System76 Expands Their Lineup Of Hand-Built Thelio Computer Cases

[Paradigm Shifter]

That's bs, any wood strong enough to do a case with is too hard and will not dampen sound that much. Sound dampening is soft fluffy material for a reason

Now I really want to try making a case out of balsa.

[starshipeleven]

you're not being imaginative enough! We could eliminate the pc speaker, and instead use the entire case as an electric-acoustic device.

beeeeep

[torsionbar28]

That's bs, any wood strong enough to do a case with is too hard and will not dampen sound that much. Sound dampening is soft fluffy material for a reason

You're not being imaginative enough! We could eliminate the PC speaker, and instead use the entire case as an electric-acoustic device.

[starshipeleven]

Not reALly wood on the cases should dampen noise. In an ideal world the entire case would be wood.

That's bs, any wood strong enough to do a case with is too hard and will not dampen sound that much. Sound dampening is soft fluffy material for a reason

[starshipeleven]

I really wish they sold these separately, they look so nice!

Amen to that. I hope someone from system76 is listening.

[Buntolo]

These cases are beautiful, when I saw them the first time, I went immediately to look on their website if they sold them separately.

[lem79]

Typo:

Also, sheer power.

[Teggs]

I like the look of these cases. But I would never buy one. I'm sure they work well for System76, but compared to DIY cases:

1. There is no functionality on the front of the unit. I realise buttons and connectors would break up the clean lines of the case, but they would need to do something here to compete.

2. Thermal solution is questionable. In some diagrams they show one thing, and in others something different. Mostly they show completely closed-off front, top, and both sides to their cases. The last article showing their cases before this one, internally showed a fan drawing from the side of the case behind the motherboard, but clearly showed that side as a solid panel from the outside. You can do restricted airflow with an APU or some low power part, but it won't work well with a mid to high end desktop CPU with dedicated GPU.

3. Interior design is currently... proprietary. :P It's not designed for users to put all kinds of things in all kinds of places like a standalone case.

4. The blue case looks worn or dirty. Heh. Just kidding. But it does look odd.

I know that System76 isn't actually designing these cases for people to build in at will, so they haven't 'failed'. But I don't see the current design being fit for standalone sale, no matter how much the look appeals. If they did make a properly designed standalone with the Thelio look... they would probably lose money. It seems specialised case manufacturers go broke. But if I was buying a case at the time, that's what I would buy.

[Paradigm Shifter]

Lining a wood case with something to shield EMI isn't that hard - guitars do it for their electronics all the time. Well, good ones do...

I'm actually quite impressed with their prices - they're reasonable for a pre-built. If I factor in the fancy case, it becomes better. I could do something similar myself but would take a fair few hours at [whatever my time is worth].

Sadly, though, I will never buy one of their systems even if I had the money as I'm not in ConUS.

[wizard69]

what a pointless thing to do (these cases)

Not reALly wood on the cases should dampen noise. In an ideal world the entire case would be wood. Of course wood can’t shield EMI so that is an issue. In any event as somebody else mentioned it is better than the carnival lights.