NASLite Network Attached Storage

I am always on the lookup for intersting products for NAS building. One of the gadgets I like but dont use are Hard Drive caddies.

Esssentially I have played with a few low end hard drive caddies and find them functional but unless you choose versions with fans they produce unacceptable drive temperatures.

To get around this you can buy higher end caddies with quieter fans or retro-fit your own.

But all this kind of goes against the re-cycle/cheap approach NASLite builders like.

Enter the CoolerMaster 4-in-3 Device Module

This is a 3*5.25" bay adaptor that lets you install 4*3.5" devices. It comes with a high quality 12cm.

The nice thing about this is that even a lowly PII box is likely to have enough space to fit this and it will keep you drives organised, secure and most of all cool.

On top of this they are VERY cheap when compared to buying 4 drive caddies.

There are alot of links on google but i have yet to find the genuine manufacturers page. In its absense i attach a link to a shop that has nice pictures.

The down side is that they seem quite hard to get a hold of in Europe so i will let you know in 2 weeks when mine are deliverd the final verdict.

I'd like to hear people experiences on this or similar products.

Kudos


http://www.coolerguys.com/840556033615.html

http://www.coolermaster-europe.com/inde ... p_class=99

http://www.coolermaster-europe.com/inde ... e%20Module


http://www.dcs-online.biz/shop/product_ ... ts_id/4037

http://www.thecoolingshop.com/index.php/cPath/98_48

something close.

OK i have taken delivery of two of these devices @ £10 UKP + VAT.

Initially thoughts:

the packaging looks good
Sound/quality build
Comes with lots of screws (which is handy)
Most of the metalwork actually is not used and is solely for a coolermaster case.

Will install today and post back more.

Installed on of these in an old Compaq deskpro.

Basically they dont fit becuase of some support bits of metal on each 5.25 bay.

Resting the cage inplace with the side plates of is not very secure but better than nothing.

The fan is almost silent and seems to be keeping the drives cool (will wait for a longer term view on this).

Each drive is seperated by about 5 mm which is not alot but good enough.
I would say that it would be possible for the holes to actually spread the drives out more though.

On that note a magnetic screwdriver would be handy when fitting this.

All in all its a good product so far at a great price.

With some metal work skills i could probably make it fit but i plan to upgarde the NAS hardware when i spot something cheaper and newer on eBay so i wont me destroying my case any time soon

Update.

A couple of days in now and i am more than happy.

Interestingly my drives are running almost 10 deg C cooler with this device than the two fans cooling them previosuly.

This can only be down to it being a big fan but more likely better air flow.

I would highly recommend these devices.

In fact i would never run a NAS again without something similar.

I'm interested in this too... might try one.

I wonder if a case with 4x5.25 could hold this unit and put a CD on top of that...

CD
HD
HD
HD
HD

jw

I found them here:

http://www.directron.com/stb3t4e1.html

For all the Aussies (well, Melbourne Aussies) out there who are interested in this, Computer and Parts Land (CPL) have this item for sale. Going price appears to be $29AUD, which seems on par with everyone else.

Website: http://www.cpl.net.au/

Sadle, they haven't caught up with the rest of the eCommerce world yet.

T.

I have several of these in black and beige that I have picked up from ebay and in smaller stores. The best I have managed is AU$20 for a brand new one (think the guy made a mistake):
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... Track=true

I have got two mounted in an old dell optiplex gX1 and Im going to get the dremel out and cut the front out to fit another two. These have fans in them and the average temp of the hdd in this box is 36.

yes, you can. i have on of these in an Antec PlusView. DVD burner up the top and the 4 in 3 cage under it.

no problems fitting it at all. it fits perfect. i just had to remove the plastic brackets on the sides of the 4 in 3 unit and attach the Antec brackets.

the 12cm fan makes hardly any noise too. i'm really happy with it.