Ducati Monster Forum

Kitchen Sink => No Moto Content => Topic started by: Monsterlover on November 21, 2010, 04:10:27 PM

Title: Computer cases
Post by: Monsterlover on November 21, 2010, 04:10:27 PM
I think we may be building me a computer dedicated to internet and video editing.

I want a cool case.

I don't really need it, but I need it.

I want something with lights and lasers and gages and a turbo charger if they come with those.

Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: lethe on November 21, 2010, 04:19:42 PM
A refrigerator box, some Xmas lights and magic markers will make you an awesome one
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: erkishhorde on November 21, 2010, 04:27:57 PM
If you want lights and gizmos, the best way to get it done right is to do it yourself. Clear cases can be had for relatively cheap from any manufacturer. What kind of shinies are you planning on putting in that you want to show off?
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monsterlover on November 21, 2010, 04:53:43 PM
I can't do a clear case.

I just can't.

I hate them.  I've already lived though the 80's once ;)

been looking along these lines-

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146064 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146064)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146070 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146070)
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monsterlover on November 21, 2010, 04:54:35 PM
Quote from: lethe on November 21, 2010, 04:19:42 PM
A refrigerator box, some Xmas lights and magic markers will make you an awesome one

I saw a video where a guy put his whole computer into an aquarium and filled it with mineral oil.  Kinda cool.
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: the_Journeyman on November 21, 2010, 05:58:00 PM
Be creative. Surely you can find some container than is interesting and would make for a great case.  Micro fridge comes to mind ~

JM
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: ducpainter on November 21, 2010, 06:05:05 PM
How about a cooler?  ;D
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monsterlover on November 21, 2010, 06:25:13 PM
How about that grenaded 900 engine?
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: ducatiz on November 21, 2010, 06:40:20 PM
http://www.envador.com/cases/Dialup/ (http://www.envador.com/cases/Dialup/)
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monsterlover on November 21, 2010, 06:45:19 PM
Neato
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: ducpainter on November 21, 2010, 06:53:42 PM
Quote from: Monsterlover on November 21, 2010, 06:25:13 PM
How about that grenaded 900 engine?
You'll probably have mixture issues
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monsterlover on November 21, 2010, 06:54:50 PM
Dry clutch to cd-r/w drive conversion?
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: ducpainter on November 21, 2010, 06:56:38 PM
Quote from: Monsterlover on November 21, 2010, 06:54:50 PM
Dry clutch to cd-r/w drive conversion?
...or something
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monsterlover on November 21, 2010, 06:57:24 PM
You know it would be cool
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: CapnCrunch on November 21, 2010, 07:12:26 PM
Quote from: Monsterlover on November 21, 2010, 04:54:35 PM
I saw a video where a guy put his whole computer into an aquarium and filled it with mineral oil.  Kinda cool.


they do that when the want to overclock the processor.

makes a lot more heat and you have to cool it more efficiently than air cooling can achieve
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Punx Clever on November 21, 2010, 08:13:03 PM
Lian Li are like the Cadillac of computer cases.  I highly suggest them for a sleek, modern case.

For doo-dads and whiz-bang... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133089 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133089) Thermaltake "takes" the cake.
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monsterlover on November 21, 2010, 08:20:53 PM
Holy crap its $800!!!

Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monster Dave on November 22, 2010, 09:13:41 AM
Here's my multi-media gaming machine:

(http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/141/l_40fad1bfbb73422886449b45f334578e.jpg)


I love the larger cases. I think that the tiny cases are for weenies. Just kidding. There are some nice ones one there, it just depends on your taste and budget. I looked long and hard before I bought my case and built my machine.
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monsterlover on November 22, 2010, 09:22:25 AM
I have a slight variant of that sitting next to me.

