Caselabs - Worth the cost?

[HoneyBadger]

Well I've ordered an S3 in gun metal grey!

Ordinarily I wouldn't have but I've done quite well with PPI claims so decided to pull the trigger on one!

 

[HoneyBadger]

Well the S3 arrived and I've had some component issues so not used it in anger.

Initial thoughts:
Big! (For an ITX)
Well built, although paint scratches easily.
No dust filters, for a case this expensive, it should really come with them. I ordered a set of demciflex filters specifically for the case, however on arrival I've been given the wrong colour, I decided to use them anyway. What I didn't immediately realise was the case is made of aluminium and as such, the filters won't stick on with the magnetic frame. You have to stick them on using the stick on border and it looks absolutely shate.
I used the European distribution shop and whilst all ok, they've given me the more expensive vented+windowed side doors, I didn't actually want these, I wanted solid+windowed so I emailed them and never received a reply.

Cable management isn't great on it, well I don't think so and overall, I can't say it's worth the price I paid. (£530 in VAT and deliver) + £50 for the filters.

Still, I've experienced it, don't get me wrong, it's a very nice case, but as others have mentioned, not worth the price.

There's other niggles, but suffice to say I will keep the case forever, and will one day re-visit it, but I've decided to go back to ATX and a new Phanteks Evolv in black.

 

[romeooscarbravo]

I second the cable management problem, although i have a bigger case on the hidden side and the lower chamber its littered with those black plastic things that cables ties attach to stuck on all manner of places to keep it neat.
i have heard that people have had issues with the european distributor, might be worth giving caselabs direct a email as I believe they are always wanting to hear about their distributors.

 

[deFiniLoGy]

Snip

It's pretty well known that Caselabs cases are made of aluminium and by first principle it means they're non-magnetic and you need to order non-ferrous version of the Demcifilter which comes with self-adhesive base for you to apply it onto the case. However that said, if you ordered directly with Demcifilter for the set specific for the S3, the filters should be defaulted to non-ferrous, you might want to email Demcifilter directly if you can find the self-adhesive base.

snip

You can actually use the holes on the side to use as cable tie anchors and other adhesive anchors can be purchased pretty cheaply and I would argue that you can actually work on determining the cable route yourself instead of just repeating the most common cable management route that everybody use because it's what the case designed for you.

 

[HoneyBadger]

You can actually use the holes on the side to use as cable tie anchors and other adhesive anchors can be purchased pretty cheaply and I would argue that you can actually work on determining the cable route yourself instead of just repeating the most common cable management route that everybody use because it's what the case designed for you.

If you read my post, I mentioned they have got stick pads as well, my point was that I missed the fact that the case isn't magnetic.

Whilst I realise, and for the most part did use the holes built into the side, doing so means you have to buy many cable extensions to get it to reach.

 

[Doug2507]

Got a TH10A from them earlier this year. I'm quite impressed with the build quality, not had any issues. I've modded it for fill ports/drain ports/filters/mounting points etc but that's no different from any other case I've had.

Most of the case is modular so easy to change drive bay set up etc if needed, can even change from a righty to a lefty is desired later.

Price is a hard one to swallow but I bought this one with the intention of not needing another again. Pretty sure it'll manage to accommodate anything till I hit the grave.