Posted by: BartDG
looking for mATX case for Windows Home Server - 25/10/2007 12:46
Hi guys,
I've been reading up lately on the upcoming Windows Home Server release. I'm very interested in this software, but instead of buying a pre-built solution like eg the HP Mediasmart Windows Home Server (photo here), I 'd like to build my own system.
What I need:
I've already found the Antec NSK-1300, and, while having excellent dimensions, good cooling and includes the PSU, it doesn't allow HD's to be removed/added without opening the case.
I guess I need something like this. (dutch text, but the photos tell all). That would be a perfect case, if it weren't mini ITX standard, which seriously limits the CPU choice I can make. That, and mini ITX boards being horribly expensive. It also draws its cooling from two 70 mm fans, which will no doubt be very noisy. Since I want to tuck this server away somewhere in the bedroom, noise is very important as you can probably imagine.
Basically, I want to install it, tuck it away somewhere and not manipulate it anymore after that, with the exception of adding/removing a drive when needed. A Windows Home Server is specifically built to be accessed via a terminal session on (one of the) PC's in the network, and does not need anything connected to it, other than a network and power cable.
The forementioned HP system would be perfect in fact, but of course, these cannot be bought as empty cases, only pre-built.
I've been looking for a couple of days now, but was not able to find anything which fits all my requirements. I had no idea this would be so hard!
Has anybody got any suggestions? Thanks!
I've been reading up lately on the upcoming Windows Home Server release. I'm very interested in this software, but instead of buying a pre-built solution like eg the HP Mediasmart Windows Home Server (photo here), I 'd like to build my own system.
What I need:
* Case based on the mATX standard (micro-ATX)
* room for three to four 3,5" HDD's
* one 5,25" slot (for DVD-RW)
* Preferably as silent as possible (read: no tiny annoying fans in it, only large ones - starting at 80mm but preferably larger)
* harddisk drives accessible from the front with a removable drive bay (this is the tricky part)
I've already found the Antec NSK-1300, and, while having excellent dimensions, good cooling and includes the PSU, it doesn't allow HD's to be removed/added without opening the case.
I guess I need something like this. (dutch text, but the photos tell all). That would be a perfect case, if it weren't mini ITX standard, which seriously limits the CPU choice I can make. That, and mini ITX boards being horribly expensive. It also draws its cooling from two 70 mm fans, which will no doubt be very noisy. Since I want to tuck this server away somewhere in the bedroom, noise is very important as you can probably imagine.
Basically, I want to install it, tuck it away somewhere and not manipulate it anymore after that, with the exception of adding/removing a drive when needed. A Windows Home Server is specifically built to be accessed via a terminal session on (one of the) PC's in the network, and does not need anything connected to it, other than a network and power cable.
The forementioned HP system would be perfect in fact, but of course, these cannot be bought as empty cases, only pre-built.
I've been looking for a couple of days now, but was not able to find anything which fits all my requirements. I had no idea this would be so hard!
Has anybody got any suggestions? Thanks!