Frame style cases?

TobyH · 31 Aug 2011 at 13:28

I really like the idea of getting a 'case' that is basically a frame without the side panels. Easy access and open to the atmosphere. I've seen them before but can't remember where.

Can anyone give me a clue where to find them? Are there any downsides (apart from dust!)?

something like this, but a bit more simple:http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-189-LL&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=

Zefan · 31 Aug 2011 at 13:32

The Lanboy Air is a bit like this I think.

Horrible things! Airflow will be quite a bit worse than an enclosed case due to the fact that it's not sealed, so the only air movement will be that which is directly by a fan. If you imagine a tunnel having air forced down it by a fan, even right at the end of the long tunnel air will be moving as it has to go somewhere. A fan in the middle of a field moves air only in front of it, because it's not channeled.

Noise is also a big issue. Lots of modern cases go out of their way to ensure fans aren't exposed directly to the outside of the case, which makes them much much quieter.

I'd never own one

setter · 31 Aug 2011 at 13:33

Seems like your after a bench table, DimasTech produce theese type of setups.

TobyH · 31 Aug 2011 at 14:11

If you imagine a tunnel having air forced down it by a fan, even right at the end of the long tunnel air will be moving as it has to go somewhere. A fan in the middle of a field moves air only in front of it, because it's not channeled.

I agree in principle, but without any panels around it there is no restriction in air movement at all and therefore as heat is created on the mobo it immediately rises and is not boxed in. But I suspect cooling efficiency may not be as high.

The Antec case looks a very good compromise.

Needs some more research...

oO Stevie Oo · 31 Aug 2011 at 16:19

Zefan said:
The Lanboy Air is a bit like this I think.

Horrible things! Airflow will be quite a bit worse than an enclosed case due to the fact that it's not sealed, so the only air movement will be that which is directly by a fan. If you imagine a tunnel having air forced down it by a fan, even right at the end of the long tunnel air will be moving as it has to go somewhere. A fan in the middle of a field moves air only in front of it, because it's not channeled.

Noise is also a big issue. Lots of modern cases go out of their way to ensure fans aren't exposed directly to the outside of the case, which makes them much much quieter.

I'd never own one

I have to agree with this, the components such as the capacitors will have still air on them, which means they will heat up, the faster air moves against a static object, the cooler it gets, just like the harder you blow on your skin, the colder your skin gets.
air forced though a enclosed case would be better, the only advantage I could think of with a benchmark frame would be quick change of components if your testing a few rigs at a time, quicker to change motherboards and cards etc without having to pull the psu & HDD etc...

KiiYzOo · 31 Aug 2011 at 16:21

antec skeleton all the way!!

check my build log (in sig)

Marvin · 1 Sep 2011 at 01:50

I've run my PC without a case before (while between cases) and contrary to popular belief, without plenty of fans, the cooling is actually worse than when in a case with decent cooling - like the FT02/RV02. Some components (PSU) run cooler, and others are fairly indifferent (CPU if it has a decent cooler), but the majority run hotter in the open with no fans when compared to a case with decent airflow. Even with plenty of fans aimed at various parts, it's never cooler than with a good case. (I had to aim a Sharkoon fan at my GPUs when out of the case as they'd get ridiculously hot).