chenbro atx gaming case $20

[Triggerhappy007]

Originally posted by: furballi
Almost any modern high performance PC will come with two 120mm fan slots. The Chenbro has adequate ventilation with only one front 80mm case fan. Why pay $40 for the Chenbro when I can go with an Antec SLK3000B for $48?

One can mount a 120 x 38 front case fan in the 3000B to keep the hard drives at 30C with 25C ambient. Bonus points for quick-release optical drive bays, floppy drive bay, and HDD drive bay.

The Chenbro was a decent case two years ago, but it is not in the same league as the best modern value rig when it comes to noise, cooling, and convenience.

It's only $32 for me and you can fit a 92mm fan in the front according to all the reviews. Sure I would get the SLK if it was $40, but it was over $50 on pricegrabber since I last checked.

 

[furballi]

Just remember that most people will live with a case for at least 5 to 7 years. The SLK is vastly superior to this Chenbro. The SLK was on sale earlier this month for $48, delivered anywhere in the USA.

Instead of wasting time and $ on fancy cooler and acoustic treatment, just spend a little more for a case that will make all your upgrades a joy for many years.

 

[slugbug55]

I had one of these a while ago. The only thing I disliked about it was the right side panel is non removeable.

 

[superHARD]

Originally posted by: slugbug55
I had one of these a while ago. The only thing I disliked about it was the right side panel is non removeable.

really...that would suck!

 

[5to1baby1in5]

Originally posted by: monkeypox8
nice price, too bad it looks like spider-man's aborted fetus.

Isn't that a good thing?

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: ruckdaddy

Originally posted by: hans007

Originally posted by: GAZZA
I think when I checked this yesterday shipping was over $20 which is crazy IMO.

well you are in virginia the case weighs 20 pounds and they are in northern california.

i have shipped items cross country like that and well that actually is reasonably fair based on ups ground rates.

There's no way the case without a PSU weighs 20 lb. I looked at the shipping calculator ($18 to chicago btw :thumbsdown: ) and it quoted 23 lbs. gross weight. Well according to the Official Product Specs this case WITH a 350W power supply comes in at 9.4*2.2 = 21 lb (rounded up). Subtract a 6 or 7 lb. generic PSU and you get 15 lb. gross, tops.
It is clear they are running a "sale" but recouping via the huge shipping markup. Not quite as bad as some much less credible sites I've seen, but still, reminiscent of ebay.

P.S. I once shipped a 30+ lb. home audio subwoofer using UPS at a retail counter for only $22, and that was about a 22" cubic box. So I can call bull.

All that said, the case still intrigues me. Thanks again OP.

i dunno man i have actually OWNED this case, and it is quiet heavy. in the neighbor hood of 16-17 pounds. not to mention there is a box that probably weighs another 2 pounds.

i'd like to also mention i UPS ground shipped a computer that i declared as 16 pounds (hell it might have been more) to new york the other day.. and it cost $20. so that is why i figure its fairly reasonable shipping.

 

[gsethi]

Originally posted by: ruckdaddy

Originally posted by: hans007

Originally posted by: GAZZA
I think when I checked this yesterday shipping was over $20 which is crazy IMO.

well you are in virginia the case weighs 20 pounds and they are in northern california.

i have shipped items cross country like that and well that actually is reasonably fair based on ups ground rates.

There's no way the case without a PSU weighs 20 lb. I looked at the shipping calculator ($18 to chicago btw :thumbsdown: ) and it quoted 23 lbs. gross weight. Well according to the Official Product Specs this case WITH a 350W power supply comes in at 9.4*2.2 = 21 lb (rounded up). Subtract a 6 or 7 lb. generic PSU and you get 15 lb. gross, tops.
It is clear they are running a "sale" but recouping via the huge shipping markup. Not quite as bad as some much less credible sites I've seen, but still, reminiscent of ebay.

P.S. I once shipped a 30+ lb. home audio subwoofer using UPS at a retail counter for only $22, and that was about a 22" cubic box. So I can call bull.

