@Rooki i think that @FW4TeePee @SeanKOBrien and I really like the Framework Desktop case and want to take advantage of its design, which is why we’re hoping Framework can provide a way to accomodate a pcie bracket on the back
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Here’s an example of something that I would want to install in the PCIe 4x slot:
QXP-800eS-A1164 | Expand PC and NAS storage with easy installation | QNAP (US)
I’d be curious to know the power consumption of that card - I’m sure it’s well below the 25w limit of the slot, but it may be high enough that going with a more modern SAS controller wouldn’t be much more of a jump. I’m already used to strapping 40mm noctua fans to NICs, may as well do so for an LSI controller as well lol
That’s a good question! My guess is that it’s also well below the 25w limit of the slot since it is PCIe 3.0 x4 compliant. I was going to buy a QNAP DAS unit that comes bundled with this card, but I just can’t figure out any way to incorporate the card into the Framework Desktop.
Two words immediately come to mind….
Rotary…
… Tool 
Haha, yeah, that crossed my mind. But I’d love to avoid risking messing up a cool case, haha. Also, im not yet sure how thick of a pcie card could fit. I think that QNAP card is something like 17.4mm w/ bracket, 12mm w/o bracket.
I really do feel like not having at least a half-height pcie was a real miss. Especially since future boards might have pcie 5,6,7,8… Who knows what neat options might come out.
I may still try to fit a 10g sfp+ or oculink card in it anyways. Modding will be required.
Based on the initial reviews ive seen, there’s two limitations to using the pcie slot: (1) there’s no case opening for the card’s bracket, and (2) there isn’t enough space for thicker cards regardless of their height. Regarding that 2nd point, I’d be curious to find out the max thickness allowed.
One reviewer suggested the issue might relate to electrical safety standards with the PCIe slot being too close to the power supply. I think it was ETA Prime but I’ve watched so many they are all merging
Hmmm… interesting. I wonder if there’s any way to use riser cables to place a card elsewhere… but still would need to find a way to expose ports to outside the card
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Yeah, it doesn’t look like there are any spaces open at the front or back of the case to pass a cable through
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Unless the back panel could be replaced with one that has an opening for a port? One of the review videos completely disassembled the case, panels and all
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