Case suggestions please

[bitsNbobs]

Looking for a new ATX tower desktop case without top vents. No front mesh either. The room it will sit in gets very dusty and cases like that just are not viable and i do not particularly like them.

Design wise im looking for something like...
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-107-CA&groupid=2362&catid=2277
or
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-048-NX&groupid=2362&catid=2277
or
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-162-BX

Only with NO TOP vents and NO front mesh

I also want something plain looking, nothing that has weird sculpted angle fronts, looks like a rocket ship or kids toy, no bright colours either just black.

Budget is around £60 and that would be top end.

Internally tool-less would be nice, removable drive bays if possible for budget, though may be asking a lot for £60. It must also take atleast 4 HDDs

Anything out there folks

 

[bitsNbobs]

Fractal Design S?

It has a plain front, plain looking square shape and has a mod'u'vent system on top to hide the top mesh.

It hides all the drives at the rear behind the motherboard tray but I'm not sure how many 3.5" drives it can take, so maybe google that.

Which exact Model are you refering to?

I have a fractal R4 with silverstone 140mm magnetic filters on the top I am very happy with it.

No good that has top vents, opposite to what im looking for. Current case has a couple of Demciflex filters on it and while that stops a lot of dust it still gets in eventually (have to clean it and fans inside every3-6 months or so which is bearable) and that case only has side vents, no mesh at all either. Top vents would be useless for me id be cleaning it out too often. Front mesh would probably be just as bad especially with a front fan to hoover it all inward.

PS Does nobody else have this issue with top vents/Mesh cases? I can not believe the internals stay clean even in a relatively speaking clean dust free location.

 

[bitsNbobs]

Which exact Model are you refering to?

There's only like two, with and without a window.

Opps yeah sorry missed the "S". Unfortunately only holds 3x 3.5" drives not possible to fit optical drive (i could live without it but compromise only so far).... Front is far too vented and the dust filter mesh like many manufacturers in the front is far too corse (my demciflex filters probably do a far superior job), top idea or the mod'u'vent system you mentioned looking at youtube reviews seems a good idea not sure how effective it would be though. Shame nice looking case but not quite what i want too many compromises at the top end of my budget.

Clean your room!

While i see the winking smiley, before anyone says that seriously. The problem is due (or at least in part) to the room being very small with a large window. IE the room ends up like a green house when the sun shines in. heat rises and with it so does dust. Ahh science eh!

Its a spare room smaller than some bathrooms, even tried removing dust magnets called carpet and curtains from the room, nothing else is in it except this one server. Room is hoovered daily. It is just a naturally dusty room, much like a small cupboard or garage. I (or rather the mrs) can hoover it and fully dust it top to bottom one day and come late afternoon the following day once the sun has done its thing you can walk back in there and even see dust beginning to form on the lamp shade in the room. Nothing can be done about it.

Ive actually considered moving the system but that would require more internal network cabling and the relocation of 2 switches. Even then i still would not want a case with top vents and front mesh.......

Sorry im old and prefer function over latest trend or something the kids just thinks looks cool. If it was not for my current case having suffered a knock and a dent to the bottom (IE it no longer stands without a wobble) during a rebuild i would not even be looking for a new case, frankly a lot on the market just seem to be rubbish now. Hence this thread for suggestions.

 

[bitsNbobs]

No matter what you do you will get dust inside a pc case.

I agree, its how much and how often that matters though.

How you get around controlling how much is the important thing. Positive air pressure and good filters make more difference than a lack of mesh grill.

I can not agree on that, another system i have is in a Coolermaster elite 334 case (was a prebuild) that is ok in a non-dusty room it sits, placing it in the same dusty room as the server system though is an utter disaster.

Dust gets hoovered in through the mesh at the front and the fans fins at the front of the case get caked in dust. Internally its not too bad with that case due to a rear fan but its not an option to have to every few days remove case fans to clean them.

As examples, I too have a lot of dust here, family home with housing development going on in the area.
But my Silverstone TJ08B and Phanteks Mini XL cases have less dust ingress than a Gigabyte with no mesh.

