This article focuses on the logistical planning that is taken to successfully build an efficient Five 2.5” Hard Drive Silverstone SG05 Virtual PC.
Parts Required:
| Case | Silverstone – SST-SG05B |
| 2 X Hard drive tray | Silverstone SPD08 3.5” to 2 X 2.5” converter |
| Motherboard | ZOTAC – H55ITX-A-E LGA 1156 Mini ITX |
| Processor | Intel i7 860 |
| Compact CPU Cooler | Scythe SHURIKEN Rev. B – SCSK-1100 |
| Graphics card | Any low power cheap graphics card, preferably short |
| Low rise RAM | Kingston ValueRAM KVR1333D3N9K2 4GB DDR3 2X2GB DDR3-1300 CL 9-9-9-24 ORCorsair XMS3 CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 4GB DDR3 2X2GB DDR3-1600 CL 9-9-9-24 |
| 5 X 2.5” drives | 2.5 500GB 7200RPM SATA Hitachi Travelstar 7K500 |
| Additional cables | 1 X Molex to 2 X SATA power |
Considerations:
A CPU cooler cannot be larger than the Shuriken B dimensions (100 x 100 x 12 mm). It has to be turned sideways so the heat pipes stick out over the RAM and not into the graphics card.
Modifying the Lower HDD Tray
One of the hard drive trays has to be modified and placed on the floor of the case.
Step 1: Get a rotary Dremel with a cutoff wheel and safety glasses.
Step2: Draw a line with a sharpie to cut off one of the plates above the metal threading, which pops up from the mounting points that you will use to attach to the bottom of the case.
The cut is not at the corner to avoid damaging the threaded screw holes at the base. Don’t cut too high either or the metal will contact the underside of the motherboard
Step 3: The remaining plate partially blocks the little circuit board with all the connectors for the switches and LEDs. You have to cut out a section to allow the switches and LEDs to get through, as shown below.
The finished tray should fit as shown below.
Mounting the Tray to the Case
Once you have positioned the HDD tray at the final location, you need to drill holes to mount it to the base of the case.
To pull this off, you need a thin sharpie, a drill, a 1/4 inch drill bit or equivalent, a center punch, and a hammer.
Step 1: Stick sharpie in each mounting hole on the base of the HDD tray to mark your drill points. Make sure the tray is pushed up against the wall of the case.
Step 2: For the holes closest to the motherboard, use the center punch and make a good indent for the drill bit.
Step 3: Drill the 2 holes and remove burs. Note: the drill bit will punch through and damage anything you’re drilling on, so use a cardboard box (not flat).
Step 4: For the holes closest to the wall, use the center punch to make a minor indent that you can see pushing through the metal on the outside of the case.
Step 5: On the outside of the case, find the little indents you made, and use the center punch to make bigger indents that you will use to drill through from the outside of the case. Remove metal burs.
Step 6: Vacuum up all the metal dust and burs thoroughly. Bits of stray metal can and will cause the motherboard or any other exposed sensitive electronics to break.
Step 7: Mount the HDDs in the lower tray with the supplied screws. Due to the proximity of the main motherboard power connector, you will likely mount the upper drive with only 3 screws.
Note: You will want to route the SATA and LED/Switch cables under the fan before you put the fan back on.