Wife's desktop computer (that never gets used, lap top too easy to get at)
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Heath on November 22, 2010, 09:26:52 AM
Lian Li
Silverstone
Antec (the higher priced ones)

Great brands in the order.  My Silverstone case was build very very solid.  Built a computer for a friend using an Antec quiet case, can't remember exactly what model. It was just that quiet. They have an outlet store too for blemished cases.
My other friend didn't listen to me and bought a Termaltake case that was to look cool.  Plastic everywhere, LOUD fans, just a disaster. Maybe there high end cases are better but his was mid range and still crap.
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Veloce-Fino on November 22, 2010, 09:31:46 AM
THE GREATEST COMPUTER CASE EVER - well, would have been better with a real beer keg and not a bud keg.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=554327&id=884900649 (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=554327&id=884900649)
(http://75.126.99.100/hardocp.com/images/news/1290379467QvNGC8rrXK_1_1.jpg)
(http://75.126.99.100/hardocp.com/images/news/1290379467QvNGC8rrXK_1_2.jpg)
(http://75.126.99.100/hardocp.com/images/news/1290379467QvNGC8rrXK_1_3.jpg)
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monster Dave on November 22, 2010, 09:40:09 AM
I'd also check out this site if you haven't already:

http://www.ibuypower.com/ (http://www.ibuypower.com/)
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: JEFF_H on November 22, 2010, 09:41:32 AM
I disagree...this is the greatest computer case ever
(http://unrealitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/pc_case_mod_16.jpg)

if i were building a new pc i would look at a m-atx (or m-itx) cube style case (shuttle, etc)
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monsterlover on November 22, 2010, 09:53:21 AM
^

that's creepy as make the beast with two backs.

that's not going in my house [laugh]
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: ducatiz on November 22, 2010, 10:18:18 AM
Quote from: Monsterlover on November 22, 2010, 09:53:21 AM
^

that's creepy as make the beast with two backs.

that's not going in my house [laugh]

+11ty b
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: mitt on November 22, 2010, 11:11:15 AM
I wanted to use this for a media htpc

(http://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/shuttle-d10-001-thumb-520x399-480x368.jpg)


they don't make them anymore, probably was too expensive.
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monster Dave on November 22, 2010, 11:24:59 AM
The problem with those is that there's no wiggle room for upgrades and modifications.
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: mitt on November 22, 2010, 11:56:57 AM
Quote from: Monster Dave on November 22, 2010, 11:24:59 AM
The problem with those is that there's no wiggle room for upgrades and modifications.

You could buy them as a case, then add what ever micro-atx mb, cpu, gpu, and memory you wanted.  I am not sure why you say no wiggle room - as long as you kept the form factor, you could upgrade anything you wanted.   A media htpc doesn't need to be spec'd to the max - it is just doing mainstream work.


mitt
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monster Dave on November 22, 2010, 12:03:09 PM
I was considering building one like that at one point but when I looked at having a quality graphics card as one of the components I very quickly realized that it was larger than the tiny case was!!
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: evocarti on November 22, 2010, 12:44:37 PM
Edit: Forgot to address the OP's topic :)

I've got a Antec P183 that I'm very happy with.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129061 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129061)

It insulates noise very well and has a intuitive internal design. Hard drive cage in the front-bottom. PSU on the back-bottom (so the case isn't top heavy). Really solid construction too.


Quote from: Monsterlover on November 21, 2010, 04:54:35 PM
I saw a video where a guy put his whole computer into an aquarium and filled it with mineral oil.  Kinda cool.


I've seen a few of these (and considered building this myself), but probably the best constructed and well known is the one that the Puget guys did:

http://www.pugetsystems.com/submerged.php (http://www.pugetsystems.com/submerged.php)

Quote from: CapnCrunch on November 21, 2010, 07:12:26 PM
they do that when the want to overclock the processor.

makes a lot more heat and you have to cool it more efficiently than air cooling can achieve

Yeah, it can be used for overclocking - but it's pretty overkill... considering the price of the set up, you could just buy a faster processor :)

Depending on the processor, you can get significant overclocks without messing with the cooling too much. I used to run a self-contained watercooling system on one of my last computers. Got my 2.4ghz p4 to 3.2ish
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monsterlover on November 22, 2010, 01:49:59 PM
That link to the mineral oil vid is the one I found earlier.

