Rant : why so little choice in PC cases...? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 10:27:44 pm
content: OK so there are a zillion PC cases out there. But why does nobody make one that you can swap the PSU and drive bays over so you have access to drives and all the IOs from the same side.I'm getting tired of having to butcher cases to make my own :I've just spend a couple of hours looking, and found one, just ONE ffs! but it only has one 5.25" bay.http://www.semaphore-systems.co.uk/IPC-5120-Desktop-Wallmount-Chassis-for-MicroATX-ATX-Motherboard-with-Front-I-O-Interfaces.htmlSurely I can't be the only person that wants something like this ?Do PC case manufacturers have no imagination? Stop all the dicking about with fancy lighting and similar useless crap and make something useful!

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 10:34:03 pm
content: I love cheiftec cases, the BA -01b full tower range, had 2 on wheels full to the brim till i had them stolen

author: Matje
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 10:44:54 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on July 07, 2015, 10:27:44 pmProbably not the only person, but very likely one of very, very few people wanting something like that. So basically no manufacturer is going to create a PC case like that, as there is no market and thus no money in it. The vast majority wants to setup the PC once and not fiddle with it afterwards.Free market in action, huzzah! Just you wait until there will be no way to have a proper serial, parallel, SCSI etc. interface on a PC anymore...

author: kingofkya
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 10:45:47 pm
content: I think most people don't want to acknowledge that there pc even has wires.Closest thing i know of, psu still goes out the back though, and it just has a laptop cdromhttp://www.supermicro.com/products/chassis/2U/523/SC523L-520.cfm

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 10:50:17 pm
content: Here's another one - not cheap though:http://www.idealez.com/rackmount/product-detail/en_US/101121

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 11:07:42 pm
content: That's not bad, but pretty huge. Really want a vertical format.Price not a problem (though not sure I believe the "free shipping"I think it's one of those "we don't make it because nobody wants it... nobody asks for it because nobody makes it" situations.How hard can it be to make a case where the PSU and drive bay can be swapped over?Looks like it's going to be metal bashing time again....

author: soren
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 11:21:05 pm
content: http://www.cooltek.de/jonsbo-powered-by-cooltek/w-serie/131/w2

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 11:27:24 pm
content: Quote from: soren on July 07, 2015, 11:21:05 pmHuge, only one 5.25 bay.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 11:34:50 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on July 07, 2015, 11:07:42 pmIf I'm not mistaken you can remove the 19" flanges from this case (http://www.idealez.com/rackmount/product-detail/en_US/101121) so you could use it vertically. Maybe add some feet to it. Still I don't see much use for I/Os since everything is USB nowadays. I have two USB hubs on my desk to plug in programmers, sticks, RS232 adapters, etc. The RS232 always has an extension cable fitted. In fact I never need to plug something into my PC.The airflow looks really shitty in this PC case:http://www.semaphore-systems.co.uk/IPC-5120-Desktop-Wallmount-Chassis-for-MicroATX-ATX-Motherboard-with-Front-I-O-Interfaces.htmlvLook how bad the hard drive is mounted in a corner! That is just asking for trouble. A couple of months ago I got a Dell precision 5810 tower in which everything has airflow while it is super quiet.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 11:45:07 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 07, 2015, 11:34:50 pmCD drive would still be vertical, which is a pain, and it's very deep.Even if you didn't have anything going into PCI slots, you still have all the ATX panel stuff - ethernet, video, audio etc, etc. etc. And the neatest way to add USBs is on PCI blanking plates.

author: EEMarc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 01:53:22 am
content: I don't have a optical or magnetic drive in my computer. In the rare case that I need to load a program with a DVD, I use an external drive. That drive is shared between all of my computers.Like you, I have the rear of my computer facing me on my desk for easy IO access. Its ugly, but it is handy.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 01:56:03 am
content: Mike,If you quit living in the 90's with all that dead tech spinning media crap, you'll have a lot better options.

author: slateraptor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 02:19:03 am
content: Quote from: LabSpokane on July 08, 2015, 01:56:03 amLMAO...ouch! ><

