Why are Cases Crappy?

[mikeblas]

I'm frustrated because I can't find a case that's just perfect. There's some I like, but most suck.

Here's my manifesto. Maybe you have different opinions; feel free to write your own manifesto. I know that I can workaround these problems by modding, but there are times when I don't want to mod and just want to put the fucker together and have it work.

1) Styling. There's lots of garrish styling. I favor the simple approach; I like the LianLi PC-series, and the Silverstone TJ07, and some of the older "classic" LianLi cases. Cases like the Asus Vento are right out; plastic lumps and doodads and stuff are stupid.

2) Reset switch. I need a reset switch. Holding the power button down is lame. My motherboard has connectors for it; why won't you let me use it?

3) Enough LEDs. At a minimum, I need a power LED, and a drive activity LED, and network LEDs. Your case should have an obvious place for me to modify in my own additional LEDs, even if you don't include them stock in the case: for a development rig or server, I'd like to have an LED per drive -- I'll get on the drive manufacturers later about the lack of per-drive signals. Metal knockouts, plastic plugs, or an optional panel that has these features would be great.

4) I have no use for a door because I tend to put things into my disk drives and take them back out again. Every case I've had with a door has either broken off or been removed.

Then, there's the issue of ergonomics. Most cases aren't designed to be actually used, it seems. Here's a bundle of ergonomics issues, based on the fact that I put all my tower cases on the floor. (Why would I ever put a case on my desk? It's cluttered enough -- with work!)

5) A front-mounted connector doesn't mean anything if I have to crawl on the floor to get to it.

6) Make your LEDs work. The cheap, plastic light pipe thing you use bleeds all the light from the super-bright LEDs you're using, so I can't see the red LED because the blue LED is overpowering it. I can't tell if one red LED is on or two red LEDs are on because the light spills all over the place.

7) Make your LEDs visible. Angle them up, don't recess them. I can't see them when I'm looking at a shallow angle. I sit at my desk, looking down at the case under my desk. If the LED is in a hole that lets me see it only from the front, it's useless because I have to get down there to see it.

8) Don't recess the floppy drive slot, either. Or the USB or firewire plugs.

9) Power buttons near the bottom of the case are similarly hard to reach. When you find $3 in your budget to add the reset switch, remember this.

10) Make an obvious place for me to leave a sticker: "MIKEBLAS3: 192.168.111.9", or "DEXTER", or something.

11) USB and firewire plugs near the bottom of the front of the case are useless. Where are they going? I'm going to step on them (or roll my chair over 'em) when something is plugged in and ruin both the case connector and the device cord.

So maybe 5 through 11 are solved by a case that's a rectangle, but with a bevel at the top so that there's room for up-facing controls and connectors. The drives don't need to be on the bevel because when the tray pops out, I can see it, no problem.

Why doesn't anyone make a case like this? They're squandering their design resources on this foolishness, and it drives me batty.

I have spoken.

 

[Mayhs]

im have the same 'case'...i cant find a case for me either

 

[mikeblas]

Like I said, I'm pretty happy with the Lian Li PC-series cases. But they still need improvements -- some substantial -- for me to think they're perfect.

 

[lithium726]

agree with you, ive never understood why people have their computer on their desks.. unless its a shuttle.

the vast majority of cases are under engineered wastes of money... lian li's are no exception IMO.

 

[haste]

you just described all your problems and the thermaltake armor has almost none of these.
the ONLY thing is that it has is the "winged" doors, but they open up when u eject a cd-rom drive. and they are also removable and the case still looks ok. you can put the power/reset button anywhere in the front drive bays. the usb/firewire connector is on the top of the case and not on the bottom/front.

 

[renswic]

agree with you, ive never understood why people have their computer on their desks.. unless its a shuttle.

i do it because i have carpet on my floor and after testing my case got more dust from the floor then it did the desk, plus with how my room is set up, i have more room to keep it on the desk, and it dosent get kicked as much when moving around, its easyer to work on to

 

[Everfalling]

agree with you, ive never understood why people have their computer on their desks.. unless its a shuttle.

well, one, considering this is a mod section, many people like to see what they've done with their pc after adding the bells and whistles, rather than shove them in a corner under the desk somewhere. and two, dust. having your tower on your desk reduces dust intake like ten fold over sitting it on the ground, esp. if your ground is carpet. and three, acessability. all your ergonomic problems are solved by simply setting the computer on the desk, and i think this is what most manufacuters think about when they design these front interfaces.

 

[Warrior]

i can definitly relate to your case desires, i cant find a case thats equal or greater of quality and features as my P160.. but i really need a new case, mine is so beat up from so many lan partys. And plus you feel better about your computer if you get a new case that you enjoy.

