Modern computer cases are going to hell

storm-chaser · 7 Dec 2022 at 00:09

I knew it was bad when RGB hit the market. then the 50lb glass paneling showed up. THEN andre the giant cases started appearing... ones that you need a forklift to move for you... But when they start resembling a rug doctor that's been decked out by what appears to be a 4 year old you have to wonder... have modern computer cases finally damned themselves to computer hell with absolutely no chance for redemption?

https://forums.extremehw.net/uploads/monthly_2022_12/image.thumb.png.0ba6c8a5f85c3d422b73af6079807f2f.png

BeeP · 7 Dec 2022 at 12:46

Made me chuckle, nice one.

I wouldn't say all cases but there are quite a lot of mingers out there.

Glanza · 7 Dec 2022 at 13:38

Those cases have been on the market since Antec brought the Torque out back around 2015.

ttaskmaster · 8 Dec 2022 at 12:01

Case lighting has been around since at least 2010 and likely earlier.
Massive cases have been around since watercooling first became viable, even if it was just DIY stuff using car parts.
I'm not a fan of glass, so didn't really care when it began.
But all these, along with the various different stylings, have been around for ages.

The cheap stuff looks designed for a child, because it likely is. The expensive ones that have good taste and good styling are designed for adult salaries. This is the way it's always been.

I like the option of RGB, although I generally install my own rather than looking for one that comes with it, and I can always redo it or just turn it off.
Large cases are great, as I can actually get my hand in and do stuff. It also gives me more options for customisation. Small cases are just micro-packages of problems and restrictions.

But you know what the best part is?
If you don't like something, you don't have to buy it!!

Jay85 · 8 Dec 2022 at 12:43

All started back in the day with Cathode tube lighting lol! Installing some UV ones to illuminate fan blades or coolant in a custom loop was cool. RGB now can look so tacky if you do it wrong, i hate it when someone just leaves it on rainbow puke mode. Destroys any class the build had/has.

arknor · 8 Dec 2022 at 12:52

They remind me of "gaming chairs" in my day we used a dining chair or plastic patio chair, maybe even just sat on the edge of the bed.

people of today have this lazy posture about them

Zeebedy · 8 Dec 2022 at 13:10

Jay85 said:
All started back in the day with Cathode tube lighting lol! Installing some UV ones to illuminate fan blades or coolant in a custom loop was cool. RGB now can look so tacky if you do it wrong, i hate it when someone just leaves it on rainbow puke mode. Destroys any class the build had/has.

haha, i remember those days with UV and Cathodes, good times.

Jay85 · 8 Dec 2022 at 13:12

arknor said:
They remind me of "gaming chairs" in my day we used a dining chair or plastic patio chair, maybe even just sat on the edge of the bed.

people of today have this lazy posture about them

Dining chair was my main back in the day, surprisingly comfy as it was well cushioned but adding pillow helped a lot too haha! Then a cardboard box as a foot rest.

Zeebedy said:
haha, i remember those days with UV and Cathodes, good times.

God we're showing our age lol!

Kurgen · 8 Dec 2022 at 13:33

Cases have gone a bit stagnant now like mobile phones ... they are now just a rectangle with glass front (aside from flip phones) and cases are just a box with glass side.

.. saying that woodgrain might be making a come back

$www.fractal-design.com$

North

North reimagines the gaming PC, introducing natural materials and bespoke details to make gaming a stylish addition to the living space. Fusing design and airflow engineering, the case features fine-patterned mesh ventilation and an open front with real walnut or oak panels. The design is...

$www.fractal-design.com$ www.fractal-design.com

ttaskmaster · 8 Dec 2022 at 13:39

arknor said:
They remind me of "gaming chairs" in my day we used a dining chair or plastic patio chair, maybe even just sat on the edge of the bed.

I did all that... and I have the knackered spine to prove it.
Nowadays I use a properly supportive office type chair, partly because it's FAR more comfortable, and partly because the dining chair abuse now means I have no other choice.
'Gaming' chairs aren't especially good, but they're a darn sight better than what we used to do.

Kurgen · 8 Dec 2022 at 13:46

ttaskmaster said:
I did all that... and I have the knackered spine to prove it.
Nowadays I use a properly supportive office type chair, partly because it's FAR more comfortable, and partly because the dining chair abuse now means I have no other choice.
'Gaming' chairs aren't especially good, but they're a darn sight better than what we used to do.

I use a Herman Miller Aeron and Mirra. one for work one for gaming..

ttaskmaster · 8 Dec 2022 at 13:51

Kurgen said:
I use a Herman Miller Aeron and Mirra. one for work one for gaming..

