Cage Match: Four Open-Air ATX Chassis

[thought]

[citation][nom]dragonsprayer[/nom]whats wrong with a table or desktop with mobo box and antistatic plastin? works great less hassle! here is a photo from years and years ago! best desk to set up is martin lab testing set up (photo of martin lab persmission given to copy his stuff) - this is the s$#t!: http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/ [...] klog15.jpg[/citation]

I agree! The only reason I would want one of the above cases is for ease of testing and building computers. -- This is how I had it set up http://cid-87c125cd325c38a1.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/.Public/IMG%5E_3042.jpg

 

[misfitnz]

I have a solid old removable motherboard tray from an old case that does the 'test-bench' thing perfectly. It supports the graphics / expansion cards an I've even used it semi long term at times. No need to spend lots of money, just find an old case with a removable mobo tray.

 

[dark41]

I bought an Antec Skeleton about 8 months ago for testing components. The first thing I did was change the motherboard standoffs to plastic standoffs so that the motherboard just lays in there. I'm a system builder and had many boxes of older components to sort through, and a few dozen motherboards. I was afraid this project would take months to do, but had everything tested in roughly a week. I've tested hundreds of various parts on this system and can't imagine anything else working as well. It now serves as a temporary spare system. Def gets a +1 in my book.

 

[dark41]

Another thing to consider is how easily the Skeleton can be put in a corner when not in use and more bench space is required. And this case is rock solid, so I can stack boxes on top of it if need be. Try that with a removeable motherboard tray.

 

[Crashman]

[citation][nom]dark41[/nom]I bought an Antec Skeleton about 8 months ago for testing components. The first thing I did was change the motherboard standoffs to plastic standoffs so that the motherboard just lays in there. I'm a system builder and had many boxes of older components to sort through, and a few dozen motherboards. I was afraid this project would take months to do, but had everything tested in roughly a week. I've tested hundreds of various parts on this system and can't imagine anything else working as well. It now serves as a temporary spare system. Def gets a +1 in my book.[/citation]

I installed TWO plastic push-through standoffs in the Torture Rack 2 to center the motherboard over the metal standoffs.

 

[dark41]

Same thing, but I used threaded plastic standoffs rather than the sit on top kind. I unscrewed the metal standoffs and threaded the plastic push-throughs into the same holes. Then I clipped the fasterners that lock it into place on the standoffs. End result is that it makes changing motherboards quite simple, and sits securely... as long as I don't tip it upside down.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

Over at the technology complex where I work there are two guys that have the Antec Skeleton so I had the opportunity to look them over. It looked like a bowl of spaghetti with all the cables going every which way.

 

[Crashman]

[citation][nom]dark41[/nom]Same thing, but I used threaded plastic standoffs rather than the sit on top kind. I unscrewed the metal standoffs and threaded the plastic push-throughs into the same holes. Then I clipped the fasterners that lock it into place on the standoffs. End result is that it makes changing motherboards quite simple, and sits securely... as long as I don't tip it upside down. [/citation]

LOL, I clipped the locks too! Yeh, mine where snap through on top and threaded on the bottom. But when I clipped the locks, I only cliped the locking edge at a 45° angle, so the board would "snap" in place and, with a little more effort, "snap" back off without fiddling with them. The end result is that I CAN tip mine upside-down...as long as I don't shake it when it's upside-down

 

[dark41]

I looked seriously at the Acrylic models before buying the Skeleton. Don't regret the decision, but was afraid those wouldn't look too good after a bit of use (scratches). How is yours holding up?

 

[Crashman]

[citation][nom]dark41[/nom]I looked seriously at the Acrylic models before buying the Skeleton. Don't regret the decision, but was afraid those wouldn't look too good after a bit of use (scratches). How is yours holding up?[/citation]

Good, but I don't move it around much and the standoffs protect it from motherboards.

 

[gringott]

I started with a pizza box on a kitchen table back in 1994. I would center the motherboard on the pizza box, and each componet would be next to it depending on connector. Then I switched to a giant [really cheap] generic tower that I removed the two side panels and the plastic front panel around 1996. In 1999 I purchased the Cube, which I first saw in Korea in 1998. The Cube is still being sold, only change I see is a fan hole on the motherboard sidepanel. I have been running it without front plastic, two side panels since purchase. It has housed everything from a DEC Alpha MB to the current ATX Gigabyte AM3 board. It holds 8 HDD at the rear above the power supply [with two fans], has 6 5 1/4" front bays, 2 3.5" front bays, a front fan on the motherboard side, room for a full server atx motherboard without any problem. Who else on here has run the same case for 10 years? And most likely 10 more. Best PC investment I ever made [$110 in 1999 shipped]. Here is a link to it. http://www.yeongyang.com/yy-0221.htm
Two reviews from 2003:
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/yeong_yang_cube_server_case/index.shtml
http://www.modthebox.com/review241_1.shtml

I have made a couple modifications, cut out the fan holes and added less restrictive guards, added a front fan filter, and of course a fan controller and temp sensors.