All that said, the case still intrigues me. Thanks again OP.

Shipping charges have recently gone up. Almost all carriers (FedEx, UPS, USPS) have increased their rates lately (thanks to increasing gas prices).

Also, you should note that the price difference between a 15lb and a 22lb package will be only a few dollars. It costs more $$$$ to handle a package than to handle 15lb or 20lb.

also, svc is very reputable and I have been ordering small parts (like heatsinks and thermal compounds) from them for the past few years. They charge almost actual shipping charges and their shipping charges depend on the actual weight of the item.

Also, they are located in San Jose, CA (so you can go to your favorite shipping carrier and check the shipping charges yourself).

 

[TecJunkie]

quotes me $18 to east coast (nc)

 

[Dantzig]

SVC is far from crooked. They're one of the best retailers in the business and I've never had a bad experience with them. Their prices are good and their shipping is fair. Above all, they are always reliable. I don't know why the final shipping charge is more than the quote for this item, but the difference for me was less than $2 so I bought anyway.

 

[ruckdaddy]

Originally posted by: gsethi

Originally posted by: ruckdaddy

Originally posted by: hans007

Originally posted by: GAZZA
I think when I checked this yesterday shipping was over $20 which is crazy IMO.

well you are in virginia the case weighs 20 pounds and they are in northern california.

i have shipped items cross country like that and well that actually is reasonably fair based on ups ground rates.

There's no way the case without a PSU weighs 20 lb. I looked at the shipping calculator ($18 to chicago btw :thumbsdown: ) and it quoted 23 lbs. gross weight. Well according to the Official Product Specs this case WITH a 350W power supply comes in at 9.4*2.2 = 21 lb (rounded up). Subtract a 6 or 7 lb. generic PSU and you get 15 lb. gross, tops.
It is clear they are running a "sale" but recouping via the huge shipping markup. Not quite as bad as some much less credible sites I've seen, but still, reminiscent of ebay.

P.S. I once shipped a 30+ lb. home audio subwoofer using UPS at a retail counter for only $22, and that was about a 22" cubic box. So I can call bull.

All that said, the case still intrigues me. Thanks again OP.

Shipping charges have recently gone up. Almost all carriers (FedEx, UPS, USPS) have increased their rates lately (thanks to increasing gas prices).

Also, you should note that the price difference between a 15lb and a 22lb package will be only a few dollars. It costs more $$$$ to handle a package than to handle 15lb or 20lb.

also, svc is very reputable and I have been ordering small parts (like heatsinks and thermal compounds) from them for the past few years. They charge almost actual shipping charges and their shipping charges depend on the actual weight of the item.

Also, they are located in San Jose, CA (so you can go to your favorite shipping carrier and check the shipping charges yourself).

Why would I do that? It's a waste of time. I already know they are putting 23 lb. into the UPS calculator when the box cannot possibly weigh more than 21, because that's WITH a power supply, per the mfr website. My ballpark of 15 lb. only goes to demonstrate the inflation on the weight, and thus, on the charge. If they wanted to make a little more money, they should raise the base price instead of insulting us with this nonsense.

 

[gsethi]

Originally posted by: ruckdaddy

Originally posted by: gsethi

Originally posted by: ruckdaddy

Originally posted by: hans007

Originally posted by: GAZZA
I think when I checked this yesterday shipping was over $20 which is crazy IMO.

well you are in virginia the case weighs 20 pounds and they are in northern california.

i have shipped items cross country like that and well that actually is reasonably fair based on ups ground rates.

There's no way the case without a PSU weighs 20 lb. I looked at the shipping calculator ($18 to chicago btw :thumbsdown: ) and it quoted 23 lbs. gross weight. Well according to the Official Product Specs this case WITH a 350W power supply comes in at 9.4*2.2 = 21 lb (rounded up). Subtract a 6 or 7 lb. generic PSU and you get 15 lb. gross, tops.
It is clear they are running a "sale" but recouping via the huge shipping markup. Not quite as bad as some much less credible sites I've seen, but still, reminiscent of ebay.