What's driving this is a new gopro HD camera and the only way to watch videos is directly from GP to tv.

There isn't a computer in the house that can cope with these files.  The one Im using now comes close, but chokes after 10 seconds or so and the picture will refresh every 30 or 40 seconds (kind of a guess there)  Also, this pc is about 5 years old and came from best buy so. . . .

Im feeling an upgrade coming on.  I know only a minimal amount, enough to be dangerous really, about computers and their components.

My wife is the expert here.  She manages the IT for the 9 county library branches we have here.

So it looks like I'll be making the switch to Linux :)

All I want to do is surf, email and edit HD video for upload.

Also I wouldn't mind if the lights dim when I click it on :D
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monster Dave on November 22, 2010, 02:10:42 PM
Quote from: Monsterlover on November 22, 2010, 01:49:59 PM
Also I wouldn't mind if the lights dim when I click it on :D

Big bang.avi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVuqPUdaobs#normal)

Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monsterlover on November 22, 2010, 02:20:47 PM
[laugh]
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: erkishhorde on November 22, 2010, 04:23:09 PM
I still don't get why people like cases where you have open a face plate to access the I/O drives. I'm a convenience guy more than a looks guy. I don't care if you see my old white DVD drive that I've had for 3 builds and got for $15 on my black case. It runs and I can get at it faster and without worry breaking some fancy shmancy faceplate.
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monsterlover on November 22, 2010, 05:04:03 PM
The face plate doesn't bother me.

I don't have one on my current pc.  I haven't opened my cd drive in at least a year so I'm not sure it would even matter.

Here's the current leader-

(http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/11-146-025-S01?$S640W$)

I looked at the Lian-Li cases but they were a little blah
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: erkishhorde on November 22, 2010, 05:06:41 PM
I thought you said you don't want a clear case.  [roll] Oh, remember: more fans = more noise. I don't mind this so much for a gaming machine but for a media machine it might come into play. I've gotten pretty used to the whir of the fans but it bothers some people.
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monster Dave on November 22, 2010, 05:07:00 PM
Quote from: erkishhorde on November 22, 2010, 04:23:09 PM
I still don't get why people like cases where you have open a face plate to access the I/O drives. I'm a convenience guy more than a looks guy.


I think that you just explained your confusion for yourself.   [cheeky]
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monsterlover on November 22, 2010, 05:24:05 PM
Quote from: erkishhorde on November 22, 2010, 05:06:41 PM
I thought you said you don't want a clear case.  [roll] Oh, remember: more fans = more noise. I don't mind this so much for a gaming machine but for a media machine it might come into play. I've gotten pretty used to the whir of the fans but it bothers some people.

Sorry, should have specified. . .

I was thinking of some cases that were *entirely* clear.

Id call that a clear pannel.
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: evocarti on November 23, 2010, 08:47:13 AM
Quote from: Monsterlover on November 22, 2010, 05:24:05 PM
Sorry, should have specified. . .

I was thinking of some cases that were *entirely* clear.

Id call that a clear pannel.

I also used to have one of these - the entire case was acrylic.

It was a giant pain in the ass. The case flexed too much and never quite 'fit right'. Acrylic doesn't bend... it cracks.

If you want a clear case - by all means you can find them. Just beware of the pita-factor ;)
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: cokey on November 23, 2010, 09:35:45 AM
How about no case at all?

When I finally get around to it ill post up..
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monster Dave on November 23, 2010, 09:43:34 AM
Quote from: cokey on November 23, 2010, 09:35:45 AM
How about no case at all?

When I finally get around to it ill post up..

