NR200 Vertical 3.5" HDD Adapter Plate with custom offset for GPU clearance [WIP]

prusaprinters

<p>Features an offset so that a standard 3.5" HDD ends up sitting 17mm left and 10mm up relative to the original plate. This is to make more space for cables or fan hubs mounted to the right of the HDD on the inside “wall” of the front panel (note that this was overshot by a lot, and that there now exists 10mm of clearance between the HDD and my 17mm-tall fan hub on the right of the HDD, so there is room for improvement/refinement of this design). But mainly this design exists to make space for a full length GPU passing underneath the HDD.<br><br><strong>Note that this has NOT been tested with an actual GPU yet</strong>, and it is suspected that the vertical offset is not going to be enough. To compensate for this, it is highly recommended to buy a right angle SATA data/power combo adapter in order to “shorten” the length of the SATA cables exiting underneath the HDD, and thus shorten the combined length of the HDD and connectors. There is currently between 4mm and 5mm of space in between the top of the HDD and a top mounted 25mm-thick fan, if the HDD were to be pressed up right against the fan. This could be exploited further in order to add even more of a vertical offset to the design, but it still might not be enough, hence my recommendation of the right angle SATA data/power adapter still stands (it should clean up cable management too).<br><br>Here's a link of an example of a right angle SATA adapter: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JQ964P6?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_NN335GZYVH517WCJ3S4D">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JQ964P6?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_NN335GZYVH517WCJ3S4D</a><br>Pay close attention to the direction the connector is facing. The linked connector has the “up-angled” variant pre-selected. The pictures will tell you that this means the connectors will exit toward the back of the HDD, and thus toward the PSU in the NR200. <strong>Hence the naming is opposite of what most people think it means, and the reviews will tell you this.</strong> My guestimates tell me that this should work fine, as there is enough space behind the HDD for SATA connectors because it clears the PSU plate (it will also look cleaner because then the connectors aren't coming out toward the optional tempered glass panel). If you don't have enough space behind the HDD for SATA connectors, then choose the “down-angled” variant. The naming of these variants might change without notice, so again, pay attention to the pictures and read some reviews.<br><br><i>If after all this effort, a GPU still doesn't fit underneath the HDD, I have a gut feeling that taking some time to sand down the height of the SATA adapter (on its “butt”) will give enough clearance for a GPU.</i><br><br>This design will be refined and updated in the future (6-12 months from now, GPU shortage baby) in order to make the HDD sit as high as a 25mm-thick fan will allow. I will also reverse most of the offset I made to the left, so the HDD will then likely sit 8mm or 10mm to the right, relative to this design. Feel free to make all of these adjustments on your own.<br><br>So why go through all of this effort to mount the HDD vertically, when it's perfectly fine horizontally as intended by Cooler Master? This looks much better (IMO), it does not block the view of the RAM (RGB go brrrr), it also frees up a more direct airflow path toward the CPU cooler (admittedly while blocking more of the top fan), and it makes the HDD itself less visible in the case (black vinyl wrap on the HDD would make for the perfect combination).</p>