Is Anyone Else Noticing This?

PhilB · Mar 7, 2025

Scannerman said:
Indeed. This is the conundrum. I could make a few suggestions but to find quality in cases these days would require that you raise the bar $100-$200 higher. It is very difficult to find the sort of craftsmanship we are talking bout unless one is willing to pay around $500 for an empty case.

Wowzers. In other words, case price = high end motherboard price. And then we have these ridiculous (NVidia) GPU costs? Makes me want to cry.

And all these before the T(rump)ariffs go into effect.

Scannerman said:
It's ridiculous but it's true. I've spent weeks looking.

I appreciate that. What have you found for $400+ that you would be comfortable buying?

Scannerman said:
little more than a metal box with a glass window. 'Less is more' seems to be the theme these days. How positively Orwellian!

Yeah. Ministry of Truth here

Scannerman said:
Call me old fashioned but I'm of the persuasion that utility comes first when it comes to PCs. So much the better if you can get quality with that utility. Alas, that is the crux of it and all I can say is I'm glad I still have my ugly ThermalTake Level 10 GT. They just don't make 'em like they used to.

True. And in the same theme, how many manufacturers still make stick-shift cars?. I am going to hang on to my 2007 Cayman 5-speed until I can't buy gas anymore.

Scannerman · Mar 7, 2025

x509 said:
True. And in the same theme, how many manufacturers still make stick-shift cars?. I am going to hang on to my 2007 Cayman 5-speed until I can't buy gas anymore.

I remember my Dad's '56 Mercury Monarch and my grandfather's '57 Chevy. Those weren't cars. They were automobiles. Today, all we get are cars unless we're prepared to pay through the nose for something exotic. Cars that are carefully designed to look appealing but only last for a short time. Planned obsoletion. :::sigh::: I remember when PhanTeks made pretty good stuff but then once upon a time so did Corsair. For around $400 US you can still find some fairly good cases made by ThermalTake or Lian Li. It really depends on what you're looking for in the way of utility. Welcome to my world. lol

Winuser · Mar 9, 2025

I still have a old computer case with external drive bays. If I wanted to use it to build a new system, would the front USB 3 ports be usable? I've no idea of what Gen they are.

bobkn · Mar 9, 2025

Winuser said:
I still have a old computer case with external drive bays. If I wanted to use it to build a new system, would the front USB 3 ports be usable? I've no idea of what Gen they are.

The main issue would be whether the cabling from the front USB ports matches headers on the new motherboard.

What is your old case?

Winuser · Mar 9, 2025

bobkn said:
The main issue would be whether the cabling from the front USB ports matches headers on the new motherboard.

What is your old case?

I would have to look it up. All I do know is that it's a old PowerSpec (Micro Center) desktop computer.

Winuser · Mar 9, 2025

@bobkn, I searched my orders on Micro Center and all I could find is that it's model B661 and I bought it in 2016 for $599.99. When I get a chance I'll see if there is any info listed on the case.

Edit: My newest and main desktop computer is the PowerSpec B746. I bought it in 2021. Although it is a great desktop computer I miss not having external drive bays.

bobkn · Mar 9, 2025

Winuser said:
@bobkn, I searched my orders on Micro Center and all I could find is that it's model B661 and I bought it in 2016 for $5.99.99. When I get a chance I'll see if there is any info listed on the case.

(snip)

I resorted to MS Copilot to check what case might have been used for the B661.

I got a variety of responses, probably all false. The most plausible one was a Cooler Master Masterbox NR600, but I see a 2019 review of that at Gamer's Nexus. Doesn't match a PC from 2016.

Even then, Cooler Master doesn't deign to supply the cable information for the front panel ports.

This is what I have for my Lian-Li case:

I believe that it has been standard for some years. It's probably present on a newer MB even if it has one of the Gen2 headers as well.

Scannerman · Mar 9, 2025

Winuser said:
I still have a old computer case with external drive bays. If I wanted to use it to build a new system, would the front USB 3 ports be usable? I've no idea of what Gen they are.

At this stage in the game the short answer is probably no. The long answer is whether or not your system board supports that type of cabling. The X299 SAGE supports both types, USB 3.0 (now called USB 3.1) and USB 3.1 GEN2. IF your system board doesn't support the older style USB 3 there are plenty of very affordable cards available on the market that can be used to bring you front and/or back USB 3 access. If you want USB 3.1 GEN2 and your case doesn't come with the cabling but your system board has the E type socket you can get these. I have found them to work quite well.

USB 3.1 Front Panel Header Extension Cable(2-Pack),MUROSE Type E Male to Type C Female Cable,Gen2 10Gbps Internal Cable,with Profile Bracket Mount Screw,for Transfering Data,Charging, Listening Music,Etc(About 20in) : Amazon.ca: Electronics

USB 3.1 Front Panel Header Extension Cable(2-Pack),MUROSE Type E Male to Type C Female Cable,Gen2 10Gbps Internal Cable,with Profile Bracket Mount Screw,for Transfering Data,Charging, Listening Music,Etc(About 20in) : Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

bobkn · Mar 9, 2025

Later: I looked at an H97 (chipset, LGA 1150 CPU) board that seems to from the right period.

