The necessary structure and Physics of a computer case?

[remember]

Well, I guess my question is just the title. Hopefully it can be answered. I'm very surprised not to have found a sticky on it in this forum. Hopefully, I just overlooked it.

If the answer to it isn't here, then I wouldn't know where else to look.

But basically, what physical principles and/or properties constitute a healthy, structurally sound computer case? Off the top of my head. . . What structural specifications must a good computer case have?
-Must it be a certain material? thickness?
-Some better than others?
-How come?
-What kind of airflow should there be? How do I measure that?
-What features should it have? 1,2,3? USB front USB connections? What else?

I don't want to get too petty, but I can't really think of too much more anyway. I still can't believe I couldn't find a topic like this or at least some thread about the dynamics?(is that the right word?) of computer cases in general. Hopefully it's just too obvious for the people here or maybe I'm just being over pedantic -whatever that means.

Ok, I hope to hear as much technical info as possible, but not too technical so that a relative novice to computers like myself wont be able to understand. And please don't give me an explanation like http://www.scs.unr.edu/~tracht/case.htm

Otherwise, I will just probably end up buying the cheapest case I can find and I don't want to do that- but aesthetics just aren't that important to me. Functionality and reliability is what I'm most concerned with, hence why I'm trying to understand the dynamics or mechanics or whatever the scientific word is for the safe and long lasting durability of a computer case.

[Bucko]

It is going to depend on what YOU want out of a case.
Some people need a bigger case to fit in large video cards and lots of hard drives.
Others want a really small case to do the bare minimum.

Number of USB ports on the front is up to what the user needs. Some people are happy with one, others need 4.

Air flow depends on what you have in the case. Over clock and have a high end video card you'll need more air flow.
Have a basic system and it isn't as critical.

There is no right or wrong answers to you questions and as we are a case modding forum, people take whatever case they like and change things to suit them.

Basically, what is a great case for one person, is a ****e case for someone else. There is no one case that EVERYONE likes.

As for durability, cases are the one component that basically never wears out. Hence why you'll see some 15-20 year old cases being used with modern components.

[remember]

Uh, I still cant make up my mind. With that kind of explanation I might as well just get the cheapest computer case i can find, since by the time I need to fit in more than the standard 5-6 HDD, the standard HD will be at least 1.0TB, and the old HD's will just have to be replaced.

As far as the video card is concerned. I dont really know anything about that. But What I want to do is. . .Build a computer with my satellite TV receiver equipment built in. I think that it is called a DVB-PCi card? I was told that I also need a TV tuner or TV capture card? so that I can directly record TV shows/movies from my satellite TV system directly to my hardrive and then playback, edit etc. Perhaps that means I need a bigger than usual? video card? Can you tell me how will I know if I'm going to need a special case for a large video card?

What I really want is to turn my computer into an all in one Home theater system. I want my Satellite TV system connected, my professional audio speakers and tube amp connected together with the ability to time specifically program the recording of shows as well as the ability to instantaneously play/search or record TV/music and even switch from music to TV to web surfing or do all 3 with a remote.

But now I just went off the subject. I'm thinking about what you said about just being a case modding forum and having seen the pictures of the DOOM computer case. Who would know what computer case is/was actually originally under that case. It could just be the cheapest $9 case with 1 fan and if you don't know about the necessary air flow required to keep the case stable- it might just overheat, but I wouldn't know that. And that is just my concern among many others I can't even imagine.

But as far as you saying that computer cases never wear out. All the parts are connected, so if one breaks who's to say that it wasn't at least partly due to the insufficient fan cooling or delicateness of the case which vibrated or rattled whatever internal part. I'm just recalling all the Dell Optiplexes at my work which had to have their power buttons replaced, which to me is a part of the computer case, or at least it looks like it is and I just definitely dont want to have to have a computer with a cheaper easily breakable power button like those Dell ones. I like the sturdy looking buttons of some of the HTPC cases, but they are very pricey.

