Question 1

Does this support a full height (standard) PCI expansion card?

Accepted Answer

Actually, the RPC 230 can support one full-height card, but only in a non-traditional way.  There have been some design changes on this case that are not reflected in the pictures of this case displayed on Newegg.  Just one of the changes is a different design to the case back panel.  There are the traditional four half-height expansion slots that a MATX 2U case would have.  But there is now also has a knock-out cut into the back panel for one full-height card that is positioned right above the I/O panel.  A riser card or riser cable would be needed to connect to one of your motherboards slots.  Also you will need to consider interference with the height of your CPU cooler and the length of full-height card you install.  This is on a later version of the RPC 230, I purchased 11/2017.

Question 2

How do the hard drives mount? Do they lock/snap in or do they screw in at the sides?

Accepted Answer

They have little trays that you take a couple of screws out and then the tray slides back and comes out. Then you mount the drive with screws and put the tray back in. There are 4 trays.
It has to be 3-1/2, 2-1/2 drives don't fit, although I have taped those in. The screws mount the drive at the bottom not the sides. There is a picture if you look at the images.

Question 3

What PSU can this case take?  Any suggestions on Model# or size/type?

Accepted Answer

This case will take a standard ATX power supply (it is an EXACT fit, I would suppose by design).  It will be turned flat, of course, so make sure that it does not have the second fan turned 90 degrees to the power supply's exhaust fan - as there is no air intake in that location for this case.

I mention this because I forgot when ordering my power supply for the third of these cases.  Long story short - you want the airflow inline.  Though less common now than the 90 degree layout, there are still quite a few to choose from.  The last one I purchased was an Antec Earthwatts Green 380 watt.  I have had no failures with these so far.

Final note:  Antec also makes/made a "neo eco green".  While a good PS, this one does have the 90 degree layout, so it will not work in this case.  I am not sure if every wattage of Earthwatts PS has this layout - but the 2 different wattages I have purchased do.  (Grill intake on the inside inline with the exhaust fan).

Question 4

Can the ears be moved to the middle of the case to accommodate a 12" deep wall mounted rack?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, not.  The ears are welded to the front of the panel.

Those racks, (I think I know what you are talking about) are usually meant for Network switches, routers, some phone systems, and small devices.  These rackmount cases are meant more for a deeper 19" rack.  Also the racks (I think I know what you are talking about) usually doesn't get mounted to handle alot of weight.  Keep that in mind.

Question 5

Did anyone replace the front fans on this case? if so which ones?

Accepted Answer

I replaced them with Noctua NF-R8 redux-1200s.

Question 6

Are the ears sturdy enough to support the case without rails?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. My server isn't loaded down however with anything extra (no heavy video cards or huge heat-sinks weighing it down). However, no problems running over a year on a 2-post relay rack and doesn't feel flimsy at all. I understand your concern about a 2U case, but it's really not that deep to cause issues.

Question 7

Did anyone find a low watt modular PSU that fits this case? I did look at the Antec Earthwatt 380D.

Accepted Answer

Any standard ATX PSU will work. Just keep in mind that you need decently long cables to reach the motherboard and CPU power ports. I had to return my first one and get a modular, so you're on the right track with that.

Question 8

Will this case accommodate a mini-itx motherboard?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Brand	NORCO
Model	RPC-230

Chassis Type	Rackmount
Form Factor	2U
Motherboard Compatibility	Micro-ATX (9.60" X 9.60"), ITX (6.70" X 6.70")

Dimensions	3.50" x 16.90" x 15.25"
Weight	14.00 lbs.

NORCO RPC-230 2U Rackmount Server Case 1 External 5.25" Drive Bays

Black 2U Rackmount Chassis

RPC-230

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Item#: N82E16811219032