Crooksy

performance over looks. I got both though IMO

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xdanisx

Well I really don't need any more performance than I will will be getting with my new Core 2 Quad Q9550 and upgraded RAM.

Gizmo

Case performance differs greatly from the performacne you're talking about with the mobo/processor/ram.

When it comes to the alienware cases, there's just no airflow, and the features are several lacking. Still many sharp edges as well.

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775 Rig Appraisal/Sale

Fan Controller, Rad Box, AM3 Swiftech Mount Sale

badreligion156

cases has nothing to do with performance...its just a case. What were trying to tell you is that although it may look cool, once you start plopping in your parts youll realize that its going to be a nightmare.

but if you really like it just get it. youll learn over time and.

I used to think cases with lights and all this flashy stuff was cool, now i just want a nice case thats clean and minimalistic.

EDIT: btw i see you have a dell mobo, instead of buying a alienware case. why dont you try to get a new case for a reasonable price and a new mobo? youll be getting better performance and more features with a mobo from companies like Gigabyte or Asus.

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OSAMT: "Member of OCN Songwriter and Musician Thread"

xdanisx

How will it be a nightmare? I'd rather have You guys tell me what's wrong before I spend my money.

EDIT: I'm buying the Core 2 Quad with a new mobo from Newegg.

Gizmo

If you're planning on closing the case up and never looking inside it, it won't be horrible.

You will run into issues with cable management, which are only compounded by the gross lack of airflow in the case. Especially as you delve further and further into the geekiness domain (if you're on OCN, you're already pretty far there, but I by no means think this is a bad thing )....anyways, as you start messing around with computers more and more you'll want to start thinking about things like cable management and bling effect. Not just building a working computer, but building a working computer that looks good. When I say good, I don't mean the case itself...everyone has their own personal preferance. But the internals and what not...making the wires look tidy, having parts oriented the right way, etc.


For the price you're likely getting the Alienware for, you could get a wonderful Coolermaster, Lian Li, Antec, or Silverstone that fits you're style (either sleek/minimalistic or lots of flashing lights/windows).

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775 Rig Appraisal/Sale

Fan Controller, Rad Box, AM3 Swiftech Mount Sale

oliverw92

As said above, the case has little to no airflow. It is basically enclosed in a solid plastic shell. The last time i checked, air can't go through solid plastic!

The case is also a finger print magnet. The high gloss will attract finger prints and dust and you will be constantly cleaning it. It will drive you nuts, and look awful if you don't clean it.

Cable management inside is dreadful. There is none. Most other cases offer cable management holes. You were saying about affecting performance, cable management WILL affect this. Bad cable management = reduced airflow around the motherboard = increased temps = lower overclocking and worse performance etc etc etc.

From my experience with friend's alienwares, they are also shoddily built, which cheap shortcuts being made to allow for tacky lighting effects and fake chrome plasticy cheap bits that become loose after a while.

The alienware cases are dam huge on the outside. They have managed to miraculously not translate this to the inside, however. There is like no space inside. The outer shell has somehow taken up masses of room and made an unusable void inbetween the outer shell and the inner shell. Stupid design.

Just don't do it man. Really. The HAF 932 is an awesome case and would serve you very well. Antec 1200 is good, nearly all Lian Li cases are great, Silverstone too. In the end, you want to keep the case for a while, and you have to look at it everytime you use the pc, so be future proof. Get something that will suite all environments, something sleek and clean looking that requires little maintenence.

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xdanisx

I don't really care about how it looks on the inside (although I know that installing a new CPU or something may be a hassle because of the way the wires are oriented). As long as it works while looking good, I'm happy.

oliverw92

Please read my post. Looking good on the inside means the cable management is good. You really should care about it...

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xdanisx

Haha sorry, I made my post while your post was being uploaded.

I know I'll have to hassle with everything on the inside and clean the outside often (call me a stupid kid, but it's worth it for me). I am just obsessed with the way Alienware's cases look.

EDIT: The HAF 932 looks really good though...