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Cases to use for computer sales!

xtrx

n00b
Joined
Apr 26, 2006
Messages
14
[I hope this is the right category]

I'm going to start selling computers, however I have been stumped on which cases to offer for the computers. I'm looking at targeting the gamers so the cool-looking factor is a huge plus. Cases without PSUs are even better, I can't even begin to state headaches over generic PSUs.

I only want to offer around 7 cases covering all builds so I can effectively create proper packaging for each system.

Around 5: I'm looking for cost efficient, light, cool looking, and decent quality (not superb, but not fragile) cases.

And a couple: high quality cases, preferably lightweight, cool looking and are not overly expensive.

I have a few in mind but overall want to see what you guys think.

Thanks!
 
For the top-end cases, Lian-Li is always a safe bet.
For lower/medium range cases, the brands that come to mind are Coolermaster, Thermaltake, and Antec.
 
I don't mean any offense, and you probably know this already, but if you are serious about this, I think you should also be looking at all the other custom builders to see what they do, what towers they offer, what they don't (and why).

This forum is a good place to get started, but you should be researching it... on your own, is the best I can put it.

May the Force be with you, in any case.
 
General Crespin said:
I don't mean any offense, and you probably know this already, but if you are serious about this, I think you should also be looking at all the other custom builders to see what they do, what towers they offer, what they don't (and why).

This forum is a good place to get started, but you should be researching it... on your own, is the best I can put it.

May the Force be with you, in any case.

Thanks, though I have already.

I am looking for an edge against my competitors right now. I don't want to match their cases and case selections, I want to top them.

I figured I should ask a community of computer enthusiasts, which is very close to the market I target.
 
x-qpack. or whatever chening calls the oem version. mine always attracts attention, i have made close to a dozen in the last 8 months. mostly with tforce boards or dfi rs482, generic ram and a 3500 venice or 3700 sd, with a lot of storage, a tuner, and win mce installed. people have been using them as stand alone media players without a monitor, and a few are used as emulator boxes for console guys.
 
ElektronikSeraph said:
The PC-7 is classy and looks expensive, but really isn't much ($90ish).

quoted for truth. I own a pc-7 and it is (rather) cheap, amazingly built, and runs very cool with the two 120mm fans. This thing looks B E A U T I F U L as well! If you want an edge over your competitors, get a 80mm fan for the top blow hole and then get the Lian Li fan controller from frozen cpu as well as one of these. Make the thing look really sleek and simple, yet complex at the same time.
 
khanable said:
quoted for truth. I own a pc-7 and it is (rather) cheap, amazingly built, and runs very cool with the two 120mm fans. This thing looks B E A U T I F U L as well! If you want an edge over your competitors, get a 80mm fan for the top blow hole and then get the Lian Li fan controller from frozen cpu as well as one of these. Make the thing look really sleek and simple, yet complex at the same time.

Stealthing drives, or at least buying the universal Lian Li aluminum faceplates, goes a long way in cleaning up the look as well. Throw in some silent 120s and silent 80mm up top, and the case is golden.
 
Agreed. I am rather annoyed at my most recent OEM Chenming case. The door is really annoying, it's got three HD fans. The thing also breathes dust (which is annoying but it keeps my components clean)
 
Here's what I'd use for the inexpensive build cases. Simple, nice lines, decent cooling, easy to mod (add lights, etc) if the customer wants it, and inexpensive. :)
 
Lo Pan said:
For the top-end cases, Lian-Li is always a safe bet.
For lower/medium range cases, the brands that come to mind are Coolermaster, Thermaltake, and Antec.

Those are the brands i normally look at. A lot of local PC shops build systems with old crap beige or white cases and usually the airflow sucks in them. They probably work alright for low-end systems but if i'm going to build a system i'm particular about the case and i get the buyer to pay a little more for something halfway decent. It helps your reputation when other people see a Cooler Master or Antec case with a nice flat panel LCD instead of a beige case and a honkin CRT.
 
Cooler Master Centurion 5 windowed version. Great case. Though you'd want all the builds to have a clean wire psu since the CM Cent 5 is hard as hell to manage cables in.
 
Does this really belong in the case modding thread?
Probably not, but thats what mods are for. ;)

My 2-cents: Whichever cases you decide on, dont settle for cheap "case with psu - for $30" type of deals. "Inexpensive" cases are ok for something entry-level, but a cheap psu will almost always cause more trouble than its worth.
Good luck. Its tough to build against the OEM pricing, but there IS a market.
 
Monkey34 said:
Probably not, but thats what mods are for. ;)

My 2-cents: Whichever cases you decide on, dont settle for cheap "case with psu - for $30" type of deals. "Inexpensive" cases are ok for something entry-level, but a cheap psu will almost always cause more trouble than its worth.
Good luck. Its tough to build against the OEM pricing, but there IS a market.

Thanks. I actually can't stand generic PSUs, even if they're rated at 500W because I can always bust out my Antec 300W and power the same system that the generic 500W could not. It's caused alot of headaches in the past.
 
Are you selling 'budget' gaming machines, appealing to the 15-year-old gamer? If so, then the cheapest, blingest case you can find is what you need for that. Swap in a cheap, high quality supply, and you'll have a lot of sales. Build quality isn't particularly relevent, people buy them for looks, and they'll be the talk of the town, and everyone will go to you. Just whatever you do, don't use beige.
 