Is yours more like:

(http://bobcatscomputers.com/assets/graphics/hulk-case-mod.jpg)

or this:

(http://dexterbiilt-creative-technologies.com/images/Skeleton_quarter_400.jpg)


Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: erkishhorde on November 23, 2010, 10:01:33 AM
Quote from: Monster Dave on November 23, 2010, 09:43:34 AM

(http://dexterbiilt-creative-technologies.com/images/Skeleton_quarter_400.jpg)




This one I rather like. I've never seen that before. Too bad that probably wouldn't work out for me. I'd have to be really careful where I put that so I don't try to put my foot on it or spill anything on it. It also doesn't look like it has many bays for drives.
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Veloce-Fino on November 23, 2010, 10:02:33 AM
Quote from: erkishhorde on November 23, 2010, 10:01:33 AM
This one I rather like. I've never seen that before. Too bad that probably wouldn't work out for me. I'd have to be really careful where I put that so I don't try to put my foot on it or spill anything on it. It also doesn't look like it has many bays for drives.


That case is A LOT bigger than it looks in the photo.
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: erkishhorde on November 23, 2010, 10:05:52 AM
Holy Shat! That thing is nearly $200!!!
Quote from: Veloce-Fino on November 23, 2010, 10:02:33 AM
That case is A LOT bigger than it looks in the photo.

The more I look at it, the more I see where you're coming from. It's nearly the size of a motherboard squared. I guess "more than" is more accurate than "nearly."

(http://frizzicustoms.com/Photo%20Gallery%20Page/GEDC0082.JPG)

Wow, in this picture it looks like a keyboard squared almost. Crazy!
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monster Dave on November 23, 2010, 10:26:44 AM
It's a cool design, but if you have pets with fur, your MoBo will end up ruined from static electricity in about a day.
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Veloce-Fino on November 23, 2010, 10:28:30 AM
Quote from: erkishhorde on November 23, 2010, 10:05:52 AM
Holy Shat! That thing is nearly $200!!!
The more I look at it, the more I see where you're coming from. It's nearly the size of a motherboard squared. I guess "more than" is more accurate than "nearly."

(http://frizzicustoms.com/Photo%20Gallery%20Page/GEDC0082.JPG)

Wow, in this picture it looks like a keyboard squared almost. Crazy!

Look at it's size compared to that Acer in the background, easily double.
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: cokey on November 23, 2010, 11:34:48 AM
Pretty cool.. I was thinking more archaic.. 
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: il d00d on November 23, 2010, 11:42:08 AM
A friend of mine did a disco ball case, I'll see if I can find some pics.  If I was doing one, I would try to find some dusty old PC and put new stuff in it.  Apple ][e or something.  I have also liked the idea of an all-wood case - not just a square box, but something a bit more sculptural.
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: MendoDave on November 23, 2010, 02:01:40 PM
Quote from: Monsterlover on November 21, 2010, 04:54:35 PM
I saw a video where a guy put his whole computer into an aquarium and filled it with mineral oil.  Kinda cool.


Saw his on the site in the Q&A section.

9. Dood! Put fishez in ur tank!!!1

   Answer: No.

[laugh]
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Grampa on November 23, 2010, 02:10:19 PM
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gTJMEP-c2fo/SM0BSkFl3cI/AAAAAAAAE-0/wkuBAprHsZ8/s400/vw_camper_case_mod.jpg)
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: cokey on November 23, 2010, 04:09:02 PM
Wood was wati had in mind..
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Grampa on November 24, 2010, 10:20:50 AM
my carbon fiber computer case

(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t180/bobspapa/002-13.jpg?t=1290622708)

:P [laugh]
Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Monster Dave on November 24, 2010, 10:24:16 AM
Go old school and form factor at the same time:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/d_stilgar/DSCN0686.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/d_stilgar/f68bf301.jpg)


[thumbsup]

Title: Re: Computer cases
Post by: Raux on November 24, 2010, 10:28:13 AM
the ITX formfactor had allowed some very creative designs over the years.