Icy Dock ExpressCage MB324V4P-B Mobile Rack for 4 PCIe 4.0 U.2/U.3 NVMe SSDs in External 5.25-Inch Optical Drive Bay

Icy Dock announced the availability of the ExpressCage MB324V4P-B, a mobile rack designed to house up to 4 PCIe 4.0 U.2/U.3 NVMe SSDs (up to 15mm height) within a single external 5.25” optical drive bay.

Building on the ExpressCage series’ renowned tool-less SSD mounting system, the MB324V4P-B combines fast drive swaps, secure SSD retention, and optional screw-lock support into 1 robust design. Unlike most tool-less systems that sacrifice mounting stability, ExpressCage’s removable tray design with additional screw holes delivers both hot-swappable convenience and reliable SSD retention, earning trust from enterprise storage builders and performance enthusiasts alike.

Now upgraded for PCIe 4.0 bandwidth up to 64Gb/SSD, dual 40mm cooling fans, and SlimSAS connectivity, the MB324V4P-B becomes a compelling next-gen storage platform for system integrators, edge computing deployments, AI workstations, and high-speed NVMe RAID builds.

High-Density NVMe Expansion in Any 5.25″ Optical Drive Bay

The MB324V4P-B maximizes user’s chassis real estate by allowing to install up to 4xU.2/U.3 NVMe SSDs (up to 15mm height) into a single standard 5.25” CD/DVD drive bay. With support for the latest 61.44TB U.2 SSDs, this means user can build a 240TB+ high-speed NVMe storage array in just one drive bay.

This makes MB324V4P-B for applications such as:

Edge AI servers
Real-time data acquisition systems
High-density storage servers
Workstations with 5.25″ bays requiring NVMe SSD support

Enhanced ExpressTray with Tool-less + Screw Mounting Options

The MB324V4P-B includes the company’s signature ExpressTray, which simplifies SSD installation with tool-less latching pins that securely hold U.2/U.3 SSD in place without screws. Unlike typical tool-less designs that lack trays, the ExpressTray provides structural protection during drive swaps and can optionally be secured with screws for applications with frequent vibrations, mobile enclosures, or sensitive enterprise deployments.

Whether you’re performing bench testing, configuring storage pools, or running your system in transit, the tray design ensures safe, quick, and repeatable SSD swaps every time.

Next-Gen Connectivity with SlimSAS and PCIe 8-Pin Power

The MB324V4P-B uses 2xSlimSAS 8i (SFF-8654) connectors, each supporting two PCIe 4.0 U.2/U.3 SSDs at speeds up to 64Gb/drive. SlimSAS is the preferred modern interface for high-performance NVMe backplanes and supports tri-mode HBA and RAID cards, offering exceptional bandwidth and reliability. For power delivery, the MB324V4P-B utilizes a PCIe 8-Pin power connector – capable of supplying ample current to all 4 high-performance SSDs via a single cable, simplifying cable routing and improving airflow in dense systems.

Advanced Cooling for Demanding Workloads

To meet the thermal demands of PCIe 4.0 U.2/U.3 SSDs, the MB324V4P-B features a powerful dual 40x40x20mm cooling fan setup. These fans generate increased airflow compared to standard 10mm units and are positioned to deliver direct cooling over the SSDs and tray area.

The enclosure and tray also feature strategically placed air vents and cutouts, ensuring hot air is effectively evacuated even under sustained heavy loads. When maintenance is needed, the fans are user-replaceable, minimizing system downtime.

Key Features:

Supports 4xU.2/U.3 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs (up to 15mm height) in a single 5.25” drive bay
For building high-speed NVMe RAID arrays or expanding flash capacity in space-limited systems
Compatible with tri-mode HBA/RAID cards via 2xSlimSAS 8i (SFF-8654) connectors
PCIe 8-Pin power input ensures stable high-current delivery with cleaner cable management
ExpressTray system supports tool-less SSD installation with optional screw mounting Dual 40x40x20mm fans for superior active airflow
Tray and housing include airflow cutouts to assist passive cooling
Drive LED indicators show power (solid green) and access (flashing green) status Hot-swappable tray design enables fast drive replacement with minimal effort
Constructed from sturdy metal and reinforced plastic for durability
Designed for workstations, servers, and edge storage platforms
Backed by an Industry-leading 3-year limited warranty against all defects