are 10-10.5" I beleive

[[DANGERDAN]]

yea iv been looking through fractal and they have some nice cases, even considered getting one for my main now haha.

[95blackz26]

the fractal design cases are nice and the R3 ones have some nice sound deadening on them. with the side panel on you can barely hear the fans and pump running.

i went for this case. i sacrificed the internal optical drive for the reservoir and just use an external one when i need it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811352013

[[DANGERDAN]]

Yes i have been looking at the R3, seems to be the best choice for my situation and needs atm and nothing better to match it with.

[[DANGERDAN]]

Done



Did i over do my HTPC ?? haha jokes, ended up using the case as my main and will buy a arc mini or define mini for the htpc.

[Bun-Bun]

Nice build!

I have the Arc Midi case. Very cool looking. And they are wider then normal to allow bigger fans and easier cable management. Very impressed with them for the price. Obviously my Corsair 800D is nicer but more than twice the price!

[95blackz26]

Done

Did i over do my HTPC ?? haha jokes, ended up using the case as my main and will buy a arc mini or define mini for the htpc.

i did the same thing. started out as a HTPC build then somewhere along the way it transformed into a main rig replacement build. i got the 2550k from microcenter when they had it on sale with the coupon for $160. it was only $20 more that the dual core i was going to buy for the HTPC.

i was originally going to use the Fractal Design Define Mini and do a mirco atx HTPC build but then they had the R3 on a shell shocker for $80 shipped. i think that was the point where it transformed into a main rig build.

the sound deadening is pretty good on these cases. cuts down on a lot of the noise you hear outside the case.