I am looking to buy a case that I can rackmount in the future (as I currently have a limited space in my current apartment) - with the caveat that I would like for this to have a backplane for 8 x 3.5" drives. My goal is to make this entire setup as a home appliance as much as possible. I’ve been looking at the SuperMicro SuperChassis 743, and it’s a costly pretty penny.
Any suggestions for an affordable case? Maybe there’s an old revision that I’m missing out on the Interweb?
Look at the 45Homelab. 15 bays with a backplane and the ability to take full size ATX MB.
Would love to be able to use that, but I really mean on the limited space. Two people in a 1 bedroom apartment really puts size into perspective. I am looking to either buy a case with a front accessible back plane or to put some Icydock ones in.
I get that, but if you want something that is rack mountable in the future you aren’t going to get much better. Things designed to be rack mount are designed to fit a certain form factor. Now you can go smaller, but it won’t be something that is designed for to fit a rack.
Fair, I’ll keep on looking myself - Thanks.
take a look at the SilverStone GD line. I have the SilverStone GD08 which by default is a desktop chassis, but with optional rack ears it transforms into a 4U short depth rackmount chassis.
I like this specific one for its “Impressive storage capacity of up to twelve drive bays”. Kitted with the right fans/CPU cooler it is absolutely silent (good for a 1 bedroom apartment).
The short depth does make it super interesting!! I’ll definitively take a look at it!! Thanks!