Installing second HDD on case floor?

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TomPlk

Member
Hi, I hope this is the right place for this question.

Last year I bought a custom build desktop, and I cheaped out on a lot of things, which I now regret. One of those things was the case, which is a PCS 3601. At the time, all I cared about was getting a working PC to replace my failing old one.

I bought an SSD for the OS, with the intention of adding a HDD for storage, since I saw in the specs for this case that there is room for an extra 3.5” and 5.25” HDD bay.

However, on opening the case I could not see any bays I could slot a HDD into. Even if they were there, there would be no space.

The only space for a HDD is on the floor. Is there anything I should know about installing a HDD on the floor of the case? I've never done that before. I'm guessing I need to buy a portable bay that I could screw in or something. Aside from that, I don't really know if this is a good idea or not.

I do have a portable HDD caddy, but I'd rather install it internally.

Thanks.
 
Martinr36

Martinr36

MOST VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
Have you taken off the right hand side of the case, not the main compartment and looked in there
 
Rakk

Rakk

The Awesome
Moderator
Theoretically there shouldn't be any issues if you lie it on the base of the case (if there really is nowhere else), though yes if you don't want it to move around you may need to be inventive about how to attach it (so its still removable), and just make sure it doesn't block anything (airflow form any fans for example)
 
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TomPlk

Member
Thanks for the replies. I took the right side of the case off, and I can see where there might be places to slot a HDD. I guess I'm used to cases that have already have HDD enclosures installed. Having said that, looking inside again, there is still too much going on inside my case for me to fit another HDD at the front of the case.

I might just have enough space on the bottom of the case for the HDD. I've googled this, and there are a lot of creative suggestions for keeping it from moving or making too much noise - like rubber washers, foam, even ductape. I'm open to any ideas, but until then, I'll be shopping for some gorilla tape. I'll see how it goes.
 
Martinr36

Martinr36

MOST VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
TomPlk said:
Thanks for the replies. I took the right side of the case off, and I can see where there might be places to slot a HDD. I guess I'm used to cases that have already have HDD enclosures installed. Having said that, looking inside again, there is still too much going on inside my case for me to fit another HDD at the front of the case.

I might just have enough space on the bottom of the case for the HDD. I've googled this, and there are a lot of creative suggestions for keeping it from moving or making too much noise - like rubber washers, foam, even ductape. I'm open to any ideas, but until then, I'll be shopping for some gorilla tape. I'll see how it goes.
Click to expand...
can you post a photo of inside the right hand side of the case
 
T

TomPlk

Member
Martinr36 said:
can you post a photo of inside the right hand side of the casere's a couple of pics - first of the right-side compartment removed, second of the space inside from the other angle.
Click to expand...
Sorry this took me a while, I had to figure out how to resize the images for the forum. Here is a pic of the right side of the case with the compartment removed (I hope this is what you meant):

pc3.jpg
 
Martinr36

Martinr36

MOST VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
TomPlk said:
Sorry this took me a while, I had to figure out how to resize the images for the forum. Here is a pic of the right side of the case with the compartment removed (I hope this is what you meant):

View attachment 29579
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yep that's what i meant as on better cases that side is where yo would find the hard drive mounts and trays, so can we have a photo of the main compartment
 
T

TomPlk

Member
Sure. You can see here that there's a grid covering the part behind the front of the case. It doesn't look like it's removable, as far as I can tell. If I can remove it there's a chance that I could fit a HDD behind the RAM, but at the moment I can't see how.

pc4.jpg
 
T

TomPlk

Member
Steveyg said:
@AgentCooper

This give me anxiety, the HDD cage looks to be on the bottom right by the way, under the SSD
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Yes, you're right! I checked it before, but it seemed too small. I just double-checked, and it turns out there were cables coming off the motherboard that were in the way. Still might be an awkward fit, but it's worth a try.

Also, why the anxiety? I already know I made at least a few mistakes with this build, the case being just one of them. Is it the cables/airflow?
 
S

Steveyg

MOST VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
TomPlk said:
Yes, you're right! I checked it before, but it seemed too small. I just double-checked, and it turns out there were cables coming off the motherboard that were in the way. Still might be an awkward fit, but it's worth a try.

Also, why the anxiety? I already know I made at least a few mistakes with this build, the case being just one of them. Is it the cables/airflow?
Click to expand...
It's the cables mate, I know that case isn't exactly set up for cable management but I'd be trying to tie them back and cable tieing them as much as I could
 
T

TomPlk

Member
Okay, so I need to work on cable management as well. In my last PC the cables were well tied up for me, so I never had to think about it for years. Something else to work on I guess.
 
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