2.5" to 3.5" drive converter - backplane compatible

[thideras]

I'm looking at picking up some 2.5" SAS drives for my server, the issue is, it only has 3.5" sleds.

NewEgg Link (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811219021&Tpk=norco%204020)

I need some 2.5" to 3.5" converter that is backplane compatible (this is extremely important). I've found a lot that convert to 3.5", but the catch is there has to be "normal 3.5in" mounting holes on the bottom of the converter; this rules out everything on NewEgg. I can't find a very good pictures of the mounting holes I need, so follow this link, click "Interactive 3-D View" under the large picture and swivel around to the bottom of the drive. I need threaded holes EXACTLY like that so that it can be mounted in the drives sleds. To repeat, there are no side mounting holes on the sleds, normal converters will not work.

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.asp?DriveID=495

I'm almost tempted to just pick up that heatsink (or even the drive!), but I can't find anywhere that sells the heatsink alone.

Ideas? There has to be something out there and I'm just searching incorrectly.

[Evilsizer]

anychance this would work?
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71_215&products_id=26094

incase you want to see what else they have.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=71_215

[thideras]

None have holes on the bottom to mount it to the sled. Thanks for looking though.

EDIT: The first one might, but I'm not sure if that is backplane compatible and I don't want to drop $25 each as I need 3 of them.

[thideras]

Still nothing...

[Evilsizer]

why not ask startech about that one i linked to? they would be able to tell you if any of there products would be what you need T.

[thideras]

why not ask startech about that one i linked to? they would be able to tell you if any of there products would be what you need T.They're $25 each :-/

I would like to get 3 total. That is almost as much as the drives are going to cost.

[Evilsizer]

well you could use them later for SSD upgrades in 3.5in bays, just thought. since i dont know what they are going to be used for later on...

Why not try to fab something your self, you might try asking navig to see what he might be able to do.

[Xaotic]

Since you have the sleds, would it be possible to mount the drives on thin sheet metal or plastic to avoid the need for a spacer? I have sheet aluminum printing plates that are thin enough to work with easily. Multiple sheets could be bonded and the surface painted for insulation as well.

[thideras]

Since you have the sleds, would it be possible to mount the drives on thin sheet metal or plastic to avoid the need for a spacer? I have sheet aluminum printing plates that are thin enough to work with easily. Multiple sheets could be bonded and the surface painted for insulation as well.I'd have to drill holes in the sleds, although, that isn't a bad option, to be honest.

[Joeteck]

You may have to mod the sleds...

[thideras]

Here is your solution! Get a few of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816119006&cm_re=athena-_-16-119-006-_-Product)!

Big fan of Athena! Wanted to get these for a few laptop drives, but never pulled the trigger....yet...

Good luck!

JoeI would if it had any 5.25 slots ;)

http://www.thideras.com/images/projects/project_rackmount_overkill/norco_front_right_on.jpg

[Joeteck]

I would if it had any 5.25 slots ;)

http://www.thideras.com/images/projects/project_rackmount_overkill/norco_front_right_on.jpg

Yeah.. saw the picture AFTER I posted... :cry:

However... Norco (http://www.norcotek.com/item_detail.php?categoryid=1&modelno=RPC-4020) says its already compatible with 2.5" sas (http://www.norcotek.com/product_images/flyer/rpc4020_7.jpg) drives

[thideras]

Mine definitely does not have those. Seems like it was added after the fact. Interesting and very good find. Seems I can just get replacement ones.

[Joeteck]

Mine definitely does not have those. Seems like it was added after the fact. Interesting and very good find. Seems I can just get replacement ones.

However, I'm sure you could make a template, and mod your current draws to save some green....

[thideras]

If I can get template, I would...

Now I only need another Perc 5/i.

[thideras]

Actually, I don't have to mod it. One of the holes is the same for the 2.5" drive! Convenient!

[Joeteck]

that's a stand alone server, right? Whats the specs?

[thideras]

File server:
--CPU: Phenom X4 (AM2) 2.6GHz
--MB: Asus M2N32-SLi
--MEM: 8gb G.Skill
--HDD:
------100gb Seagate (TEMP OS DRIVE)
------1x 1tb Western Digital Green
------7x 1tb Hitachi
--Raid controller: Perc 5/i PCI-e
--PSU: Corsair HX620
--Case: Norco 4020
--OS: Fedora Core 12

All 1tb drives are plugged into the Perc 5/i. The first 7 drives (Hitachi drives) are in a RAID5 array and the WD is a hot spare.

[CompuTamer]

Good lord... that's the thing serving? Youtube? Facebook? Myspace?

[thideras]

Good lord... that's the thing serving? Youtube? Facebook? Myspace?Personal storage :p

Or whatever else I can fit in it.