New case smell?

[Big10Fan]

I started my build last week by picking up the Antec 900, this will be my first build in about 6years, went with a dell in between. Well anyway after I unwrapped it and started fiddling around inside and checking it out(nice roomy case btw), my girlfriend started complaining about the odor. I mean it is nothing that I would complain about, but she is sensitive to odors and is allergic to stuff like this. It is indeed kind of a metallic smell, but like I said, the normal person wouldn't probably pick up on it, not to say she isn't normal, but, nvm theres no way to put this right. My question is, does this eventually go away? I'm pretty much put in a position of choosing her+new dell or lonely+BYOPC. If I leave it in the garage for a month or so completely open will it dissipate? Suggestions welcome. Oh and btw, I'd rather stick with the girl, sorry guys

edit to add:

Now that I think, could it be left over solder odor from when it was manufactured? all the wires for the fans, buttons, lights, etc.? IDK, either way I need an answer.

If this is a Antec only thing, can anyone suggest an allergy friendly case manufacturer that has no odor?

 

[MurderCityDevil]

dude...if your girlfriend complains about shit like that, you need to D.T.B. immediately. coming from an avid tom leykis listener. just my .02. I can only imagine what she says about your computer hobby as a whole, much less day-to-day things that are much more important.

edit: just read your little thing about sticking with her. I stand by my original statement.

 

[DragonMaster]

I find Antec cases smell quite a lot actually, more than other stuff I found. The Nine Hundred isn't that bad, it will go away eventually. It's nothing compared to the Sonata II, it still has a quite strong plastic and paint odour after 3 years. (It's not as bad as when it was new though)

The components release odours when running and heating for the first hours (Especially PSUs and heatsinks). I'd say, build the system, make sure it works, and let it run with the fans at full speed for about a week in a place that doesn't smell too bad. If your garage has a tire smell, it might not be a good idea to put the case there.

Just saw your edit, solder doesn't smell anything. Flux does, but they're cleaning it with mass-manufacturing like Antec does.

SilverStone cases don't smell a lot, at least, not my TJ-08 mATX case. It had a light odour when it was new, but it was a pleasant "new stuff" smell, unlike Antec cases. It's completely made of metal (plastics seem to make a difference), and the paint never smelled anything. SilverStone cases come at a price though.

 

[Arcygenical]

Uhm, Any new computer has that smell. It's left over from the packing materials, and dissipates in about 48 hours

If she can still smell something after 48 hours, she's lying to you.

 

[Big10Fan]

dude...if your girlfriend complains about shit like that, you need to D.T.B. immediately. coming from an avid tom leykis listener. just my .02. I can only imagine what she says about your computer hobby as a whole, much less day-to-day things that are much more important.

edit: just read your little thing about sticking with her. I stand by my original statement.

I know it comes off as her being a bitch, but really she isn't. This is just something she has had since her childhood, she only really nags if it is something being brought permanantly into the house, other than that she deals with her symptoms.

I find Antec cases smell quite a lot actually, more than other stuff I found. The Nine Hundred isn't that bad, it will go away eventually. It's nothing compared to the Sonata II, it still has a quite strong plastic and paint odour after 3 years. (It's not as bad as when it was new though)

The components release odours when running and heating for the first hours (Especially PSUs and heatsinks). I'd say, build the system, make sure it works, and let it run with the fans at full speed for about a week in a place that doesn't smell too bad. If your garage has a tire smell, it might not be a good idea to put the case there.

Just saw your edit, solder doesn't smell anything. Flux does, but they're cleaning it with mass-manufacturing like Antec does.

SilverStone cases don't smell a lot, at least, not my TJ-08 mATX case. It had a light odour when it was new, but it was a pleasant "new stuff" smell, unlike Antec cases. It's completely made of metal (plastics seem to make a difference), and the paint never smelled anything. SilverStone cases come at a price though.

Thanks for the reply!

 

[nightwalker]

Uhm, Any new computer has that smell. It's left over from the packing materials, and dissipates in about 48 hours

If she can still smell something after 48 hours, she's lying to you.

QFT....... or every time she complains about it just go bust some population paste over her face then she won't be able to smell it.

 

[bluesteel]

After doing alot of different builds youll eventually see one go up in smoke and after that shit happens you begin to check for odd smells and stuff. I notice power supplys do it a great deal and it can be aggravating for the first day of a new build thats for sure.

 

[jctazzy]

I just finished a build with an Antec 900 myself and noticed the same thing. I agree with the previous poster who said packing material is a good part of it... when I took the box and foam inserts out into the garage it smelled very much like my comp room did for the first two days.

Of course I'm planning on disassembling everything now and painting the inside of the case so I'm sure the smell will change drastically... nothing like a little unintentional huffing while gaming

 

[thebeephaha]

It's like a new car. I find it a good smell. But it will go eventually.

 

[GN85]

I have a really sensitive nose, and get really annoyed by some smells that no one else in my family even notices a lot of times, and honestly, the PCs that I've built never smelled much at all.

I would suggest washing the case; it should get rid of the odor. If you're going to keep it in a garage, you might as well try dunking it in water and letting it dry for a day

 

[DragonMaster]

Still, Antec cases have a very strong smell. I saw 3 different models, they all had a strong odour when bought, it's mostly gone after a few years, but when I open the case cover, it's still there. The Nine Hundred has the advantage of having lots of air flow, and the odour can't stick in any corners of the case. But hey... maybe the Antec PSUs coming with the Sonata II and NSK-series case are actually the cause !?!

 

[Direfox]

First of all, this is a real problem for a lot of people. And, people have a tendency to be total assholes about it (much like several of the above posters have shown). My sister has the same kind of allergies, she once walked into a building and felt straight down on her face, passed out. The chemicals in the air effected her so badly (and quickly) she didn't have time to even catch herself.

Now, onto the problem. The smell that bothers her is most likely from several things... the paint on the case, any cleaner they used before shipping it, and/or the packing materials. I would suggest leaving it out in the sun for a couple days, the heat and air around it will help out-gas the fumes given off by all three of those things.

By the way, as someone who also has a lot of allergies myself (food/perfume) it always amazes me how people get angry or judgemental about my condition. It makes going out to a restaurant a real chore, as there are so few items I can actually eat. (No wheat, dairy, nuts, legumes, etc, etc.) And if someone is wearing strong perfume... instant migraine. And, although I try to never make an issue of it, it makes going public places much more inconvenient, to say the least. If I have to explain why I'm leaving a building or eating food I brought from home, I often get the same reaction you see here.