Im glad it works for you but unless i were to cover the front mesh i know from experience a case like the Silverstone with mesh and big sucking fan at front will not work for me.

I do have to clean dust filters often though.

That is ok and mine are cleaned every other day, the ones i have are a thin nylon mesh and a quick easy rinse under a tap has them clan again in seconds. The same can not be said for having to remove front panels and fans

Remember the less airflow the less cooling, the smaller the ventilation area the more fans have to work which in turn pulls in more dust more focused dust ingress gets.

You are right but cooling is not an issue, which is surprising.

The system concerned is an old intel socket 775, Q8300 with a max consumption of 95 watts, it averages a temp of around 45 degrees (max safe is something like 70 so well within limits) and the CPU fan only has to spin at a max typically of around 1200RPM (could probably even lower than in the bios). It does not have a single case fan, has never needed it. Plus theres only room for 1 80mm case fan anyway which i doubt would give much if any further benefit.

There is no graphics card as its just a server role. Based on that it does not need additional cooling, in fact modern systems should need even less as they consume even less power and can run even cooler, which makes the current trend off cases with holes everywhere a bit more puzzling, only time i can understand the point is if you are running some monster graphics card which im not.

Hopefully someone has been in a similar boat and can recommend just a plain basic case without silly mesh and top vent gimmicks.

 

[bitsNbobs]

Well I thought I was explaining similar scenarios.

I thought i explained what works for you will not for me.
BIG SNIP

Regarding yor experience of meshed front panel cases, what cases have you been using and what are you replacing? How are you utilising your magnetic flappy mesh?

The current case which will be replaced has no mesh, again as explained. Another system i have with mesh panels AGAIN as explained which is in a Coolermaster elite 334 case suffers from dust issues the moment it is placed in the dusty room.
I can only conclude what your experience and what your opinions contradict what occurs for myself. There is no right and wrong, just your experience does not match mine. Its not short and snappy response its my experience, im glad what works for you does but what you are suggesting will not work fine for me... That simple, im sorry if that is considered blunt, short, snappy or any other such response.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Silverstone SST-MM01B Mammoth Full Tower Chassis - Black (SST-MM01B) £259.99
1 x Silverstone Raven 3 Full Tower Windowed Case - Black/Gold (SST-RV03B-W USB 3.0) £91.99
1 x Fractal Design Define R5 Midi Tower Case - Black Pearl £84.95
1 x Corsair Carbide 330R Ultra Silent Midi Tower Case - Blackout Edition (CC-9011076-WW) £79.99
1 x Fractal Design Define R4 Midi Tower Case - Black £72.95
1 x Cooler Master Silencio 452 - USB 3.0 ATX Case - SD Card Reader £64.99
1 x Antec P100 Mid Tower Silenced Computing Case £62.95
Total : £717.82 (includes shipping : Ex.VAT).

The first is way out of my budget of £60 (as i explained)

The second external looks are not plain and simple looking and has weird sculpted front (AGAIN as explained in very first post not what i want) also again over budget

The third is not what i require either the filter for that is far too corse, all thats gonna stop is corse dust not fine horrid to remove stuff

The forth has what looks like a decent fine mesh front filter but none for the top

The fifth is basically just a minor difference in layout to the third (i dont want a fractal design case that i have decided on)

The sixth again has a far too corse filter in the front. Its basically no better than just a front mesh panel.

The seventh decent front filter poor top filter design.

In short none of them are what i am looking for, i simply want a case without mesh or top vents i do not see why that is a difficult thing to answer or why you wish to persist in changing my mind. I know what i want i just do not know of any products which is what the thread was for i can see now its gone off the rails immediately and thus is a waste of time.

 

[bitsNbobs]

My fractal r4 has very fine mesh on the filters, i didnt notice any change from reviews of the r5.

It is not very fine looking at the images on overclockers....
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/pimg/CA-040-FD_114012_800.jpg

There is also no filter or plastic bit to block the top vents (moduvent or whatever they call it) on the R4 either.

Compared to a demciflex filter thats nothing more than wire mesh.

I really do not know of any other way to say it is not suitable.