 

[JamesM]

If you're not happy with whats on the market, make your own.

 

[mikeblas]

you just described all your problems and the thermaltake armor has almost none of these.

So what am I missing? How does it solve almost all problems I'm talking about? It looks to me like it solves none of them. Am I looking at the wrong case? I checked out this review.

The USB and Firewire ports on the top are inaccessible; they're half into the depth of the case which means I'd have to reach under my desk to get to them. I can barely reach that far, and I certainly can't see that far without moving.

And that box is a step backward from the design of the Lian Li PC-xx00's for aesthetics (the gaudy window and the top-mount fan).

you can put the power/reset button anywhere in the front drive bays.

There's no good place to mount additional LEDs, unless I drill-out an unused bay. (And even that's iffy, since there's screen everywhere.)

Though it looks like the separation might be good, the LEDs still face forward. I'm not in front of my case sitting on my floor -- I'm above it and next to it, working on my desk.

 

[mikeblas]

all your ergonomic problems are solved by simply setting the computer on the desk, and i think this is what most manufacuters think about when they design these front interfaces.

Sorry, but that's patently false. Putting the computers on the desk causes ergonomics problems by reducing my available workspace. In my office (at work) I have six machines, three LCD panels, and two keyboards. The machines would fill more than half the surface area of my desks. Moving the monitors and keyboards to the remaining space leaves me fresh out of room for my mices, notepads, phone, stapler, and lunch.

If you're not happy with whats on the market, make your own.

That's a nice sentiment, but I just don't have the time. (And even if I had the time, I might not have the courage.)

Maybe it wouldn't take as long as I'd think to do one case. I think the solution is pretty simple:

1) Cut across the top of the case about 10 cm from the front.
2) Cut across the face of the case about 7 cm down from the top.
3) Remove everything in between. Maybe cut a little less (about 15 mm less, say) and bend that 15 mm back as a flange.
4) Go to http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/ and make a nice panel with holes for the USB connectors, firewire connectors, switches, and indicators that I want.
5) Wire components into the front panel.
6) Bolt it all together, mounting the panel to the flange edges.

Step 5 might not be so easy; I don't think I can find panel-mount USB and Firewire connectors. I'd have to mount them to a PCB, then mount the PCB to the panel. Then, I'd wire from the motherboard to the panel. I'd have to look into it, tho.

The problem is, I'd have to do this with the six machines at work and the seven at home.

 

[Arcygenical]

I know what you mean about inaccesable ports... My solution? 3 10 dollar usb 2.0 hubs and a firewire hub. Some of these things are really small, and can easily be glued/screwed into one another, allowing them to be placed vertically/horizontally (or just about any other configuration) on your desk. Sure, it doesn't solve your case problems, but god is it handy .

I think that most of your gripes with cases are due to a shift in the computer accessory industry's goal of recent. Computers are becoming less and less of a tool and more and more of a recreation. I dont think I know, or have heard of, another person who has 13 computers spread across work and home. Things like adding non-recessed LEDs, or having them angle up, well, that's useful to you, but not the rest of the market. Frankly, if my LEDs were facing up, they'd be shooting towards the ceiling. My case is on my desk, I like everything nice and flush.

What I think the case industry needs to start implimenting is another 3inch drive bay on the top front of the case. Add LED's, Switches, Ports and other important things there, but have that panel completely optional.

to put the fucker together and have it work.

Then get a mac . I've NEVER owned a PC that just "worked" from the start. Tinkering is half the fun to me, it's why I switched.

 

[lithium726]

Then get a mac . I've NEVER owned a PC that just "worked" from the start. Tinkering is half the fun to me, it's why I switched.

i have... both my athlon XP and X2/pcie rig fired up first time and just ran (those are the most recent... the only computer that gave me trouble was the build with the k8n neo2, otherwise, back to the athlon/p3 days ive not had problems)... both my laptops fired up and just ran... ive never had a problem with PCs not working before tweaking.

 

[mikeblas]

I've NEVER owned a PC that just "worked" from the start.

Maybe you should be more careful during your builds.

My point is that some work is fun: tinkering with software setup is usually fun, when I don't have other stuff to do. Ripping up a $200 case in the garage? Fun for some, but not in the top ten ways I want to spend my time.

 

[Ockie]

Only older style cases had these features... it's all about money now.

Besides, a lot of those things are personal prefrences and not really a common desire. I personally would want no headers on the front, I hate front usb/audio/firewire ports... if I wanted them there should be an option for that.

 

[Nobi125]

The LED lights that came on my Lian Li case don't even work....I just don't want to have to take everything out to send it back.

 

[essi1553]

two words

coolermaster stacker

It may not be as pretty as you would like, but god forbid it meets every other one of your standards. Not sure about the led lights though, you may want to check into that.

