Characteristics of computer case? Steel vs Alum
 

Hi, I was told a steel case will be quieter than aluminum case. But Aluminum case will be ligher.


Summary,

noise: Steel< Alum
weight:Alum< steel
Cooling:Alum<steel
Price: Steel<Alum

If i am not not modding/overclocking cpu, and play some games like WC3 and WOW.

I am thinking about getting a full size tower with steel construction and save the money. I have seen and heard someone's crazy OCed computer with watercooling and a dozen fans in an high end aluminum enclosure, and that is loud as a construction zone.
Is my logic ok? please advise

wait, why would an alum case be better at cooling than steel?
if ur not a crazy overclocker or into computer modding, then any case will DO as long as it provides adequate cooling. ie. big intake and exhaust fans in the case that pushes alot of air but is quiet at the same time.
go online and read up on reviews made by well known manufactures, not some cheap cases.

I think aluminum is a better conductor of heat, so it dissipates heat to the surface and that allows air cool. Steel traps heat i guess.

Gonna take a look at some brand name cheap cases, like antec..etc

a well designed case will make a bigger difference then the material its made out of..

As long as you buy a quality case it doesn't matter. Aluminum is lighter but does tend to resonate a bit more. That's about it.

if you buy some $50 sht box, case is steel but it's lighter than the cardbord box it came in it... amazing!!!

why would weight be important in a computer case? You're not racing with it.

If you're not overclocking then what's most important is noise..given it has adequate cooling

go with acrylic..

its resonance, the more material, the less likely it is to vibrate or rattle.
also, back then, people like to haul their computers around to lan parties, not sure if anyone still does tho.

I have the antec 300 and the fans are pretty adequate... though the top fan is somewhat loud but not unbareable

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/prod...roduct_id=2810

that's what i have, it's huge, it's super quiet, it's got wheels at the bottom for me to roll it around in, it's awesome, with a subtle bit of rice.

You need this
[youtube]6xsOzJfgzFY[/youtube]

Lan parties.

lan parties is for fags that can't get laid

but this is the case i wanna get
http://www.gadgetmeter.com/wp-conten...mw-pc-case.jpg

get the Antec Sonata series, known for their quietness, and keeps your pc cool as well


i have the sonata 2, and i cant hear it even when i sleep, and its in the same room

I usually get a steel chassis w/ aluminum front, mainly because most steel chassis that don't have an aluminum front have too much plastic for my liking.

hey i have the same case too, but for some reason, mine has a bit of rattle going on. does urs rattle too? i suspect its the hard drive trays.

^ thats a slick looking case. I want to build a desk in a couple years using a sheet of either clear or frosted glass, supported by two huge towers that are either black or brushed aluminum-esque, 1 as a desktop and the other working as a server.

no rattling in mine whatsoever. the only thing i don't like about it are the blue lights infront of the computer. they're way too bright, so i took some electrical tape and just put it over, haha.

because i live my life a 1/4 mile at a time

:lol

My old Antec Sonata case LEDs had to be plugged into the PSU, so maybe yours is the same too?

for those 10ms or less, nothing else matter

It doesn't matter what you use as long as the Case has sufficient air flow it's good enough. Manufacturers use aluminum cause it's much lighter than steel and is easier to mold, plus it looks better esthetically than steel.

nice info thanks

this case would be loud as hell i think