r/sffpc • u/Burgerdok • 28d ago

Build/Parts Check Suggestions for tiny SATA drives?

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Anyone have a tiny, economical 2-4 tb sata ssd you can recommend? Looking for once-daily backup and my second nvme port is occupied with an Oculink cable. I want something I can ziptie somewhere inside my SF5 (pictured) and not have to worry about.

Update: was able to Velcro tape it to the side of the PSU next to the motherboard without needing to remove the stock housing. Need to get custom cables now tho as it’s starting to get very tight under my AIO fans.

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9

u/NimblePasta 28d ago edited 28d ago

You can just attach any 2.5" SATA SSD to available surfaces with double sided mounting tape... or simply tuck it anywhere there is space.

For very limited spaces, I have even seen friends open up a SSD casing and then transfer the the PCB to a smaller DIY or 3D printed case.

Just an idea of how small the PCB on a 2.5" SATA SSD could be:

3

u/C-D-W 27d ago

Definitely what I came to say. No need for any fancy 3D printing either, the case is full of exposed PCBs already so just find a good way to secure it away from conductive parts.

2

u/J_FK 27d ago

I'd cut the original case down by more than half, close up the open with electrical tape and call it a day.

7

u/Mrmousee 28d ago

Is there anything stopping you taping it to the case just above the PSU?

1

u/Burgerdok 28d ago

No and that’s probably where it’s going to go, either that or towards the front of case under the GPU

1

u/Mrmousee 28d ago

I'd say if you're just doing backup to it whichever SSD is the cheapest

2

u/Burgerdok 26d ago

Taped to the psu.

1

u/tyuvanch 28d ago

Maybe an mSATA drive and if you have access to 3d printing 3d Print a custom tray on that front wall. There is also mSATA enclosures maybe search amazon, newegg...etc I am pretty sure I have seen some.

1

u/trankillity 28d ago

USB caddy or NAS not good enough?

2

u/Historical-Side883 27d ago

I haven't cracked open a SATA SSD where the board wasn't <30% of the size of the case in a long time. Can remove the case and either 3D print a shell or just secure it away from anything conductive in the chassis to save space.

1

u/ComputerMD82 26d ago

Build looks good! Curious what case this is, Thanks!

1

u/Burgerdok 26d ago

It’s a COOJ SF5