Question Should I upgrade my PC case?

[Richard_268]

I purchased a budget pre-made PC in 2017. It came with integrated graphics, 8GB RAM, a budget PSU, and a 1TB hard drive. It was extremely budget-friendly, and my case didn't even include case fans. Since then, I've upgraded nearly every aspect of the PC, and it now boasts the following specs:

Intel Core i5 10400F
NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti
16GB RAM
1TB SSD
I've also upgraded the motherboard and PSU. The only components that remain from the original PC are the case and the hard drive (used for secondary storage). Although the case lacks case fans, it is relatively quiet and hasn't presented any problems that I'm aware of. Do you still recommend upgrading the case, considering it seems quite outdated? Thanks.


Case in question:

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/cit-red-devil-mesh-mid-tower-gaming-computer-chassis-1x-usb-30-2x-usb-20-1x-120mm-red-led-fan-toolle

 

[Richard_268]

Replacements I am looking at are:

NZXT H510 Elite Tempered Glass
Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L
Gamemax Kamikaze Pro PC Gaming Case Black

 

[bill001g]

What makes a case "outdated". I guess older cases might not fit some of the massive modern video cards. As long as everything fits it should be fine. A case really is just a box to keep all your computer parts from falling on the floor.

Now if you mean it looks old then only you can decide. Fancy RGB lighting and lots of glass panels do not technically make a case perform any better. In some ways it is worse because even a solid metal panel will transfer more heat than a tempered glass panel.

 

[Lafong]

I assume you still do not have any case fans.

That's unusual, but might be tolerable depending on other factors.

Have you been monitoring temperatures at all?

 

[Richard_268]

I assume you still do not have any case fans.

That's unusual, but might be tolerable depending on other factors.

Have you been monitoring temperatures at all?

Correct, still no case fans. CPU temp rarely goes above 80 and GPU temp usually sits at around 60.

 

[Lafong]

Correct, still no case fans. CPU temp rarely goes above 80 and GPU temp usually sits at around 60.

I suppose most would insist on you getting maybe 2 case fans...one front intake and one rear exhaust.....assuming your case has fan mounts at those locations.

Fact is, CPUs are designed to run indefinitely well beyond 80 and will throttle before exceeding design limits.

It ain't broke, so I could certainly understand you not fixin' it, for whatever reason. Suit yourself.

You can also speculate that lower temperatures lead to longevity. Not necessarily. Again, suit yourself.

 

[ohio_buckeye]

I might add some exhaust fans personally but I’d say the case is a personal choice. Like me I’m swapping to a fractal design Focus G from my current case. Was rebuilding and was annoyed with one part of my old case and wanted a switch from red and black. So going to blue and white now. Depends partly on your preferences.

 

[sonofjesse]

Cases are mainly personally choices I have ran some for over 20 years no issues.

Cases can make you happy, but they don't make your PC faster really.

 

[Unolocogringo]

As stated above cases are "personal".
I still run a modified HAF 912. It fits inside my desk perfectly hidden. I never see it, so it does not matter what it looks like.
Your appears to cool well enough, so no reason there.
But you have the upgrade itch, or you would not be asking for advice on which to choose.

 

[Colif]

What makes a case "outdated". I guess older cases might not fit some of the massive modern video cards. As long as everything fits it should be fine. A case really is just a box to keep all your computer parts from falling on the floor.

well, some cases have a stack of floppy drive cages in them that aren't much use any more. My last case was from 2009 even though PC was 2015. I just liked the design but it had 5 floppy bays in it which I never used.
It also helps if the case can assist in keeping everything inside it a little cool and not a oven.

The internals of his box aren't conducive to air flow

so a new case wouldn't hurt with more case fans as well.
that case he has allows a front fan but the air has to get through all the cages.

The NZXT has a glass front, might look good but fans can't breath through glass.
I would have chosen https://nzxt.com/en-AU/product/h5-flow
Masterbox isn't bad.
if this has a mesh front it might be okay - https://www.gamemax.uk/index.php/products/cases/kamikaze-pro-argb-mid-tower/

 

[RAIDGoblin]

What makes a case "outdated"

Good question, that depends how much you're prepared to modify it:

but in all seriousness, and as others here have already said, the case you have will preform thermally well if you add an intake and an outtake fan, however cases are personal and it is often as much about aesthetics as it is about performance, so here's the way I see it:

If you're disappointed that folks here aren't telling you you need a new case, then get a new case! and if you don't want to spend the money and aren't bothered about looks then just add fans to your old one because your temperatures (while within safe limits) are running just a little high

 

[geofelt]

From a functional point of view, adding a front intake fan and and a rear exhaust fan will keep even a big upgrade cool enough.

But, aesthetics, that is a different matter.
If you replace the case buy one that you love.
Bust your budget if need be.
A good case will be relevant for a very long time.