In conclusion, I take it that the mods you are referring to are mostly for aesthetics purposes, which again I'm not really concerned about. I thought that when you or rather someone like myself who is planning to install the video card, the capture card, the DVB-PCi card, the compatible audio card and all the other basic computer components,(in essence, a lot of heat generating electronics) then maybe a special kind of case capable of dissipating all the heat I imagine my intended computer is going to generate requires. I just don't want to buy a case that turns out to be too small or too light or not the ideal functional material, shape and construction for my components.

If all computer cases function the same, and there is no reason why one computer case would not protect the components equally as well as another, then I have to say, I would probably just buy the cheapest, as long as it has the standard 5-6 HDD bays and it doesn't have a crappy power button.

I just remembered about a type of computer with a retractable touch screen module. Do you know anything about that? What functionability does a 7" touchscreen on a computer case have?

Ok, if you can't answer these questions. Can you atleast tell me what is the point of making a steel vs. aluminum case?

[rendermandan]

First off, Welcome to TBCS!!!!

Second, your asking for too much info in one thread. Or atleast your questions are too generalized.

Your question about why aluminum over steel is a good example to put into a thread by itself.
Basicaly Aluminum is Lighter, easier to cut and work with, and, although its not that big of difference, Aluminum will transfer heat better than steel.

As far as your ultimate home theater integration, your going to have a hard time integrating everyting into one case for that. It is possible, but you may need to look into a more advanced home theater integration system like Crestron or HomeWorks. Systems like what you are reffering to usually require rack type mounting equipment that have built in cooling so your Tube amp, processors, and equipment can be contained in one space.

If you are trying to integrate everything into one box, then yes you will have alot of heat and will require a case that can dissapate that heat. so a cheap $9 case with 1 fan will probably not work. Sounds like common sense doesn't it?

As for you comment, "What functionability does a 7" touchscreen on a computer case have?:" is like asking the question, Why did you climb Mt. Everest?

[remember]

Ok, Aluminum dissipates heat better, so whats the point of using steel? Is it cheaper or whats the reason? since all cases apparently are just as durable as each other?

Yes, Its common sense that one fan isn't enough, but what is enough? How will I know if 2 fans is enough and what size or maybe 3 isn't even enough? I have no idea. That's why Im asking all these questions.

[Bucko]

Aluminium cases are lighter and can look cooler, but there is no huge advantage of one over the other other than price. Steel is cheaper.
Aluminium is lighter if you were transporting the case to a LAN party or similar, but if it's staying in one spot, weight doesn't matter.
Aluminium also has a bigger "Bling" factor than steel.

For what you are after, you probably don't need a high end video card which would be the choice of gamers. Things like the nVidia 8800GTX and ATi X1950Xwas what I was talking about as far as big cards. They can be up to 12" long, hence the need for a big case.

Your concerns about the power button shouldn't be too big. If the button does fail, it's easy and cheap to replace. I have three different cases I've stripped for parts and all three use the same sort of power button under the flashy cover piece.

As for cooling, it's fairly easy to add a fan or two if needed. These are the sort of mods I am also talking about. Not just for aesthetic purposes, but practical too.
As long as you have at least one good intake fan and one good exhaust fan, you should be fine.

[blk03MitsuES]

you planning on buying the case or making it yourself?

you planning on getting a nice pc case or htpc?


cus from my experience, most HTPC cases are no good as far as performance. they're smaller in size because they're meant for living room use. like playing dvd's or surfing the net. yes they're also meant for recording and playing stored media but most vid capture cards arent up HD quality/resolution. Most HTPC's only got enough room for 1 or 2 hard drives. did i mention htpc's are small? everything has to be squeezed in. You already know little airflow will screw up the PC's components. so i dont need to get into details about it. i dont know who's your satellite tv provider but my direct tv receiver gets hotter than hot. if you're really planning on putting in the receiver, i can see why cooling is important for you. ever thought about water cooling the PC components to kind of make up for the heat from the receiver?

