Looking for a strong high quality PC case

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CptKrf

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The latest MacOS security updates have destroyed any reasonable chance of using it as an independent developer, even in hobby mode, so I have deprecated my little M1 to nothing more than a secure access to my financials and casual surfing.

I have moved all of my coding and daily activities to Debian and it works fine, but I need to start putting together a modern system and move from my very satisfactory (but very old and not very upgradeable GPU) Cheesegrater.

The first need is a case, but I have been spoiled by the industrial quality of Apple cases. My trip to the local computer store was a bust. Nothing but flimsy tin-can boxes with misaligned screws, lots of support for useless RGB glitz and glass panels prohibiting any decent airflow. (Shouldn't be a problem, right? Haven't bought an AMD or Intel CPU for years, but by now current technology should allow them to run very cool, I assume. \s)

Any way, sarcasm aside, anybody got a link or pointer to some vendor of decent PC cases? There may not be such. So far my googling has found only the same junk everywhere. Cost is no object as long as it doesn't start getting into the four digits.

???
 


I've had good luck with Corsair ABS and Lian Li,
 
System76 sells a nice case, I have a Thelio Mira and the case is awesome.

They are not cheap though! Nebula
 
I had forgotten about System76. Had one of their laptops back in the stone age. Have some good looking stuff. And still looking.

Later Edit. The Nebula 40 is a good looking case. Probably will get that after some more research. I would almost buy one of their desktops, but the one that I would want only comes with Intel inside.

Thanks.
 
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Well, my case is a Phanteks P300 white. They no longer make them, only the A models and I think they now only sell 400A's. The A models have mesh in the front so probably not so sturdy but if you can find a non-A model I can vouch for it. Easy building, plenty fan slots and aesthetically pleasing without inducing a seizure. Best part is they're cheap!

My P300 has seen two builds, 4 moves, and a stint in storage since I got it in around 2017. There's not a dent nor bend, and even the paint seems scratch resistant (there's little wear at the top by the USB and Audio ports, but nothing else). And even the exhaust fan that can with it still works goes and quiet. So have a look into Phanteks, they're pretty strong and budget friendly.

Otherwise, as cases go, if you're prepared to pay premium rates, you can never go wrong with Corsair, but their cases are costly.. very costly.
 
Is it reasonable to just re-use your cheesegrater case?

I don't know how well Apple adheres to standards like ATX. Other companies aren't good at it and will do things like use proprietary power supplies. So, Apple may also do that - and they're not exactly known for 'repairability'. But, it's a question I figured I'd raise.
 
KGIII said:
Is it reasonable to just re-use your cheesegrater case?

I don't know how well Apple adheres to standards like ATX. Other companies aren't good at it and will do things like use proprietary power supplies. So, Apple may also do that - and they're not exactly known for 'repairability'. But, it's a question I figured I'd raise.
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Interesting that you should suggest that. I have two older Cheesegraters just hanging around for no reason, and my first thought was to take one apart and examine just such an idea. The power supply would be no problem. An ordinary PS would fit ok, but the backside connectors on the Atx motherboard would be a major fitting problem as the back of the CG is solid punched aluminum. And I am not sure how the card slots would line up.

Standoffs for the MB screws would have to be made, and some of the ribs in the case cut out so they didn't short the MB. The DVD would fit ok, but there would be no cage for any harddrives or ssds, although I plan to use nothing but NVMe type drives in the future, so that would solve that.

I gave serious thought about it, but it would be a major hack job for sure.
 
Fanboi said:
Well, my case is a Phanteks P300 white. They no longer make them, only the A models and I think they now only sell 400A's. The A models have mesh in the front so probably not so sturdy but if you can find a non-A model I can vouch for it. Easy building, plenty fan slots and aesthetically pleasing without inducing a seizure. Best part is they're cheap!

My P300 has seen two builds, 4 moves, and a stint in storage since I got it in around 2017. There's not a dent nor bend, and even the paint seems scratch resistant (there's little wear at the top by the USB and Audio ports, but nothing else). And even the exhaust fan that can with it still works goes and quiet. So have a look into Phanteks, they're pretty strong and budget friendly.

Otherwise, as cases go, if you're prepared to pay premium rates, you can never go wrong with Corsair, but their cases are costly.. very costly.
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The quality of the cases looks good, but they are all glass paneled from what I can see. And showing up at my local programmer roundtable with pictures of a gaming box would get me booted out to the street.

