Weekly Subject - 05 - Cases and Power Supplies

If you are just noticing that, relax, I have been seeing that sort of thing since I have been on vdr. It just gets a little worst while they are archieving. Will get better after they get done.

T-bolt
We thank you for posting.
I have read some of the tutorials on the web about building pc's. They leave from something to a whole load to be desired.
Not saying they are bad, just to directed and no provision for seeking help.

my 8Hrs are calling, have to get.

GG1 you failed to recognize the symtoms https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ https://discussions.virtualdr.com/


------------------
SMILE
and post back
[ Book mark this post to find it again]

Thanks Train. No, I hadn't ever (that I remember) run in to it before. I was beginning to think it was just simply the case that

http://members.aol.com/drmdj/bzone.jpg

------------------
Bookmark your post to make it easier to find.
And remember, please post back whether the problem is resolved or not.

That I did Train, that I did. Forgot about that. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

------------------
Seek knowledge and all else will follow


Please post back results - Press Ctl D to bookmark

Information

....and once you enter, there's no way out....you are lost....lost ...lost. Never to return....return....return. *?* (Is it just me or is there an echo on this forum?....)

No echo here. Oh Oh. Don't have my hearing aids in. Maybe that could make a difference. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

------------------
Seek knowledge and all else will follow


Please post back results - Press Ctl D to bookmark

Information

Hi
its been said before
stay away from slim lines
I mean, stay away from slimline desktop cases

DEAD giveaway for problem cases are horizontal slot cutouts in a desktop
that's slimline for you
five inches or so high, a risercard in one slot and problems galore.

full size desktops are okay for many
imho, midi towers are better
(I wonder if anyone ever noticed that midi towers and full desktops can be built round the same chassis. I seen some that could be used as desktop OR tower. The bays could be mounted both ways. HONEST. )

my Aopen full tower is kinda noisy (Bfr 4.950 at the time)
the midi Aopen I later built is silent in comparison. (Bfr 3.050 at the time)
I have not yet looked for a source for Inwin over here (belgium).
a retailer worth his salt, can tell you the difference between models in the same range, and you will find the silent ones cost a few bucks more. Believe me, they are WORTH it.

budget and quality o/t case
a cheap tower is found for equivalent of around US $ 35 (around Bfr 1.800)
(I can get a dirt cheap but really crappy midi tower for as little as Bfr 1.395. You should notice the price difference, and consider that the Aopen is not yet high end)

when I have to build one at lowest possible cost for friends, I tell them the disadvantages. If they tell me to go cheap, I go cheap. (but seldom DIRT crappy cheap)

What are the disadvantages of extremely cheap boxes?
they usu have only 250 Watts MAX load, of a nondescript PSU maker.
this in itself can cause instability in a system (hangs and unexpected reboots)
but, the box is also rather FLIMSY, and will flex or bend easily. The result of THAT will be easily dislodged cards, where cards may actually pop out of the slot.
another observation is that connectors no longer properly center in the cutouts.

15 dollars more can get you box with a 300W max PSU, with a sturdier build case.
these are still in the "budget range" but are okay in my book.
I also find they tend to have the standoffs and replacement backplate masks.

The cheaper cases have slot cutouts you have to "BREAK" out. These are not re-usable.
Others are secured by screws (better) or re-usable with a fastening hook.
When you buy at a "mom and pop" store as you guys so eloquently put it, you can ask for a few slot coverplates. They usually have them laying about.
Why do you want to do that?
well, suppose you break out a backplate and later find the card has to move from PCI slot 1 to PCI slot 2 for some reason.
you are left with a hole.
it can disturb or negatively affect proper air circulation.
so you want to cover the hole.

Oh, I meant to say this too...
When you have these re-usable coverplates, don't toss them away...

And guys, please KEEP ALL manuals and documentation.
Also READ the manuals and warranty cards and act appropriately.

edit>
please remember I had to use EQUIVALENTS due to exchange rates.
the US Dollar is pretty expensive nowadays

a top QUALITY power supply can cost more than a good enough standard ATX case which would be including a PSU.
a good ATX case fits most people's needs.

btw, have I told you to stay away from slimmed lines? https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

------------------
there's noise and noise.
we've been talking decibel...
WHAT ABOUT ELECTRICAL NOISE?

Kind regards, Jaak

[This message has been edited by jtdoom (edited 06-15-2001).]

