ICY DOCK MB994IKO-3SB 2 Bay 2.5" SATA/SAS Backplane Cage
Best storage solution for professionals needing secure, high-speed drive management.
The ICY DOCK MB994IKO-3SB is a robust 2-bay backplane cage designed for 2.5-inch SATA or SAS drives. Constructed from durable full metal, it fits securely into a standard 5.25-inch bay. Each drive bay features a metal locking tray for enhanced security. This cage supports high-speed data transfers up to SAS 12Gbps and includes a 40mm cooling fan with an on/off switch for optimal thermal management. It also accommodates a slim optical drive, offering versatile integration for storage and media needs.
$299.21
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
1
/ 561
Best Hard Drive Enclosures & Mounts
Price vs Category Average
+200%
Above average
Capacity
22.5
/ x " SAS/SATA drives
Who it's for
- System builders maximizing storage in compact PC cases
- IT professionals integrating enterprise-grade SAS or SATA drives
- Server administrators prioritizing hardware durability and heat management
Who should skip it
- Users with limited airflow in their current chassis setup
- Builders struggling with tight cable management in small enclosures
- Budget-conscious shoppers needing simple, non-hot-swap mounting solutions
Performance breakdown
Build durability
Full metal construction provides industrial-grade protection for sensitive drive components.
Thermal management
Integrated 40mm fan with manual control keeps high-performance drives running cool.
Drive versatility
Accommodates a wide range of drive heights from 5mm to 15mm.
Security features
Individual metal locking trays prevent accidental removal and unauthorized drive access.
Data throughput
Supports SAS 12Gbps speeds for demanding enterprise and workstation storage tasks.
Integration flexibility
Slim optical drive slot maximizes utility in standard 5.25-inch bay configurations.
Key Specs
Capacity
2 x 2.5" SAS/SATA drives
Data Transfer Speed
Supports SATA 6Gbps and SAS 12Gbps
Material
Rugged full metal construction
Drive Heights Supported
5mm, 7mm, 9.5mm, 12.5mm, and 15mm
Cooling
Includes one 40mm cooling fan with an on/off switch
Installation
Fits into an external 5.25" bay
Internal Interface
SATA I/II/III
Security
Individual metal locking mechanism on trays
Features
- Rugged full metal construction for durability
- Locking trays secure your drives
- Supports SATA and SAS protocols
- Fits standard 5.25" bays
- Integrated cooling fan with manual control
- Accommodates various 2.5" drive heights
- Includes slim optical drive tray
- High-speed data transfer support
What customers say
Users consistently praise the exceptional build quality of this cage. Its full metal construction delivers excellent durability and aids in heat dissipation, supporting reliable drive operation even in demanding situations. Reviewers value the secure locking mechanisms and the smooth process for inserting and removing drives. This unit is recognized as a dependable solution for maximizing storage density in small form factor systems. The overall consensus emphasizes its robust design and long term performance stability, offering enterprise level reliability without added complexity.
Know before you buy
Yes, the MB994IKO-3SB is compatible with both 2.5-inch SATA and SAS hard drives or SSDs, supporting data transfer speeds up to 12Gbps for SAS drives.
This unit is highly versatile and accommodates 2.5-inch drives with heights of 5mm, 7mm, 9.5mm, 12.5mm, and 15mm.
The slim optical drive slot is specifically designed for a slim ODD. If you do not install an optical drive, the space remains open, though it is intended to provide a compact, all-in-one storage and media solution.
The integrated 40mm cooling fan includes a manual on/off switch, allowing you to manage thermal performance based on your specific drive usage and noise preferences.
Each drive tray features a dedicated metal locking mechanism. This prevents accidental ejection and provides an extra layer of physical security for your data in environments where the system might be bumped or accessed by others.
The cage is designed to fit into a standard external 5.25-inch drive bay. As long as your case has an available 5.25-inch slot, it should install securely.
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$299