lian-li

[Phiber]

should i get the Lian-Li and a window mod kit??
would it look cool?

[Phiber]

anybody??

[Pinky]

The way my PCs are situated I wouldn't bother... besides, no one who visits me cares how 'cool' my PC is as they are usually focused on the ills suffered by their own when they brought it to Dr. Pinky

[dimmreaper]

I'd go for a clear acrylic case myself, they look schweet, especial with some watercooling gear installed. And if you must have lights(I don't care for them myself), the black lights look better than the neon ones.

[cloasters]

Other than the fact that they are lighter than steel cases, what's the attraction with aluminum? Seriously.

Aluminum bends and "oilcans" very easily. It's easier to cut--yet it binds on drill bits a lot. The average Joe may not even realize that he's looking at aluminum. "They're all just metal cases, huyuck."

Lian Li's are said to be very well made. There are more than a few steel cases that are very well made.

Is it simply conspicuous consumption? Naah, 'course not.

[Phil]

Can anyone tell me why aluminium cases are so expensive, and it can't just be the quality as quality steel cases are as expensive, aluminium is the most abundant metal in the earth so why are aluminium cases so pricey?

[Holst]

Originally posted by Phil
Can anyone tell me why aluminium cases are so expensive, and it can't just be the quality as quality steel cases are as expensive, aluminium is the most abundant metal in the earth so why are aluminium cases so pricey?

I cant see any reason that they would be as expensive as they are.
People are willing to pay £150 for a case so thats what is charged even if the case cost allot less to make.
You are paying extra because they are a "quality" product, like expensive trainers or designer shirts.

[dimmreaper]

As Phil said, bauxite is a very abundant natural resource. However mining bauxite is considerably more expensive than mining iron ore. And refining bauxite in to raw aluminum is considerably more expensive too.

Quality SouthAmerican aluminum generally cost twice as much as mild Asian steel by volume! Consider also that an aluminum product makes use of more material(again by volume) to equal the structural integrity of a similar steel product.

Remember that aluminum scratches and dents quite easily, so it is likely that sometimes these cases, or there raw materials, are damaged during the manufacturing process, and the manufacturer passes those losses on to the consumer.

[killem1x1]

Originally posted by dimmreaper
As Phil said, bauxite is a very abundant natural resource. However mining bauxite is considerably more expensive than mining iron ore. And refining bauxite in to raw aluminum is considerably more expensive too.

Quality SouthAmerican aluminum generally cost twice as much as mild Asian steel by volume! Consider also that an aluminum product makes use of more material(again by volume) to equal the structural integrity of a similar steel product.

Remember that aluminum scratches and dents quite easily, so it is likely that sometimes these cases, or there raw materials, are damaged during the manufacturing process, and the manufacturer passes those losses on to the consumer.

Quite Right! As I am involved in the Sales/Service of plasma cutting systems, I have dealt with a ton of metal fabricating shops over the last 10 years or so. Aluminum in basic sheet form does cost quite a bit more than Mild Steel, cold or hot roll. It is also much more difficut to "handle", i.e., when you cut these two materials, you may have to use more "exotic" gases, with Mild steel you may use standard "shop-air", but to maintain the same cut-quality with aluminum, you must go with an H-35 (Hydrogen-Argon) mixture.
Whoops, I'll bet no-one really cares about that heh

[cloasters]

So the aluminum costs twice as much as steel. Whoop de doo. That's ~$8.00 instead of ~$4.00. So aluminum costs twice as much to fabricate. If an Enlight 7237 with PS costs $50, retail...what's a fair price for an aluminum copy? $100.00.

OK, let's admit that the 7237 isn't a high quality case. Let's say that a High-Q steel Mid costs $55, sans PS. The aluminum equivalent comes to $110. I don't think aluminum is fair value. You might think that it is, that's just fine.

If aluminum is good, magnesium should be better. And titanium--best of all. Hoo boy. How much would a titanium Mid cost? It boggles my limited mathematical ability. Four figures, surely.

Would be a LOT cheaper to salvage a titanium box of roughly the right dimensions from military scrap. But how are you gonna cut or drill it?

[Phil]

Originally posted by cloasters
If aluminum is good, magnesium should be better. And titanium--best of all. Hoo boy. How much would a titanium Mid cost? It boggles my limited mathematical ability. Four figures, surely.

Why would titanium be better? you planning on flying the case at supersonic speeds or something?

[cloasters]

I'm being facetious. If it's all really about snob appeal, how can you beat a titanium case?

And I fly my cases at Mach 2.3, regularly. I thought everyone did.

[Random Nonsense]

hehehe we talking exotic metals eh? inconel.... now THATS expensive shiny stuff! £150 for a 1 inch by 20 inch strip about 1/16 thick

[cloasters]

Yes. But titanium is lighter than aluminium. Are you certain that Inconel is that expensive?

[Phil]

how about polystyrene, thats pretty light

[cloasters]

Polystyrene. It's light, no argument. Think of the eternal possibilities for massive static buildup and discharge!

I saw a pic of a case made from cardboard and aluminum foil a few years ago. Worked just fine. Portability factor? None.

[Phiber]

i got my case if u was wondereing in 2 words
i can describe it

BIG WOW!!

[burn'em]

Originally posted by killem1x1


Quite Right! As I am involved in the Sales/Service of plasma cutting systems, I have dealt with a ton of metal fabricating shops over the last 10 years or so. Aluminum in basic sheet form does cost quite a bit more than Mild Steel, cold or hot roll. It is also much more difficut to "handle", i.e., when you cut these two materials, you may have to use more "exotic" gases, with Mild steel you may use standard "shop-air", but to maintain the same cut-quality with aluminum, you must go with an H-35 (Hydrogen-Argon) mixture.
Whoops, I'll bet no-one really cares about that heh

Ah the smell of H-35 in the morning, I miss that, i ran a plasma cutter for ten years. cut aluminum 6" thick now that takes horse power. and cooling!!!!! 1000amp. @ 260vdc

[Phiber]

argh... i cant get the window to fit@!!

[Phiber]

i got it now
had to attack it and i got it
w00t!! looks sweet now