Anybody have a RaidMax 268W case? (with side window)

[Matt]

I mean the 268WXP, where X denotes the color.

Like this one maybe:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=11-156-020

I'm thinking of buying one. I want to be able to modify it to hold a
RAID array of four drives, and my plan is to put one or more fans
between the front wall and the hard drive cage.

I need to know how much clearance there is between the HD cage and the
front wall. I'd be much obliged if you would take off your side panel
and apply a ruler to measure that distance rather precisely. The
question is how thick of a flat object would fit in that space.

I want to set the fan on standoffs, hopefully at least a quarter inch
high. The standoffs would provide clearance for intake to the fan so it
can recirculate air over the drives to prevent hot spots. I think that
is the best I can hope for since the perforations through the front wall
look like they wouldn't let in much air directly from the outside.

Matt

 

[Matt]

I have that case.
2x80 mm front intake

How much extra room is there between your front intakes and the HD cage?
Could I use a 120x120x38mm for a front intake?

 

[Lenny]

I think its limited to 25 mm. One 120 or two 80's will both push a lot of
air, you don't have to get the 38 models.

 

[Matt]

I think its limited to 25 mm. One 120 or two 80's will both push a lot of
air, you don't have to get the 38 models.

Okay, you are right, I think. Could you take a look and see whether I
could use a 120mm x 25mm set up on quarter-inch standoffs?

 

[neopolaris]

That Enermax looks like it has excellent provision for cooling the hard
drives ...

So what path would the air take into the RaidMax if I cut a hole for a
120mm fan
in the front wall? I guess there's a vent on the bottom of the front
panel so air can
come up between the front panel and the front wall. If that's right,
then how much is the area of that vent? I'm guessing a 120mm fan has
about 4 square inches of fan-blade area and so if that vent were 8
inches by a half inch, there would be very good flow.

I can't really afford a dremel tool right now--is there another way to
cut the hole?

I guess I worry some about harming the stength of the case by cutting it.

I use dremels and some $10 nibblers I got from directron when I have to be
quiet. I always use a dremel for the window. The cases get painted too.
Before I started removing the fan "shroud" can't think of the name. Before
I cut those out the fans were way, way too loud. Most noise from a fan is
caused by the air trying to pass through the back of the case. I should
mention the top blowhole on the case I mentioned. Those louvers make alot
of noise when a fan is installed. I have just been putting a round CC lite
there and no fan. The bright light passes right through the power supply
for added effects. The last case I did I used the nibblers for the 120mm
front fan hole and for the 2 rear 80mm fan holes. Works well.

FYI that Enermax case has a good power supply. That with the excellent
airflow makes it an inexpensive alternative to more popular cases.

neopolaris

neopolaris

 

[neopolaris]

Why do you want stand-offs Matt?

Okay, you are right, I think. Could you take a look and see whether I
could use a 120mm x 25mm set up on quarter-inch standoffs?

 

[Lenny]

No, I don't think you can. Why do you want to anyways?

 

[Matt]

Why do you want stand-offs Matt?

Here is my reasoning:

1) I want capability for a 4-drive RAID.
2) I want good ventilation for the drives.
3) Prefer fresh air from outside, but maybe can't due to poor
ventilation characteristics of the case, so
4) May have to settle for recirculation around the drives, which is
probably okay if the case is generally well-ventilated.
5) Screwing a 120mm fan directly to the inside front wall restricts its
intake.
6) Don't have a Dremel to cut out the front wall
7) Expect that even with a big hole in the front wall, the front panel
may restrict air flow.
8) Quarter-inch standoffs would provide an intake having an area
comparable to that of the cross section of the 120mm fan, so there would
be good flow through the fan and good-enough recirculation to prevent
hot dead-air spots around the drives.

 

[Matt]

No, I don't think you can. Why do you want to anyways?

Sheesh. Could you just measure the clearance? And could you measure
the vent on the case bottom, between the front wall and the front panel?

Come on, Lenny--be a pal and get out your ruler.

 

[Arthur Hagen]

I am 1500 miles away from home, and so is my computer.

If you're both 1500 miles away from home, if it's in the same direction
there should be no problems, as you'd be in the same spot...

Regards,

 

[Matt]

I looked at that case again. It is very nice looking BUT...4 fans up front
with no vent for fresh air. 1 lousy 60mm fan in back?!? I love side fans
too but they create turbulance blowing in and these are too low for removing
rising heat. I just think you should look at what you may be sacrificing
for a window. You can always put a window in a better ventilated case later
on. I realize the one I suggested is borderline ugly in it's stock form.
I'm not saying that Raidmax wouldn't work but take a look at the Enermax X-
Point CS-5281S at newegg. It's a little more money. $65 plus $10 for
shipping. It has a window and a much better heat solution. 2 80mm's up
front and 2 80mm's in back. 1 in the side window too. Notice the shell of
the case is the almost the same as the others. Happy hunting.

neopolaris

My main concern is ventilation, so I'll have to forego the alluring
window. It seems there are very few cases with provision for an intake
that blows cool air efficiently onto the hard drive cage. But I did find

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=slk3700

which has a nice filtered 120mm intake for the hard drives. I guess its
front panel is flimsy, and it has a stupid door that nobody likes and it
has an odd color, but it comes with a 350W Antec and has a 120mm back
exhaust fan.

I believe this concludes my hunt for a case.

Matt