Hot Swap Question

[bossgunner]

Are hot Swap drive bays 5.25, 3.5, or 2.5 inches. If 3.5 or 2.5, can an ssd or ssd with something to fit 3.5 just be used like it's a normal bay for its size?

 

[rhysiam]

It depends on the device. I'm not aware of 5.25 inch bays, but they may well exist, I don't know. 3.5" are common, though 2.5" for laptop drives & SSDs are not unusual. The physical SATA power & data connectors are identical for 2.5" & 3.5" drives, so you can always connect a 2.5" drive to a 3.5" bay, it's just a matter of securing it. Some 3.5" bays have cut outs which can hold an 2.5" drive in place, or you can get caddies for a 2.5" drive to fit the larger bay.

Maybe you should describe exactly what you're looking for, or what problem you're trying to solve, and we can give some more specific suggestions/solutions.

 

[jetfighter545]

rhysiam's right I just wanted to make it clear that he said the 2.5inch drives wont fit in a 3.5 inch hot swap bay, at least not securely, but you can get things that let you do so.

 

[rhysiam]

rhysiam's right I just wanted to make it clear that he said the 2.5inch drives wont fit in a 3.5 inch hot swap bay, at least not securely, but you can get things that let you do so.

What I was trying to say is that it will connect just fine, the challenge is whether it can be secured safely enough. If it's just to transfer files for a one off, you can probably just a bit of tape or stuff the gap with something non conductive, or stand it upright and make sure it's not going to fall over. Obviously a long term solution would require something much more secure.

 

[Kiril_Petkov]

Hello bossgunner,

I have similar issue like you I want hot swap bay and there is my solution :
http://www.thermaltake.com/Chassis/Full_Tower_/ARMOR/C_00001869/ARMOR_REVO_Snow_Edition/design.htm
I know that requirer chassis upgrade, but this is permanent solution on this issue ( at least for me).
You could look for other chassis not only Thermaltake probably have hot swap install on the chassis.
Of course there is cheap solutions you could use external I-SATA cable for data and Power SATA cable from PSU or external power and you need to find a way to keep the HDD secure during the time you connect it to PC(that can be done in too many ways).
P.S. I have this chassis for 2 years.

 

[bossgunner]

It depends on the device. I'm not aware of 5.25 inch bays, but they may well exist, I don't know. 3.5" are common, though 2.5" for laptop drives & SSDs are not unusual. The physical SATA power & data connectors are identical for 2.5" & 3.5" drives, so you can always connect a 2.5" drive to a 3.5" bay, it's just a matter of securing it. Some 3.5" bays have cut outs which can hold an 2.5" drive in place, or you can get caddies for a 2.5" drive to fit the larger bay.

Maybe you should describe exactly what you're looking for, or what problem you're trying to solve, and we can give some more specific suggestions/solutions.

I just want to know that if I have hot swap bays, if I can use them normally. And if it is a 3.5 hot swap bay am i able to use the bracket to fit an ssd into it normally. I care not about how safely it is secured, but if it will work! Will it cereal! Will it blend! Will! it! work! .... now that I think about it, it's probabry best to not compricate things with hot swap. I'm trying to see if it will work normally as if it were a normal drive bay. Because it's the only..... ok I hate myself. I was looking for a full tower, but accidentally clicked mid in the newegg pc case finder filter. Nevermind.

 

[Kiril_Petkov]

Hi ,

If we talk for ssd hhd(2.5``) you don`t need to secure it there is no moving parts and most ssd hhd have there own case just be sure the ssd is not in contact whit other parts that could do electrical dmg. You could just connect it to MB and leave it floating in PC case that wont effect the ssd work or performance. About the hot plug/swap if you MB don`t support it, that is the real issue you will need external bay. In most case this bays are connect whit USB(2/3) to your PC and you can safety disconnect it. In case we are talking for hdd that have moving parts you need to secure it some how they should`n move when they working.


P.S. Hot plug/swap mean you do it w/o power off you PC.

 

[bossgunner]

Iz ok guys read my last reply. I screwed up on a filter. I'm not getting hot swap anyway.