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Why are most cases black or darker colors?

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  • Cases
  • Lian Li
  • Build
  • Components
Last response: in Components
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September 5, 2014 12:07:36 PM

Hi,
I've been looking to build a new system using an aluminum case. My current case is a Lian Li PC-7077A Silver, this system built in 2004.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

While looking for something very similar in size, color, and style, most cases that have the type of setup/style I like come mostly in black or a dark color.

I'm 'old-school' and would like to find out if there's anything out there within my price range of $200-$250 and very similar to the 7077 I am using now. I have a preference for the silver, multiple bays in front, no door on front.

I've even considered modifying my current case to fit the new components in it...cutting fan holes in the side panel, doing some work on the back panel to fit the new type of power supply's, etc. I'm not sure how I would do these mod's so if anyone has some ideas, please let me know.

Thanks
Kozzy72

More about : cases black darker colors

September 5, 2014 12:25:19 PM

back in the day black was rare. people wanted them because somebody thought it was cool. now the manufacturers don't really give us many choices. I had to paint my last one the color I wanted.
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September 5, 2014 12:27:44 PM

Black shows stains scrathes less, appeal to everyone whereas a green or blue case might not, a corsair graphite 760T or corsair 900D or coolermaster se cosmos will do
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September 5, 2014 12:50:38 PM

I think the reason most manufacturers have switched to primarily black cases is for aesthetic reasons. Back in the day, owning a computer was a statement of status and beige, desktop models stood out. Now, it's more a matter of workspace (and still aesthetics). We now have the tower cases so they're not as readily seen on your desktop and the black color makes them generally even harder to see as it sits underneath your desk.

-Wolf sends
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September 5, 2014 12:53:05 PM

The real reason black cases took hold was because the old 80's beige color plastic would yellow when near sun light. Look around, you can find some crazy color cases out there. One problem I have seen over many years of building systems is you will never find a case with every feature you want. There will always seem to be one or two things missing from that oh so perfect case.
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September 5, 2014 1:57:16 PM

I believe the beige desktops of old were more a product of necessity as it was the cheapest plastic at the time of the Apple Macintosh release, then it came to be expected as that's "what a computer looked like" in the IBM clone era.
Reason why most cases are black now is because black is whats in, its the current design trend. 2yrs ago, extremely aggressive looking cases were popular given the success of the Coolermaster HAF series, now everyone is emulating Corsairs aesthetic and going for sleeker looking cases.

Its just trends. Just look at the 80's and try to find a good reason for that fashion.
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September 5, 2014 3:34:55 PM

gotta add since I get the impression OP is up there in age.............. it's hard for old eyes to see in the "darkness". It's a bitch trying to work on some of these machines without a lot of light anymore. let alone being somebody who swaps out hardware often. I think it would be okay for the outside but the interiors need to "pop" more. maybe somebody will brighten them up and we might start to see a new breed of nice cases come along.
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September 5, 2014 3:44:53 PM

One word - Marketing.
Just like "Extreme", "X", "Gamer RAM", etc, etc, etc
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September 5, 2014 4:04:29 PM

I can remember way back when all you could get were white and beige. people just got tired of looking at it. somebody came up with a different plan.,.. here we sit........ colors are starting to show up but last case I saw was yellow on the outside and black on the inside. it had lots of bends and twists shapes on the interior support structure. should be shown off not hidden by dark paint.
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September 8, 2014 10:14:07 PM

Thank You for all the input and feedback, I appreciate it. Everything said about the black sure fits. Yeah, I am old...57, and yup...the eyes don't work like they used to so the light colored interior is really helpful. I agree with all the input. I still have time so I'll keep looking for a while.

I've thought about the black alot, and in the end I don't think I'll buy one of those. The reason for that is, black absorbs heat, light colors to a lesser degree. I was working outside this past weekend on some metal and the sun was beating down on it and I couldn't touch some parts of it. I measured it with one of those heat sensor guns. The medium green colored metal was 112 degrees, the black components were up there at 144. That surprised me...and I related this discovery to my PC case search.

I would surmise the case would heat up more if it were black. Even with all the fans running, it would seem to me that the interior of a black case would be warmer than a silver interior.

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October 12, 2014 1:52:38 AM

The main reason for cases being darker colors, rather than lighter ones like white, or brighter shades of yellow etc is due mostly to UV degradation of the paint. White will turn yellowish or even brown eventually, and colors like yellow or lighter blues will fade to a more muted and dull version of their former colors. Add to this the fact that dying plastic to appear white enough to match the white painted metal is very difficult. Very few companies ever actually get a decent match between the plastic and metal parts of their cases unless they are darker colours, like black, dark red or dark blue.
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October 12, 2014 3:36:15 AM

Kozzy72 said:
Thank You for all the input and feedback, I appreciate it. Everything said about the black sure fits. Yeah, I am old...57, and yup...the eyes don't work like they used to so the light colored interior is really helpful. I agree with all the input. I still have time so I'll keep looking for a while.

There are manufacturers that still make light (often white) cases like for instance these,
http://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/117-source-210-elite...
or more colored on the inside (kinda pops out),
sharkoon,
http://www.sharkoon.com/?q=en/node/2517
or aerocool,
http://www.aerocool.com.tw/index.php/strike-x/chassis/3...
the last two manufacturers often make these with led fans in them so i think not really your taste.



Kozzy72 said:

I've thought about the black alot, and in the end I don't think I'll buy one of those. The reason for that is, black absorbs heat, light colors to a lesser degree. I was working outside this past weekend on some metal and the sun was beating down on it and I couldn't touch some parts of it. I measured it with one of those heat sensor guns. The medium green colored metal was 112 degrees, the black components were up there at 144. That surprised me...and I related this discovery to my PC case search.

I would surmise the case would heat up more if it were black. Even with all the fans running, it would seem to me that the interior of a black case would be warmer than a silver interior.


I dont think you can compare the heat coming from components that is in movement because of the fans with sunlight that pounds on a peace of metall outside.These are imo two different kind of heatsources.I don't think you will see much difference in reviews between cases with a white or black interior looking at the temperatures.
It's hard to find reviews to compare though because of differences in components and testing methods or more how the results are displayed.
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