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 08:37:09 am
content: Quote from: LabSpokane on July 08, 2015, 01:56:03 amCDs and DVDs are far from dead. CDRs and DVDrs are, and will always be cheaper if I want to give someone a big load of data in physical form.And I have a LTO tape drive for backups.I also don't want a PSU fan facing me due to noise.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 08:43:48 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on July 08, 2015, 08:37:09 amGet better PSUs, you should have to workto get one audible these days.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 08:47:48 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on July 08, 2015, 08:37:09 amIf I need to give someone a lot of data I use services like Wetransfer or Dropbox. Maybe I send an SD card. The amount of data that fits on a DVD isn't even sufficient in most cases. If I where you I'd use extension cables to get the connectors from the back of your PC to your desk. I have done so for the past 20 years. And a tape drive? Really? You know how unreliable these are? IIRC you can write a tape about 30 times and then it's ready for the bin. Also the amount of data which fits on a tape is extremely small compared to a hard drive. Not to mention the time it takes to restore the data. I'm using several external/internal hard drives and Rsync to make daily (incremental) backups of all my data. I'm guarded against drive failure, computer failure, physical theft, flooding and fire. If I need to restore something I simply copy it from the backup drive inside my PC.If noise is an issue: get the Dell system I mentioned earlier. With an SSD + Western Digital green drive it is freakishly silent. I actually had to get used to my office being so quiet. Before I had 3 PCs running and even with alterations to make them low noise they where still very audible. You can only get so far with standard PC cases due to poor choices in the past (like the fan in the PSU also providing cooling for the entire system).

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 09:42:14 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on July 08, 2015, 08:47:48 am

author: Kevman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 12:50:00 pm
content: How bout having the cables come out the top, rather than the front?http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163180

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 01:44:45 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on July 08, 2015, 09:42:14 amIn the long run: noOne of the problems I've seen with backups on tape (or any offline medium) is that when a new computer is installed some of the information (archive data) remains on the backup which then slowly gets lost due to drives not being backwards compatible, medium getting damaged/lost or due to aging of the medium. This is why I decided to have all my data online so monitoring it's health and moving it to a new medium doesn't take any extra effort or attention for both archive and 'active' data. I can access projects from 20+ years ago within seconds. It is not necessary to access those projects that quickly at all but knowing they are at my fingers tips solves a lot of tedious logistics which come with storing and labeling DVDs or tapes.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 02:33:32 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on July 08, 2015, 08:37:09 amWell, there is that floppy drive that you seem to be clinging to... I think you need to up your specs to "must house 8-track tape deck."And you do know that they give away 4GB flash drives at trade shows now?

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 04:01:40 pm
content: I stopped using tape for backups about 5 years ago, and just went to hard disks for back up storage. Before that I tried using CD and DVD for backup, but too much swapping disks and very unreliable after just 5 years.Now I use a local raid server for backup. (note: I am not *depending* on raid technology for backup, I am backing up my main PC to a raid server). Since I am running linux, I use automated scripts to make back ups of important work for me on a regular basis. The raid server is also my time machine server for my OS X desktop.For anything offsite, I use a USB drive now and ship that away, or the cloud like Dropbox if it's not excessive. I can encrypt stuff and put it there safely without worry.

author: GoneTomorrow
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2015, 01:54:00 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on July 08, 2015, 08:37:09 amGet a nice 80Plus Gold or Platinum PSU, the fan won't even spin until you get to a couple of hundred watts.

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2015, 03:13:01 am
content: Every peripheral I use is either USB or Thunderbolt based. I have more computers that I wish to count and I've long stopped buying DVD drives. I just have one USB based one, that I plug in per need, which is rare.Active (powered) USB and Thunderbolt hubs is what I use.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2015, 05:35:22 am
content: What are CD's and DVD's ?I gave up on those about a year ago after i just bought a brand new blu-ray disc of 'the hobbit' and my player wouldn't play it. I took it back to the store and swapped it. same story. Turns out my player is outdated and needs an' upgrade' and the manufacturer ( samsung) doesn't have one because 'too old' : 2 years... ) . I was really in the mood for a nice movie night .. needless to say i ended up going to bed really pissed off... That's when i swore NEVER EVER to buy anything on physical media ever again. If it can't be downloaded or streamed i can't be bothered. I am done with these crappy formats that break all the time because for whatever reason. For all i care the producers of these media carriers and players can ram them up their ass , preferably sideways.

