Old cases... reusable?

Aleksandrs

Aleksandrs

Aleksandrs

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Another case has become available in the house, and comes in the form of a quite large 15 year old case. (Pics coming up soon)

I had an idea of taking my time and respraying it and gradually fitting watercooling gear into it etc, but really I was wondering if all these expensive cases that claim 'super cool designs' really are worth me forking out the extra? Could I not just stick a load of fans in this old case and watercool the hardware and get just as effective cooling?

May be a silly no brainer question and I'm just talking a load of old hot air, but I guess if any old case could be made into a new efficient powerhouse than I could save money on my next build with the case I already have.

Thanks
 
Well, there are a lot of benefits to buying a decent case, not just airflow.

However, if you were willing to mod an old case, I don't see why you can't achieve something similar. The older cases though, sometimes are more or less completely sealed. Such as the fronts are made solid rather than having a sort of mesh to allow air to be taken in.

Also, if you are modding, of course you'd probably need to cut out places for extra intakes and outakes.

Personally, I'd rather buy a case for £80 that's going to last me years. Within this Im getting a lot more functionality, looks and quality. Oh, and cable managment, which of course is going to aid Airflow in itself, something you don't get in a cheap/old case as there's usually no space behind the mobo to route your cables.

Got any pics of the case? :)
 
Ah this is all true! It's a pretty sealed unit.

Can't really get any picture right now (Without disturbing the asleep) so will put some up tomorrow.

It's not really a looker either, but hopefully a lick of paint would change that

As for getting an 80 quid case. They all seem pretty small? Unless I am totally looking in the wrong places. My current case is kinda cramped and I want room for watercooling + plenty of HDDs.
 
A good case does tend to last a long time, i started with a thermaltake tsunami (ok at first) as i proceeded to upgrade it became a limiting factor, poor cooling/airflow. Changed to an akasa eclipse, amazing amount of space, great cooling. Then today i took delivery of a lian l full tower a70fb, beautiful build quality, loads of space when i go to watercooling. Sadly i cant transfer my components into it as im waiting on an 8 pin cpu power cable extension being delivered.
 
Then today i took delivery of a lian l full tower a70fb, beautiful build quality, loads of space when i go to watercooling.
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indeed i have the earlier version the A71a , i bought it almost 2 years ago for 140quid on ocuk and it should easily last me another few years.
 
arknor said:
indeed i have the earlier version the A71a , i bought it almost 2 years ago for 140quid on ocuk and it should easily last me another few years.
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Seen the A71A on various reviews and forums, lovely looking case as well, the build quality is superb, id always heard about lian li's build quality, can confirm how good it is. Though ill definitely be changing the 2 front 140mm led fans to something more subtle. Also if they would do the internals in black, it would be better again.
 
Depends on design and/or how much time and efforts you're willing to put into modding.
With enough work most shortcomings (except possible small size) could be corrected.
 
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Heh. I had one of those old full towers years ago. (Mine didnt have the door). Filled it with CD/DVD drives (As was my wont).
I recently had one to house my WHS system. Sprayed it black. Worked well. Until airflow, and future expansion basically rendered it useless.
 
PhillyDee said:
Heh. I had one of those old full towers years ago. (Mine didnt have the door). Filled it with CD/DVD drives (As was my wont).
I recently had one to house my WHS system. Sprayed it black. Worked well. Until airflow, and future expansion basically rendered it useless.
Click to expand...

Airflow was the biggest worry. Seems like it needs a lot of stuff cut out and things like this, which makes it not really worth it.
 
i think you could have a very unique case if you put the time in and very little money,
maybe for the front cut a 240 hole in it and two fans + grills on the front maybe 120 at the back, a few on the sides and you could drill it all out and spray the hole thing,
would be amazing when finished! :D
 
James Manns said:
i think you could have a very unique case if you put the time in and very little money,
maybe for the front cut a 240 hole in it and two fans + grills on the front maybe 120 at the back, a few on the sides and you could drill it all out and spray the hole thing,
would be amazing when finished! :D
Click to expand...

One man's scrap... anothers treasure!!!

Sell it to this guy!!!! He already has designs going around in his head.
 
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