Corsair Air 240/Fractal Design Node 804

[agfkfhahddhdn]

The fact that I can't buy either one of these cases without a side panel window is, frankly, amatory comical. This is infuriating as I've been long searching for a new HTPC case and both would be perfect if they were made by non-retarded companies that could sell me a version with LESS MALE BOVINE EXCREMENT. Needed to get that off my chest.

Sexual Intercourse to you, Corsair. Sexual Intercourse to you, Fractal Design.


No swearing in the technical forums. -Admin DrPizza

 

[Essence_of_War]

Corsair sells additional side panels that you can replace the window with. At least they do with the Air 540, so I'd be surprised if they didn't also do it with the 240. We've had like, 2-3 threads about this in the past month or so, with folks who wanted a non-windowed model, but otherwise liked the aesthetic.

Also, have you considered the node 304? It's fairly spacious for a mitx case, and it is not windowed.

 

[agfkfhahddhdn]

Corsair sells additional side panels that you can replace the window with. At least they do with the Air 540, so I'd be surprised if they didn't also do it with the 240. We've had like, 2-3 threads about this in the past month or so, with folks who wanted a non-windowed model, but otherwise liked the aesthetic.

Also, have you considered the node 304? It's fairly spacious for a mitx case, and it is not windowed.

Nope, they have no spare parts for the Air 240 (and only a top panel for the 540). All my stuff is microATX. Even if they did sell side panels, or I had a miniITX PC, it doesn't forgive the fact that some of us are adults and don't want ******* side panels in our cases. NO side panel should be the default.

 

[Essence_of_War]

I'm sorry this is so upsetting to you. Unfortunately, some of us are adults who like windowed side-panels on our cases.

Perhaps your should consider looking into a different case or case manufacturer? Corsair makes a non-windowed matx Obsidian 350D, and BitFenix's Phenom M also has no windowed panel and comes in matx and itx variants.

 

[Rezist]

The node 804 is a darker window I think. Why not try the aerocool DS cube black. Xigmatek Aqualia has a very dark window however it's made larger by it's handles.

 

[agfkfhahddhdn]

I'm sorry this is so upsetting to you. Unfortunately, some of us are adults who like windowed side-panels on our cases.

Perhaps your should consider looking into a different case or case manufacturer? Corsair makes a non-windowed matx Obsidian 350D, and BitFenix's Phenom M also has no windowed panel and comes in matx and itx variants.

I apologize for acting like a baby. I was very hangry when I wrote those posts. The Phenom M indeed looks very nice.

 

[SithSolo1]

The fact that I can't buy either one of these cases without a side panel window is, frankly, amatory comical. This is infuriating as I've been long searching for a new HTPC case and both would be perfect if they were made by non-retarded companies that could sell me a version with LESS MALE BOVINE EXCREMENT. Needed to get that off my chest.

Sexual Intercourse to you, Corsair. Sexual Intercourse to you, Fractal Design.


No swearing in the technical forums. -Admin DrPizza

I know I'm late to the party but this is the best mod edit I've seen in a while. *Tips Hat*


You could get the window'd version of what you want and then plasti dip the window to make it black. Then if you ever want to sell it you could peel the dip off.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I have an 804. It's been sitting under the desk for a while now, and contains my server.

Now that you mention it, I guess it does have a side window. *shrug*

If you don't want "nerd chic" in your living room, I think your best bet is putting a potted plant to the left of the HTPC.

 

[Charlie98]

...there's always contact paper...

 

[SViscusi]

On the Node 804, the panels are reversible so when the spare parts start being stocked you can just pick up another plain panel to replace the windowed one. Not a perfect solution but I think it's worth it for that case.

 

[agfkfhahddhdn]

On the Node 804, the panels are reversible so when the spare parts start being stocked you can just pick up another plain panel to replace the windowed one. Not a perfect solution but I think it's worth it for that case.

Fractal has spare panels on hand, but only in Europe, and said they'd charge me as much as the case itself costs to get it shipped to the US. Fractal US has no spare parts but directed me to a supplier. The supplier has nothing in stock and will not respond to my emails. It's all very complicated and we're still left with the fact that, in 2014, an adult should be able to buy a computer case without a window in the side.

 

[Charlie98]

It's all very complicated and we're still left with the fact that, in 2014, an adult should be able to buy a computer case without a window in the side.

You can... just not the Node 804.

