IcyDock's MB973SP-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 MB973SP-B may not fit with its fan sticking out the back. If the fan is removed the depth of the MB973SP-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 small control switch on the front of the unit to adjust between high, low and automatic fan speed control. Above the fan speed control is an ESATA and USB port.

Case rail systems, quick clips, locking tabs, post and screw.... the varieties are endless. One critical aspect that may affect the IcyDock MB973SP-B are the supports that hold 5.25" devices in place. Some cases have large metal tabs that stick out very 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 blue LED lights indicate disk status and activity.

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