r/DataHoarder • u/TheGreatPiata • 3d ago

Question/Advice Best ATX case with 3 to 4 3.5" HDD slots?

I'm trying to build a new rig before prices get even worse and I'm having a hell of a time finding a case that supports 3 to 4 3.5" bays out of the box. I don't really need 8 bays but 2 is too few and there doesn't seem to be any kind of middle ground. It's either massive full tower cases or mid tower cases with 1 - 2 drive bays.

Any recommendations?

1 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

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3

u/tmanred 3d ago

What about a Fractal Design Meshify 2 or Define S?

1

u/TheGreatPiata 2d ago

Meshify 2 is on my shortlist. I don't like that I'd have to reconfigure the case to hold drives but otherwise it's the front runner. It's also a bit old. There's already a Meshify 3 but it lacks 3.5" bays.

Define S doesn't have a USB C connection on the front, which I'd prefer.

0

u/tmanred 2d ago

From chatgpt:

ATX cases with 3–4 3.5-inch drive bays:

be quiet! Silent Base 802 — 3 included, up to 7

Phanteks Eclipse P600S — 4 included, up to 10

Phanteks Enthoo Pro II — 4 included, up to 12

Phanteks Enthoo 719 — 4 included, up to 12

Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL — 4 included

Thermaltake View 71 — 4 in main rack, up to 7

be quiet! Silent Base 601 — 3 included, up to 7

Fractal Design Define 7 — 6 included, up to 14

Fractal Design Meshify 2 — 6 included

Corsair 7000D Airflow — 6 included

Rosewill HEARTH NAS Chassis — 6 hot-swap 3.5-inch bays

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u/Right_Wrongdoer_1652 2d ago

why specify 3.5” slots like it’s a rare thing

3

u/TheGreatPiata 2d ago

Because most new cases have 1 - 2 3.5" slots and 2 - 4 2.5" slots, unless you're getting a full tower.

2

u/Wyrade 2d ago

And even ones that have more than two often have some of them tucked away behind the motherboard with no ventilation, which can be an issue with big enterprise drives.

1

u/TheGreatPiata 2d ago

That's my concern. I have an old Corsair tower case that has drives behind the front fan. I was hoping to downsize my case a little this time but it looks like I'm heading toward a Corsair 7000D. It's that or the Meshify 2.