 

[Nobi125]

two words

coolermaster stacker

It may not be as pretty as you would like, but god forbid it meets every other one of your standards. Not sure about the led lights though, you may want to check into that.

I've tried messing with the plugs on the motherboard, reversing the cables, no luck.

I don't need the LEDs, the computer works great.

 

[ScHpAnKy]

I'll be building a custom case for production soon enough, I'll keep all your suggestions in mind.

Weather needs to be warmer, though.

 

[mikeblas]

two words

coolermaster stacker

It may not be as pretty as you would like, but god forbid it meets every other one of your standards. Not sure about the led lights though, you may want to check into that.

Eighty-six words:

I think the Stacker fails to address several of my suggestions: the LED indicators face forward, not towards the user. So do the power and reset buttons. Same for the USB plugs and firewire plug.

Too few LEDs, nowhere to put new ones -- unless that plastic lumpy forehead thing is hollow, then I guess I could drill it out. But then, it's just a plastic lumpy forehead thing with some LEDs in it, and plastic lumpyness was one of the first items on my list.

 

[BurntToast]

ANYONE with Thermaltake ANYTHING is better off with a Dell. Computers are way beyond these guys.

 

[squeezee]

You should take a look at the Chenbro SR-107 case. Its not perfect but it is for the mostpart designed with function>form.

Personally i'm a storage whore, so having as many drive bays as possible is always a plus. While cases like the CM-Stacker and similar All-5.25" bay designs are flexible, it can start to cost quite a bit to add drive bays using either 4-in-3 modules or Hot-Swap enclosures. If you want > 6 internal 3.5" drive bays, there aren't many options other than the SR-107 or Lian-Li PC2000 series.

 

[ScHpAnKy]

You should take a look at the Chenbro SR-107 case. Its not perfect but it is for the mostpart designed with function>form.

Personally i'm a storage whore, so having as many drive bays as possible is always a plus. While cases like the CM-Stacker and similar All-5.25" bay designs are flexible, it can start to cost quite a bit to add drive bays using either 4-in-3 modules or Hot-Swap enclosures. If you want > 6 internal 3.5" drive bays, there aren't many options other than the SR-107 or Lian-Li PC2000 series.

Without going custom, that would be my recommendation as well, it's as ugly or attractive as you want it to be. However, availability in the USA is VERY slim, which makes the price of the case not... low.

 

[pooky(1)]

agree with you, ive never understood why people have their computer on their desks.. unless its a shuttle.

1). I like to see my moded cases.

2). Kicked my case on the floor two years ago, HDD went bad.

3). Floor cases gather A LOT of dust.

 

[rush24t3]

I'm curious as to why being able to see LEDs flashing at you is so important; you'll know if the machine is on, you'll know if the hard drive is working, you'll know if the network is sending and receiving data.

 

[Standpoint]

Here's one I found. Its relatively blingless, very attractive looking in person. The LEDs, firewire, USB, etc, are on the top facing a 45 degree angle. Maybe for you?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129173

 

[mikeblas]

Here's one I found. Its relatively blingless, very attractive looking in person. The LEDs, firewire, USB, etc, are on the top facing a 45 degree angle. Maybe for you?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129173

Brilliant! The top edge of the case is a lot like what I'm thinking about. The rest of the styling is nastay, though.

I'm curious as to why being able to see LEDs flashing at you is so important; you'll know if the machine is on, you'll know if the hard drive is working, you'll know if the network is sending and receiving data.

You will? When the network stops, it can be because of a bunch of different reasons. The light lets me know, as a first diagnostic, that I've got the cable plugged in and a physical link. Or that the computer isn't even trying to write to the net at the moment.

When the network or drive lights are flashing, I get a vauge sense of how much I/O I'm doing; that puts me in touch with the machine as I write software. If I need to actually measure it, of course, I fire up PerfMon or some other utility. But getting a coarse idea is often valuable enough.

That's what I want them for. Why? I'm old-school; I've been working with computers and digital electronics since data rates and clock speeds were low enough that a blinking LED was meaningful. I'm used to it, and miss it when it is not there.

 

[coolpurplefan]

I don`t like the `tool-less` design of the Coolermaster Centurion 5, but, other than that, I like it. The front panel is like a mesh and there is a foam `filter` right behind it.
I bought the model with the window on the side and the blue trim.
Then I changed the fans inside for two purple LED Coolermaster fans. I also ordered a Zalman 7000 alcu LED and a Zalman NB47J but I put on a 40mm fan on it taken from a Coolermaster heatsink with 6-32x2 bolts.
It`s so cool, I can`t believe it.
Only thing is, I have to wait to get a job before I complete my machine. I moved so I don`t have much stuff now.