It had a 20 pin USB 3 header. I presume that your old case used one.

My main complaint of a case that old is that it won't have a USB Gen2 front panel port. Newer motherboards tend to come with headers for those.

Getting both a USB Gen2 front panel connector and a 5 1/4" slot is possible, but uncommon. Optical drives seem to be fading into history.

Scannerman · Mar 10, 2025

bobkn said:
Later: I looked at an H97 (chipset, LGA 1150 CPU) board that seems to from the right period.

It had a 20 pin USB 3 header. I presume that your old case used one.

My main complaint of a case that old is that it won't have a USB Gen2 front panel port. Newer motherboards tend to come with headers for those.

Getting both a USB Gen2 front panel connector and a 5 1/4" slot is possible, but uncommon. Optical drives seem to be fading into history.

The beauty of front bays in a case is that it can help a user to adapt with the times without having to purchase a whole new PC. If a CD/DVD ROM drive is no longer needed it can simply be swapped out for a front bay USB 3.2 GEN 2 port, or a USB type "C" or, a fancy fan controller or, a nice hot swapable RAID cage, or even an onboard radio if desired. If the system board doesn't provide native support for a new device a PCIe card usually will.

Myself, I plan on running the USB 3.2 GEN 2 port to the back because I have the cable, the board, and the means to do it. From there I can run a hub for the fast USB but not sure If I'll really need it given that it won't be any faster than my Thunderbolt 3. Still, it's a good thing to keep one's options open. I do have a Silverstone card reader/fan controller/charging station with a USB 3 type C port for front access that seems to give me rather snappy speeds after plugging it into a SATA powered PCIe card, but the thing is so handy I think I'll just keep it in the GT. Admittedly, front access is a good thing (especially if your hub is populated with other projects). O, the beauty of bays! They make life so much easier.

Winuser · Mar 10, 2025

@bobkn & @Scannerman I look at the case and all I found was PowerSpec B661. I have the sides off and will have to go search my shed to see if I still have them. I hope I do. If I do find the sides I'll consider using the case to build my next desktop computer.

Edit: this is the motherboard it has. Sadly it died and is the reason I replaced the computer. asrock h110m-hdv - Bing

bobkn · Mar 10, 2025

Winuser said:
@bobkn & @Scannerman I look at the case and all I found was PowerSpec B661. I have the sides off and will have to go search my shed to see if I still have them. I hope I do. If I do find the sides I'll consider using the case to build my next desktop computer.

Edit: this is the motherboard it has. Sadly it died and is the reason I replaced the computer. asrock h110m-hdv - Bing

I presume that the front panel USB ports used the 20 pin USB 3 header of that motherboard. (Which is in what seems to me to be an unusual position.)

ASRock > H110M-HDV

ASRock Super Alloy; Supports 7th and 6th Generation Intel Core™ Processors (Socket 1151)<div class=Remark><span style=color:red;>*</span>8th Gen Intel Core™ desktop processors are supported with Intel 300 Series chipset motherboards only; Supports Dual Channel DDR4 2133; 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, 2 PCIe...

www.asrock.com

It never occurred to me that there might be a demand for old cases. I've scrapped several.

Winuser · Mar 10, 2025

bobkn said:
I presume that the front panel USB ports used the 20 pin USB 3 header of that motherboard. (Which is in what seems to me to be an unusual position.)

ASRock > H110M-HDV

ASRock Super Alloy; Supports 7th and 6th Generation Intel Core™ Processors (Socket 1151)<div class=Remark><span style=color:red;>*</span>8th Gen Intel Core™ desktop processors are supported with Intel 300 Series chipset motherboards only; Supports Dual Channel DDR4 2133; 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, 2 PCIe...

www.asrock.com

It never occurred to me that there might be a demand for old cases. I've scrapped several.

I've scrapped a few myself.

Scannerman · Mar 10, 2025

bobkn said:
I presume that the front panel USB ports used the 20 pin USB 3 header of that motherboard. (Which is in what seems to me to be an unusual position.)

ASRock > H110M-HDV

ASRock Super Alloy; Supports 7th and 6th Generation Intel Core™ Processors (Socket 1151)<div class=Remark><span style=color:red;>*</span>8th Gen Intel Core™ desktop processors are supported with Intel 300 Series chipset motherboards only; Supports Dual Channel DDR4 2133; 1 PCIe 3.0 x16, 2 PCIe...

www.asrock.com

It never occurred to me that there might be a demand for old cases. I've scrapped several.

