PC cases - expensive vs inexpensive

[Motherf♥♥♥er Big Scorpio]

Hi.

My pc-CASE is falling apart and sometime later i will probably buy a new PC case. Right now I'm looking at the DeepCool Tesseract SW Red. I have assembled some new machines using this case and i thought i'd get myself this case too since its looking cool, comes with 2 coolers and is inexpensive.
But here comes my question: If a case like this costs 37 euros and the market has cases, which are much more expensive like even over 100 euros, what may be reasons to pick expensive pc cases over the inexpensive ones? Pc-cases don't make computers run faster.

[Big Boom Boom]

CM MasterCase Pro 5 isn't cheap though, that's more than double the DC Tesseract. It's a great, solid, modular case.

Be aware though, quality cases are heavy. For instance the CM is twice the weight of the DC Tesseract (which is mostly plastic). Plastic weighs less than stainless steel.

[76561198034396398]

while this is resolved my case weighs in at 25 KG not the sort of thing you want to go lugging around

[Motherf♥♥♥er Big Scorpio]

Thanks for the clarifications again friends!

I got it.
So cases are cases, some are better, some are worse and it depends on what the customer really wants. While they have no direct impact on how the computer will perform they do impact the airflow and the machine temperature, which indirectly can influence the performance on the computer (since intel CPU's tend to slow down on hot temps)

OK.
I also noted, that while my choice (Deepcool tesseract) is a good one considering it's a low budged choice, there are more expensive cases, which provide an even better environent for the pc components, bigger dimensions and better airflow. Those would be especially useful for overclockers.

I can find workarounds and could mod this case to upgrade it so it would be better and come closer towards the high-end designed cases like attaching a dust collecting sheet or getting better fans (although I don't think I need to. My temps are fine now and they will be better after getting the DP tesseract)

Anyway thanks again for clarifying. I learned much from this.

I'm going to get the Deepcool tesseract soon then. I'm not an overclocker and I'm good at aligning cables. So my choice is great for my purposes.

[pasa]

Expensive for its own sake just looking for whales and ignorants. And those out for bragging.

Sensible approach is to know what features you need (minimum and priority). And start looking at proce only after filtered the candidates by that.

For a case my preference is low noise, then space and airflow. (beyond point #0 able to fit whatever I plan to put in ;). Others may look for leds, fans, dust fitlters, specific dimension, shape, certain fan placement, LC support, convenience of opening and fiddling with inside, cable guides, transparency, front panel ports/controls, color, looks, ....

If you found a case that suits you I'd say it's ridiculous to look for a more expensive one.

But if you used it and can recall any nuisance, it is good idea to discover if some other case improves on that.

[tacoshy]

pasa původně napsal:

Expensive for its own sake just looking for whales and ignorants. And those out for bragging.

Sensible approach is to know what features you need (minimum and priority). And start looking at proce only after filtered the candidates by that.

For a case my preference is low noise, then space and airflow. (beyond point #0 able to fit whatever I plan to put in ;). Others may look for leds, fans, dust fitlters, specific dimension, shape, certain fan placement, LC support, convenience of opening and fiddling with inside, cable guides, transparency, front panel ports/controls, color, looks, ....

If you found a case that suits you I'd say it's ridiculous to look for a more expensive one.

But if you used it and can recall any nuisance, it is good idea to discover if some other case improves on that.

true that but its liek PSU's I wouldnt cheap out on a case to save 20$ while the most ppl can use their case for 10 years at least. If you do it right you only buy a case once for multiple generations of computers.

I'm not saying you should go and buy now a 100$ case because of it, just dont go for the cheapest with average ok performance to save 20$ in 10 years. Otherwise its mostly like everything else buy cheap - buy twice.

[rotNdude]

I agree with all of the replies regarding air flow, drive bays, materials, mounting areas, etc. Here is one you may not have thought of, workmanship.

It was several years ago that I was building a new PC in a relatively cheap case. I was trying to install a drive into one of the drive bays and my hand slipped while applying pressure. Unfortunately, my hand scraped across the edge of the metal drive bay and I cut myself rather deep. The metal edge had not been deburred and was extremely sharp. A couple of stitches to my finger and I was fine, but I learned all about cheap cases the hard way.

[tacoshy]

rotNdude původně napsal:

I agree with all of the replies regarding air flow, drive bays, materials, mounting areas, etc. Here is one you may not have thought of, workmanship.

It was several years ago that I was building a new PC in a relatively cheap case. I was trying to install a drive into one of the drive bays and my hand slipped while applying pressure. Unfortunately, my hand scraped across the edge of the metal drive bay and I cut myself rather deep. The metal edge had not been deburred and was extremely sharp. A couple of stitches to my finger and I was fine, but I learned all about cheap cases the hard way.

oh yeah fogot about this. Definitly another point tho most budget case nowadays doesnt have sharp edges anymore.

[[☥] - CJ -]

Personally
I always go for Full Towers, and those with plenty of space and cooling options.

[upcoast]

Most of my cases come from PC recycle depots and actually use real metal other than pop can metal in them.

I bought a couple Bitfenix cases $25-$30 good enough for me.

Talking about air flow the honey comb fan grills that come in the majority of cases are the worst thing going, so if I get a cheap or free case I don't feel bad cutting the fan grills out.

[pasa]

rotNdude původně napsal:

It was several years ago that I was building a new PC in a relatively cheap case. I was trying to install a drive into one of the drive bays and my hand slipped while applying pressure. Unfortunately, my hand scraped across the edge of the metal drive bay and I cut myself rather deep. The metal edge had not been deburred and was extremely sharp. A couple of stitches to my finger and I was fine, but I learned all about cheap cases the hard way.

Good point there. Unfortunately I read a few similar cases in not really cheap boxes too. IIRC it was not an edge but some leftover random burr... from there you're in the hand of mr Murphy. Seems major part of the cost is applied to other area.

[Revelene]

Higher quality cases are typically priced higher, but it isn't a definite. There are also high quality cases for fair prices.

Research. Don't rely on price as a guide for quality. Many are sold for high price, not for quality, but rather for aesthetic or some gimmick.

For the most part, a case is just a case. An enclosure to hold your hardware. Nothing more.

[Nabster]

I use deepcool tesseract myself, it is a good budget case.

[Arya]

Another difference is internal design. More expensive cases are typically easier to work on, and have better cable management. My Cooler Master Mastercase Maker 5(try saying that three times fast) strips down to a bare frame, makes install very easy. Most of the internals are modular, with a very nice hidden HDD cage below the main floor. This lets you run 2X HDDs + 2SSD or 6X SSDs without needing to compromise your cooling.

It's also got outstanding cable managment, with hidden pathways for cables and a fixing system for holding them in place. Makes creating a neat build easy.

[HypersleepyNaputunia]

wait for thanksgiving newegg sales too

[Boss 429]

Love my Cooler Master Mastercase pro 6, was so easy to build with and was on sale for £110 which I though was very reasonable for such a well thought out and large case