Bbq said:
Are you selling 'budget' gaming machines, appealing to the 15-year-old gamer? If so, then the cheapest, blingest case you can find is what you need for that. Swap in a cheap, high quality supply, and you'll have a lot of sales. Build quality isn't particularly relevent, people buy them for looks, and they'll be the talk of the town, and everyone will go to you. Just whatever you do, don't use beige.

Yea I appeal to all gamers. I want good looks for all the computers.

But I can't go as low as Aspire quality wise, I need to do better than that. My logo and mark are going to be on the PC in the 1x1 sqaure and another 2.5x1 sticker on the side of the case.

I am offering budget gaming PCs, as well as mediocre and high performance.
 
Lian-Li PC65
Chenming 301, Aspire Turbo, Aspire X-sonic.

All of them are great cases, I've used them in numerous builds
 
Try these:

Coolermaster Centurion
Antec Lanboy I / II
Antec SLK 3000
Chieftec Dragon
Lian Li PC-7

The Centurion is the same innards as the cavalier. :)
 
epikz said:
Lian-Li PC65
Chenming 301, Aspire Turbo, Aspire X-sonic.

All of them are great cases, I've used them in numerous builds

I'm not very fond of the quality in Aspire's cases. Their PSUs are horrible and every build I've made with an aspire case (because the customer insisted they wanted it), I've had to etch out money for a new PSU. The case feels like cheep plastic to me.

By the way, you guys have been a great help so far! I do appreciate it.
 
Don't knock the aspire's too much, especially because of a bad component that is easily replaced. Other than the fact that the psu's suck, you wont cut your hand off working on the inside of the case and they offer alot on the bling side. I personally use one for my backup box and the funny thing is my regular box is a Antec Solution and the aspire is always the one people notice when they come to my computer room. Not bad for cases that cost around 61 bucks after shipping if you ask me. Besides, most of the X-Cruise cases come without psu's, even if they are the upscale aspire cases.
 
Stinkfist said:
Don't knock the aspire's too much, especially because of a bad component that is easily replaced. Other than the fact that the psu's suck, you wont cut your hand off working on the inside of the case and they offer alot on the bling side. I personally use one for my backup box and the funny thing is my regular box is a Antec Solution and the aspire is always the one people notice when they come to my computer room. Not bad for cases that cost around 61 bucks after shipping if you ask me. Besides, most of the X-Cruise cases come without psu's, even if they are the upscale aspire cases.

The thing I mainly don't like about Aspire is that their cases aren't the best quality. They are obviously a quick fix for lighting and windowing. They do look pretty cool from the outside, but once you touch it, you realize how much work was put into it... not much.

I get all my supplies from a wholesale source that I drive over to. I have a seller's permit so I purchase at below end-user (newegg for example).
 
Remember, this is (as much as I hate it) the age of the "Fast and the Furious", where people love loud, flashy, moderately annoying things. I sold computers for a while, and my best sellers where cases with windows, pretty fan covers, and bright lights. If you can achieve a sleek look while still screaming "Look at me!", you've got it.
 
for the high end case, lian li v1000 (maybe the 1200 or 2000 as well) with the window optional (for bling freaks and theyre parents to pay for...) and the option for cold cathodes up front :p cause its vented and it s a rather cool effect :p
 
Hey, if you want bling cases, check out this one and this one. If they want superhero types, check out this one or this one (also available in silver/black & red/black). This alien case is about 1/2 the cost of what I've seen 'em elsewhere for, so I'd call that a good entry level "bling" case too. :cool:
 
What are you doing this for, if you are in the bussiness to build custom computers then I reccomend this. Pick a small group of low end cases, a large group of mid range cases and a small group of high end cases. If you are going to keep stock, then only keep the mid range cases in the stock. If you are not then it does not matter if you are going to order on demand.

My 2 cents,
Walt
 
Thermaltake Swing.

1. 0.8mm SECC (Steel chassis)
2. Accomondates a 120 x 38mm fans in the front & rear (big +)
3. Popular Brand name identity

$60 at newegg
D&H Distributing will negotiate on better pricing if you can do large orders.
 
mnpctech said:
Thermaltake Swing.

1. 0.8mm SECC (Steel chassis)
2. Accomondates a 120 x 38mm fans in the front & rear (big +)
3. Popular Brand name identity

$60 at newegg
D&H Distributing will negotiate on better pricing if you can do large orders.

Looks like a big winner. Tt has never ceased to impress me.

Do you have a link for D&H Distributing?
 
mnpctech said:
Thermaltake Swing.

1. 0.8mm SECC (Steel chassis)
2. Accomondates a 120 x 38mm fans in the front & rear (big +)
3. Popular Brand name identity

$60 at newegg
D&H Distributing will negotiate on better pricing if you can do large orders.
I personally think it looks like crap. Did you look at Cooler Master cases in $50-$70 range?
 
Bbq said:
Try these:

Coolermaster Centurion
Antec Lanboy I / II
Antec SLK 3000
Chieftec Dragon
Lian Li PC-7

The Centurion is the same innards as the cavalier. :)
there's an antec lanboy II !?
 
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