2.5" HDD OS Disk Under 5.25" ODD - HP MicroServer by Sibobby1

Last crawled date: 2 years, 12 months ago

This is an additional part used in my HP MicroServer N40L Build to maximize the number of drives that could be installed inside of the case. By adding 2x 3.5" HDD's into the 5.25" ODD Bay, there needs to be a location for the OS Disk (If you're not using the USB Port on the Motherboard).
This bracket mounts to 2.5" Hard Drives / SSDs through the 4 counter-sunk holes on the bottom of the bracket. Optionally using M3 Washers as Spacers (for slight separation between PCB and Plastic), the 2.5" OS HDD is securely mounted to the bracket. The bracket is then slid through the Square on the bottom of the ODD Tray, and then fastened with Zip Ties as seen in the photos (Credit to DogBert for Installation Photos)
Mine differs from DogBert's (thing:244908) because I wanted the securing bolts underneath the drive to have a slimmer left-to-right profile. This allows for easy routing of wires, especially after splitting power multiple times to accommodate 2 additional drives in the ODD Bay. I tried to make the base sturdy with a little bit of thickness to also accommodate for the counter-sunk bolts. I tried to minimize the plastic used with removing the diamond in the middle. Using multiple perimeters maintains the structural integrity of the part.
The HP Microserver is a powerful, inexpensive, compact server tower that typically supports 4 Drives in the Bottom Bays, but with 2 PCI-e card slots available on the motherboard, the computer is capable of connecting many more HDD's.
Most people have used a Nexus Doubletwin, but looking at the price, lack of modification, shipping time / prices, I decided to design my own bracket. You can optionally use O-Rings, or insulated standoffs of some sort to minimize vibration from the disks (Home Depot / Lowes)
Mine came out to about $1.60 for both halves, and the bracket uses the HP Microserver’s included ODD Screws on the hinged door. (15% Infill Hexagonal, 3 bottom, 4 top, 3 perimeters, PLA)
I designed this a little while ago, just got around to posting it, I believe it’s a 5mm gap between thick hard drives. I used 3 TB Drives in the pictures, which are 3 platter disks. They’re pretty thick, so this bracket should fit most, if not all, hard drives. My measurements are in the pictures as well if anybody would like to check theirs.
Pictured on my MicroServer, I have 4 Drives in the bottom bays, 2 in the top bays, and a 2.5” OS drive from an older laptop underneath the ODD Bay. Totaling 6 Data disks, and 1 OS Disk. I have two cards on the HP Proliant pictured above:

Syba 2-Port USB 3.0 and 2-Port SATA III PCIe 2.0 x4 SD_PEX50055 Green, Grey from Amazon ($40.01). I use this on the full size PCI-e channel on the outboard edge of the motherboard.

VANTEC 4-Port SuperSpeed USB 3.0 PCIe Host Card Model UGT-PC341 from Newegg (24$). I use this one on the smaller size PCI-e channel on the inboard edge of the motherboard.
Using these two cards I have support for 6x External USB 3.0 Disks, 6x Internal 3.5” Data Disks, 1x2.5” OS Disk, 1x ESATA Disk, and 6x USB 2.0 Disks. This gives me ~ 12 Full Speed Data Disks before I need up upgraded cases / systems.
I recommend upgrading to the latest modded BIOS so you get full performance on the on-board SATA port on the Motherboard. Also uploading the 2.5” OS HDD Under ODD Tray I designed.
Any questions please feel free to message me!
-Sibobby1