 

[SViscusi]

Fractal has spare panels on hand, but only in Europe, and said they'd charge me as much as the case itself costs to get it shipped to the US. Fractal US has no spare parts but directed me to a supplier. The supplier has nothing in stock and will not respond to my emails. It's all very complicated and we're still left with the fact that, in 2014, an adult should be able to buy a computer case without a window in the side.

It takes some time for spare parts to get into the supply chain. The rest of Fractal Design's line eventually got spare panels and parts out for sale so give it some time.

Using a side panel with a window for a few months isn't the worst thing in the world, just put the panel on the side that's least in view. Or find someone who likes the window and see if they'll swap your windowed panel for their non windowed version.

I get that you don't like windows, neither do I. I have in the past avoided cases for this very reason. In this circumstance I thought the Node, a full sized cubed matx case was unique enough to break my no windows rule. You know what? I don't notice it one bit. The case is to my right, the windowed panel is facing away from me giving the wall a fantastic view of my power supply and hard drive. Frustrating if it hits ones OCD nerve but otherwise a small price to pay for a very solid case. Is it perfect? No, the layout is inefficient in it's use of space, but that's what happens when it tries to be a jack of all trades case.

 

[Charlie98]

No, the layout is inefficient in it's use of space, but that's what happens when it tries to be a jack of all trades case.

I still don't understand why they make a smaller form case.... and then build in space for 10 hard drives! They need a Node mATX MINI... board, PSU, 2 hard drives.

 

[Rezist]

I still don't understand why they make a smaller form case.... and then build in space for 10 hard drives! They need a Node mATX MINI... board, PSU, 2 hard drives.

I'd buy that, I kinda wished it had a optical bay (I know everyone hates those) and a on edge PSU to make it narrower, would probably not fit 120mm fans anymore, but for drives etc... I think 92 mm would be enough.

 

[agfkfhahddhdn]

You can... just not the Node 804.

I've been looking forever for the perfect HTPC case for my needs, and excluding the window, the Node 804 is that case. This is particularly infuriating because, for a case that's meant to blend in to your a/v setup, a window should be an OPTION. The entire point of an HTPC case is NOT to show off.

 

[Charlie98]

I've been looking forever for the perfect HTPC case for my needs, and excluding the window, the Node 804 is that case. This is particularly infuriating because, for a case that's meant to blend in to your a/v setup, a window should be an OPTION. The entire point of an HTPC case is NOT to show off.

It's not.

Not trying to be argumentative, but the Node isn't an HTPC case... it's a cube. A true HTPC case is something like Silverstone's Grandia series. I agree with you... the Node would make a sweet HTPC case, but that's not the market it's aimed at.

EDIT: I stand corrected... from Fractal's site:

With the flexibility to serve as an HTPC,

I think they are trying to make it appeal to more users, but they said it...

 

[SViscusi]

I still don't understand why they make a smaller form case.... and then build in space for 10 hard drives! They need a Node mATX MINI... board, PSU, 2 hard drives.

Given the way case size have been going it fits the pattern. While it's annoying with some nice looking itx cases to need to spend an extra $20-$30 for an itx mobo, I'm actully fine with that in matx form factor. I like the extra room and there's no real need for me for a motherboard bigger that matx. I had a Coolermaster 690 before this and the striking thing was just how huge it was. The same equipment, same amount of fans except for the dvd burner fit with no problem and is easy to work in.

I think that it may have been a case where they designed it for a purpose then said 'this here, that there and now it can do this completely different thing.' Either that or they set out to make a case that filled multiple roles.

The only real negative to the case is that as a file server it's half assed. A nip here or tuck there and they could fit 12+ hard drives. For a high end gaming machine with watercooling it looks incredibly versatile.

I'd buy that, I kinda wished it had a optical bay (I know everyone hates those) and a on edge PSU to make it narrower, would probably not fit 120mm fans anymore, but for drives etc... I think 92 mm would be enough.

They could have shrunk the side more, those are 140mm fans, the problem would have been fitting the vertical hard drives.

 

[agfkfhahddhdn]

It's not.

Not trying to be argumentative, but the Node isn't an HTPC case... it's a cube. A true HTPC case is something like Silverstone's Grandia series. I agree with you... the Node would make a sweet HTPC case, but that's not the market it's aimed at.

EDIT: I stand corrected... from Fractal's site:



I think they are trying to make it appeal to more users, but they said it...

Even though "they said it," I think I'm more wrong than you. I could have sworn it was primarily meant as an HTPC but that's clearly not the case.