Question for people with metallic/Aluminum cases

Childs

Lifer
Jul 9, 2000
11,313
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Do you have matching faceplates for the optical/floppy drives or just leave it beige/black/white. I'd like to get a metal looking case like the G5 but the faceplates need to match or else the whole thing looks like crap IMO.
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
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If you get a silver case, why not pair it with black drives? Black on silver would have a stylish contrast (whereas beige drives on silver aluminum would look rather ghetto IMHO). If you ask me, a system that is 100% silver-aluminum is a little too much of one thing... needs some contrast.

As an alternative, you could pick up a Lian-Li and get Lian-Li's optional flip-down aluminum stealthies, like on my system (Photo), or Antec's P160 has those included in the price.

Lian-Li's flip-downs come in silver or black-anodized to match their cases, and there are some Lian-Lis that come with one already included. Also, in my photo, the middle 3.5" drive is a floppy with Lian-Li's aluminum floppy-drive cover, the non-stick-on version.
 

HardWarrior

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2004
4,400
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Originally posted by: Childs
Do you have matching faceplates for the optical/floppy drives or just leave it beige/black/white. I'd like to get a metal looking case like the G5 but the faceplates need to match or else the whole thing looks like crap IMO.

My aluminum case came with black face-plates for two optical drives and one floppy. I decided not to use the opticals because they lack "style." When I buy new opticals, as these wear out, I'll replace them with black ones. But until then, my 75b looks just fine. :heart:
 

Childs

Lifer
Jul 9, 2000
11,313
7
81
I started getting black drives because I was thinking I'd get a black case, but I'd like the aluminum look. Too bad they don't make aluminum faceplates. I've seen the plastic silver ones, but don't like the "plastic". On a silver case it matches nicely, but IMO aluminum would be better on an aluminum case. I suppose I could get an aluminum side and cut it up and just glue it on the drives.
 

HardWarrior

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2004
4,400
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Originally posted by: Childs
I started getting black drives because I was thinking I'd get a black case, but I'd like the aluminum look. Too bad they don't make aluminum faceplates. I've seen the plastic silver ones, but don't like the "plastic". On a silver case it matches nicely, but IMO aluminum would be better on an aluminum case. I suppose I could get an aluminum side and cut it up and just glue it on the drives.

Lian Li sells aluminum face-plates for a lot of popular opticals at their site. They have logos and everything.

 

Nikamichi

Diamond Member
Nov 21, 2003
7,759
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Originally posted by: Childs
I started getting black drives because I was thinking I'd get a black case, but I'd like the aluminum look. Too bad they don't make aluminum faceplates. I've seen the plastic silver ones, but don't like the "plastic". On a silver case it matches nicely, but IMO aluminum would be better on an aluminum case. I suppose I could get an aluminum side and cut it up and just glue it on the drives.

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.coolermasterusa.com/Product.aspx?ID=57">CoolerMaster AFP-U01
</a>
 

Childs

Lifer
Jul 9, 2000
11,313
7
81
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
thats why u get a case with doors silly

Yeah I know, but the only one I know of is that coolermaster thats like >$150.

Lian Li sells aluminum face-plates for a lot of popular opticals at their site. They have logos and everything.

CoolerMaster AFP-U01

Thanks! I'll probably go with these!
 

Wuzup101

Platinum Member
Feb 20, 2002
2,334
37
91
@mechBgon - nice case you have there m8. Wish I would have known about those Lian-Li accessories before. I'll have to order some for my pc65-usb. I have 3 opticals and that would make them look really sweet!
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
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Originally posted by: Wuzup101
@mechBgon - nice case you have there m8. Wish I would have known about those Lian-Li accessories before. I'll have to order some for my pc65-usb. I have 3 opticals and that would make them look really sweet!
Thank you sir :cool: There be more pics here showing the inside and some cable-routing mods I did, too. Fair warning, I am a mad l33t 1d10t when it comes to HTML and I simply typed the stuff into Notepad. It works via Internet Exploder but I can't vouch for it working in any other browser, except for the SocketA Heatsink Guide, which screw3d helped me with.

 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
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Originally posted by: shady06
i dont bother matching the drives, better stuff to spend money

and RIDICULOUS job on the case mechBgon
:D


(and the twisted-est part is, that's my office computer :evil: )

 

smahoney

Senior member
Apr 8, 2003
278
0
0
I have a Lian-Li PC-82 and went with black DVD, CDR and floppy and it looks really good. I looked at the Aluminun but I couldn't get all three matched up so I skipped it. I may go with the Floppy but the black looks fine.
 

d3n

Golden Member
Mar 13, 2004
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Anyone with aluminum have a problem with fingerprints or stains on thier case?
 

GalvanizedYankee

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2003
6,986
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I have a Lian-Li PC-601 w/silver floppy and two, close to white, Plextor optical drives. It looks OK :)
When I saw pics of mechBgon's case w/black drives, I wish I had done that also. It looks butch !
No, I will not paint them, I will dance with what I got! Drive covers, mmm, maybe.

d3n, to comment on your question. The first thing I did was wash all external surfaces with mild soap and warm water.
Made sure the surface was clean by rubbing down with clear hot water on a clean rag. I let the case dry overnight.
Then I applied three coats of good wax, buffing between coats :p I was surprised how much manufacturing dust came out of the pores of the anodized aluminum. My case is silver but on a black case slight whiteness of wax my show.

Never had a finger print problem and it dusts off to look as new, nothing stays in the pores.
 

HardWarrior

Diamond Member
Jan 26, 2004
4,400
23
81
Originally posted by: d3n
Anyone with aluminum have a problem with fingerprints or stains on thier case?

I have a Lian Li PC-75b, and yeah, you can see fingerprints on it. What I do is whip out some Windex and go over the area, with the grain. This pulls the oil off just fine.

 

pspada

Platinum Member
Dec 23, 2002
2,503
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I've got a nice black aluminum case, and fingerprints only show as elipitical spots in the dust. :eek: