PC Case compatible with Dell Motherboards?

[Vanderploegr1]

Hey there, I've got a dell 3050 SFF that I've converted into a NAS with HexOS and a SilverStone Technology SX500-G Power supply to help power the two PCIE SATA expansion cards and 6 3.5" drives.

Since I misunderstood the form factor of the PSU, I've just got that and the drives sitting on top of the old SFF case which isn't ideal. Can anyone recommend a case that I could put the Dell motherboard in with the SFX PSU and ideally house the 6 or more hard drives?

I've been reading that Dell has their own motherboard layout so I'm having a hard time figuring out what will fit or not. Any help for  is appreciated!

[Dylan]

Tagging @ubergeek as I *think* he might be a Dell guy. (apologies if he's not and that is unhelpful 🤓)

[ubergeek]

@Dylan I just have to work with ALOT of them . 

 

So in theory yes this motherboard can be put into a normal case, A few things you will have to keep in mind is there will be some needs for modifications. As in  the pin headers for power on , also they make all the adapter cables to use a normal power supply. For mounting into another case it will you should get some of the motherboard standoffs to fit, as for the other mounting locations that dont fit you can make new holes or go the safer route and get the plastic motherboard standoffs " usually cheap" . If you have any questions Im glad to lend a helping hand 

[Vanderploegr1]

3 hours ago, ubergeek said:

@Dylan I just have to work with ALOT of them . 

 

So in theory yes this motherboard can be put into a normal case, A few things you will have to keep in mind is there will be some needs for modifications. As in  the pin headers for power on , also they make all the adapter cables to use a normal power supply. For mounting into another case it will you should get some of the motherboard standoffs to fit, as for the other mounting locations that dont fit you can make new holes or go the safer route and get the plastic motherboard standoffs " usually cheap" . If you have any questions Im glad to lend a helping hand 

Thanks @ubergeek! That helps, So, if I'm planning this out, I should be able to use this case: https://a.co/d/1FYA1K5 right?

I'm trying to find adapters for the front panel, but I didn't see one specifically for the 3050. Closest thing that looked legit I found was: https://a.co/d/iRIh82o

And lastly I would just pick up a standoff kit I'd likely have all the ones I would need? https://a.co/d/1Yj7ZqO

It doesn't need to be pretty, I just want to get it all safely enclosed in a case so I don't accidentally damage any drives.

Edited January 17 by Vanderploegr1

[ubergeek]

4 hours ago, Vanderploegr1 said:

Thanks @ubergeek! That helps, So, if I'm planning this out, I should be able to use this case: https://a.co/d/1FYA1K5 right?

I'm trying to find adapters for the front panel, but I didn't see one specifically for the 3050. Closest thing that looked legit I found was: https://a.co/d/iRIh82o

And lastly I would just pick up a standoff kit I'd likely have all the ones I would need? https://a.co/d/1Yj7ZqO

It doesn't need to be pretty, I just want to get it all safely enclosed in a case so I don't accidentally damage any drives.

So the stand offs I have used in the past are These ,  As far as front panel connections go you may have to make the adapter if there is not one made. Put it all together and it should fit in that case  

[Vanderploegr1]

Just following up with the completed build!

It turned out great, and the standoffs you shared with the foam adhesive pads were crucial as none of the original mounting posts lined up with the holes on the motherboard. So I used the other plastic standoffs of the same length the help keep the motherboard from toughing the metal where the plastic adhesive ones couldn't fit. 

I still have to wire in the power button, and it looks like the front panel controls are just hard soldered, but at least the back panel lines up and I still have access to the network port and a couple usb. The last thing I wish I would have considered was that my sata cables were not right angle, which in this case made it a right fit. Thanks for the help, hopefully that can help anyone looking to do the same thing!

The next step for me is to 3d print a cover for the back panel and PSU.

 

 

[Sonic]

This is proper tweaking. I like your approach!
Why buy everything pre-made when you can 3D print it yourself?

[Vanderploegr1]

It's a good point. I did consider that, but simply because I didn't have the time to design a case that I could print in parts on my small print bed then assemble, Unless there are some good designs people have already made, I could be persuaded to swap to that if I got back a little bit of space.