My PC sits on a mobile desk with a shallow shelf, positioned so that the case's side faces me. I also keep portable drives on top of the desk, so front-mounted controls and optical drive bays are awkward to reach. I'm looking for a computer case with 5.25-inch optical drive bays, power controls, and ideally other useful ports accessible from the broad side rather than the front panel. A mostly metal design would be preferable to one covered in tempered glass. Does a case like this exist, or is there a structural reason side-mounted bays are uncommon?
2 Answers
The Thermaltake Level 10 is one of the closest unusual designs I can think of, but it’s expensive and still doesn’t really solve this layout. Its optical bays are on the narrow front edge, not the broad side, so they may remain awkward with your desk setup.
If you mean standard 5.25-inch bays, side-accessible versions are extremely uncommon. Most cases put them on the front because the drive slides in along the case’s depth, while mounting one through the broad side would require a much wider chassis and would complicate the internal frame, airflow, and structural support. An external USB optical drive or a separate 5.25-inch enclosure may be easier than replacing the whole case.
Yes, I’m specifically looking for 5.25-inch bays. I was surprised there doesn’t seem to be a case designed around accessing them from the side.