VIDEO: Fractal Design's Define XL Case Meets a Shotgun
This is what happens when you comment on the thickness of Fractal Design's case panels.
When you're building a computer, a lot of thought goes into the kind of case you're going to use for your brand new PC. Similarly, a lot of thought goes into designing these cases.
Fractal Design's Josh Smith says that a reviewer recently commented on the thickness of the panels used in the company's Define XL case, because this case has super-thick panels. Smith wanted to find a way to put a real world spin on the thickness of the Define XL's panels. After all, a measurement is just a number (or a 'boring number' as Smith says). The answer they came up with was guns. Specifically, they decided a 12-gauge shotgun was ideal for proving the durability of the Define XL's panels.
Check the video below for some gun-meets-case action. Oh, and in case you were interested: Benchmark Reviews reports that the Define XL's panels measure in at 0.047 inches thick. The entire case weighs almost forty pounds and a single panel weighs just under seven pounds.

Ricochet, man. Ricochet.
I think it's pretty awesome that a company rep saw that somebody commented on the panels, and decided to go out and show the world how thick they really are (whether or not shooting was involved). Shooting it with a shotgun just made it more awesome.
The bulletproof part doesn't really matter, but the mass/thickness of the panels do. More mass/thickness = better sound reduction, which is a primary function of the case.
Southernshark, don't even need a slug. Buckshot of any variety would make a nice hole.
Let's show it with a slug.
Southernshark, don't even need a slug. Buckshot of any variety would make a nice hole.
mmm I don't think so
Ion cannon firing!
At least a rocket launcher. Or better yet some caesium in water.
Ricochet, man. Ricochet.
I think it's pretty awesome that a company rep saw that somebody commented on the panels, and decided to go out and show the world how thick they really are (whether or not shooting was involved). Shooting it with a shotgun just made it more awesome.
The bulletproof part doesn't really matter, but the mass/thickness of the panels do. More mass/thickness = better sound reduction, which is a primary function of the case.
I forgot. Everyone carries their desktop all the time. I love my Fractal. One sturdy and done right case. Corsair is next on my list.
That's no entirely true you can achieve better sound reduction without massive panels.
A good case in the $100~200 range is generally strong enough to last 10 years. Don't use them as stepping ladders or chairs.
Some people do shoot their computers, thou.
But in all honestly I really like Fractal Design. Maybe next case will be from them.
-How is the air flow?
-Does it support the features I want?
-How will it deal with overclocking?
-Oh and I almost forgot...if I decide one day I'm extremely bored, buy a shotgun and decide to shoot it, will it still hold up? I know it's not something I'd do everyday with my computer, but what the hell, after a couple of beers...ya know...
Just because it can be done without the thicker panels doesn't mean that the thicker panels don't do the job too, so what he said is entirely true. Had he/she claimed that the thicker panels are the only way to reduce sound coming in and out of the case, then you'd be correct, but that's not what he/she said.
2. Overall, Fractal Design makes absolute crap, utter trash. And only this side panel can't help Fractal Design - no matter how thick and sturdy you will make your side panel your cases are still absolute GARBAGE.
Summing it up: Buy just this panel, lol. Customize it a little bit, so it can be put onto HAF Х/HAF ХM, and you're good to go. Or make custom-made bullet-proof vest from it.
Only this way you will get at least some profit from using this.
Thicker pannels doesn't mean better sound reduction, I don't know how much knowledge do you have regarding waves and transmissions, but in some cases you can achieve better transmisions ( less sound reduction ) with thicker walls, what really matters is it's impedance and their reflection coefficient.
Sound is a wave, a mechanic wave and it beaheaves fairly like a electromagnetic wave, so you can apply their properties to mechanicals waves
Those some cases aren't very representative of computers. The thicker case walls will improve sound reduction unless they change the way they make them and/or what they are made of compared to a thinner walled version. With thicker walls, the impedance should improve unless a different variable is changed. The other variables should also remain the same unless the methods of making the walls or their materials and such are changed.