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StarTech.com 3.5" to 5.25" Front Bay Mounting Bracket w/ Mounting Screws (BRACKETFDBK),Black
StarTech.com

StarTech.com 3.5" to 5.25" Front Bay Mounting Bracket w/ Mounting Screws (BRACKETFDBK),Black

Bottom line: The StarTech.com 3.5" to 5.25" Front Bay Mounting Bracket ($6.37 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 04:15 UTC): Fits 3.5in floppy drives, USB hubs, card readers, and fan controllers in one 5.25in bay; main trade-off: not compatible with 3.5in hard drives, peripherals only.

$6.37

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Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For retro PC hardware and period-correct parts, synthesises manufacturer documentation, community compatibility lists and marketplace listings rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Fits 3.5in floppy drives, USB hubs, card readers, and fan controllers in one 5.25in bay
  • ✓ Mounting screw kit included, no separate hardware purchase
  • ✓ Open-faced black bezel keeps front-panel devices accessible and flush
  • ✓ TAA compliant for government and enterprise procurement

Cons

  • ✗ Not compatible with 3.5in hard drives, peripherals only
  • ✗ Black bezel only, no color match for silver or beige retro cases
  • ✗ Requires a free front-facing 5.25in bay, absent on most modern cases
  • ✗ Open-faced design leaves a gap if the mounted device is undersized

Manufacturer description

The StarTech.com BRACKETFDBK is a 3.5-inch to 5.25-inch front bay mounting bracket that lets you fit smaller front-facing hardware into a spare 5.25in bay on a desktop PC. If you are restoring a retro build or adding a card reader to a modern case, this StarTech.com adapter accepts a 3.5in floppy drive, an external-facing USB hub, a media card reader, or a fan controller, and holds it flush behind an open-faced black bezel. A mounting screw kit ships in the box, so you are not hunting through a parts bin mid-build. One thing to know up front: the bracket is not compatible with 3.5in hard…

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored StarTech.com 3.5" to 5.25" Front Bay Mounting Bracket using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro cases & modding category. StarTech.com's retro cases & modding lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for retro cases & modding of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I mount a 3.5in hard drive in this bracket?

No. StarTech.com specifies that the BRACKETFDBK is not compatible with 3.5in hard drives. It is designed for front-facing devices such as floppy drives, external USB hubs, media card readers, and fan controllers.

Does it come with the screws I need?

Yes. The bracket includes a mounting screw kit, so you can secure both the 3.5in device to the bracket and the bracket into the 5.25in bay without sourcing separate hardware.

Will this work in my case?

It needs an open, external-facing 5.25in front bay. Most retro and older ATX towers have one; many current cases have dropped 5.25in bays entirely, so check your chassis front panel before ordering.

Is this bracket TAA compliant for government purchasing?

Yes. StarTech.com lists the BRACKETFDBK as TAA compliant, which is why it is a common pick for IT professionals doing system setup and configuration under federal procurement rules.

What warranty and support does StarTech.com provide?

StarTech.com backs this bracket for 2 years and includes free lifetime 24/5 multi-lingual technical assistance. Check the product listing for current warranty terms in your region.

Key Features

  • FRONT BAY INSTALLATION: Use this 3.5in to 5.25in front bay mounting bracket to install one 3.5IN floppy drive, external-facing USB hubs, media card readers, and fan controllers into a 5.25 inch front bay on your desktop PC; TAA Compliant
  • CONVENIENT SETUP: This 3.5in to 5.25in mounting bracket includes a mounting screw kit and enables a spare 5.25in front bay to support 3.5in hardware; Ideal for technicians and IT professionals performing system setup and configuration
  • BROAD COMPATIBILITY: This 3.5in to 5.25in front bay mounting bracket is compatible with standard floppy disk drives, external-facing USB hubs, media card readers, and fan controllers; NOTE: Not compatible with 3.5in Hard Drives
  • THE IT PRO'S CHOICE: Designed and built for IT Professionals, this 3.5 to 5.25in front bay mounting bracket is backed for 2 years, including free lifetime 24/5 multi-lingual assistance

Full Specifications

BrandStarTech.com
ColorBlack
MaterialPlastic
Unit Count1 Count
ConnectivityUSB
Finish TypesPlastic
Model NumberBRACKETFDBK
CompatibilityPC
Material TypePlastic
Item Type NameMounting Bracket
Item Dimensions7.09 x 1.5 x 9.53 inches
Included Components1 Front Bay Adapter Bracket, 4 Mounting Screws
Manufacturer Part NumberBRACKETFDBK
Item dimensions L x W x H7.09 x 1.5 x 9.53 inches
Manufacturer Warranty Description2 year warranty
Global Trade Identification Number00065030820790

Ready to buy?

StarTech.com 3.5" to 5.25" Front Bay Mounting Bracket w/ Mounting Screws (BRACKETFDBK),Black is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $6.37

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.

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