iStarUSA T-G525-HD Drive Bay Adapter for 5.25" - Serial ATA/600 Internal

The iStarUSA T-G525-HD elevates server and workstation storage expansion by turning a standard 5.25" optical bay into a versatile, hot-swappable housing for 3.5" HDDs and 2.5" SSD/HDD drives. Built with a rugged metal chassis, this drive bay adapter delivers reliable, high-speed data transfer (up to 12Gb/s) while maintaining excellent airflow and heat management thanks to its well-ventilated design and a dedicated 30mm cooling fan. With support for SAS I/II/III and SATA I/II/III drives, the T-G525-HD is ideal for dense storage arrays, multimedia editing rigs, and enterprise-grade workstations that demand fast, flexible drive configurations within a compact footprint. Its patented screw-less mounting system simplifies installation, minimizes maintenance, and reduces downtime, making it a smart choice for both IT professionals and power users who value performance, durability, and ease of use.

• Broad drive compatibility and high-speed performance: Supports 2.5" and 3.5" SAS I/II/III and SATA I/II/III HDDs and SSDs, enabling a single hot-swap rack to accommodate a wide range of drives. With a Serial ATA/600 host interface, you can achieve sustained data transfers up to 12Gb/s, helping bottlenecks disappear in demanding workloads like video editing, virtualization, and large-scale backups.
• Patented screw-less mounting with hot-swap capability: The design features a secure, tool-free installation method that streamlines drive insertion and removal. This screw-less system reduces maintenance time, lowers the risk of misaligned screws, and supports hot-swap operations—perfect for maintenance windows, RAID expansion, or live data environments without powering down the system.
• Outstanding cooling and airflow for reliability: A robust metal chassis paired with a dedicated 30mm cooling fan delivers enhanced airflow and heat dissipation around the drives. The improved ventilation helps maintain consistent drive performance under heavy I/O, reducing thermal throttling and extending the life of HDDs and SSDs in high-demand applications.
• Durable, compact 5.25" form factor for dense builds: The 5.25" to 3.5"/2.5" adapter fits into standard 5.25" bays while providing versatile drive mounting options. The sturdy metal body not only resists bending and wear but also contributes to superior shielding and electromagnetic compatibility, ensuring stable operation in crowded server racks or workstation bays.
• Easy installation, clear cable routing, and included hardware: The adapter ships with thumbscrews and a straightforward mounting path, enabling quick setup in a variety of chassis configurations. Its screw-less, tool-free approach minimizes downtime and simplifies future upgrades or reconfigurations, making it practical for both IT technicians and enthusiasts building customized storage solutions.

Technical Details of iStarUSA T-G525-HD

• Product type: Drive bay adapter for 5.25" bays to support 3.5" and 2.5" drives
• Host interface: Serial ATA/600 (SATA III) for high-speed data transfer
• Drive support: 2.5" and 3.5" SAS I/II/III and SATA I/II/III HDDs and SSDs
• Form factor: Internal 5.25" bay to accommodate standard HDD/SSD racks and sleds
• Cooling: 30mm cooling fan with metal chassis for improved airflow and thermal management
• Construction: Durable black metal body designed for maximum rigidity and heat dissipation
• Mounting design: Patented screw-less mounting for quick, tool-free drive installation and removal
• Compatibility: Suitable for hot-swap operations in compatible backplanes and storage enclosures
• Included hardware: Thumbscrews for secure mounting and easy drives handling

How to install iStarUSA T-G525-HD

• Power down your computer, server, or storage enclosure and unplug all power sources before beginning installation.
• Open the chassis and locate an available 5.25" optical drive bay. Remove any existing drive sleds or brackets as needed to prepare the bay for the T-G525-HD.
• Insert the iStarUSA T-G525-HD into the 5.25" bay, aligning the backplane connectors with the system’s data and power interfaces. The screw-less design lets you secure drives without tools, but ensure the drives you install are properly seated and aligned with the backplane connectors.
• Mount your 3.5" or 2.5" SAS/SATA drives into the adapter’s drive rack or sleds using the included thumbscrews, following your enclosure’s guidelines for drive order and redundancy if used in a RAID configuration.
• Connect the system’s data and power cables to the adapter as required. Recheck all connections to ensure a solid, secure fit before reassembling the chassis.
• Close the chassis, restore power, and boot the system. Enter the BIOS/RAID controller utility to detect and configure the new drives. Perform any required formatting, partitioning, or RAID setup according to your workflow.
• Test the new drives to verify read/write performance and stability. Check SMART data and monitor drive temperatures during initial stress tests to confirm that the cooling system is functioning correctly.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What drives are compatible with the iStarUSA T-G525-HD? A: It supports 2.5" and 3.5" SAS I/II/III and SATA I/II/III HDDs and SSDs, making it suitable for a wide range of enterprise and consumer storage needs.
• Q: Does this adapter support hot-swapping? A: Yes. The screw-less mounting design and backplane compatibility enable convenient hot-swapping, minimizing downtime during drive replacements or upgrades.
• Q: Is the 12Gb/s transfer rate achievable in real-world setups? A: Transfer rates up to 12Gb/s are supported by the host interface. Real-world speeds depend on the drives used, backplane capabilities, and system configuration.
• Q: Does it come with hardware for mounting? A: Yes. Thumbscrews are included to simplify installation and secure the drives within the adapter bay.
• Q: Can I use this in a workstation or server without a backplane? A: It is designed for internal 5.25" bays and expects drive backplane connections. Ensure your chassis can support hot-swap configurations and has appropriate connectors for SAS/SATA drives.

The iStarUSA T-G525-HD Drive Bay Adapter is engineered to deliver dependable, high-performance storage expansion in a compact, easy-to-install package. Whether you’re upgrading a workstation for faster media editing, constructing a small business home server, or expanding a data center’s storage capacity, this adapter provides flexible drive compatibility, solid thermal management, and a user-friendly mounting system that saves time and reduces maintenance effort. Its combination of screw-less installation, robust metal construction, and a 30mm cooling fan makes it a reliable choice for users who demand both performance and durability from their storage infrastructure. Pair it with compatible 3.5" HDDs and 2.5" SSDs to maximize your drive density within a single 5.25" bay, and take advantage of the streamlined setup that minimizes downtime and simplifies future upgrades.