NASLite Network Attached Storage

In my seemigly neverending quest to build a new NAS i have been looking for SATA HD caddy that compress internal 3.5" drives in a lesser number of 5.25" slots.

Previously i have posted about having great success with the CMStackers however 4 into 3 is not really high enough for me now.

So i have looked and looked and found 2 cheapish options

Icy Dock MB-453SPF Fits into 2 5.25" Bays with 3 SATA/SATAII Hard Drive with Hotswap

and

JJ Black SNT-2131 3 Bay SATA Hot Swap Rack fits into 2x5.25" Bays

(rebranded http://www.snt.com.tw/product.php?mode=show&pid=33)

both of these are approx £40 UKP from Scan.

The Icy Dock is SATA II but i dont really care about that anyway and i like the idea of the SNT audible overheating alarms and access lights.

I am thinking that i may have to replace the fans with cheap silent ones but has anyone any experiences with these or can recommed similary priced options.

Kudos

Edit:

I though it would be nice to add pictures of the recomendations here (we really need mediwiki .. hint hint serverelements):

JJ Black SNT-2131 3 Bay SATA Hot Swap Rack fits into 2x5.25" Bays


CHENBRO SK33502 AC 5-IN-3 STORAGE KIT HOT SWAP SATAII 1*Rear Fan non-SAF


Lian Li EX-23A Option HDD rack for 3 of 3.5" HDD (2 bays of 5.25" to 3 bays
internal)


Icy Dock MB-453SPF Fits into 2 5.25" Bays with 3 SATA/SATAII Hard Drive with Hotswap

I 've used the Lian-Li EX23 modules that allow the mounting of 3 drives in 2 5.25i slots. They have an 80mm fan and are pretty cheap at around 20 euro in mainland Europe.

http://www.lian-li.com/Product/Accessories/HDD_Kits.htm

I have just installed the ATA version of this

http://www.aquilatech.co.nz/productList ... 57SS-BLACK

and found it to be good.

Note that the prices on this web site are in New Zealand $

Fortunately for me the ATA version was $60 New Zealand dollars (about US$40)

Also found this one
http://edgeconsults.com/chenbro-5in3-st ... -3289.html

A quieter fan generaly means less air to cool the drive. Find a different place for the NAS box, it doesn't need to be next to you to performe. Also the last link to the 5 drive enclosure is about as dense as you can hope to get. After that you are into the SCA SCSI/SAS Savio drives from Seagate, grab your ankles!

Mike

great response guys.

updated with images (wish we had a wiki)

Also this link

http://www.xcase.co.uk/acatalog/Mobile_Racks.html

seems to have a few choices as well

Not necessarily - whilst fans that spin faster typically are louder and move more air, larger fans can move as much air as smaller fan whilst spinning at lower rpm, and with less noise - blade design also plays a part.

Though I do know that you, miss the fact that there are set sizes that are able to be put into the cases. As such you are stuck with a fan that is loud and moves more air or one that is quiet and moves less. That is unless you are going to cut the box up to install a bigger and quieter fan.