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2015, 04:00:00 pm
content: Well, Facebook is going to Blu-Rays for their cold storage:http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/meetings/documents/storage14/Kestutis_Patiejunas_Facebook_FreezingExabytesOfDataFacebooksColdStorage.pdf

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2015, 09:56:00 pm
content: Quote from: bitwelder on July 09, 2015, 04:00:00 pmBut that doesn't mean it is a good solution by default. Cold/offline storage needs management (yes, it becomes a logistics problem which people tend to overlook).

author: fluxcapacitor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2015, 01:39:03 am
content: Mike, is this any good .http://www.ioi.com.tw/products/proddetail_dl.aspx?AppID=1008&CatID=113&HostID=2043&ProdID=1130016

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2015, 12:51:01 pm
content: Quote from: fluxcapacitor on July 13, 2015, 01:39:03 amNot really - most of the issue is the stuff on the ATX panel.Probably the closest I've found so far is something like this, with a 2-drive external case bolted onto the tophttps://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-426-LL&groupid=2362&catid=187Another option might be to build something out of sheet material around a motherboard tray like thishttp://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_2012.html

author: fluxcapacitor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 10:10:09 pm
content: I found a csae that might fit the bill. Its a Lian Li PC-100 .I can`t find one for sale in the uk but theres one on amazon US.http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4591/lian_li_pc_100_the_hammer_mid_tower_chassis_review/index5.htmlhttp://www.amazon.com/Lian-Li-PC-100-Aluminum-Computer/dp/B008LA7ISI

author: Fsck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 10:24:13 pm
content: tangentially related:http://www.silverstonetek.com/raven/products/index.php?model=RV02-E&area=en&top=C"rear" is oriented vertically, but it does give you access.why do you want rear access anyways? it's been that way at least since the AT format (my earliest computer experience, I don't know what it was like before that).using CDs and DVDs to move data is sort of ancient. it's almost always easier to use some form of flash drive(s) now, or if you can risk it, hard drives.for most people, there is no need to continually access the rear panel. couldn't you just build your own breakout box if you desperately needed connectivity from the front?

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 10:59:35 pm
content: Quote from: fluxcapacitor on July 14, 2015, 10:10:09 pmThat's pretty much it - surprised I didn't find it. Especially as I just ordered the A05 from the same dealer yesterday!https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-441-LLRather expensive though, twice the price of the A05. Also at 530mm, bit deep.Of course the problem now is to find a dual 5.25" drive box to put on top - these were everywhere years ago but struggling to find one now! The only ones I've found are too high as they have a PSU underneath.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2015, 11:09:31 pm
content: Quote from: Fsck on July 14, 2015, 10:24:13 pmI don't want rear access. I want everything on the same side!QuoteSoftware sometimes still comes on CDs. I occasionally still need to rip audio CDs. I use an LTO tape drive to back up local discs, NAS and other systems.QuoteI am not most peopleI don't need to get at connections often, but when I do, I don't want to have to reach round to an awkward position on the back. PC is sited on an upper shelf so I can get easy access inside if needed, so the rear is quite a struggle to get to.What's so annoying is that the size of a dual 5.25 bay is so close to that of an ATX PSU that it really wouldn't be that hard to make a case where the two could be exchanged easily.

author: sarepairman2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2015, 10:02:03 pm
content: im too lazy to get up to put in a dvd or blue ray so I usually just re download the movie off a torrent website. im so not reaching for that shitalso i keep my PC tower sideways for that reason lol, that way you can access the front and back of it.

author: TerraHertz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2015, 01:57:12 am
content: Ha ha, same problem here. Not for my main PC, but one required to sit in a bookshelf.I had to resort to extreme measures.http://everist.org/temp/frank/recycling_frankenstein.htm#cueMy solution isn't going to be useful to anyone else. But it's kind of amusing.PS. To all the "oh stop living in the 90s!" comments, maybe some of us like to retain the ability to read old archival media? And yes, Idohave a couple of 8-track data reel to reel tape drives. Guess I still want to live in the 70s.