Front USB3 is easy to get and not terribly expensive anymore either. Browse Amazon and you can find all types available for bays (which will put it right on the front of your PC).

https://www.amazon.ca/Drive-Front-USB3-0-Connectors-Desktop/dp/B0D4DLL9DN/

You can also find PCIe cards that will connect to your front bay USB and adapt easily regardless of what type of USB you use.

https://www.amazon.ca/USB3-0-Expansion-Adapter-Front-Interface/dp/B08JTN61YC/

The above are only a couple of examples. Of course there is no way to convert PCIe 3 to PCIe 4 that I know of so your system board provides the USB speed you need. If you want faster than 5Gb on PCIe 3 you'll have to get a Thunderbolt card (or the equivalent) like I did. But at some point I had to ask myself just how fast do I really need my USB to be?

A quick trip to EBAY will reveal how expensive used cases are becoming and the reason can't possibly be because used cases are cheaper. Many of these used cases will cost more than their brand new counterparts and I have been searching for months for an affordable used case. It wasn't always like this. There was a time you could pick up a case from EBAY for a song. The only thing that was pricey back then was the shipping. Now it's both the shipping and the price of the case that is costly.

Yes, I've scrapped a few myself too because the missus isn't pleased when I turn the basement into a scrap yard.

Scannerman · Mar 10, 2025

IF . . . Your system board employs the 20 pin E type header there are front bay accessories for this as well.

https://www.amazon.ca/GRAUGEAR-USB3-2-inches-Type-C®-G-MP01/dp/B09QXF1TDS/

The one in the above link is a bit pricey but I'm sure there are less expensive models as well. These can also connect to a PCIe card BUT the accessory itself will not give you the 10Gbs speed that the ad refers to. Either you have the card that will deliver that speed to those ports or you already have it native to the board.

Since my latest project gives me both headers I'll be running the 10Gbs to the back where it can run it to a hub that sits directly in front of me. I've already tested this and it works well. (Plus I got two for the price of one.)

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09FYW2K3K?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Scannerman · Mar 11, 2025

@Winuser I can't help it. I'm curious as to what happened to your system board. ASRock was really picking up their act at that time and finally establishing a reputation for reliability. This board was already released after the Haswell hot chip hay days. As a PC builder I can't help wondering what went wrong. Are you sure the board is spent? Sometimes it can be something real trivial that will stop a board from powering on.

neves · Mar 11, 2025

Would rather build my own - than spend 300$ on a PC Case. That scamming price sounds so "American (like being charged 5x - 10x the price of same medicine and such - compared to EU)".

Scannerman · Mar 11, 2025

neves said:
Would rather build my own - than spend 300$ on a PC Case. That scamming price sounds so "American (like being charged 5x - 10x the price of same medicine and such - compared to EU)".

In good ole capitalist North America the materials, energy, and tools to build your own might well run you around the same price or even more. Not that I'm opposed to making a profit but good grief, I never thought I'd see such scalping with used cases! The message should be clear: People don't want these new cases so much anymore. People are missing many of those very useful features that come with older cases and are willing to pay for them. Features such as front panel USB, front panel bays, front panel sleds, front panel controls etc. instead of a flat wall of nothing with a bunch of RGB fans behind it. Why else would they be buying these old, dented and scratched cases when they're not much cheaper and many of these cost even more than brand new?

Scramjet · Mar 11, 2025

Ghot said:
All these cases support 3x 5.25" bays and E-ATX boards. See if you can find used ones of these...

https://pcpartpicker.com/products/case/#f=3&G=3,12

Like this bad boy (new $120 USD)...

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/BfPKHx/phanteks-enthoo-pro-tempered-glass-atx-full-tower-case-ph-es614ptg_bk

View attachment 127495

$169.99 CAD

Amazon.ca

Same case on Phanteks website...

Phanteks Enthoo Pro | Tempered Glass

Beautifully crafted and engineered to maximize cooling potential with its amazing expansion flexibiltiy, the Enthoo Pro is the budget friendly mid-tower from Phanteks.

phanteks.com

I have the Phantex also. Tons of room inside for everything you want to put in there. Plenty of room for the air coolers that are large also. It is big but awesome!

Winuser · Mar 11, 2025

Scannerman said:
@Winuser I can't help it. I'm curious as to what happened to your system board. ASRock was really picking up their act at that time and finally establishing a reputation for reliability. This board was already released after the Haswell hot chip hay days. As a PC builder I can't help wondering what went wrong. Are you sure the board is spent? Sometimes it can be something real trivial that will stop a board from powering on.

It stopped powering up. I was using the computer and it made a noise and shut off. When I tried restarting it the only things that powered on was the case lights and the fans. I tried trouble shooting by making sure all connections were good, re-inserting the ram and using another power supply. Nothing I tried worked so I replaced it with a PowerSpec G156 desktop. Even though I was using a surge protector I suspect it was a power surge that caused it.

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