Why care about build quality?

[brownninja97]

Here is my problem, firstly yes i know companies like Cit make pathetic chassis, build quality is stupid

 

However after £50(around $70) does it matter anymore, I hear people saying fractal design is better then corsair or nzxt(as an example) due to builds quality, honestly when will it matter, in how many points of you life are you going to somehow break a case and be like,  if i got a fractal design(just an example im not putting any companies down) then this wouldnt of happened.

 

I think the argument is pointless and has basically turned into a d*** measureing contest, even in shipping pcs they are then, hell coolermaster's cheap elite cases dont have many problems.

 

Im not talking about cable routing and that sort of problem, im talking about how thick this part, or that part of metal is, will the side panel explode if you touched it or tank it like a badass(yes a badass sidepanel)?

 

How about arguing about features which matters like gpu max size, removable drive cages, should linus get a beard, does the front door of the case break easily.

 

[AidenNeill]

I personally prefer better build quality in the products I buy, for example corsair cases are good quality ware as some cases looks plastic and don't look every nice in my opinion, just prefer better built products even if its not necassery

[Ookami]

 

Why care about build quality?

 

You buy it cheap - you buy it twice

[SirReallySam]

should linus get a beard

[Spannerhands]

People always have to find a comparison to something that separates one item from another...

 

With Cases its "Build Quality" that has become the standard. Does it matter with medium to high end cases not really, Its does make me LOL when Linus gets the side panel and twists it, why does he just see if it defects when fitted to the case as that's what matters... does it rattle?

 

I could go on....

[Andrew0472]

i agree with you to a certain extent especially about the flexibility of side panels, im always like wtf really. But i think quality is very important in some scenarios e.g. my noctua cpu cooler is built very nice and comes with quality features that make it a great product e.g. vibration pads, quiet fans etc but im going off on a tangent here. As far as just basic build quality on something like a case i think it doesn't matter too much but people like to think it does. If we put ourselves in the shoes of a reviewer how much is there to talk about (e.g. a case) other than what it says on the box so quality is the next option. 

[Stonep11]

How about arguing about features which matters like gpu max size, removable drive cages, should linus get a beard, does the front door of the case break easily.

I think you have a point. I mean it really depends on how long you want your case to last and maybe if you are moving it around a lot or something.  Its kind of like the TUF series to me, a 5 year warranty gives me a lot of faith in the product, but, am I really going to have the same mobo for 5 years?  Its like that with cases I think, it could last a lifetime, but it doesn't really need to.

[needmorewood]

its like cars. if u get really cheap cars they will run their course but die out faster, less safe. could hurt people(or componenets. or u can buy nicer things. performas better more features safer etc. yes eventually it all becomes irrelevent at a certain price point but u get what you pay for in most cases. personally i dont want a case that looks like its gonna melt and damage my components but if thats what you want then go for it. while ur at it u can also buy a new house for when urs catches on fire case u cheaped out to hard on a computer case

[AndyCapets]

IMO build quality matters, but not as much as the looks of it, as an example, I love my Corsair 500R but it isn't IMO the best case you can buy for 120€, I bought it when it was in sale for 89€ and I really liked how it looked, but if I had to spend 120€ on this case, I wouldn't there are far better options at that price.

So does build quality matter ? TBH, it really depends on you, but the most important thing is how you think it looks.

[WoodenMarker]

Build quality matters because accidents happen.

[SMURG]

idk about anyone else but my cases get beaten up pretty bad. I have my old CM Storm Sniper under my bed at my parent's place. The back panel is dented, the window is scratched and missing half of the plastic rivet things that hold it in, the top panel is warped out of shape and the plastic top shroud thing isn't held on by anything but the wires. Never had any of the internals get damaged though, so as far as I'm concerned, case did its job.

[Ertman]

I do think that build quality gets better to a point, I'd say closer to $100(msrp). After that the build quality levels out and it becomes about features and design.

For most users including myself it's about design and features, but one wants some build quality to know their case isn't going to be an issue. I am far more budget conscious so I am willing to sacrifice design for specific features, but I would rather save money on the case to put towards other components.

Some users need good strong build quality for transporting their rigs to LAN parties etc.

And for the rest of users it's about bragging rights, not sure why though.

People always have to find a comparison to something that separates one item from another...

 

With Cases its "Build Quality" that has become the standard. Does it matter with medium to high end cases not really, Its does make me LOL when Linus gets the side panel and twists it, why does he just see if it defects when fitted to the case as that's what matters... does it rattle?

 

I could go on....

I don't presume to speak for Linus, but I think he twists it to demonstrate to the viewers of the videos the build quality and stiffness of the panel. He might also do this for himself.

[Ertman]

idk about anyone else but my cases get beaten up pretty bad. I have my old CM Storm Sniper under my bed at my parent's place. The back panel is dented, the window is scratched and missing half of the plastic rivet things that hold it in, the top panel is warped out of shape and the plastic top shroud thing isn't held on by anything but the wires. Never had any of the internals get damaged though, so as far as I'm concerned, case did its job.

How?

[Spannerhands]

I don't presume to speak for Linus, but I think he twists it to demonstrate to the viewers of the videos the build quality and stiffness of the panel. He might also do this for himself.

 

But the stiffness of the side panel when removed from the case is pointless, does it flex vibrate or rattle when fitted is what you really need to know.... 