Unless someone can understand what i require i consider the thread dead and i obviously wasted my time. Stated what i did not want and then just got recommended exactly what i said i did not require LOL, im done with it will just get the dent removed from the old case.

 

[bitsNbobs]

Somewhat contrary to common wisdom the only way I have ever managed to keep the insides of a pc case anything like dust free is sealing it up pretty airtight (not easy) with any intake filtered and "negative" pressure instead of positive - even then it builds up eventually just takes a lot longer.

Pretty much a losing battle.

Yep you are of course right, currently i have to clean the fans and give the case a blast of air every few months, without the demciflex filters on the vented side panel its a matter of weeks. I can only image how bad it would be with a front mesh panel AND top vents.

At least people are making the effort to actually give some input.

Indeed and i appreciated it right up to the point the same person keeps telling me im wrong and what i should buy even after i said no several times.

The reason you are asking for help is because you cant find something yourself. Dont be surprised that other people are struggling to find your dream case.

I already acknowledged i can not find what i am looking for.

You are quite annoyingly rude to be honest. What a stinking attitude for someone to take on people who have just spent their time giving you options. Regardless of how suitable they are to your ridiculous needs.

I never asked people to spend their time recommending stuff i specifically did not ask for. I doubt you would be polite for long if you walked into a restaurant asked the waiter for recommendations on things without beef in it and he walks back out trying to serve you a cheese burger.



PS... Thanks to another forum i have some good options now, rather than what sounded like a Fractal Design salesman. A Bitfenix Merc Beta or a Comrade look far more suitable, no silly vents on top of the case. The only downside to the Comrade is only 3x 3.5" drives but apart from that the rest of it looks far more ideal.

 

[bitsNbobs]

Tempted to try an air purifier myself (the better ones apparently filter most of the dust out the air) - having several systems running it just seems to pull dust from the rest of the house into the room and hence into the cases.

Not a bad idea Rroff, have considered an ioniser for the room but was never sure if they actually worked.

If the mesh was any finer there would be next to no airflow getting past it, my R4 definitely has screw in covers on the side and two top vents to seal them when not in use, not only do they block them but they have sound proofing on them.

Clearly you have not seen a fine filter such as demciflex item. They are medical grade nylon mesh, they make the filters (ill call them wire mesh) in most case suggestions look pointless.

You're not going to like my suggestion because it fails most of your criteria but will work wonderfully. It worked for me for over 2 years.

That suggestion is to use a Silverstone FT02 rotated case and remove the fans. Then use a passive PSU and Nofan passive CPU cooler. The gentle updraft from the CPU cooler and the PSU will prevent dust ingress, but will not be sufficient to suck dust in.

BTW with regard to the room being dusty, have you washed the room - floor, walls, and ceiling?

A nice idea but too much expense and messing around. The room is spotless, even recently freshly painted. Its sun and heat in a small environment that causes the problem nothing more. I think some people just have trouble understanding as they have never had the issue or seen it before, think of it like a car thats freshly cleaned inside and out and left in the sun, you then get in the car and you can see all the dust floating around due to the heat... Heat rises and with it so does dust, i dunno how to explain something people have not seen or understand any better

Poor quality mesh cases (which seems to be 90% of them) especially top vent cases with no mesh or filter in my room would be an utter disaster. I appreciate all suggestions, especially unique ideas like Rroff air purifer idea above. Your idea is even a good one in its own regards. People just suggesting cases with things i do not want and then not only that but arguing cases with filters are as good as super fine quality dust filters is just ridiculous. Most of the so called fan filters (I say most not all) on many of these cases are more mesh than filter material Some are just crap perforated plastic sheet. They are not dust filters no matter how many times someone says they are.

Im gonna go with the bitfenix suggested on another forum now anyway. No silly vents, no silly modding things, no so called dust filters which are actually just perforated plastic or metal over huge vent holes. My 4th 3.5" drive ill just get an external enclosure for. Not ideal but more ideal than a dust ladden computer.

 

[bitsNbobs]

These filters look pretty good, will low power noctuas draw air through them or do they need more powerful fans to overcome the fineness of the mesh.

