Product Description

This is an Intel Recommended entry level server which is good for small to mid size business looking for workgroup or server application with additional storage requirement. It is also a lower cost alternative than Intel SC5000.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #195294 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black
• Brand: ENLIGHT
• Model: EN-8950B0SX47
• Dimensions: 16.90" h x 8.66" w x 23.60" l, 47.00 pounds

Features

• Mini file sever with lock and intrusion detector for maximum security
• Suport dual Intel Xeon architecture enabled platform
• Optimal thermal design with 2x 8cm fans
• Data storage solution with optional hot swap module
• SSI P4 single power supply meets Intel standard for optimal system stability

Customer Reviews

10 years ...
I bought this case in late 1998.
A couple of years ago the two switches for the control module (On|Off & Reset) broke-off from the control module. ( The switches are mounted with plastic clips and the clips broke. ) Of course that should not have happened and require(s) some extra work. However, I am still using it.

I have searched, for years, for a replacement and after a (large) number of different cases have come to the conclusion that this one is as good as or better than any other out there. (Actually, that's sad in a way...)

I'm sure the first question is: So what is wrong with this case?
There are only two things that are not subjective.
(1) The case only includes 2 80mm fans which are noisy and inefficient(do not provide enough air flow). Buy 80-to-90mm adapters and a couple of 90mm fans to correct that. Getting the adapters mounted is not real easy but can be done.
(2) The door and door frame are plastic; good, heavy plastic but still plastic. The door uses a plastic hinge that consists of a plastic stud and plastic mount. It is relatively easy to pop the door off the hinge when not locked. Note also that the so-called locks use a piece of metal that slides into plastic. As such, even when locked, the case is not secure from tampering. It takes quite a bit of force but no crowbar is required...

- A third thing, somewhat subjective, is that there are no fans in the front of the unit to pull|push cooler air into it. That can be resolved by inserting fans in or behind the 5.25" bays or mounted devices. The smartest way is to purchase some enclosures, to hold HDD, with fans. I strongly recommend doing that as the method to mount single HDD in the bays is cumbersome, at best, requiring mounting 3.5" adapter to the HDD and then the slide mount to the adapter to insert(slide) the 3.5" device into the bay.
- A fourth thing is that the PSU is worthless these days. Any PSU under 600W is insufficient for workstation|server class mainboard(mobo) and ENlight PSU's, in particular, are not server or workstation quality. It can be used to power fans, WC pump, HDD & etc. but get another to power mobo. The "Workstation" and "Server" mobos require connectors that are not available with the included PSU.
- One problem is related to the age of the design. There are no front accessible USB or audio ports and the mainboard tray is only designed for older standards(ATX, EATX, SSI ...). Both of those are normally no big deal because a 3.5" USB & Audio device will fit into the 3.5" vertical bay and there are not many mobos out there using the newer CEB or the extra large QUAD CPU 13x16" standards.
- As mentioned, the control module is not the best design. The "buttons" are slightly recessed requiring a small device(pinky or pencils) to activate them. The switches are old tech and require more force to activate than they would with newer switches, hence they may fail after a number of years. Also, one must unlock the chassis to get to the controls which can be difficult if the key is hard to find.
- A last negative is that the 3.5" bay is vertical. That is fine for a rackmounted EN-8950 but do not use it for floppy disk drive(FDD) in the pedestal style. FDD just do not work good when vertical. They are supposed to but, take my word for it, they do not. ...many headaches. Instead use it to mount a USB & Audio port device(lots of them out there for 20 bucks or so) or a fan controller device.

Note that this has been on the market since late 1998 so a price of over 200 is much too high. It can be had for much less, many places. Buying one w/o a PSU is the best idea.

Let's hit a few things that are hard to find but are included.
+ It will hold ATX & EATX boards without issue(i.e., there is plenty of room for 12"x13" mobo).
+ It has wheels on it and they are sturdily mounted.
+ The front door, which opens left or right, includes three filters which efficiently manage filtering large dust particles out of the enclosure.
+ The EN-8950 is made with 0.8 - 1.2mm SECC steel. While heavy, one won't find any better material for EMI protection and protection of the interior components. God forbid any catastophe to occur but if it did, this baby would last thru it, meaning of course that the devices on the inside should survive too.
+ It can be rackmounted by purchasing a rackmount kit(another 70+ bucks). The rackmount kit wisely includes a cage to mount a device horizontally(e.g., DVD/CD ROM).
+ Many different models|brands of HDD enclosures fit into the bays. One can use up to three(3) of the 5n3 (3.5" device) enclosures for 15 HDD or four(4) of the 8n2(2.5" device) enclosures(32 HDD!). Or, of course, some other arrangement ... Point being that in just 3' of racked space one can have 9*4= 36 HDD which at current capacities for 2.5" devices yields 18TB. Or for a workstation needing multiple DVD drives it is easy to fit 6 DVD and still have 5TB of HDD. ...etc.

...
This is NOT a "desktop" case. It is designed for the power user(workstation) or server class and as such, it is huge. I've had it on the desktop but it does better on the floor, out of the way. One needs about 12" side to side and about 30" of depth for the case and cables for a comfortable arrangement on a desk. Minimum width is ~ 10" so door can open to left or right.

For a person that likes to modify things, the so-called "modder" this case has great potential for a talented person. So as such, it could be used for a " power user " system that contains a water cooling system, many control devices and so-called idiot lights to monitor the system's functions. Few cases have enough 5.25" bays to hold all those devices.
In particular, cut-out those stamped fan grills in the back. They block at least as much air as they allow to pass through them, ;).

...

Finally, I just bought another one of these.