Guys,
I'm looking to add one or more of those 2x5.25" bay to 3x3.5" disk
cages to my main file server, which is a CoolerMaster Centurion 534
case, which has tabs in between each 5.25" bay to help hold things in
place. I thought about the 3x5.25 -> 4/5x3.5" expanders, but since I
have four free 5.25" slots, it makes more sense to use a pair of
2x5.25"->3x3.5" cages. Plus most of the larger expanders won't work
with tabs in the case.
Part of my criteria is: cost, quiet cooling fan, durability of sleds,
SATA III support, abitily to replace the cooling fan if it's too
loud.
So here's my top four choices. The IcyDock is the most expensive by
far. Not sure I'd go for it... sorta leaning towards the iStarUSA
models. The Norco has no reviews on newegg, so I'm leary of it.
iStarUSA BPN-DE230SS-BLACK 2 x 5.25" to 3 x 3.5" SAS/SATA Trayless
Hot-Swap Cage - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816215240
iStarUSA BPU-230SATA-BPL 2x5.25" to 3x3.5" SAS/SATA 6.0 Gb/s Hot-Swap Cage - Lockable
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121912
NORCO SS-300 3 Bay 3.5" SATA/SAS Hot Swap Rack Module
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816133050
ICY DOCK MB453IPF-B 3 in 2 3.5' SATA I & II Hot-Swap Internal
Backplane Raid Cage Module
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817994052
And a fall back model which should work just fine in my case, and
which is really cheap, but takes up three 5.25" bays to hold 4 drives
and isn't hot swappable...
COOLER MASTER STB-3T4-E3-GP 4-in-3 Device Module Hardisk Cage
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817993002
Thanks,
John
