What is the best looking computer case out in your opinion ?

[Pob255]

i dont WTF lian li are thinking still charging that amount for it.

now please explain how lian li even comes close to looking nice than that

Well it's quite obvious you've never seen a Lian-Li case in person.
There is a massive step up in quality, esp in terms of material.


The X-case cases are decent cheap steel cases, quality is ok but not amazing, steel is a bit thin. (0.6mm) personally I think quite a few are butt ugly (like the batman case)
The one case from their gamer section that caught my eye is the Avenger http://www.xcase.co.uk/High-End-Gami...it-avenger.htm

The L13 is basically the same internal frame as the casecom 6788 which I currently have, the casecom is cheaper and there's already an improved version out. although I think it may lack a top fan vent, which sort of misses out on one of the bit reasons for a lower mounted psu.

Oh and for what it is and for it's cost the TT element T case is actually pretty good.
For a different look the thermaltake Armor A60 and A90 are worth a look
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Produc...S=1122&ID=1968
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Produc...S=1122&ID=1957
I sort of quite like their splintered plate look

[Pob255]

Double post - turned into something useful

Steel cases use ether SECC (Steel, Electrogalvanised, Cold-rolled, Commercial quality) or SGCC (steel, galvanised, cold-rolled, commercial quality)
Basically the SECC is electroplated in zinc where as SGCC is passed through a bath of hot liquid zinc, both are used to prevent rusting, the electroplating method is superior as you get more control, thicker and better bonding of the zinc layer but is more expensive. (the majority of SECC steel comes from Japan, and is highly rated for it's quality)
I think there might be a limit to SECC thickness, mainly because most 0.5-0.6mm steel is SGCC

Aluminium is lightly but softer than steel, so is normally used in greater thickness (1.5-2mm thick) even at these numbers it's still lighter than most steel cases.
The other major difference is Anodising, steel cases are generally powder coated (not painted) this involves electrostatically coating them in a thin layer of powdered plastic and then baking it to melt it into a smooth surface (in the same way a laser printer or photocopier works)
Anodising is a electrolytic passivation process, which basically means an electrochemical process is used (similar to electroplating) to create an oxide layer which is bonded to the metal, the oxide layer is porous so a second process is carried out to seal it.
However before it's sealed the porous nature of oxide layer means it can be dyed, so a dye pigment is often added to the anodising process to colour it and because it's bonded to the underlaying metal it's far more resistant to flaking or chipping.
another side effect is the sheen, it's hard to describe but it's impossible to reproduce with paint.
(note most aluminium is brushed before anodising, this increases the surface are to improve the anodising and gives it a very distinctive look)

[Ed Omega]

Is it common that windows are always on the left side of a PC cases ?, My left side of my future case will be against a wall, so looking for a case that the motherboard and window are on the right side. Is that going to be hard/impossible to find ?

I used to have a PC that was inside out - does that count as being to forward thinking - or just plain dangerous?

[melon]

Double post - turned into something useful

Steel cases use ether SECC (Steel, Electrogalvanised, Cold-rolled, Commercial quality) or SGCC (steel, galvanised, cold-rolled, commercial quality)
Basically the SECC is electroplated in zinc where as SGCC is passed through a bath of hot liquid zinc, both are used to prevent rusting, the electroplating method is superior as you get more control, thicker and better bonding of the zinc layer but is more expensive. (the majority of SECC steel comes from Japan, and is highly rated for it's quality)
I think there might be a limit to SECC thickness, mainly because most 0.5-0.6mm steel is SGCC

Aluminium is lightly but softer than steel, so is normally used in greater thickness (1.5-2mm thick) even at these numbers it's still lighter than most steel cases.
The other major difference is Anodising, steel cases are generally powder coated (not painted) this involves electrostatically coating them in a thin layer of powdered plastic and then baking it to melt it into a smooth surface (in the same way a laser printer or photocopier works)
Anodising is a electrolytic passivation process, which basically means an electrochemical process is used (similar to electroplating) to create an oxide layer which is bonded to the metal, the oxide layer is porous so a second process is carried out to seal it.
However before it's sealed the porous nature of oxide layer means it can be dyed, so a dye pigment is often added to the anodising process to colour it and because it's bonded to the underlaying metal it's far more resistant to flaking or chipping.
another side effect is the sheen, it's hard to describe but it's impossible to reproduce with paint.
(note most aluminium is brushed before anodising, this increases the surface are to improve the anodising and gives it a very distinctive look)

Rusting ?

How the heck would that happen , youd have to live under dripping roof surely.

