Where to Buy a Boring Computer Case

Russ on 23/08/2020 - 00:01

I want to replace the case on an old computer, many of the screw holes have stripped from the dozens of times I have opened the case and installed/removed parts.

However, every case I can find either has a glass side panel, a front that looks like the titanic, or have connectors in stupid positions. Where can I buy a "boring" computer case, of the sort that were common a decade (maybe two decades) ago?

Specs:

  • mini-tower case
  • must take an ATX motherboard with full-height cards
  • must have a front cutout for an optical drive
  • must have at least two front USB sockets that are BELOW the optical drive cutout, so the USB cables don't dangle in front of the optical drive. Can be USB2 sockets, the things I plug in don't need USB3 speed.
  • metal panels on both sides, preferably without fan grilles cut into them.
  • nice to have but not essential: front audio jacks.

So far, I can only find cases like this on Dell computers. But as far as I can tell, Dell only sell complete computers. Which is a pity, I really like the way Dell make it easy to access the innards of your PC.

Thanks in advance!

Computing

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 23/08/2020 - 00:10

    You can get a dell case used, you may need to redrill the motherboard stand offs as dell is known to use proprietary sized motherboards at times.

    • Russ on 23/08/2020 - 09:33

      Thanks. I knew Dell did some non-standard things, I wasn't aware that it extended to different mounting holes. Fortunately, not too difficult to modify.

  • oscargamer on 23/08/2020 - 00:33

    Thermaltake Versa H24 or H25.

    Is that close to what you want?

    • Russ on 23/08/2020 - 09:39

      Thanks, those have most of the things I want, except for the stupid positioning of the USB and audio ports. Seems like most case manufacturers want the front of the PC to be connector-free.

  • tebbybabes on 23/08/2020 - 00:46
    +2

    The Corsair Carbide 100R ticks all the boxes except for the USB ports not being below the 5.25 cutout.

    The Cooler Master 200N fits your requirements, but is aesthetically divisive.

    Good luck with your search and if you can, share what you eventually find.

    • O O on 23/08/2020 - 03:28

      The Cooler Master 200N N200 fits your requirements

      But, but, but it's not quite fit the motherboard. 😁

      • tebbybabes on 23/08/2020 - 08:59

        Oops, my bad. Thanks for pointing that out. 👍

        • Russ on 23/08/2020 - 09:58

          Damn, apart from the "modern art" front panel, that was the closest to what I want.

    • dscott85 on 23/08/2020 - 10:08

      Agree with the Corsair Carbide 100R recommendation. Good case, has multiple open bays if you want optical drives, etc & is well designed to suit different motherboard types.

      However, note that it comes in two flavours there is a version that has a perspex window & one that does not have this window & is a solid case.

    • Russ on 26/08/2020 - 00:46
      +1

      share what you eventually find.

      I bought the Speed H850 from the ebay listings supplied by O_O, below.
      https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SPEED-H850-PC-Case-Bonus-Card-Re…

      There are two USB2 ports and two audio jacks under the flap at the bottom of the front panel.

      If I decide that I need USB3 ports on the front panel, I'll ditch the card reader, and put this in its place:
      https://www.fasttech.com/product/7719700-stw-stw-7008-3-5-fl…

  • AustriaBargain on 23/08/2020 - 07:32

    Do you need 3.5 inch drive bays?

    • Russ on 23/08/2020 - 09:59

      The old PC has a 4-bay USB hub in the 3.5-inch bay, so could be useful, but not needed if the case has front USB sockets.

  • Presence on 23/08/2020 - 08:16

    Centurion 5

    • Russ on 23/08/2020 - 10:05

      That's the type of case I'm looking for, but it's no longer available.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/08/2020 - 08:26

    Its 2020, get something flash with glass panels 🤦‍♂️

    Fractal meshify 👍

  • trongy on 23/08/2020 - 09:17
    +1

    How about getting a case with two optical drive bays and putting a 3rd party panel with USB ports in the lower bay?

    • Russ on 23/08/2020 - 10:23

      I like that idea, I'll ignore the poorly-positioned front connectors, and mount my own in the lower optical bay (or floppy bay if the case has one).

      I'm now also looking at the option of buying a second-hand Dell computer and scrapping the innards.

      • trongy on 24/08/2020 - 13:12
        +1

        I would be wary. Large manufacturers like Dell don't always follow the industry standards, since they specify all the components and their corporate customers generally rely on Dell for spare parts.

        It's not just mounting holes, it can be the shape and orientation of the motherboard, which affects alignment with the card slots. Also the size and of the power supply might not best standard.

  • [Deactivated] on 23/08/2020 - 09:45

    Problem solved.

    https://www.mwave.com.au/product/antec-vsk3000bu3-black-midt…

    • Russ on 23/08/2020 - 09:54

      Sadly, not ATX. mATX = micro ATX.

      • [Deactivated] on 23/08/2020 - 10:04
        +1

        Still waking up. Missed the little m. Check out antec tho - they're quite basic and may have something you're after.

  • the Unforgiven on 23/08/2020 - 13:54
    +2

    the tip
    refuse station
    recycle station
    PC club

    • lainey13 on 24/08/2020 - 17:42

      I was going to say hard rubbish time.. saw a few computers out

  • Geekomatic on 23/08/2020 - 15:13
    +1

    I was going to say Gumtree usually has older PC's being flogged. Might find just what you want for a case, then give-away the innards?

  • O O on 23/08/2020 - 19:00
    +2

    Where to Buy a Boring Computer Case

    Speed On-line Shop

    and some more…

    https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/Computer-Cases/42014/m.html?_nkw…

  • photonbuddy on 24/08/2020 - 21:50

    I've been looking for something similar. Differences being I want the USB ports at the top, as the case is on the floor next to my desk, and I don't mind glass or windowed sides.

    There are a number of cases that, like OP, almost fit the bill.

    The biggest gripe I have with most of the cases is the wasted USB ports. They give only 1 USB3 port, or 1 USB3 and 1 USB2. That's just wasteful!

    As I don't mind the glass side, there are a couple that fit the bill for my needs.

    • Russ on 25/08/2020 - 00:03

      You can add USB3 ports to the front of your case, if you have an unused drive bay. I suggest you use the topmost drive bay, so portable HDDs can sit on top of your case.

      Here are two examples, they are probably available cheaper elsewhere:
      https://au.banggood.com/3_5-PC-Computer-Case-Front-Panel-2-P…

      https://www.banggood.com/ITHOO-PAN8USB-G01-19PIN-to-8-USB-3_…

      • photonbuddy on 25/08/2020 - 15:16

        Yeah, but I just don't get the wastage. Both USB2 and USB3 motherboard connectors offer 2 ports per cable. Have done so for as long as I can remember, so why offer an odd number of ports. It's not like there's no room for them.

        I understand this is a little thing, but it can be those little things that become a deal breaker when looking to buy.

        • Russ on 26/08/2020 - 00:41

          I suspect these cases are stock run-out from years ago, when USB3 was uncommon, and the only way to get USB3 was through a PCI USB3 card. Such cards sometimes would have three USB ports for the rear of the PC, and only one port for things inside the PC. In that case, having only one front USB would make sense.

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