What is the advantage of an Aluminum Case vs a plastic case?

[Parn]

Does it keep the unit cooler? or anything else?

 

[Swanny]

There are a few advantages. It does keep it margionally cooler, but not a whole not. It is also a lot stronger and better looking than plastic. BTW, where have you seen an all plastic case anyway? Good cases are made out of steel or aluminum.

 

[teefersuk]

Bear in mind your CD, DVD, and floppy drive faces are more than likely gonig to be plastic and cream... they'll distract from your lovely brushed aluminium case

 

[Parn]

Ahaha, that's true. Aluminum case looks cool, but my CD-Rom would have a ivory color plastic face.

By plastic case, I meant the more common plastic and steel. sorry.

 

[clumsum]

Basically, ............. just bragging rights ........... and aesthetics!

Aluminum is better for dissapating heat, but does not dampen noise very well, and so far is almost twice as expensive as other case materials.

Not enough of any real tangable benefit to get into my wallet .......... yet?!

 

[Mday]

there are 3 kinds of cases (FCC approved), steel, aluminum, and plastic (with steel frame).

steel: tried and true, generaly lasts forever, heavy as hell
aluminum: light as hell, fairly new to market.
plastic: only the exterior is plastic (panels), the frame is still metal (usually steel). there are metal sheets that are used for EMI shielding.

the plastic panels help dampen the sounds produced inside the case, and produce less sound themselves than metal panels.

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each kind of case differs in quality from manufacturers. i happen to have 2 steel cases. AL is too expensive for me. i have nothing against plastic cases, i just don't happen to have one. there are some good ones.

each have their own quirks about modding. plastics melt, metals are "hard" to cut...

notice i did not talk about those fiberglass cases, they are not fcc approved due to lack of emi shielding.

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in terms of heat dissipation, AL does do a better job, but it's neglible if you have fans placed correctly. cases themselves are used as a heat spreader (not quite a heatsink). and design for air cooling differs from case to case.

 

[nicowju]

Even with those white faceplates, the drives I have look really nice against the Aluminum faceplate anyway. Also, the aluminum just plain looks nicer, and weighs less

 

[Swanny]

I think that actually plastic drives go better with aluminum than with different shades of beige plastic.

 

[mrCide]

aluminum cases are strictly for looks and if you're interested in something light. They do nothing to help your heat.

 

[MonstaThrilla]

Take off the faceplates on the drives and spraypaint them silver. Thats what I did...