I compare this to all four of these reviewed cases and say no to them. Mine has a top that prevents dust from settling on componets, and everything is protected - not exposed. Just buy one and throw away the sides and plastic front. They even have a mini redundant power supply!

 

[dark41]

The cube would be aweful for what I wanted (I wanted exposed, easy to get at and swap components), and doesn't do a thing for me as a regular system case. To each their own I guess. As for older cases, I've got a couple of 10+ year old Lian Li PC-60s, with the fiberglass doors. Don't see retiring them either. One survived the move from USA to Austalia in '02, and the other was shipped over later. But I paid a whole lot more for them. They're just spare system cases now. Too nice to throw away and not good enough to sell.

 

[Guest]

Dust collector machines!! those are not easy to clean up, in a case just need a cloth and thats all.

Also motherboard is exposed to humidity or worst: water

 

[anamaniac]

...
I wish this thought hadn't come to mind...
My brother watches a lot of porn... I bet it's take a week to find my computer fried because of exposure to a highly conductive fluid... (buying some UV lights was quite interesting).

 

[smokinu]

eeeeeewwwwwww!!!!!

 

[dark41]

Um... any case with fans exposes a motherboard to just as much humidity as a motherboard sitting outside, since the fans just suck the air from the outside anyway. But yea, I wouldn't recommend open containers around these cases. As far as dust, I haven't needed to wipe down the Skeleton since I got it. I find the big fan on top does a pretty good job of keeping it dust free.

 

[hal2001]

Hello, I own the Torture Rack. I bought this case primarily for the purpose of “eye candy”. I wanted to show off my PC build, and this case does indeed do that. I purchased mine with the UV Blue acrylic sides and a black acrylic motherboard tray, which added a stunning effect to an already stunning case. I also purchased the optional top and front cover. These styles of cases allow a lot of dust to settle on your components, and the Torture Rack is the only case in this review that eliminates that problem. I water cool my PC, and the custom mounting holes for radiators designed into the Torture Rack case is an awesome benefit to the DYI’r. I have read a lot of previous comments in this review about the waste of cash spent on this style of case. I disagree. The PC case is the one component of your system that will remain static throughout the years, so one can average the cost over several years. These style of cases are just plain super cool to look at everyday, and if you water-cool; the Torture Rack adds a solid functionality of design as well as kick axe looks. And as I said from the get go; its eye candy. You do get pleasure from admiring and your case with its electronic new wave “tech artwork”, and there is pleasure in showing it off to friends and family. I would rather look at my Torture Rack any day of the week versus the “pizza box” option a previous reviewer wrote about. (I thought I would be as over the top as that reviewer was)

One product that was omitted from this review was the SUNBEAM TECH CASE, by Sunbeam. I own this case also. It is the lowest priced acrylic “Tech” case in of all the included cases in this review. I don’t know why it was omitted. If price is a limiting factor from keeping you from buying this style of case, I highly recommend the Sunbeam product. You can find it at --(Newegg.com)-- I own the clear version of this case. I purchased this product before the Torture Rack 2 was on the market. The major drawback of the Sunbeam case is there is no carry handle design incorporated, which makes it awkward to move or spin around.

Do yourself a favor and give this “TECH” style of PC case some serious thought before you buy that traditional boring box. Also, you can’t go wrong with any product offering from Danger Den. Besides producing a quality product, the customer service is top notch.

 

[MasonStorm]

And there is yet another popular product, the Top Deck Tech Station (which also comes in a regular, motherboard-on-the-bottom Tech Station). I use mine constantly, but I find its lack of eight-expansion-slot capability annoying. There really are too few cases that have eight or more slots.....

 

[overshocks]

Instead, the Antec Skeleton is designed as a portable gaming system enclosure that just happens to be open, for a unique combination of sex appeal and ventilation not found in traditional box-shaped cases.

Is it necessary to link it to sex appeal? That phrase was inappropriate and unacceptable. Cases compared to sex appeal, come on you like computers more than women, sad.

 

[Crashman]

[citation][nom]overshocks[/nom]Instead, the Antec Skeleton is designed as a portable gaming system enclosure that just happens to be open, for a unique combination of sex appeal and ventilation not found in traditional box-shaped cases.Is it necessary to link it to sex appeal? That phrase was inappropriate and unacceptable. Cases compared to sex appeal, come on you like computers more than women, sad.[/citation]

Don't blame the author, blame the next editor up The original version said "good looks".

 

[hal2001]

I just finished a six pack and that Skelton case is looking pretty good right now.

 

[insightdriver]

@hal2001,

But will it look good the next morning?