 

[Wreckless_Process]

i like this case other than the poles on the side.. other htan that its got good control placement and what not

http://www.frozencpu.com/cst-303.html?id=BHjbEomR

this one aint bad either

http://www.frozencpu.com/cas-278.html?id=BHjbEomR

 

[L1ght]

What about THIS ?

Only thing I can think of, besides the stacker 810.

Edit: LOL, just clicked the "foolish case link"

 

[mikeblas]

Edit: LOL, just clicked the "foolish case link"

Maybe I shouldn't harsh on the LianLi anniversary edition so much; it's artistic. But it certainly isn't for me. At all.

i like this case other than the poles on the side.. other htan that its got good control placement and what not

http://www.frozencpu.com/cst-303.html?id=BHjbEomR

Hey, that's nice. Indeed, the poles on the side are superfluous. And the top LEDs look a little iffy; there's only two, and they're recessed -- but they probably OK because they're right on the top near the front. That's exactly the part of my cases that I can see when the case is under my desk and I'm makin' the keys go down.

 

[thisisglen]

All the stuff with the leds facing up or whatever is asuming that your computer is on the floor. which is a little silly, considering some people put their 'desktops' on their... um... desk tops. Some of the problems that you have, such as your issues with LED's are never going to be changed because of the fact that the designer can never know where you might put your box in relation to yourself, so the obvious conclusion is to put the leds facing forwards. Most people who are that narky about the leds and front panel connectors facing them will at some stage gather up enough energy to mod the box to suit themselves instead of whinging about it.

 

[Codegen]

I'm in agreement with the USB ports. I went to rest my foot on the floor and on the way down I hear a *CRUNCH*.

At least I had a spare cable to take an end off...

 

[mikeblas]

All the stuff with the leds facing up or whatever is asuming that your computer is on the floor. which is a little silly, considering some people put
their 'desktops' on their... um... desk tops.

You're blurring the use of "desktop" as a client machine (compared to a server, or an HTPC machine, or a laptop) with the use of "desktop" as a case style. While convenient for your argument, a desktop case is something different than a desktop computer.

A mini tower might work for installation on a desktop for users who only need a single computer, but I don't think there's any doubt that full-sided towers belong on the floor.

 

[Bbq]

What you want is the Coolermaster ATCS series. It matches all your requirements.

 

[mikeblas]

What you want is the Coolermaster ATCS series. It matches all your requirements.

I built my home theater PC in one of these about three years ago. It has not only one -- but two doors. They're desktop cases, not towers. I can't imagine putting six or seven on my desk, even if I had the vertical space to stack 'em.

 

[madmat]

You'll never find a case that matches your criteria 100% so you'll eventually have to settle for 80% or 70% or even 60% or 50%. Other than paying some major bucks to have the cases that you want custom made you'll either have to mod your own or buy cases that suit your needs as much as possible.

It's a sad truth but the old saw applies here: "You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time."

 

[N H O]

aerocool masstige?

 

[essi1553]

Eighty-six words:

I think the Stacker fails to address several of my suggestions: the LED indicators face forward, not towards the user. So do the power and reset buttons. Same for the USB plugs and firewire plug.

Too few LEDs, nowhere to put new ones -- unless that plastic lumpy forehead thing is hollow, then I guess I could drill it out. But then, it's just a plastic lumpy forehead thing with some LEDs in it, and plastic lumpyness was one of the first items on my list.

Let me get this straight, you want leds on the top of the case as well as the power and reset buttons, because you don't want your case on your desk?

I would hardly call that case "lumpy" it is one of the most functional, LARGE cases I have ever been in contact with. The styling of it also does not protrude as much as your making it out to be. It is a large case, with buttons up top for easy access to the user, as well as more usb ports than you will ever need, as well as a very large work area within it.

Please educate me when you say you want to see the led's while the computer is on the floor. I have never seen a case with "functional" leds built on the top of the case.

 

[jellyhead]

You should take a look at the Chenbro SR-107 case. Its not perfect but it is for the mostpart designed with function>form.

Personally i'm a storage whore, so having as many drive bays as possible is always a plus. While cases like the CM-Stacker and similar All-5.25" bay designs are flexible, it can start to cost quite a bit to add drive bays using either 4-in-3 modules or Hot-Swap enclosures. If you want > 6 internal 3.5" drive bays, there aren't many options other than the SR-107 or Lian-Li PC2000 series.

Dude - THANK YOU for ticking all of the boxes - this is exactly what I'm after. Was looking at a cube, perhaps, but this has it all - especially with the sexy front:

http://www.chenbro.com.tw/workspace/pdimage/SR107_front_972e4abf344252f259b764050d1b0a96.gif

Good call