Never ever seen rusted pc in my life, imean its not like the cpu is running on AAs

m

[Pob255]

Yes that's because all steel cases are made from SECC or SGCC steel the zinc coating prevents rusing, that's why it's there.
granted you shouldn't get much anyway as there shouldn't be any lose water inside a pc case, however even if just left to air exposure steel will start to rust, air contains water.
Almost all steel goes through some for or rust proofing, simple painting helps protect against rust, but if there's any moisture underlaying the paint then you can actually increase the speed of rusting as it's trapped and cannot bleed out and rust itself actually acts as a catalyst in the oxidisation process, exposed it flakes off, trapped under paint it help speed it up.

[melon]

Well it's quite obvious you've never seen a Lian-Li case in person.
There is a massive step up in quality, esp in terms of material.


The X-case cases are decent cheap steel cases, quality is ok but not amazing, steel is a bit thin. (0.6mm) personally I think quite a few are butt ugly (like the batman case)
The one case from their gamer section that caught my eye is the Avenger http://www.xcase.co.uk/High-End-Gami...it-avenger.htm

The L13 is basically the same internal frame as the casecom 6788 which I currently have, the casecom is cheaper and there's already an improved version out. although I think it may lack a top fan vent, which sort of misses out on one of the bit reasons for a lower mounted psu.

Oh and for what it is and for it's cost the TT element T case is actually pretty good.
For a different look the thermaltake Armor A60 and A90 are worth a look
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Produc...S=1122&ID=1968
http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Produc...S=1122&ID=1957
I sort of quite like their splintered plate look

I agree a lot of those cases there are a bit off , theres only 2 - 3 i dont mind but their all way too small / bad for airflow.

I can see you go for for the armour / shell style , which is ok but i dont like the way the've done it . as it just looks unbalanced.

The coolermaster scout or the 690 2 advanced are the current 2 ive grudgingly accepted, their big-er but not too big and look .. plain which I suppose wont irk me so much if i dont spend a lot on it.

m

[melon]

Well it's quite obvious you've never seen a Lian-Li case in person.
There is a massive step up in quality, esp in terms of material.

Maybe so but just because the material is great doesnt make me want to buy it any more than if it looked cheap or ugly ( as i think they do ) and even moreso if the very purpose of the material is somewhat exgarrated given , as you said yourself , it wont rust , given everyone uses the same process any way.

Not sure about the other reasons you mention , certainly if its thin i could see it being noiser which would be one thing for sure, but even that i could live with a bit compared to an ugly case

m

[CooperXS]

Cannot underestimate the build quality and attention to details with Lian-Li cases. Both correlate with what you'd expect from expensive server/workstation HP or Dell case but way lighter due to aluminum used instead of steel. Price wise they are not as far away as some tier 1 brands tend to charge even for pretty generic cases with fancy plastic face.

[melon]

Cannot underestimate the build quality and attention to details with Lian-Li cases. Both correlate with what you'd expect from expensive server/workstation HP or Dell case but way lighter due to aluminum used instead of steel. Price wise they are not as far away as some tier 1 brands tend to charge even for pretty generic cases with fancy plastic face.

Not underestimating the build , but for a build with no style or appeal ( unlike other brands like HP ) they have no right charging what they do IMO, then again I suppose they have to knowing only enthusiasts are the ones thats buying.

M

[CooperXS]

Well the looks are always very subjective. But they do offer clean office/lounge friendly design never the less. Personally I don't really care how the PC looks like as I like to hide it somewhere under the desk. Noise and cooling are my priorities when selecting one.

[melon]

Well the looks are always very subjective. But they do offer clean office/lounge friendly design never the less. Personally I don't really care how the PC looks like as I like to hide it somewhere under the desk. Noise and cooling are my priorities when selecting one.

Im not asking for the ritz just something that doesnt sit there pissing me off and making me wonder why I spent 60 or whatever pounds on it .

Id actually they rather did it in wood because then it would be at least interesting but as i have no room to hide it i need something i can live with, as I am at my pc a lot.

m

[Pob255]

The problem with 0.5-0.6 steel is that it's rather flexable, most cases that use it us a alot of rather cleaver folding and pressed out shapes to add back rigidity.

It's not really that big an issue truth be told esp in mid tower cases.

as to aluminium being rust proof, your missing the point, anodised aluminium has a very different look and feel to it, photo's don't show it up that well and it's very much a "gut feeling" and anodising is generally far more durable than powder coat or paint (again depends on the quality of the processes used, a thin lower quality anodise will not compare to a high quality powder coat but will actually be cheaper)
The down sides to aluminium is generally the cost,it's more expensive than steel and as a softer metal it's thickness has to be greater to maintain the rigidity and strength which again adds to the cost.
Also why thinner steel is used in cheaper cases, lower costs.

