Looking for an "industrial" and functional case

Z

ZeHa

New Member
Hello,

I'm looking for a new computer case, but so far my search hasn't been too successful.

It will be just used at home, but I'd like to have something pretty "industrial". For practical reasons as well as for optical reasons. It should be an ordinary tower (no rackmount stuff), but completely made of metal, solid, sturdy, and functional.
In a perfect world, my PC case would have handles at every possible location (of course only as far as it makes sense), so that it's a pleasure to open it up and put new stuff inside. Also, I'd like it to have many connectors (USB etc) on the front side (which also implies that I dislike the idea of having some kind of "front door" on it). And every screw hole, every HDD slot, etc, should be perfectly placed, so that there are no annoyances when building the computer.

Well, so far I only found this case:
http://benchmarkreviews.com/images/reviews/cases/Lian-Li_PC-A09B/pc-a09b_front_corner.jpg

What I like about it:
- it seems to be very solid and it's all metal
- it looks great, without any silly useless stuff
- the price is good (100 EUR)
- as far as reviews go, it's excellently built

What I don't like:
- it has got no handles to open the side panels
- it hasn't got all too many connectors

I couldn't find anything better so far, so I think I'm maybe going to buy it. The thing about the handles is not all too bad, yet it would be a nice-to-have. And if I need more connectors, I could look for some 5,25" front panel or something.

But maybe someone here has got another recommendation, so please tell me if you know of any "industrial", no-frills, edgy, sturdy case :) I love industrial, edgy looking stuff, I love having something accessible, I love metal and I hate cheap plastic.

For another example, I like the Lenovo Thinkstation cases (http://www.trustedreviews.com/images/article/inline/5940-thinkstation.jpg). As you can see, they've got a very cool handle on top. Yes, to be honest, I won't need it all too often, but I just like that kind of stuff :) and for thoe moments where you really have to carry it around, you totally appreciate its usefulness.



And finally an example of what I absolutely dislike, just to make sure there are no misconceptions :)
http://www.art-electronic.de/onlineshop-neu/images/medium/tqxj29.gif
 
I love metal and I hate cheap plastic.
Click to expand...

Heh - just realized that was in there. The front panel of the one I listed is plastic. It looks like a dull metal though with the finish. Not sure if that's a deal-breaker or not.
 
Hmm, take a look at Lian Li cases. They're simple, beautiful and almost always completely constructed of aluminum.
 
It's easy enough to install handles wherever you want. FrozenCPU carries two sizes. But you probably don't want any lifting handles on the sides, as excessive force might damage the rails the doors are mounted on.

For a small fee, FrozenCPU will install handles on the top of the cases they sell. Really, the top is the only place they can be mounted that's of any real use. Although, as I said, you can do this just as easily if you have a drill and can make or follow a drilling template.

Honestly, though, I've had Lian-Li's, Antecs, and have used CoolerMaster et. al. cases, and nothing is ever perfect. This is why most of us here mod. Want more USB/Firewire ports on the front? Scavenge some PCI expansion port ones that came with your motherboard and mobo's of Christmas past, remove the plug-ins, and cut a 5" drive bay cover to hold them. Need something to grab on the side panel as you're removing it? Go down to Home Depot/Lowe's, pick out a piece of cabinet handle hardware you like, and drill a hole on the door for it. That's how you get a case with the kinds of things you like: a Nibbler and a power drill. And if you've never cut or drilled metal before, just install your rig in your new case, and practice on your old one. Either that, or go buy an el cheapo to sacrifice on the alter of DIY. I've got an old NZXT Apollo hacked, hammered, and cut to ribbons in my basement.
 
Well yes, seems like there's no perfect case. The one that imsati suggested looks really cool from the inside (i.e. it seems like it's very convenient to build your PC with it), but I don't like the outside look. A combination of those inside stuff and the Lian Li's outside would probably be the best case for me :)

I think I'll really stick to that Lian Li case that I already found, it seems to be very solid and it's also beautiful, and yes, maybe I'll install a handle by myself ;) never modded so far, but maybe it's fun to do so. I like the idea of customizing it so far that it really serves my needs :)
 
ZeHa said:
Well yes, seems like there's no perfect case. The one that imsati suggested looks really cool from the inside (i.e. it seems like it's very convenient to build your PC with it), but I don't like the outside look. A combination of those inside stuff and the Lian Li's outside would probably be the best case for me :)

I think I'll really stick to that Lian Li case that I already found, it seems to be very solid and it's also beautiful, and yes, maybe I'll install a handle by myself ;) never modded so far, but maybe it's fun to do so. I like the idea of customizing it so far that it really serves my needs :)
Click to expand...

Modding is fun, just make sure you mod first then install the components. You don't want to get aluminum shaving all over your motherboard :eek:.
 
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