ClearPC, C3 and BeanTech: The Clear Chassis Comparison

Score Card

Assembly:  We shall interpret this category to mean actual end user assembly.  Fortunately, none of these cases are kits, but that does not mean these are not difficult cases to assemble.  These are very difficult cases to assemble.  All three cases come with online or included instructions. However, each seems to employ non-standard techniques throughout the case.  The ClearPC case allows you to configure it as you wish on their website.  Therefore, ClearPC simplifies mounting fans, LEDs, and other accessories.  We decided all three cases were equally tied in this category, but for different reasons.  ClearPC deserves recognition because of its thorough instruction set (even though it’s online). The C3 came with a removable motherboard tray which saved a lot of time and headache over the other cases.  Finally the BeanTech case did not need modified 3.25” bay mountings, which again saved headache and installation time.

BeanTech BT82

Construction:  This category proved a little harder to judge when we actually started to get down and dirty with the units.  The ClearPC unit appears to have the most visible bubbles on the edges, but fortunately no unit has any hairline cracks in it.  We found the BeanTech EMI shield on the rear of the unit cracked very easily. This component was constructed from a different acrylic than the rest of the case.  The C3 and BeanTech cases were constructed of slightly thicker acrylic than the ClearPC, but all three should provide enough material for a sturdy platform.  We believe the BeanTech case took a slight edge for construction even though the EMI shielding on the back had problems.  Every edge was flush; we found almost no visible bubbles and no other material defects.

Features:  Each of these cases came with very features.  Each case comes at least with forward USB connectors.  While this may have been a feature in the part, we have started to criticize cases that do not employ forward USB.  The C3 and ClearPC cases also incorporate provisions for sound as well.  For the most part, all three of these cases are about even for features.

Motherboard:  The motherboard became the proving ground for each of these cases.  The major problems we had with the motherboards included blind mounting recommended by each instruction.  Without a motherboard tray, the ClearPC case seemed also impossible to mount with one person, and the screws are exposed out the side of the case as well.  The BeanTech, which does not have a tray either, requires two screws for each mount point; one on each side of the platform for the motherboard.  Both side panels have to be removed to accomplish this.  The C3 actually employs its own motherboard tray.  Albeit the implementation is not exactly perfect, regular anchor mounts can be used and the tray is clearly labeled.  We were also told future revisions of the C3 case have extra holes predrilled for additional non-standard motherboards.  Additional drilled holes in all of these cases of Hammer or P4 back plates would have gone a long way.

Fan and cooling:  The ClearPC came with 5 fans, so it had a small unfair advantage coming into the review.  When we took this down to 3 fans, we had no problems with the cooling.  We were a little disappointed in the C3’s approach to fan mounting.  Three different fans of different sizes are necessary for this case.  We used a bit of modification and drilling to get the ColorFul 82mm fans to fit for the benchmark.  We are told that the C3 design has been upgraded to incorporate more 82mm fans rather than the varying sizes.

Price: Most acrylic cases are competitively priced with aluminum enclosures on the market right now.  We have seen a few aluminum cases priced in the 200USD range, but most buyers are not looking for such an investment.  The C3 case was priced higher than the other two, in the 182USD range.  Unfortunately, this case does not come with many extras, so a power supply, fans, and probably a light kit will run additionally. 

The ClearPC case comes at 100USD standard, but unfortunately needs to be shipped from Canada.  Their website allows you to add and configure your case online, which will save you money in the long run.  Investigate the actual shipping charge for your case if you plan on buying from ClearPC; saving money on the configuration could be nullified by large shipping charges.  If you live in or near Canada, however, ClearPC might take an easy lead for price.  As configured and shipped the US, the ClearPC we reviewed would run about 182USD as well.

The last case, the BT82, retails for about 160USD and comes with 3 fans.  Again, you will need to buy a power supply for this case as well.  We were happy that the case did come with at least three fans, which the C3 does not.  However, these are not LED fans, so you may end up replacing these fans with something a little more exotic.  The UV sensitive version of this case retails for a little more.