Inter-Tech 4U-4408 server case

I’ve got yet another Inter-Tech rack mountable server case. I really wanted a few hot swappable disk bays in the front, and buying two removable 4-drive backplanes were more expensive than getting a new case 😮

So I sold the 4U-4129-N and moved Alpha into this case instead 🙂

Specifications

Size

4U, 520mm deep

Form factor

Mini ITX, μATX, ATX, eATX, SSI EEB

Manufacturer

Inter-Tech

Drive bays (mounting options)

8 × 2.5" or 3.5" external (hot swap)

1 × 2.5" internal

1 × 3.5" internal

Fan mounting options

2 × 80 mm, back

4 × 80 mm, front (not mentioned in spec)

Review

What I like

• 8 hot-swap bays in a shallow case
• Able to mount 2.5" or 3.5" internal drive
• Was able to replace the stock fans with Noctua

What I don’t like

• Had a hard time attaching 2×80 mm Noctua fans. Had to grind off a screw thread on the case and modify one of the Noctua fans
• Break-away expansion slot cover plates, left sharp edges when broken off, had to file them down
• Screws for mounting drives in the trays are really short
  • This seems to be very common with disk trays
• The internal 2.5" drive sits very close to the bottom of the case, might be an issue with some SATA power cables

Fans

I replaced the two back fans with Noctua.

Back fans

The two 80 mm Noctua fans in the back was a tight fit, I had to grind off a screw thread and make a groove in the right Noctua fan.

I also had to use the Noctua rubber mount, the fans were to close together to use screws. Fastening the bottom rubber mounts was very difficult with the motherboard installed.

Front fans

Four 80 mm fans can be mounted behind the mesh screen in the front, but there is no mention of them in the spec. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I’ve read that some drilling might be required to increase the diameter of the mounting holes. But I haven’t tried it myself.

Update: I got an email from a reader, regarding the front fans:

Some information on the front fans as I had just contact with support at inter-tech in Germany. They say the front-plate has been prepared to accommodate fans, but unfortunately they have never made suitable screws. Therefore an installation is not possible at the moment. Since the front is very open, the 2 fans at the back should be enough. In addition, front fans would have a negative impact on the airflow through the hard drives.

More photos