Spotswood Custom Computer Cases
by Derek Wilson on August 27, 2008 12:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Final Words
Okay, so this isn't as thorough as our usual case review, but this case isn't built for functionality: it's built for style. Each case is custom made to order. These cases are ways to entomb your system in a work of art - and you'll really want to leave it there once you get it in, as breaking it down and building it up are not quick, easy, or fun tasks. This is a long-term solution that isn't meant to be constantly upgraded and tweaked.
We would not recommend these cases for the average enthusiast. They are not a general solution for any normal system build. These cases are for the true hobbyist who really wants something that looks different from a normal computer case. As a drummer, I see the appeal of the L style, but I'm not really impressed with the C style. I'm sure others who are into differently appointed cylindrical objects might have an affinity for the C style, but either way these system are something you will buy for the form over the function.
That said they do function. They'll get the job done, but are probably more suited to the affordable borderline enthusiast system rather than the all-out highest performance possible options. A good-sized power supply, only a few drives, and a graphics card that isn't going to heat your house in the winter are a good fit with this case. Spotswood's cases will require a little more TLC to get them set up just the way you want them. Of course, some people get off on that. The more work you put into a thing the more pride you can take in its display. (I used to build model airplanes as well.)
Then comes the price. The sale price is currently $465 on the base 24" C and L models. With all the fans, the color options, extra mounting hardware, etc. the case we have for this review as configured would be $707 (or $617 for the C style case equivalent). While this is quite steep, this is not unreasonable for a custom case like this. If you want to do all the work yourself, you could spend $250 to $300 on a cheap kick drum and start building, but that's going to be quite a lot of work and is very likely more difficult than most of us are willing to take on.
As the industry continues to develop, and as adoption of computers starts to saturate, there will need to be different twists on the theme in order to inspire further adoption of the technology. We don't all have server closets, and while notebook adoption is growing, there is a lot to be said for having a home server for storing all your music, movies, and video games. Getting technology into homes isn't always about what the technology can do for us but whether it will fit into our life style enough for us to give it a chance.
Honestly, if you want a computer mounted inside a drum, buying it from Spotswood is the way to go. Round cases are certainly interesting and out of the ordinary, but definitely not for everyone. The internals could be a bit easier to work with, but it is a whole lot easier than building your own round case. Cooling and airflow might be an issue, and we recommend the use of water-cooling if possible. If looks are important and you just want a round case or a case that looks like a kick drum, then the extra hassle and work will probably not be a deterrent. For everyone else, the ease of use and modularity of traditional case designs are far superior to these round cases that bring nothing extra to the table for the majority of enthusiast PC builders and owners.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
36 Comments
View All Comments
Spotswood - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
As the President, builder and designer, I have a responsibility to clarify a few points in this review that are inaccurate, misrepresented or not at all addressed. I offer the following facts and information.- The two rear ports aren't meant for mounting case fans, rather they are there to access the inside of the case without having to remove a side panel/head.
- The hardware to convert the C-24 to an L-24 was provided to the author solely for the purpose of not having to supply two separate cases for review. An L-24 case normally has all of the hardware already attached to it.
- The mounting position of the motherboard tray is adjustable. The issues with the length of the PSU cables would have been eliminated if the author mounted the motherboard tray lower and more toward the front of the case. The instruction manual explicitly details the adjust-ability of the motherboard mounting.
- In the future, the motherboard tray will be revised with large holes to help facilitate routing cables from behind and underneath the motherboard itself.
- The case supplied for the review was built to have airflow move from the bottom to the top. However, when placing an order the customer is free to choose the total number of case fans (0-9), there location, along with the make and model.
- The three fans supplied with this particular case were SCYTHE S-FLEX™ 1200rpm fans (SFF21E). These fans are highly regarded by enthusiasts for there high CFM and low noise.
- The author failed to present any temperature or noise measurements prior to offering a series of solutions to perceived problems with cooling and noise.
- The case was built to be reviewed as a water-cooled case. A complete CPU water-cooling rig (D-Tek Fusion waterblock, Swiftech MCP655 pump, ThermoChill PA120.3 radiator, etc.) was supplied to the author for the sole purpose of this review.
Richard Chomiczewski, President
Spotswood Custom Computers, Inc.
cggkevin - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
A better deal would be to go to a pawn shop and pick up a drum set for a couple of hundred and then just set a real PC case inside. This is kinda like a non-mini mini-ITC project.MagnumMan - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
So basically they've tried to put a square peg in a round hole, on stands. Yuck.KIAman - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
LOL, people have forgotten that style AND good performance should be considered in a case design.Drums? Come on, where's the creativity? I can brainstorm about 4 other designs without blinking.
1. Empty 5 gallon Aquafina jug
2. 1/8 scale model of Hummer
3. A 1 foot radius Earth globe
4. Toy model castle
mikeblas - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
"(think oil rather than musical)"Are you sure? Because it looks way more like a musical drum than an oil drum, to me. And the review even says it's designed to look like a kick bass. Who edited this? Were they awake?
strikeback03 - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
To me the article was not the most clear on the difference between C and L series cases, but as far as I could tell the C series are cylindrical but just have plain endcaps, not the drumheads and hardware. So sitting with the cylinder axis vertically and no bass drum hardware, it does sort of resemble a sawed-off oil barrel.Spacecomber - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
I've always been skeptical about case designs, such as acrylic cases, that lack a metal exterior that can act as shield against the computer radiating electrical interference. This seems like it might be a particular concern in an environment where you are using analog audio equipment, such as in home theater, music server and music recording applications.While that's the theory, does anyone have some practical experience with regard to this potential problem?
wisfal - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
I think that the style and uniqueness of the case is pretty good, I never thought of turning my drum kit into a computer case. I would go great for anyone with a music oriented room. But for a price like that, I could go to a pawn shop and Home Depot and build 10 of them for the price of one.Spivonious - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
That is really cool! It reminds of the days when people were making cases out of chairs, tables, books, and anything else they could get their hands on. I imagine that it blends in nicely with the other instruments in your dining room.ChrisPL - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - link
These "cases" are the most retarded thing I've ever seen... Waiting for a case made on a basis of refrigerator chasis...