 

I had cases where the side panel is like the amour plate off a battle ship, but once its in please it does not fit tightly and can rattle, then other cases the panel is nearly translucent its so thin but once fitted its not an issue as it get pulled tight...

[Mooshi]

I have a silver Lian Li cube case in the closet with solid build quality. Why don't I use it? The internal layout is trash. On the other end of the spectrum, many Cooler Master cases look cheap (HAF series. I'm looking at you), but have amazing interiors. Shame it costs a pretty penny to get form AND function.

[stevv]

Given how much cheaper and higher quality the computer components are these days,  quality of the case can become less of an issue  (until factors like aesthetics, modding, noise, etc. comes into place).  

 

Remember how sturdy the oem cases used to be... like server quality, no tools, and thick sheets of metal, and at the same time the cheap cases were paper thin... so much that the it was like a drum that amplifies every noise inside the pc... the hard drive, fans ....  At that time, you really needed all four screws on the hard drive and optical drive otherwise they would rattle!  :lol:

 

It wasn't THAT long ago.... pre 2007/8?

 

I bought a case.. it was so cheap, I used it for BB gun practice instead.

[gardening]

Examples from a time the standards weren't like today...

 

too thin metal => mobo...  too heavy for the material = 'hung' angular in the case. Shouldn't be problem? Hmpf

1. fans often do not like to work in an angular position or get noisy. and might even influence the air flow

2. klick connectors of the case... opened up unintentionally.

3. made 'music' resonated like the skin of a drum

4. look very fast like survivng a war (each little conatct with feets, knees, ... or vakuum cleaner left dents)

5. GPU wasn't really supported, slot damaged

and so on

IMHO it isn't especially about the side panels, but if the side panels got a good enough material the other parts of the case also might gotten a bit more stabil material

[MetEishYa]

Functionally, aesthetics and cost >>>> Build Quality

[stevv]

Examples from a time the standards weren't like today...

 

too thin metal => mobo...  too heavy for the material = 'hung' angular in the case. Shouldn't be problem? Hmpf

1. fans often do not like to work in an angular position or get noisy. and might even influence the air flow

2. klick connectors of the case... opened up unintentionally.

3. made 'music' resonated like the skin of a drum

4. look very fast like survivng a war (each little conatct with feets, knees, ... or vakuum cleaner left dents)

5. GPU wasn't really supported, slot damaged

and so on

IMHO it isn't especially about the side panels, but if the side panels got a good enough material the other parts of the case also might gotten a bit more stabil material

 

and the ones that have razor sharp edges! 

[gardening]

and the ones that have razor sharp edges! 

 

Don't remember me about those, my left hand needed 12 or 13 stitches after working under time pressure at a non computer case :angry:

[Spannerhands]

and the ones that have razor sharp edges! 

 

 

Don't remember me about those, my left hand needed 12 or 13 stitches after working under time pressure at a non computer case :angry:

 

OMG a few years back i reached inside a server case in a rack quickly to find a molex power connector, cut my finger to the bone... has to pull the server out anyway then just to clean out all the blood...

[gardening]

OMG a few years back i reached inside a server case in a rack quickly to find a molex power connector, cut my finger to the bone... has to pull the server out anyway then just to clean out all the blood...

 

... and if you have bad luck you destroy with your blood an electronical part or (I know, that is seldom, still...) get electrocuted (spelling?).

 

Hugs to my fellow 'damaged' poster

[Spannerhands]

... and if you have bad luck you destroy with your blood an electronical part or (I know, that is seldom, still...) get electrocuted (spelling?).

 

Hugs to my fellow 'damaged' poster

 

>Group hug<

[SMURG]

How?

I move them around a lot, plus I mount stuff/drill holes in places which can have a negative effect on structural integrity in the long run. Stands to reason if a case is more solid to begin with it's gonna put up with having holes drilled in it better than one that was flimsy to start with.

[iWearKiltz]

Here is my problem, firstly yes i know companies like Cit make pathetic chassis, build quality is stupid

 

However after £50(around $70) does it matter anymore, I hear people saying fractal design is better then corsair or nzxt(as an example) due to builds quality, honestly when will it matter, in how many points of you life are you going to somehow break a case and be like,  if i got a fractal design(just an example im not putting any companies down) then this wouldnt of happened.

 

I think the argument is pointless and has basically turned into a d*** measureing contest, even in shipping pcs they are then, hell coolermaster's cheap elite cases dont have many problems.

 

Im not talking about cable routing and that sort of problem, im talking about how thick this part, or that part of metal is, will the side panel explode if you touched it or tank it like a badass(yes a badass sidepanel)?

 

How about arguing about features which matters like gpu max size, removable drive cages, should linus get a beard, does the front door of the case break easily.

i chose my FD case cause i liked the looks, it had great features and it was a well known brand.

 

more well known, good quality companies, will invest more into every screw. and i mean this, every screw.

 

sometimes a single screw can let down the whole case, and ive read several examples on this, and one even being on LTT forums itself. a user was complaining about how he hates FD because they had a cheap screw and it was impossible for him to turn it. whilst i disagree with what he said and i suggest he shouldve got some more muscle power, he was still a user complaining about the build quality of the case, and in this example, a screw.

 

build quality is important when the case is housing £1000+ worth of equipment.