Those ******* cost more than my car!!
I can't quite stretch to that, but I do have one that is designed for sitting in over many long hours, at least.

Kurgen · 8 Dec 2022 at 18:13

ttaskmaster said:
Those ******* cost more than my car!!
I can't quite stretch to that, but I do have one that is designed for sitting in over many long hours, at least.

I got them free from work

.

storm-chaser · 8 Dec 2022 at 22:37

Glanza said:
Those cases have been on the market since Antec brought the Torque out back around 2015.

I still conis

ttaskmaster said:
Case lighting has been around since at least 2010 and likely earlier.
Massive cases have been around since watercooling first became viable, even if it was just DIY stuff using car parts.
I'm not a fan of glass, so didn't really care when it began.
But all these, along with the various different stylings, have been around for ages.

The cheap stuff looks designed for a child, because it likely is. The expensive ones that have good taste and good styling are designed for adult salaries. This is the way it's always been.

I like the option of RGB, although I generally install my own rather than looking for one that comes with it, and I can always redo it or just turn it off.
Large cases are great, as I can actually get my hand in and do stuff. It also gives me more options for customisation. Small cases are just micro-packages of problems and restrictions.

But you know what the best part is?
If you don't like something, you don't have to buy it!!

The only problem with this post
a) The pre-requisites for a "classical" case is 5.25" drive bays and no RGB.

The computers I posted above lack 5.25" drive bays and have RBG lighting.

ttaskmaster · 9 Dec 2022 at 12:48

storm-chaser said:
The only problem with this post
a) The pre-requisites for a "classical" case is 5.25" drive bays and no RGB.

The computers I posted above lack 5.25" drive bays and have RBG lighting.

You can still get cases with 5.25 bays. My own Phanteks Luxe has three of 'em... and you can forever turn OFF the RGB with one simple button press, or even just disconnect the power cable.

Semple · 9 Dec 2022 at 13:04

The problem with cases like those is the amount of footprint they take. Most normal sized cases can just about fit under the typical sized desk. These would end up sticking out a foot.

Kurgen · 11 Dec 2022 at 21:05

storm-chaser said:
I still conis

The only problem with this post
a) The pre-requisites for a "classical" case is 5.25" drive bays and no RGB.

The computers I posted above lack 5.25" drive bays and have RBG lighting.

this has no RGB and 2x 5.25" bays

My basket at OcUK:

1 x Fractal Design Pop Silent Black Solid Mid Tower Case - Black (SKU: CA-0A9-FD) = £104.99

Total: £116.09 (includes delivery: £11.10)

Drumroll · 12 Dec 2022 at 22:25

There's the Fractal Torrent, no TG and no RGB, top performance.
Some cases the left and right panel are identical. If the manufacturer sells the solid panels, sorted.
Personally I don't mind RGB, as my case is at the left of my desk, on the floor. Is the O11 Evo and I didn't like it inverted. Also, using the front mesh panel. Pretty much a bigger O11 Air Mini.

Cold cathode, good old times. Remember the Corsair AF and SP and the coloured rings, the fans with static LED colour, etc.
But don't forget the tacky Thermaltake cases (massive useless fan and brittle plastic), the DFI Lanparty motherboards.
At least now you can build something expensive that looks expensive and no bling. Just don't use RGB and you'll be fine, but don't forget to avoid the motherboards that have the word game/gamer printed all over.

j4ska · 13 Dec 2022 at 11:36

storm-chaser said:
I knew it was bad when RGB hit the market. then the 50lb glass paneling showed up. THEN andre the giant cases started appearing... ones that you need a forklift to move for you... But when they start resembling a rug doctor that's been decked out by what appears to be a 4 year old you have to wonder... have modern computer cases finally damned themselves to computer hell with absolutely no chance for redemption?

https://forums.extremehw.net/uploads/monthly_2022_12/image.thumb.png.0ba6c8a5f85c3d422b73af6079807f2f.png

That is really ugly case <vomit> Who the heck buys this crap? I throw it away if my kid would show up with one of these

DampDog · 13 Dec 2022 at 12:06

LOL. Made me laugh. I'm "Mr. Indecisive" and have been faffing over case choice for a build for 3 weeks or more. I fancied something on the smaller side but they all appear to be bigger than they need to be. I guess they're knackered by the ever increasing requirement for more cooling/rads as processors have become more power hungry. Plus top end GPU's being the size of a breeze block. Not forgetting the trend to light them up like Blackpool tower on winters night.

After much dithering I'm about to dive in for FD Meshify 2 Compact. Not blown away by the aesthetics. However reviews are solid and without going mAtx it's about as small as I can find. Might even go mad and get a grey one.