The case is always the hardest thing for me to decide on when building. Maybe you all can help me break the deadlock. I've pretty well narrowed it down to one of the following:
What I need:
Mini-itx
4x3.5
1x2.5
Quiet
What I'd like
Reasonably small (my current NAS is 21in tall.. way to big. My last case on the NAS, which ended up getting used for something else.. was 14in.. which was right on the edge of acceptable).
A couple of 3.5in hot swap bays.
Some cases I've looked at:
U-Nas NSC-400
http://www.u-nas.com/xcart/pro…ctid=17610&cat=249&page=1
This case looks great, but the only issue is it is *REALLY* tight once all the stuff is in there, and I worry about airflow. Lots of problems with stock coolers fitting in the case, so I'd probably have to get a low profile aftermarket... which isn't a huge deal.
Lian Li PC-Q25B -- Again, like the U-Nas case... kind of a tight fit. Has some sort of quasi-hot swap system, but you have to take the case cover off to use them.
Nanoxia DS4 Mini/Fractal Design Define Mini --
http://www.amazon.com/NANOXIA-…s=micro+atx+computer+case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/…aspx?Item=N82E16811352011
I've saw both of these, and they are just dead sexy. Both seem built very well, and both are right on the outer edge of my size limitations. Neither has hot swap available. I've not seen either in use, but all reviews indicate they are very quiet cases. Is there a way to turn those 5.25in bays into a couple of hot swap bays?
Let the opinions fly...