Clear Computer Case

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fitz
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Fitz

I'm trying to decide on components of a new computer, and wanted to know if
anyone has any experience with cases from C3 (Clear Computer Case). I was
only able to find one review, and it was from a link supplied by the C3
website. The review was detailed, but by the end of the article, the guy
sounded like a company rep- all pros, no cons, go get one now. Interested in
some user perspectives if there are any out there.

Thanx,
Fitz
 
few cons i can think off the top of my head are

thermal conductivity (plastic aint as good as metal)
finger print marks!
easy to scratch
have to make sure your cable neatness is 100% - everything can be viewed

i`d seriously consider one, except i do LANs with mates, and always involves
me moving my pc (lack of room on house) to a mates house. this meaning
grubby finger prints all over the case. also they dont seem to have multiple
120mm fan slots on acrylic cases.

tim
 
Fitz said:
I'm trying to decide on components of a new computer, and wanted to know if
anyone has any experience with cases from C3 (Clear Computer Case). I was
only able to find one review, and it was from a link supplied by the C3
website. The review was detailed, but by the end of the article, the guy
sounded like a company rep- all pros, no cons, go get one now. Interested in
some user perspectives if there are any out there.

Thanx,
Fitz
Click to expand...

I can think of one downside, that is RF interference. I don't know if
it does/can shield, but if not, it going to emit a lot more...
 
I'm trying to decide on components of a new computer, and wanted to know if
anyone has any experience with cases from C3 (Clear Computer Case). I was
only able to find one review, and it was from a link supplied by the C3
website. The review was detailed, but by the end of the article, the guy
sounded like a company rep- all pros, no cons, go get one now. Interested in
some user perspectives if there are any out there.
Click to expand...

The biggest con is RFI.






*´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·-> Ratz O. Fratzo
 
() |V| 3 G A said:
few cons i can think off the top of my head are

thermal conductivity (plastic aint as good as metal)
Click to expand...

But if you have good conventionsal cooling and airflow, this isn't really an
issue.
finger print marks!
Click to expand...

Yes. I know one comes with latex gloves for use during setup!
easy to scratch
Click to expand...

Yes. In fact, they sell decorative etching decals, which goes to show how
easily they can be "etched".
have to make sure your cable neatness is 100% - everything can be viewed
Click to expand...

Well, I think the point of a clear case is to *show off* your tricked-out
cables and inside gear.
 
-= Ratz O. Fratzo =- said:
The biggest con is RFI.
Click to expand...

What are the ramifications of this, exactly? Computer speakers are
shielded, for example, so it won't bother them.
 
What are the ramifications of this, exactly? Computer speakers are
shielded, for example, so it won't bother them.
Click to expand...

Monitors, and any device in general that's outside the case. Doesn't
have to be computer related. Every acrylic non-shielded case I've
seen called itself a display case in the ad or the fine print. RFI is
the reason.






*´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·-> Ratz O. Fratzo
 
You will be transmitting all sorts of radio interference on all
sorts of frequencies and channels. This can cause problems for
anyone trying to use something that needs to receive radio
signals (cell phones, cordless phones, 2-way radios, WiFi,
TV, radio, airplane navigation systems, etc, etc, etc).

Basically, you can get away with it, unless you bother someone
enough that they file a complaint against you.
 
Walt said:
You will be transmitting all sorts of radio interference on all
sorts of frequencies and channels. This can cause problems for
anyone trying to use something that needs to receive radio
signals (cell phones, cordless phones, 2-way radios, WiFi,
TV, radio, airplane navigation systems, etc, etc, etc).

Basically, you can get away with it, unless you bother someone
enough that they file a complaint against you.
Click to expand...

For how far away? Would this mean that a wireless internet connection
wouldn't work, for example?
 
Basically, you can get away with it, unless you bother someone
For how far away? Would this mean that a wireless internet connection
wouldn't work, for example?
Click to expand...

