Is this case a ripoff?

[DJFuji]

I'm looking at cases and notice this one for $33. It has all the 'features' i'm looking for but it's ridiculously cheap. I know it's probably not great at cooling but as long as it's average i'm willing to overlook that for $33. Anyone else have any ideas as to why's it's this cheap?

http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?InvtId=DIA-3

 

[Nebor]

1) The power supply probably sucks
2) They've made a case that looks worse than the Xaser

 

[DJFuji]

Actually, almost all the cases at compgeeks.com are really really cheap. Even without the PSUs, they're cheap. I'm trying to figure out why. Sure they're not aluminum and they're an off-brand, but can i really justify paying 120 for a case when it doesnt have all that much more than a $35 case?

And i'm also wondering if i should pay more for a brand name PSU. I bought a generic once and it crapped out on me within a few months. I'm getting it RMAed now but the thing i'm really worried about is that it will make the system unstable. Because PSU related problems are always such a pain in the ass to troubleshoot...But again, paying 5 times as much for a brand name PSU?

You think a 400W will be enough to handle 4+ 7200 HDDs, 2-3 ATAPI devices, an Athlon 64 3000+ and 4+ case fans? Or should i bump up to 500?

 

[nick1985]

fugly

 

[nowayout99]

If you're set on that case, then that's fine. I would never trust the PSU, however. Definitely replace it.

A quality 400w PSU would be minimal for the number of devices you're putting in there. I'd probably consider something closer to 480-500w. But with the price of a quality PSU along with that $33 case, you're gonna end up paying close to that $100 ceiling anyway. Basically, you get what you pay for.

 

[RussianSoldier]

I actually have this case, except I got the Blue/Black (in my opinion, it looks better, and it was $5 cheaper)

I've had no problems with the PSU, except that it does not have any bottom ventilation holes (fixed with a drill) I'm planning to purchase a better case anyway, and use this one for a dual 300 system.

The one problem I've had with it is the case screws on the back tend to strip out the metal pretty easily. I'm planning to affix some nuts to the inside of the case, so that the screws will better hold.

Also, the expansion slots in the back are punchouts, so if you ever remove any cards, you'll need some covers to hide the holes.

Otherwise, it's a decent cheap case.

Another nice thing about it, is its mobo flexibility. All the wires for all the components are separate, so you don't have to worry about trying to somehow "fit" that strange speaker wire on your mainboard.

 

[mdcrab]

You might think about about putting more money into the case, as it is usually the last thing that goes obsolete and you will need to replace. If you have a good case it will last thru several mobos.

Remember the Juan Valdez rule.

mdcrab

 

[akira34]

Originally posted by: mdcrab
You might think about about putting more money into the case, as it is usually the last thing that goes obsolete and you will need to replace. If you have a good case it will last thru several mobos.

mdcrab

I go along with that... Get a decent (or really good) PSU and that will also last several mobo's. I was using the same 380W TruePower PSU for about 3 years that went through at least 3 or 4 mobo's and at least two processors before I sold it. I have a 400W Antec PSU now that will probably last just as long... Although I'm thinking of swapping it with a 430W TruePower unit in the coming weeks (no need, just want the TruePower line again since the last one did very well for me).

 

[mdcrab]

Just purchased one of these:
Thermaltake Silent PurePower, 420W ATX power supply

It's a nice quiet, heavy PS for only $38 shipped.

mdcrab

 

[Davegod]

ripoff? you mean... you have to pay them $33 to dispose of that monstrosity for them?


I remember thinking it was bad when everything was beige...

 

[HardWarrior]

Originally posted by: DJFuji
I'm looking at cases and notice this one for $33. It has all the 'features' i'm looking for but it's ridiculously cheap. I know it's probably not great at cooling but as long as it's average i'm willing to overlook that for $33. Anyone else have any ideas as to why's it's this cheap?

http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?InvtId=DIA-3

A friend bought a case very much like this, and yes it's crap.

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: mdcrab
You might think about about putting more money into the case, as it is usually the last thing that goes obsolete and you will need to replace. If you have a good case it will last thru several mobos.

Remember the Juan Valdez rule.

mdcrab

What's the Juan Valdez rule mdcrab? &

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Davegod
ripoff? you mean... you have to pay them $33 to dispose of that monstrosity for them?


I remember thinking it was bad when everything was beige...

hahahaha, agreed.

Common sense should tell that this is something to stay away from. You can't get a good case or PSU (400watt) for $33 let alone both. Bottom line both the case and PSU are going to be a piece of crap.

 

[CidHighwind]

I dont trust the PSU either. Get yourself a nice top-of-the-line Enermax; and never worry again.