Slimline Cases? Don't say it, it will give me Packard Hell nightmares. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

Never owned one but worked on a few.

Interesting Read.

Troy

DrMD],
In one of you posts you say the color does not matter. You clearly have never dealt with my current wife. For some silly reason she thinks all the parts should have the same color pattern or at least match. So now I have to search for a new system for her that everything is dark transparent blue. Try finding that in printers and scanners at sale prices.

As as cases to stay away from, I saw a transparent day-glo green plastic covered case that is so ugly it would make a bullfrog puke.

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ Opovet https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

------------------
I know it is true because I read it on the internet from a VirtualDr link!!

Having a vision of a pile of riser cards burning furiously....and I'm smiling.

Good points above, jtdoom. Cheap is, cheap does. When budgeting for parts to build, it's an advantage to set aside a goodly amount for the case. I've seen too many folks skimp on them and ended up very, very disappointed. One in particular was dazzled by a color front panel---oh, it looked real pretty and fancy, but not only did he nearly slice a finger off on the the inside edges (it was very cramped in there and all the metal edges were extremely sharp), but the hard drive section was off by almost 1/4 inch! Had to bend the sides in to mount the drive. Very poor engineering. He ended up calling me to help because he had two fingers on one hand all bandaged up! https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Just because it looks like Star Trek on the outside doesn't mean it's a good case.
IMHO, any case for less than 50 to 60 USD, then Buyer Beware. Yes, there ARE some decent cases for a little less; but you've gotta know what to look for (has already been covered here, I believe).

Good point. I used to work for UL Canada. The case or case materials have to be approved by UL or CSA(Canada). I doubt the transparent case is met by the safety standard.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Opovet:
As as cases to stay away from, I saw a transparent day-glo green plastic covered case that is so ugly it would make a bullfrog puke.

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ Opovet https://discussions.virtualdr.com/

---

Bistro,
thanks for reminding me
can you remember I said I used fine leather gloves?
yeah, these dirt cheap cases are a health hazard.
you get frustrated working in them because of the poor build, and you get cut too.

there's yet another type of cases, but these are for system adminitrators buying huge numbers of puters.
they want easy access and maintenance
they do not want their technicians spending an hour to swap a hard drive out
unlock, open up/roll-out, get bad part out out, plonk replacement in, shut/roll-in, lock
four minutes
(includes coffee)
iow, sysadmins want almost hot swap-able systems.

not our topic, tho.
not my field either.
hehehe, as if I have a field!
I am merely a hobbyist.

Now no one get the idea that just because a case has a fancy transparent front that it's a cheapy. Not true necessarily. It's just that you have to consider ALL the factors before buying (room to upgrade/add more devices, interior roomy and safe to work in, can add additional fans if desired, etc.). If I was in the market, and a particular case met those requirements AND had a cool looking exterior---hey, I'd go for it. Just make UTILITY a priority over appearance, IMHO.

It does pay to not skimp on the case. But one must shop around. Higher cost doesn't necessarily translate to better quality.

The gotcha with buying a case over the net is that you can get a good deal on the base price, but end up spending almost as much on the darn shipping (weight = cost).

Opovet,

LOL. Yea, a while back I built a system for someone. I primarily worked with the husband in reviewing and selecting the parts (wife said "I don't care, anything is fine"). The case ended up being a nice simple (but good quality) Antec. When it was all done and delivered the wife says "Oh, it's beige! I thought it would be one of this nice color cases I've seen." So to her, color was all that mattered.

------------------
Bookmark your post to make it easier to find.
And remember, please post back whether the problem is resolved or not.

[This message has been edited by DrMDJ (edited 06-15-2001).]

Agreed Bistro. Utility = priority 1. Looks are lower on the list. Afterall, you're not getting a case to sleep with it (or at least don't tell anyone if you are).

------------------
Bookmark your post to make it easier to find.
And remember, please post back whether the problem is resolved or not.

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ Good point, DrMDJ. My wife really got ticked off one night when she rolled over to kiss me goodnight and she banged her face into the side panel...

*Shoot! Didn't mean for that to slip out...hate it when I do that!*


Jaak: You're a hobbyist? That's a surprise! I could have sworn you were a Presbyterian....

OK...OK...I'll shut up now and take my medications.... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/



[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 06-15-2001).]