IcyDock's MB673SPF-B SATA hard drive module will slide into most PC cases with at least two free 5.25" bays. However if there is less than 220mm of depth from the front of the case to the back of the drive bay area (motherboards and the power supply can take up extra room), the MB673SPF-B may not fit with its fan installed. If the fan is removed the depth of the MB673SPF-B decreases to 180mm.

Three SATA drives running at full tilt can crank up the heat rather quickly, so we'd advise leaving the fan on. There is a temperature alarm which you can set to go off at 45C, 55C or 65C as well.

There are about as many ways of installing a 5.25" device into a PC case as there are computer cases in the world, but with all this variety there is a grain of standardization. After all, each case must accommodate an equally sized 5.25" x 1.75" metal box right?

Rail systems, quick clips, locking tabs, post and screw.... the varieties are endless. Another critical aspect that may affect the IcyDock MB673SPF-B are the supports that hold 5.25" devices in place. Some cases have large metal tabs that stick out far, but as long as the little metal tabs protrude no more than 5mm (3/16") the IcyDock unit will slide in smoothly. Grooves run along the center-line of the aluminum box to accommodate this very component of chassis designs. If the optical drive bays are individually split up, or have metal support tabs which stick out further than this, it may not fit.

On the unit PCSTATS is testing today, little data access LEDs are found along the left hand side adjacent to each of the three SATA drive bays. The lights indicate disk status and activity.

To open a HDD bay, press a little plastic catch behind the aluminum lever to release it, then pull up on the lever to open the drive door. The doors are mounted on loose hinges, so don't be to alarmed by the flimsy feel of it all - it mostly the joints having excessive play. As to the question of where to install it if you have four 5.25" bays free, we'd suggest putting the IcyDock in the top spot so cumulative heat generated by three spinning hard drives can quickly be exhausted via the power supply fans of the case.

A look at the data connections is next, you'll only need to plug these cables in once....