 

[Zepper]

Flimsy SGCC (some kind of base metal, not steel which is SECC) or Heavy Duty Reynolds Wrap for their aluminum boxes ... Note the shipping wt. of the case/PSU = 15lb. Shipping wt. of my case/PSU - 23lb (Chyang Fun mid-tower w/350W Delta PSU). Two Powmax PSUs weigh about as much as a top brand of the same wattage - weight is a good indicator of quality in a PSU. Made in the PRC perhaps with some slave labor helps keep costs low. Absolutely NO modern features (toolless drive bays, PCI card locks, etc.) No mention of what they use for the window - who knows, it might be recycled PETE from Coke bottles... I note that newegg says it has an acrylic window - but just between you and me, I doubt they have a clue as to what it's made of.
. Back in the day what is now called Powmax was called Leadman. Their PSUs were pretty good then. Powmax brand PSUs don't have a good rep.
. Luckily you live in CA so you can drive over and pick it up. Otherwise you would get treated to the infamous Geek's ream job on shipping charges. Note that Newegg carries Powmax too. If you decide to take a chance on it, Just get a good PSU for it like the Silverstone 400W (made by Enhance) and keep the OEM PSU for emergency backup or blow it out on ebay (wouldn't sell it locally where it could come back to haunt you).
..bh.

:moon:

 

[Cobalt]

Powmax... STAY AWAY from the PSU.

 

[mdcrab]

What's the Juan Valdez rule mdcrab?

It is from an old coffee commercial. This Coffee Plantation owner says at the end of the commercial. "You get what you pay for."

mdcrab

 

[Davegod]

Was it a Fair Trade coffee commercial then?

 

[mdcrab]

It was one of the coffee companies like Maxwelll House or Chase & Sanborn.


mdcrab

 

[Zepper]

Juan Valdez is the symbol for some Columbian coffee growers' association - nothing to do with any of the brand names (except that if your coffee is at least some high percentage of Columbian - may be 100%, not sure - you can use the symbol on it).
.bh.

 

[DJFuji]

hm. I really want to buy a nice, $100 range case, but it's very hard to justify that kind of price when i can buy a mediocre case for 43 bucks.

And we can just pretend that the PSU that comes with it is disposable. So we're looking at 100 vs 43, and the only big differences are aluminum vs cheap metal, weight of the case, and a few minor things like thumbscrews, etc. Assuming i pick up newegg's $37 Thermaltake 420w PSU separately, can anyone convince me that the fancy cases are worth $60-some more dollars?

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Nebor
2) They've made a case that looks worse than the Xaser

LOL.

With cheap cases there's something I worry about more than the flimsy metal or crappy power supply. What I worry about is ventilation. Sure, this case looks as if there's decent ventilation (once you populate all fan spots), however most of these budget cases don't have sufficient ventilation in the plastic front face. Sure, you can pop two fans at the bottom front, but where are they going to pull air from? I've seen cases like this which don't have vent holes at all in the front, and just have a slot at the bottom (or not even that).

 

[Fern]

I buy cheap cases too. Yeah, the powmax is a throwaway. Literally, the one I got last month didn't have but half the I2 volt 4pin connectors working. Man, did that cause me headache LOL. as I was verifying components, one time this drive would work, next it wouldn't etc. Finally figured out what it was.

The only downfalls for me are inconvience in removing drives, they usually don't have swing-out bays etc.. Yeah, they are a little flimsy, but I don't stand on my pc cases. Watch for sharp edges. Sometimes I use my dremel to cut another hole for better cooling. But a fan costs like $2. so what?

Cases always seem to on-sale. Check out newegg, and dumping goods .com they sometimes have ridiculously cheap cases that have worked fine for me.

 

[Delbert]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Juan Valdez is the symbol for some Columbian coffee growers' association - nothing to do with any of the brand names (except that if your coffee is at least some high percentage of Columbian - may be 100%, not sure - you can use the symbol on it).
.bh.

I remember Juan Valdez commercials, but I dont remember beiong associated with any get what you pay for part.
Google shows us http://www.juanvaldez.com.

Anyhow because the case is a "geek special" you cant use coupons.
I'm not to fond of the red bezel, but I like the colorful interior for a change of pace.

 

[gotensan01]

Originally posted by: DJFuji
...can anyone convince me that the fancy cases are worth $60-some more dollars?

No, I don't think there is a 100% convincing reason for you to spend the extra bucks. The thing about the power supply being garbage is mostly true. But like you said if you bought a new, good power supply then the case should do it's job.

However, personally I love looking down and seeing my awesome case. If anyting, I regret not getting a better one. In terms of just the case (no psu), it comes down to personal preference. Even if the case were all crap plastic material, with proper ventilation you should be able to maintain same temps as a case like mine that's all aluminum. In terms of performance, I don't really see any huge advantage of having my case when I looked at pictures of the $43 one you wanted. If you aren't convinced, just buy the cheap one. Then later in life when you build another comp you can judge accurately whether or not a high end case is worth the money.