[remember]

Ok, well, common sense seems to tell me that I should buy the cheapest computer cases like Dell. If they make 55Bn, with their cheap parts, then Im sure its not necessary to use anything but the cheapest parts. I started this thread to learn about the function, dynamics and working structure of well designed case.

[blk03MitsuES]

Ok, well, I common sense seems to tell me that I should buy the cheapest computer cases like Dell. If they make 55Bn, with their cheap parts, then Im sure its not necessary to use anything but the cheapest parts. Makes no sense why to me anyone spend excess money on aesthetics, especially if there is no improvement in functionality or durability.


is it common sense for a guy with a toyota prius or any other hybrid, to visit a performance forum and asks why anybody would spend that much money on performance, especially if there is no improvement in functionality or durability.

if you haven't noticed you're in a place where aesthetics do matter

[Bucko]

Makes no sense why to me anyone spend excess money on aesthetics, especially if there is no improvement in functionality or durability.

So why did you join a Custom Case Modding forum then?

[rendermandan]

We are trying to be kind and help you out, and answer your questions. Some of the stuff we do is for functionality, but alot of what we do here is for, well "Just because we can".

Most of us don't have all the answers before we start a build. We try to plan them out as best we can and make changes as problems arise thru the project. At the end if we find that somethign didnt work, then we change it. we add a fan, or move something around to make it work.

your never going to find the answer your looking for that will tell you exactly what case to buy, how many fans and where to put everyting. Thats the exciting part of doing what we do, we just experiment and most of the time, things turn out. Again, if they don't, we change it.

Cheers!

[DaJe]

There is no right answer for any of this.

[remember]

Ok

[DaveW]

I'm very surprised not to have found a sticky on it in this forum. Hopefully, I just overlooked it.

We would have to sticky pretty much everything.

But, as everyone else has said, this is a matter of taste and opinion. What do you want from your mod? If the answer to that question is to build a computer from a set of pre-decided materials and specifications then you may have missed the point. The whole point of modding is to do it your way.

That's why you won't find such a thread on these boards.

-Dave

[ChevronX]

However this is an interesting topic and will relate with alot of peoples ; especially those creating cases.

Maybe a few drawings of common case designs; and common air flow and part positioning wouldnt go amiss here to give people ideas.

[Spacehonkey]

However this is an interesting topic and will relate with alot of peoples ; especially those creating cases.

Maybe a few drawings of common case designs; and common air flow and part positioning wouldnt go amiss here to give people ideas.


I agree some drawings or sketchup models should be made by someone who knows a lot about proper air flow and good design aspects which would complament the air flow. This would help this thread along with giving some much needed pointers for new modders to look for when making their cases. If we don't learn from our mistakes and share them with others then we are doomed to repeat them.

All I really know about air flow I read in Paul's book, MaximumPC Guide
to Extreme PC Mods. In the book it has some pix of window cases and they pumped some smoke into the case so you could actually see how the air was cirulating.

[remember]

Ok, so what would be the most economical way to build a computer case?

[DaveW]

Ok, so what would be the most economical way to build a computer case?

In terms of air circulation?

Well, that's a whole can of worms to be honest. You might be better of making a new thread in the cooling section, because then people won't be afraid to give you an answer to the depth you expect.

Simple solution, suck air in the front, chuck it out the back. More complex solutions involve air pressure differences, hot spots, the position of the PSU, the differences in ATX and BTX for cooling, factoring in tunnels, etc.

-Dave

[rendermandan]

Ok, so what would be the most economical way to build a computer case?

Most Economical? You sound as if you are worried about how much this is going to cost, but at the same time you are talkign about video recording cards, Multiple hard drives, sound cards, high end tube amps etc. To be honest, the cost of a computer case is a just a small part of the entire picture.

But to answer your question, the most economical way to "Build a computer case" is to buy one. the amount of money you will spend on materials and hardware will come close to the cost of the case itself if not more. then if you value your time and figure in your labor, then cost will get higher.