Do not see why you would need more powerful fans, if a hole allows air to go through it air goes through it. If mesh or similar impeded air flow then they would not of started to use cheap knock off filters on cases would they. The amount air that will FLOW INTO a fan is limited by the fans power nothing more, if it can draw air into its blades it will. Exhausting air is another story if a fan is trying to push more air than there is room (or restriction) for then yes that may be an issue. Filters are for air in though and they are not air tight.

So basically you had a couple of crap cases,

Nope very happy with the current case, as explained only because its damaged is it being replaced. Thats why i wanted something similar and not what you want to try to convince me i should have.

the exact same dust problems that plague most pc users, but decide to reply with poor attitude and the inability to see what actually contributes to dust ingress.

The current case does not suffer from it as stated it can go months with no build up due to no silly mesh or top vents.

You have bought another average case actually pretty similar to what you have,

You have seen my current case, when did i invite you round to view it exactly????????

loads of gaps for dust ingress.

Just not as many as a case with holes literally drilled in the top though eh????

Will you be happy with it in the long run? I doubt that, but hats of to you and your dust.

Hats off to you for seeing my current case in a dream and being psychic about future purchases i make

Does it really have that open mesh for two 120mm fans on the side panel?

Dunno what you are on about my current case has no case fans and the system in it has run fine for 7+ years.

Thanks for your angry and repeated opinions. Im sorry you find my attitude poor, hopefully with this post ive stepped it up a notch for you. Now hopefully you will be a calm happy chap rather than an angry one because someone disagrees with your opinion.

 

[bitsNbobs]

I was guessing you bought the Bitfenix, my appologies but what else can be done but guessing when someone is as obtuse as you.

You have to laugh though, people here have 3+ 140mm fans, multiple GPU's, overclocked CPU's, large CPU coolers, in open meshed top, bottom, front cases, with windows, and they too only need to clean filters every month or few.


So what case did you have? What Demciflex filters? What case did you buy?

I would not let yourself worry about any of it any further. Theres a good lad.

 

[bitsNbobs]

I am not worried about it.

After forum members trying to be genuinely helpfull and educational, I thought you may well have had the courtesy to actually state what you have had, and what your getting. Sorry, but I felt all we got was rudeness and dismisive attitude. I thought you then got tetchy when others reply in kind.

Im sorry it is playing on your mind so much. As said do not let it worry you. any further.

Now, say someone with a similar issue to you comes along, reads the thread, they will never see your own sollution to a dust problem you thought was more excessive than others were suffering.

I pointed out what case i am purchasing.

It's a shame attitudes directed the thread in such a manner, I am sure I am not the only one who would have liked to have seen more genuine discussion on simple understated cases that perform well in dusty environments, and a happy conclusion with a chosen case stated.

Yes so would i unfortunately the same brand was repeated and the same response of NO from myself was repeated. Fortunately despite this the conclusion was me making a choice of case due to additional information from elsewhere.

We can only conclude what we deduce from your replies. And it's honestly disappointing.

I was disappointed with the suggestions also, so the thread as a whole met the criteria of disappointing start to end.

You should be leaving this thread in better spirits, whether we all agree or not.

I am very happy, the suggestion i received elsewhere matched my guidelines in 99% of regards and i have no doubt will suit me fine.

I do hope your new case is satisfactory, and wish you all the best in future endevours. My appologies for any untoward attutude and rudeness you felt expressed within this forum thread.

I have no such feelings. or opinions on any individual that participated, my only opinion is the suggestions unfortunately were not what i required.

PS, I am 44 yrs old with three kids, hardly a lad

All the best!

Congratulations

 

[bitsNbobs]

Im glad im not alone. Wish i could say that was my post also, alas no. Fractal Design cases as its clear throughout this thread are not for me... vents or no vents.

Got my Bitfenix Comrade Yesterday, not bad for a budget case, though like all modern stuff flimsy compared to what it (no idea of the brand) replaces and is circa 15 years old.

If you wanted to ask where the suggestion came from and where else i had posted you only had to ask... Toms Hardware.

Quite worrying in a psychotic but harmless manner why you would spend time trying to track that down though.