Steel vs Aluminum vs Acrylic: Need some Info

[RudeBoie]

Just wondering about a comparison between these materials for cases:

Here's what I know so far:

Aluminum: Light, great for cooling

Steel: strong as hell, not as good for cooling

Acrylic: Looks nice

How strong are aluminum and acrylic exactly? Is it really a problem where you need to be careful with how you handle it?

Mainly wondering about heat, strength, and any other thing that's important for cases.

 

[Richdog]

Good question, as im also interested in this as im also interested in getting a new case soon, and I want to know if aluminium really makes THAT much of a difference temps-wise, and for ease of modding, as theyre hideously expensive here in the UK, and the acrylic ones look cool too. So any information would indeed be appreciated. :beer:

 

[User1001]

I read a few reviews and it seems aluminum only make a couple degrees difference. I'm guessing it mostly just looks nice.

 

[Zepper]

Aluminum: light, usually most expensive, a degree or two C cooler than steel (edit: all else being equal), can be as strong as steel depending on the alloy used - but usually not. Not worth the extra $$$, IMO.
. Acrylic: fairly heavy, many are very difficult to assemble, poorest cooling qualities, a bear to keep clean, nowhere to hide anything inside, usually more expensive than steel. Really only suited to store displays. Offers no emi/rfi shielding for your system - I don't know how they can even sell them to individuals. Back when the FCC was at least keeping half an eyeball on computer components they couldn't - the plastic cases either had to be metal lined or inside coated with shielding material.
. Steel: heavy (but can be lighter than acrylic, strong, easy to assemble (assuming you choose correctly), least expensive, cooling nearly as good as Al. Best overall choice, IMO.
.bh.
:sun:

 

[Mingon]

I dont find acylic case to be that heavy to be honest (see sig) - perhaps you need some work on the abs (j/K)

I like acylic cases something about being able to see inside, aluminium is OK but can mark

 

[Atif]

I had concerns about the shielding as well with the acrylic case I bought, but I was assured that for normal home use, it would NOT be a problem, so I went ahead with my purchase and setup the system. Thus far, I've not noticed any problems, however, I've not moved the case around (or placed it on the carpet like I do with my brother's PC when we use TV-Out)

Here's the thread where those questions were addressed.

As far as temperatures are concerned, yes, the acrylic doesn't help in cooling, however, its not really a hindrance necessarily either, thanks to that noble invention known as cooling fans. My case temperature readout (on the Abit NF7-S 2.0) has never exceeded 33°C even in the heatwave we're going through in California (intake, exhaust, and two side-panel 80mm fans)

Peace

 

[mrzed]

To do a comparison between steel and aluminum cases, the exact same case would have to be made out of the two different materials, then measured with the same setup. I've never heard of that being done.

I don't know where people are getting the 2c differenece from, but I don't buy it. The vast majority of cooling in modern PC's is done through moving air. A properly designed steel case cools just as well as an aluminum one.

I would adjust the list to read:

Aluminum: Light, creates nerd envy
Steel: inexpensive, strong
Acrylic: gee whiz, hard to keep clean

 

[Mingon]

I dont know I think my acrylic case gets the odd bit of nerdy envy every now and again as for EMF I had some interferance - but it was cancelled out by 2 side fans.

 

[Rotax]

I went from a smaller steel case to a larger aluminum case and I must say its MUCH lighter, that seems to be most noticable. I can't really compare the cooling, even tho the aluminum is much cooler, but thats due to 2x the fans and a bigger case all around I figure. I really don't see cooling being lowered all that much JUST do to aluminum...like said above, a "properly" setup/cooled steel case could no doubt be just as effective as aluminum..IMO. I just prefer the weight difference mostly.

 

[Zepper]

Someone tested the Chenming/Chieftec/Antec/etc. case (all are built the same as the Antec 1000 series) in Al and Fe. And they came out a degree or two C apart. AFAIK, that's the only pair that could be fairly tested.
. Only those with small pee-pees worry about nerd envy...
.bh.
Hot!

 

[Richdog]

Only those with small pee-pees worry about nerd envy...



I'll drink to that! :beer:

 

[Atif]

If you move your PC around often, believe me that 12 pounds will make a difference. I'm not kidding when I say that a loaded Antec steel case can double as a dumbell when you can't hit the gym.

Peace

 

[RudeBoie]

Yeah, my Antex SX830 (steel) fully loaded is a bitch to carry.

I like Aluminum, but how weak is it? Are there any horror stories with it, or is it mainly "don't swing a bat at it cause that will ruin it"

 

[EeyoreX]

I honestly don't buy the Aluminum is cooler than steel bit. Yes, aluminum is a better conductor for heat, and theoretically it should cool better than steel. The problem is that the material would need direct contact with the heat source in order to dissipate the heat. IE, a heatsink needs contact with the CPU/GPU to work. If it is not making contact/good contact it simply will not cool well at all. A case does not make contact with the components that cause heat, only the heated air. The case makes no difference in terms of the cooling. A case with proper airflow will cool the same regardless of if it was aluminum, steel, acrylic or cardboard for that matter. By the time the aluminum of the case came into play to cool the system, the components would have been fried.

As for strength, I think all of the cases are strong enough for their intended use. If you plan on using your computer as a step-stool I guess acrylic and aluminum are out (though many aluminum cases stull use sturdy steel frames). I move my cases about quite a bit and have no issues with their strength. Both are aluminum. The only real advantage I suppose is weight. And they tend to look nicer IMHO. Oh, and modding is probably easier with an aluminum case, as far as cutting goes. Acrylic is nice in small doses. Like for a window or a side panel, since I still can hide my extra cables behind the motherboard tray and have them hidden. And acrylic is also a PITA to keep clean. Aluminum doesn't tend to collect much in terms of prints/dirt that I can see.

\Dan

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: RudeBoie
Yeah, my Antex SX830 (steel) fully loaded is a bitch to carry.

I like Aluminum, but how weak is it? Are there any horror stories with it, or is it mainly "don't swing a bat at it cause that will ruin it"

you gotta wonder if theres a video of someone doing that on the net the baseball bat test!

i suppose if you spend ~80+(no psu) on an aluminum case u'll be fine. i've fooled around with a couple and have a chenming xpider. felt strong to me, nothing felt bendy. i sat onit once and i'm 165lb

that being said i would never use a pc as a step stool. thin narrow and unstable? thats dangerous.