Originally posted by: BlueKit
Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
I have a different mid-tower ATX Codegen case that I'm using right now myself. I have to warn you though, Codegen cases are "finger-slicers", be very careful. I had to do some extensive metalwork on mine in order to get it into the "shape" that I wanted. Also, the design of the internet 3.5in HD bays is very poor.
From the review "The 6209 is made of 0.7mm steel, which makes it strong enough to withstand a lot more stress than the steel in the 3131G and it will definitely not bend because of power supplies or any other hardware.
The thicker steel also reduces sharp edges. We could not find any when we felt around the case, which is excellent."
I noticed that quote, quite strongly actually. Based on my experiences, I would have to say that Codegen likely sent AT a specially-reviewed and prepped review unit. I trust AT, so I don't think that they would intentionally mislead about something like that, so I am forced to come to that conclusion.
The most-obvious edges were not cutting-sharp, although not rounded-over either like better-quality cases. The problematic edges were the somewhat less-obvious ones, like the little folded-in pieces of metal as supports for the devices mounted in the drive cage, for example, and the outer edges of those drive cages where they meet the front metal panel, when you remove the plastic front bezel from the case.
But notice due to the fact that they didn't set the internal 3.5in HD bays back a ways, if you choose to install a front intake fan, you have to install it from the back, and have to negotiate those drive bays with your hand while holding the fan to be installed. You
will cut yourself doing so, unless you take precautions, and file down those metal supports, or wear some decently-thick leather gloves when doing so.
Either the AT reviewer didn't attempt to install a front intake fan at all, and didn't notice, or Codegen had someone file down the edges before sending AT the review unit.
You have to understand how these things are mfg'ed - they are simply pressed steel, with those cuts "punched" via huge presses, which leaves a sharp edge. Either filing (generally a manual process), or rolling the edges over after punching them from the steel sheet (adds an additional step and additional cost to the mfg process, takes space in the factory and take capacity away from other potential production lines), costs more, and a budget case mfg like Codegen simply does not do those things on their low-end case lines.
(I also noticed that the AT review did not pick up on the fact about the 3.5in bays being "forward" compared to the other cases, and that without modifying them, you have a choice of
either mounting an intake fan,
or mounting HDs in that bay. Not both, and if you want to use more than one HD stacked on top of each other, you
will want active cooling on them. Sloppy reviewing IHMO. Anyone looking for a case with that many internal HD bays specifically with an intent to use them, will also be looking to actively cool them, and if that isn't possible in the default configuration, that should have been pointed out.)
As far as the actual steel construction, it's strong enough that it won't bend under ordinary use, although while assembling stuff into it, it could warp with the side panels unattached if you're not careful. But overall the construction is pretty solid, even if cheaply built/assembled. I primarily purchased mine because of the factory-stock blowhole, thinking that it would save me the trouble of having to do that mod myself later. Little did I expect the problematic HD mounting or the prevalence of "hidden" sharp edges in the case. The tool-less design features are pretty nice though, for a "cheap" case, and the PSU has held up fine for nearly three years so far. Like I said, far from ideal, but overall I was happy with it, for the price.