How Long Do You Recycle Your Cases?

[dave_the_nerd]

My last one was ten years old when I ditched it about a year ago.

 

[MoInSTL]

I used an Antec P180 from 2005 until 2012: 7 years.

Still have it gathering dust now at home.

Ditto to both. Have a Fractal R4 Titanium Grey now.

 

[Towermax]

Still using an Antec P180 from 2006 for my server and two Antec Solos from 2007/2008.

 

[Compman55]

Still using an Antec SX-1040B that I bought in 2001. I am using it with an H61M / G2020 pentium build. It uses two 80MM fans, which make it not practical to use modern high heat hardware in it. The factory fans are so loud you have to locate it somewhere else.

Unless something changes, I will be using my Fractal Arc Midi R2 for as long as humanly possible.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

My last one was ten years old when I ditched it about a year ago.

Those of us who've used up whole packages of Dremel cutting wheels and a couple "nibblers" may see it as a simple cost-benefit proposition. Cooling requirements have changed with successive electronic hardware and the (overclocking) uses to which we've put it.

I stopped modding old cases when I discovered the benefits of 200mm fans. I could USE those 200mm fans with the old cases: I just don't feel like drilling a thousand holes to make a 200mm vent.

Well, that's not entirely true. My next case mods will focus on my HAF cases -- probably to integrate 200mm radiators for water-cooling. It's just a thought I continue to entertain.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I usually buy cheap cases that get changed out when it's time to do a new build.

 

[Tequila]

Just recently replaced my 5+ year CM Storm Scout with a Corsair Air 540. Scout was solid but very cramped. The Air 540 is perfect for me with spacious room in left chamber and the cooling is outstanding. My i7-4770K stays frosty with just an air cooler. The case also doubles as a handy end table It's fat but sexy!

 

[HardcoreRobot]

i dont usually recycle because i usually do full new builds, the old system still needs a home

 

[DrDoug]

I've had a Codegen S-201-CA case for my main system for 12 years now. I just can't give the damned thing up because it's sooooo huge and has all of the room I need. I took it apart a few years ago, went to town with a dremel to modify it as I needed and then powder coated the whole thing using Ford engine blue, gloss black and a deep red.

I definitely got my moneys worth out of this sucker!

 

[bleucharm28]

i got rid of my Silverstone TJ07, kinda missed that. The case is just damn sexy from top to bottom, all the way around and inside. My gripe with pc cases is because of the dust, they are everywhere; now matter much filter you use. So i decided to go open case from now on. I use/recycled my Dimastech Bench table. I love it! Easy to clean, put whatever size video card or whatever size mobo i want. Set up with 2 separate loops for GPU & CPU watercooling; everything is in one piece. No external/extending watercooling parts.

 

[Agent11]

Depends on how obnoxiously quickly everyone desides to jump on a new peripheral connector standard. I will resist buying a new case out of spite until time and the lure of improved performance finally erode my will.

 

[WoodButcher]

15-16 years so far,

 

[Leyawiin]

Wow, even I don't have a beige box left!

 

[WoodButcher]

I saved the stickers just so I could remember what it was. That came from People PC when they first came out. Free computer when you sign up for their internet service. Dial-up goodness! I think it was 14,400 or some such number. $14.95 a month.

 

[Leyawiin]

I saved the stickers just so I could remember what it was. That came from People PC when they first came out. Free computer when you sign up for their internet service. Dial-up goodness! I think it was 14,400 or some such number. $14.95 a month.

LOL! I knew it looked familiar! I had one of those Toshiba desktops (back when they still made desktops) in 2000 from People PC. Totally forgot about it. I was really strapped for cash at the time and doing it with the internet contract for 36 months was the only way I could get a computer. It served its purpose.

 

[WoodButcher]

Yepper! I had to do it too. My first PC I bought I spent like 3K to get a "good" one that wouldn't be in the trash or need immediate upgrades and maybe a year or two later the darn thing was outdated and wouldn't keep up w/ the new software and higher speeds. ROFL. I went to PPC after that thinking they would need to keep up with the tech if they were to honor the contract and they sent me a P3 in that Toshiba box.
I got a P4 Gateway system from them after that one retired, learned about overclocking and it was all downhill from there.

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

I have actually lost count of how many builds my Antec 900 has seen...somewhere around 4 or 5 at least.

 

[Charlie98]

My first build was in a HAF922, which wound up being a dust vacuum... I swapped out of that in less than a year into a Fractal Define Mini... which I'll probably run until we don't build PCs in cases anymore.

 

[alkemyst]

My last case purchase for myself was around 1997 or so. Addronics 7896A

 

[WilliamM2]

Modded Antec SX-800. Only case I've used since 2001, and I've grown rather attached to it.

Damn thing weighs 25 lbs empty though.

 

[bleucharm28]

I decided to go open bench tables for my personal builds. I personally think is easier to maintain/use.

2 real benefit I see is: runs cooler since is open, and the big heavy video cards sits on top of the mobo instead of standard atx case build.

For those who water cool GPU knows how heavy it can be.

 

[aigomorla]

I decided to go open bench tables for my personal builds. I personally think is easier to maintain/use.

2 real benefit I see is: runs cooler since is open, and the big heavy video cards sits on top of the mobo instead of standard atx case build.

For those who water cool GPU knows how heavy it can be.

they also attract dust on epic proportions since u have no filters

i used to use open benches.. now i only use them on my test setup, or to test hardware before i put them in a filtered case.

 

[Sword-of-Kings]

Because I recently decided to start building my computers, I only have one case. I've upgraded this computer a couple times, but I haven't done a completely new build. I'm not sure what I'll do when the time comes for me to build a new PC. I'll probably just use the same case.

 

[jojojonny]

I just switched from a p180 that I've been using for about 5 years, to an air 540. I really liked the design of the antec.

 

[mindbomb]

I've been using the same case for like 10+ years. When there are tempting CPUs, GPUs, and SSDs, it's hard to divert that money into what is essentially just a metal box.