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Just got some new SSDs to add to my servers, unfortunately there doesn't appear to be anywhere to actually mount them.

The cases are Antec Atlas 550 mid-tower server cases. The problem is that the 3.5" bays are intended for 3.5" hard drives (obviously) not SSDs, so they are mounted from the bottom with rubber grommets to reduce vibration. There are NO side-holes in any of the 3.5" bays, all mounting has to be done from the bottom of the drive, through the thick rubber grommets, which requires special extra-long screws with large heads. Those screws will not work with the SSD, the thread is too coarse, 2.5" drives apparently use M3 screws with a finer pitch.

The case's 3.5" bays have holes aligned for 2.5" drives and by moving the grommets into the appropriate holes they line up with the SSD. But that's as far as I can get. I don't have and cannot find any screws that use the finer M3 pitch that are long enough and have the wide head. I can't remove the grommets because the screw holes are much too wide without them, the entire head of the screw fits through. And again, there are no side-holes, so I can't use the mounting bracket that came with the drive nor any other 2.5"-3.5" bracket I've found.

Here is a pic of what I am dealing with (note that the SSD is just resting on the case, it's not currently screwed in if that's not clear)

Any ideas for safely mounting these little guys without resorting to duct tape or superglue would be very appreciated. If anyone knows where I could buy the appropriate type of M3 threaded screw or has any other ideas please help me out here.

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  • I would seriously consider velcro. Also, washers will do the job with regular M3 screws.
    – Dennis Williamson
    Mar 6, 2011 at 22:31
  • Well, velcro would at least be a step up from duct tape! Washers is a possibility, if I can find some of appropriate size. Maybe I'll head over to the hardware store and see what I can find.
    – cecilkorik
    Mar 6, 2011 at 23:02

3 Answers 3

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How about a spacer bracket that converts a 3.5" inch bay to a 2.5" inch bay; something like this?

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  • I can't tell from the picture if that has 3.5" mounting holes in the bottom as well or just on the sides. If it does, that might work, and letting me stick two drives in one bay is a nice bonus also.
    – cecilkorik
    Mar 6, 2011 at 23:01
  • @cecilkorik Good point. Looks like some others on there have the bottom holes (but only 1 drive); here's one.
    – Shane Madden
    Mar 6, 2011 at 23:07
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    Perhaps instead of "this" and a link, you could edit your answer to include a short description and an image. That way, when the link dies at least there will be something for future viewers of this question to see.
    – Dennis Williamson
    Mar 6, 2011 at 23:13
  • @Dennis Fair point, edited.
    – Shane Madden
    Mar 6, 2011 at 23:45
  • For future reference, I found and bought the Ultra U12-40638 kit and it fit everything perfectly. Thanks for your suggestions.
    – cecilkorik
    Apr 15, 2011 at 22:12
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There are plenty of brackets for mounting 2.5" drives in 3.5" bay and many ob them have screw holes on the bottom, so that you could mount then as normal 3.5" drive. Here is one example but there are plenty of similar solutions on the market.

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SSD's can take a good amount of vibration without affecting performance. If you can find a Velcro attachment of some sort use it, otherwise i wouldn't really worry about it. Just find a snug place to fit it in :P

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