P.S. I once shipped a 30+ lb. home audio subwoofer using UPS at a retail counter for only $22, and that was about a 22" cubic box. So I can call bull.

All that said, the case still intrigues me. Thanks again OP.

Shipping charges have recently gone up. Almost all carriers (FedEx, UPS, USPS) have increased their rates lately (thanks to increasing gas prices).

Also, you should note that the price difference between a 15lb and a 22lb package will be only a few dollars. It costs more $$$$ to handle a package than to handle 15lb or 20lb.

also, svc is very reputable and I have been ordering small parts (like heatsinks and thermal compounds) from them for the past few years. They charge almost actual shipping charges and their shipping charges depend on the actual weight of the item.

Also, they are located in San Jose, CA (so you can go to your favorite shipping carrier and check the shipping charges yourself).

Why would I do that? It's a waste of time. I already know they are putting 23 lb. into the UPS calculator when the box cannot possibly weigh more than 21, because that's WITH a power supply, per the mfr website. My ballpark of 15 lb. only goes to demonstrate the inflation on the weight, and thus, on the charge. If they wanted to make a little more money, they should raise the base price instead of insulting us with this nonsense.

I just picked up the case from their warehouse and the case is more than 15lbs. It is more in the range of ~20 lbs.

Also, companies dont have time to weigh each and every box and then use the exact weight for the thousands of different items that they carry. Most retailers just use the same weight that the manufacturer gave them (on paper).

a couple of pounds over is not unrealistic or that a company is inflating shipping charges.

 

[furballi]

Bottomline...my quoted shipping price is $2.50 more than the checkout price. I don't deal with crooks!

 

[Triggerhappy007]

Originally posted by: furballi
Bottomline...my quoted shipping price is $2.50 more than the checkout price. I don't deal with crooks!

I noticed the same thing when I put in my home and work zip code. Home was $2.50 cheaper so I chose my home address. Wierd.

 

[Jaxidian]

Jeez, can't beleive so many of you aren't familiar with SVC. I've been ordering from them for years and they pop up here on ATHD all the time for coolers and fans.

Legit business there...

 

[kasia00]

sweeeeet!!!!!!!!
GOtta get 1

 

[probzy]

Sweet deal OP!

 

[aldamon]

Originally posted by: furballi
Almost any modern high performance PC will come with two 120mm fan slots. The Chenbro has adequate ventilation with only one front 80mm case fan. Why pay $40 for the Chenbro when I can go with an Antec SLK3000B for $48?

I was going to order a 3000B until I read the reviews on Newegg that say the longer video cards have a hard time fitting into the 3000B. Is that true? Seems like a pretty big weakness to me.

I purchased case thinking of using it for my NForce 4 SLI board. Well nope my 6800GTS is to long. I put in one WD Raptor 74 GB Drive and would bearly fit. I still had one more Raptor to go. Ugh Used my Antec Lanboy instead worked out fine.

Cons: If your video card is long, it will get into the drive bay area. Especially if it has a power connection on the end. This happened with my evga 6800 AGP card.

Cons: Some cons to mention would be that the case had no instructions, just a inventory sheet of what you get. The front plastic door is flimsy. My 7800 gt was a little tight, but thats ok got it in there.

The GTX series is longer than the GT series, so if the GT has a hard time fitting, the GTX has no chance.

 

[tayhimself]

Since there seems to be a bit of misinformation about this case I'd like to add a few things since I own one :
+ Price : I picked mine up from xoxide.com for about the same price on sale a while back.
+ Sturdy : this thing is built heavy, just like my old antec 1040 tower
+ PCI bracket : works well for me
+ Cooling : Decent with filter. I removed the filter for additional airflow. It still traps a lot of dust on front grill

- PSU mounting blocks off some of my PSU exhaust holes (no biggie)
- Right side panel fixed
- A bit short so if your CPU bracket is right at the top of your MB, watch out if you have a big cooler
- Looks : looks a bit strange, but if you mount your DVDR in the lowest slot rather than the top one it looks better (more even look try it out)

Overall : well worth the 30-40 dollars. The 3000 AMB is a better case for 10-15 more, but I hate the Antec doors cuz they always break on me.