The one time case material will really show itself is when you mod, thin steel cases quickly lose rigidity as you start cutting them up and taking them apart.
thin steel can start getting bent out of shape from the action of cutting it (using a jigsaw to cut out a window from a very thin steel side panel can often leave you with bent edges.)
Aluminium being a softer metal is much easier to work.

Another factor in steel cases is plastic, yes that sounds odd however most of the expensive aluminium cases are all aluminium, no plastic is used in the main construction.
Almost all steel cases use plastic esp for the bezels and not all plastics are the same.
now cheap thin polystyrene or polyethylene will "look" no different from Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) but when you start to handle or work it the difference will again show up.

Quality is very much about the underlying construction and materials, not the outer look of a case.

[Pob255]

PS I don't know where or if you can get it in the uk but http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-039-_-Product

and has been said more than once in this thread "looks" are subjective, personally I think the Galaxy3 is very ugly, I prefer the Corsair Graphite over the obsidian series (which I really don't like)


I don't like the tt Armor series that much, what I like about them is they are different.
Same thing for the Antec lanboy air, I still sort of like the look of it and the concept behind it, I'd never get one because Antec did such a bad job of actually implementing the concept and making a usable case.

EDIT: similar goes for the Antec darkfleet cases, they took the old gamer cases, removed the nice bigboy fan and the bezel from the top and stuck a new bezel on the front which is now at total odds to the reat of the case.
At least both TT Armor and cooler master HAF carry the design over the hole case, not just slap a new bezel on it. (one thing I don't like about the HAF 912 is that the left side panel is just flat.)
This is also one reason I don't like a lot of cheap gaming cases, they take an existing chassis and stick a gaudy plastic bezel on the front.

EDIT2: Interestingly the galaxy 2 is made by the same OEM as the alienware ripoff case I used for project spork, the chassis is the same, just with added plastic trim

[melon]

PS I don't know where or if you can get it in the uk but http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-039-_-Product

and has been said more than once in this thread "looks" are subjective, personally I think the Galaxy3 is very ugly, I prefer the Corsair Graphite over the obsidian series (which I really don't like)

I agree the galaxy3 isnt my taste TBH either but i think the potential in it , is what I found refreshing i.e. it reminded me of an old jukebox a bit or something like that .

Im not HOH over it thats for sure.

I don't like the tt Armor series that much, what I like about them is they are different.
Same thing for the Antec lanboy air, I still sort of like the look of it and the concept behind it, I'd never get one because Antec did such a bad job of actually implementing the concept and making a usable case.

EDIT: similar goes for the Antec darkfleet cases, they took the old gamer cases, removed the nice bigboy fan and the bezel from the top and stuck a new bezel on the front which is now at total odds to the reat of the case.
At least both TT Armor and cooler master HAF carry the design over the hole case, not just slap a new bezel on it. (one thing I don't like about the HAF 912 is that the left side panel is just flat.)
This is also one reason I don't like a lot of cheap gaming cases, they take an existing chassis and stick a gaudy plastic bezel on the front.

EDIT2: Interestingly the galaxy 2 is made by the same OEM as the alienware ripoff case I used for project spork, the chassis is the same, just with added plastic trim

Who are OEM ?

That wood case is pretty nice BTW I certianly like it , and it is different , but Id be bit worried about things like airflow , there is no place to mount a rear fan or one ontop so how would Cooling work ??

" It also features one 140mm case fan to make your build a completely silent system. Direct air flow from front to back design improves the heat performance significantly. Not enough? Feel free to add two 92mm fans in the front, behind the panel. "

Pity they didnt have something in tower too, i do like towers for pcs more than box shapes but it is very nice , eps for something like cyberpunk mod- thanks for the link

m

[melon]

whoops

[melon]

~I like the look of this, its got good balance.. but the build sounds iffy


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811146041


Same with this one ,although its build sounds overall better imo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811144042

this one looks more like a hoover

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811103033

another cube for cat


NOW for something a little funky....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811164081


another box I dont mind

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133187


its a giant whistle !!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112325

Victoras secret of the pack

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811517015

Naked

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811148001

forgot what this one is

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811166042

Heres something else different ..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811103019

maybe as close to what im looking for as I'll find in overall quality of build

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119077

kinda armour sorta

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811148056