But seriously, I specifically do not want a glass paneled box.

In fact, EVERY box on Amazon - cheap or expensive - is glass paneled and labeled, "For Gamers." Must be a lot of joystick users out there.
 
CptKrf said:
I gave serious thought about it, but it would be a major hack job for sure.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it was just a thought. But, you can dig out your Dremel and make quick work of it!

Also, did Apple not use standard standoffs? I suppose they probably didn't use standard spacing on them. That sounds like something Apple would do.
 
KGIII said:
Yeah, it was just a thought. But, you can dig out your Dremel and make quick work of it!

Also, did Apple not use standard standoffs? I suppose they probably didn't use standard spacing on them. That sounds like something Apple would do.
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Definitely not. It uses an ATX sized MB, but no way is it standard. And the CPU(s) is not even on the motherboard. It is in a tray below, which would also have to have the upper enclosure cut out for an ATX to fit.

I would love to find a case for the 2019 Mac Pro. That would be a beautiful machine and worth the trouble of whacking away to get stuff to fit.
 
CptKrf said:
The quality of the cases looks good, but they are all glass paneled from what I can see. And showing up at my local programmer roundtable with pictures of a gaming box would get me booted out to the street.

But seriously, I specifically do not want a glass paneled box.

In fact, EVERY box on Amazon - cheap or expensive - is glass paneled and labeled, "For Gamers." Must be a lot of joystick users out there.
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Well, there's a few models that are closed. Like this one: https://www.phanteks.store/collections/cases/products/enthoo-pro-2-closed-panel
It's a little pricier but at least it's steel.
There's this one, too: https://www.phanteks.store/products/phanteks-eclipse-p600s-closed-panel

Unfortunately most cases are glass paneled. Personally I like the glass as I can see what's going on more easily (if a fan's not working, when it needs dusting, motherboard diagnostic lights' warnings, etc.) but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. For me, the most annoying thing is how you can't easily find components -- not just cases, but even decent fans -- that aren't an RGB fireworks display. Even a lot the mid- to top-tier RAM modules are "For Gamers!!!" in the RGB sense. Drives me insane and it's not just my epilepsy talking, I mean it's very distracting while one's trying to work and your PC looks like a rainbow on steriods because of gimmicky marketing, "For Gamers!!!"
Blame this generation, they're the ones who want a 365/366 day Christmas-Tree-in-a-Case, lol. This popped up now while searching on Amazon for some cases as a prime example: https://www.amazon.com/SZSKYING-Computer-Gaming-Tempered-Control/dp/B09SDDZPPH -- "For Gamers!!!" no doubt.
 
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if you are looking for a solid business type case instead of the flashy gaming offerings, everyone seems to be selling then something like the Fractal Design Define R5 - Mid Tower may suit the bill or buy a prebuilt business machine
 
I got the System76 Nebula 40 case in today. It is well made and no glass. However, things have changed since my last one bought years ago. The power supply hole is obvious, as is the internal drive bay, but not sure what the strange duct is at the top that enters from the back, makes a right angle to exit the side, has one fan and a place for another. Water cooler bay, maybe?

Whatever. Nice case. All metal, looks good and no plastic. Will make a good new and high end Debian system.
 
I've got a Fractal Design Nord, and it's absolutely great with the exception of the front I/O panel. They are known to be usually faulty, mine came with one of the USB-A ports not working and after two replacements I just gave up. I'll just live with one port less.

Other than that, a fantastic case.
 
theLegionWithin said:
what hardware are you going to put in it?
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Probably a Ryzen 5 of some kind. I don't need horsepower or a megawatt GPU. Just LOTS of screen real estate. 32gb of ram, just because. A 1 or 2 tb NVME and a SSD for internal backup. Debian 12.

Oh. And a Parallel Port. Really.

Text clarity is the most important requirement since I stare at code all the time, so my money goes into the monitors rather than the box.

And it has to be QUIET. Apple has spoiled me on that aspect. Looks like nice fans in the Nebula, but if they make significant noise, they will be replaced.
 
CptKrf said:
And it has to be QUIET. Apple has spoiled me on that aspect. Looks like nice fans in the Nebula, but if they make significant noise, they will be replaced.
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I have a Thelio Mira desktop, which looks like the case you purchased, except when it first boots, the fans spin up on boot, it makes no noise.
 
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