Sturdy Case Material

[imported_meowmix]

I'm in the market for a new case. My primary criteria is sturdiness. The case will probably be kicked, bumped, etc a whole lot and I want something that won't let this show. I know that a lot of server cases are built like this so I'm looking at these mainly. Weight isn't an issue.

However, since "sturdiness" isn't a discrete value to be specified in a datasheet, I was hoping somebody could give me an idea of what type of material to look for. I know that aluminum probably won't cut it and that I'll need SECC (steel).

So would SECC 0.8mm be considered a "sturdy" case, 1.0mm, etc? Are there other materials that are better? Other specifications to look at?

Thanks.

PS: I'd prefer that somebody give me suggestions about the material like I asked above but if you have specific case suggestions feel free to let me know as well. It should be "boring", no clear panels, exotic LED's, etc.

 

[airhendrix13]

SECC should be plenty sturdy. My dog ran head first into my case, and my computer just pointed and laughed at her...along with me...

Steel will show scratches though, especially black cases.

 

[Zepper]

0.8 mm SECC is pretty much the standard for ATX midTower and other cases today. It's sturdy, but doesn't hold a candle to the 1.0 mm SECC that the old Enlight cases used to be made of. I've got an old one here that I can sit on and use for a stepstool as long as the cover is screwed on (I have done so and I'm well north of 200 lb.). Very few cases are made of 1.0 and I've seen as low as 0.5mm and sometimes SGCC (recycled tin cans and other scrap) in gauges between 0.5 and 0.8. The only one I know for sure is 1.0 SECC now is the XClio WT (windtunnel) and the Tagan Monolith (both actually the same A Plus case) and those are probably larger than what you need. But a well designed 0.8 SECC midTower like the Rosewill R5600 series should hold up well for you.

.bh.

 

[herm0016]

i agree with zepper. I have an old enlight rack mount case made of 1mm steel, it weighs about 25 lbs empty but you could park a car on it.