Why don't case manufacturers offer panels & accessories for their cases

[UsandThem]

I like checking out the various cases out there when they are launched, and I do like the looks of many of them from companies like Phanteks, NZXT, Fractal Design, Inwin, etc.

However, it seems like a majority of new cases have solid panels on the front, and many on top as well. Take for example, the Phanteks Enthoo Evolv:

Nice looking case that is choked by lack of airflow in the front and on top. So if a person really wanted this case, but needed more airflow, they could go to a website ModMyMods, and spend another $160 to replace those panels. In many examples, a person ends up paying more for the two panels than they do for the case in the first place.

Now is it just me, or do these case manufacturers pass up easy money by not selling components like this, or maybe releasing an "air flow" edition?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Now is it just me, or do these case manufacturers pass up easy money by not selling components like this, or maybe releasing an "air flow" edition?

It probably doesn't make sense from a cost/benefit standpoint - if ModMyMods was doing 10,000+ Evolv front panels a year, then maybe Phantek would bother, but if they're only doing 100+ of these, 200+ of some Inwin model, etc., it's not worth the OEM's time. It's enough to keep MMM busy, and probably a couple other small shops, but that's it.

If they've done even the smallest bit of market research, they'd know roughly how many of their customers would be willing to spend $X amount to get higher-airflow case panels, vs. how many of their end users are just buying custom PCs from a boutique builder and then not modding them further. I'd expect they'd behave accordingly.

Also, it's been a while (well, years, really) since I was into case mods and overclocking, but I do have to point out that back in the day, anyway, just adding vents and fans to a case didn't guarantee cooler temps, either. Cases are designed with a certain airflow pattern in mind; messing with it if you don't know what you're doing is bad juju. You can create pockets of warm air, or lower the amount of air moving past the hottest components, etc., etc. So the vented panels might look cool, but they might not be a smart move.

 

[Johnny Lucky]

HI!

I am guessing most of the cases with solid panels instead of ventilated panels are intended for water cooling. I'm old school and a big fan of open air cooling.

Two days ago I came across a new case review. The case came with two front panels. One was a glass panel and one was a mesh panel. Users could use whichever panel they wanted. Unfortunately I am a senior citizen who is growing old disgracefully. I do not remember the name of the manufacturer or the name of the case.

Although their cases are expensive, Mountain Mods offers custom cases designed for enthusiasts. Typically each model allows users to pick and choose from a variety of panels.

 

[Campy]

Two days ago I came across a new case review. The case came with two front panels.

Was it the Coolermaster Mastercase H500 or H500M?

 

[UsandThem]

Like Dave mentioned above, I can understand that economies of scale and such, but for someone like me who would never consider a case that was that closed off.

Another example of this I ran into with my Fractal Design R5 case was the top moduvents. It has three separate sections that can be removed, but they offer no type of cover for it. So without the moduvents, it looks kind of low-class, and when the PC is off, dust can fall into the openings. Since Fractal Design doesn't sell anything for this, I eventually found this on Amazon:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B017TMC1EE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It looked pretty good installed, but it is the densest and most restrictive filter I have ever seen. In fact, the fans would push the material up because the airflow was so bad. So after realizing it defeated the purpose of having extra fans up there, I ordered one of these:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004GGUASG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Airflow through it was really good, but it was too small for opening, and left about a 2" gap. I had to buy some bulk filter screen, and cut it down to fit the gap. Now if Fractal Design offered something to take care of that opening, I could have spend that extra $35 with them.

Just a thought when seeing some of these cases with closed tops/fronts, or removable tops like my case.

 

[Johnny Lucky]

Campy - It was a video review of the Cooler Master H500P Mesh.