The RFI normally won't bother your speakers or monitor. It could wipeout
your wireless internet. It could wipe out your TV or radio reception for a
few feet to a block or so. The FCC has some regulations on how much the
computers can radiate and there used to be two classes. One for business
and factories where you were a good distance away from houses and the
residential rating which was much less. When the very first RAdio Shack
computers came out close to 30 years ago you could set an AM radio close to
it and there were programs that could play tunes through it.
If your neighbors complain you will have to take steps to eliminate the
problem. The cases are probably not rated for home use. One of those
things that are illegal but if no one complains then you are ok.
Sort of like inviting a few friends over for a poker game , while illegal in
some states, no one is going to say much about that, but if things get out
of hand then off to jail you go. Not that you would go to jail for using
the plastic case if you quit when asked.
 
Fitz said:
I was only able to find one review, and it was from a link
supplied by the C3 website. The review was detailed, but by
the end of the article, the guy sounded like a company rep-
all pros, no cons, go get one now.
Click to expand...

How did the case do in a burn test? The risk of fire shouldn't be
overlooked because a CPU voltage regulator failure or an AMD heatsink
suddenly coming off can create a very hot spot, and all televisions
made since the mid-1970s have been required to be made with
fire-resistant cabinets (plastic has compounds in it that make it very
hard to burn), and the internal sources of combustion aren't that
different. But I know of no clear cases made of fire resistant
plastic, except for Apple's and maybe e-Machine's.
 
There was no mention of it in the review. Hadn't even considered it a
potential problem. I would think that there would be standards that would
have to be met, but I didn't notice anything on the website.

Did a little searching for RF interference and computers with Google...not
much being addressed there either.

If RF is a major concern, then what are the differences in Aluminum cases
vs. steel/plastic? They must have different characteristics, but I've never
heard of it being an issue.

Fitz

Fitz
 
do_not_spam_me said:
"Fitz" <[email protected]> wrote in message

How did the case do in a burn test? The risk of fire shouldn't be
overlooked because a CPU voltage regulator failure or an AMD heatsink
suddenly coming off can create a very hot spot...
Click to expand...

Huh? A heatsink "suddenly coming off"? What the heck.....?
 
jeffc said:
For how far away? Would this mean that a wireless internet connection
wouldn't work, for example?
Click to expand...
You keep fishin' but haven't got a decent bite yet?

;0)

cheers
Steve
 
There was no mention of it in the review. Hadn't even considered it
a potential problem. I would think that there would be standards
that would have to be met, but I didn't notice anything on the website.
Click to expand...

Many products aren't regulated at all for electrical or fire safety.
I know that TV sets and probably video monitors have to be, but I
don't believe it applies to computers or stereo systems, despite their
containing some very similar circuitry. I also remember 2-5 years ago
there being a problem with baby safety monitor intercoms that would
catch on fire and cause blazes because their plastic enclosures
weren't made of fire-resistant plastic, and it turned out that those
devices weren't regulated for fire safety. When old TV sets in
plastic cabinets caught fire, the plastic would often burn like a
candle (burning TVs once caused half of all household fires in the
Soviet Union), but later TVs would simply char or slightly warp from
heat, even if the insides burned up badly. It's too easy to almost
completely eliminate this kind of hazard with a computer by using a
metal cabinet with no window.
 
jeffc said:
Huh? A heatsink "suddenly coming off"? What the heck.....?
Click to expand...

Most AMD heatsinks are held in place only by small plastic hooks on
the sides of the CPU socket, which are known to crack during heatsink
installation (not always right away) or when the computer is set down
hard. The worst heatsinks have only 1 hook per side, but these seem
to be rare now, but even the much better ones with 3 hooks per side
have been known to crack a hook, and once that happens it's much
easier for the remaining hooks to follow suit since the force on them
not only becomes higher but also uneven. A few AMD motherboards have
been built with 4 holes in the corners to hold the heatsink very
securely with screws, but this design seems to be harder to find now.
If the heatsink isn't held in place that way, I'd check it every time
after the computer is moved.
 
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