looking for ultra light desktop cases

[gganandtech000]

I had micro itx cases for light weightedness but it is too constrained and eventually i threw out. I am thinking to buy a mid tower case and wondering what is good available in terms of lightness? Carbon fiber? I read somewhere using carbon fiber in pc cases is not a good idea to due to some health effect? Any information?

 

[lehtv]

Aluminium is probably your best bet, e.g. Lian Li, Jonsbo/Cooltek or Case Labs. Most of their smaller towers/cubes will weigh only a few kg. For instance, you can fit a microATX board into a Jonsbo C3 that weighs only 2.2 kg.

The density of carbon fiber is typically about 1.6 g/cm³, while aluminium is 2.7 g/cm³ (both values based on quick googling). Steel cases tend to be roughly 50% heavier than aluminium cases.

May I ask why the case needs to be light?

 

[Mr Evil]

...I read somewhere using carbon fiber in pc cases is not a good idea to due to some health effect?..

As far as I know, the only possible health effects from carbon fibre are possibly slightly toxic fumes if it burns, and irritating fibres that may be released if it is smashed. Neither of those is a significant risk.

 

[gganandtech000]

thansk for your help in this regard. The reason I just like to live a ultra lightweight and mobile with not much belongings. if CF is almost twice as light as AL, I will go for it paying somewhat extra. Thanks.,

 

[gganandtech000]

found this thread on google: http://www.overclock.net/t/1177828/pc-case-from-carbon-fiber

 

[Valantar]

thansk for your help in this regard. The reason I just like to live a ultra lightweight and mobile with not much belongings. if CF is almost twice as light as AL, I will go for it paying somewhat extra. Thanks.,

I have to ask: do you actually know of any carbon fiber cases? From a quick search, I can't find any. Or, well, there was one, a huge full tower that didn't actually use carbon fiber structurally.

As for making your own: as carbon fiber bends easily, you'd either need some serious manufacturing equipment to make a 3D carbon fiber internal structure (something like this, a lot of patience and epoxy, or an internal structure of steel or aluminium to make this work. Oh, did I mention that cutting carbon fiber at home is a nightmare?

Also, I'd imagine carbon fiber might be prone to static build-up, as it's not conductive. Not something you want in your PC case.

What kind of hardware do you need in your PC? Why were your ITX cases too restrictive?