I kind of backed myself into a corner with a new server build. I started the project by picking the motherboard first, without really thinking about how easily it would fit in a rackmount chassis. I grabbed a used Supermicro X10DRI-T4+ and ordered CPUs and RAM for it… and only afterward realized I accidentally picked one of the rarest board sizes out there.

It’s E.E-ATX (13.68“ × 13“) with an offset I/O panel. It’s technically a standard, not proprietary, but as far as I can tell Supermicro is pretty much the only vendor that ever used it. That makes chassis options a nightmare.

So far I’ve only found two things that are guaranteed to fit it: • the Fractal Define 7 XL • a handful of factory Supermicro chassis from the same generation

Neither solves my problem. I want a 3U rackmount, but the Fractal is a huge tower and not really rack-convertible. And most of the advertised “barebones” Supermicro servers on eBay aren’t actually barebones; they include PSUs, fans, backplanes, rails, motherboards, etc. They’re actually not barebones at all. Basically you’re buying a whole prebuilt system except for CPUs and RAM, and the prices reflect that. I only want the chassis, not an entire server.

Unless someone knows of a third-party 3U case that actually fits E.E-ATX with the Supermicro I/O layout, it looks like I’ll be watching eBay for a true barebones chassis to pop up while I start planning a DIY solution.

I could return or resell the board and go with something more common, but this board is otherwise perfect for what I’m trying to do… except for the whole “doesn’t physically fit anywhere” part.