Personally, Im never buying an ATX case again, and am going uATX from now on.

 

[furballi]

215mm long video card if all five HDD bays are used.

265mm long video card if four out of five HDD bays are used.

I doubt that the video card is longer than 265mm. Course I've seen quite a few lousy boards from China.

 

[ruckdaddy]

I just picked up the case from their warehouse and the case is more than 15lbs. It is more in the range of ~20 lbs.

Silly me, of course the a priori scale in your brain is more accurate than the scientific one Chenbro itself used to spec its product. What was I smoking.

Also, companies dont have time to weigh each and every box and then use the exact weight for the thousands of different items that they carry. Most retailers just use the same weight that the manufacturer gave them (on paper).

I pointed you to the spec sheet, so unless it's bogus (doubtful since they are most familiar with the case, having made it and all), SVC's lying. There are no two ways about it.

a couple of pounds over is not unrealistic or that a company is inflating shipping charges.

Unless that makes a difference of $0.00 then actually it is both of those things IMO. Now, I don't expect 100% accuracy from all the places I buy. That would be naive. But the facts being what we are led to believe, at least from a seemingly trustworthy mfr site, we are talking about close to 60% accuracy, which is intolerable. If you or another yea-sayer can concretely debunk the mfr site [EDIT: OR show me the power supply shipped inside the case that's not mentioned on the product page] I will happily convert.

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: ruckdaddy

I just picked up the case from their warehouse and the case is more than 15lbs. It is more in the range of ~20 lbs.

Silly me, of course the a priori scale in your brain is more accurate than the scientific one Chenbro itself used to spec its product. What was I smoking.

Also, companies dont have time to weigh each and every box and then use the exact weight for the thousands of different items that they carry. Most retailers just use the same weight that the manufacturer gave them (on paper).

I pointed you to the spec sheet, so unless it's bogus (doubtful since they are most familiar with the case, having made it and all), SVC's lying. There are no two ways about it.

a couple of pounds over is not unrealistic or that a company is inflating shipping charges.

Unless that makes a difference of $0.00 then actually it is both of those things IMO. Now, I don't expect 100% accuracy from all the places I buy. That would be naive. But the facts being what we are led to believe, at least from a seemingly trustworthy mfr site, we are talking about close to 60% accuracy, which is intolerable. If you or another yea-sayer can concretely debunk the mfr site [EDIT: OR show me the power supply shipped inside the case that's not mentioned on the product page] I will happily convert.

seriously dont attack the guy. the scale on the box is for net weight. gross is usually 3 pounds more. and the chenbro gaming bomb generally does not come witha power supply so i think him being only maybe 2 pounds off is close enough.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: furballi
Bottomline...my quoted shipping price is $2.50 more than the checkout price. I don't deal with crooks!

That's their "handling fee." Just choose "warehouse pickup" and you'll see it.

In any case, I've heard that these cases use really thick metal so they aren't cheap to ship like those aluminum Global Wins. Still, wish shipping was closer to $10... then I would have bought one just 'cause. Otherwise I can't justify yet another case sitting around collecting dust.

 

[furballi]

Thanks for the clarification. Most outfits will only charge for shipping and tax. Still think it's a sneaky way to tack on price without being up front about the total out-the-door cost.

 

[gsethi]

If anyone needs this case, lmk. I bought one but dont need it. It is still new and never used. Will sell it for $21 + actual shipping charges (FedEx, UPS, DHL, USPS...whatever you prefer).

I picked it up locally from their warehouse...so my cost was ~21.xx