[SOLVED] Why do so many computer cases have solid panels in front of the fans and only a small vent on the sides for the intake air?

XSR

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Aug 10, 2012
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Why do a lot of PC Cases have solid panels in front of the fans and only a small vent up the sides to intake air? Surely this limits airflow considerably?

Take a look at this case for example:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srS_AzJz2KA


Are the vents sufficient to intake air in this case? Would you buy a case like this or go for another PC case that has bigger vents / front mesh panel?
 
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Solution
Why do a lot of PC Cases have solid panels in front of the fans and only a small vent up the sides to intake air? Surely this limits airflow considerably?

Take a look at this case for example:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srS_AzJz2KA


Are the vents sufficient to intake air in this case? Would you buy a case like this or go for another PC case that has bigger vents / front mesh panel?
The vents definitely hurt intake, for some cases by a lot for others not enough to make the case unusable.
If you do want the best airflow in your case you will always be better off with a Case with a front mesh panel.
Why do a lot of PC Cases have solid panels in front of the fans and only a small vent up the sides to intake air? Surely this limits airflow considerably?

Take a look at this case for example:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srS_AzJz2KA


Are the vents sufficient to intake air in this case? Would you buy a case like this or go for another PC case that has bigger vents / front mesh panel?
The vents definitely hurt intake, for some cases by a lot for others not enough to make the case unusable.
If you do want the best airflow in your case you will always be better off with a Case with a front mesh panel.
 
Solution
And they never have dust filters! Built my son a PC a couple of months ago with a Sahara P35 case, took it apart yesterday to clean, looked like something out of Dune inside! So I cut up some dust filter sponge mesh,(type stuff) and attached it to the two side intake vents,hopefully will stay cleaner for longer now.