LCD Side Panel on a Case - Snowblind V2

The Snowblind case has been updated to use a light guide for its LCD side panel. The update makes for a higher contrast panel with darker blacks, alongside better installation and overall build quality.
Article: www.gamersnexus.net/news-pc/26...
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Host: Steve Burke
Video: Andrew Coleman
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[@ImmodderNation]

Steve, thank you for your coverage on the internals of Snowblind. This video helped me create my own "Snowblind" LCD window.

[@MosquitoMade]

I still always wonder if they saw my mod first or if this was actually an original idea from them. Still cool to see it used again though

[@MichaelHernandez138]

BadAss!!! Wouldn't mind putting some of my tax return toward it. Don't know why you guys don't have over a gazillion subs by now with the great in depth and original content you pump out, that I really don't see any where else. One of my favorites was the computer museum you visited with that one dude who worked on them back in the day, no one else is doing that! Keep up the good work and God Speed...

[@s3rutob1]

It would be good if this was a kit to add to any glass side panel, then I would buy it

[@mrawesomelemons]

Would be awesome to use the Intel/AMD integrated graphics for the panel and the dedicated GPU for games. Looks very cool!

[@cristianconstantin6496]

and use it to show pc stats like temps, usage, fps, fan rpm etc. heck, even a gif on it would be awesome. Idk about you guys, but I wouldn't pay more than 70$extra for that

[@zelow79]

I would almost rather they provided a small budget chip that can handle the video threading so no system resources are used at all.

[@kermitBERRY7]

I thought of this the other day and am sad to see somebody has already thought of it. Looks pretty cool!

[@slikrx]

I see two options: "as is", of an esthetic, for maybe $150, it just plugs into a spare video-out on your GPU, maybe with a bundled program to make it easy to loop a video clip/montage on it. The second option is something some folks below have mentioned, which is an actual LCD panel, that you could use as a primary panel, so the machine becomes a semi-portable all in one tower, and not need to drag along a monitor.

[@emptyvid]

Hell yeah, this is absolutely killer

[@xXxNoScopeMLGxXx]

I'd totally buy this!

[@MrThreeWorlds]

This is the new RGB LED I'm sure of it.

[@Mr_Doodleydoo]

Now I need a gaming chair with monitors on it....

[@redey1290]

Just imagine regular monitors but with like 4 monitors attached to it for no reason

[@boostaddict_]

So a penta monitor setup

[@Idk910]

Hey.... August 2020 and felt the need to tell you almost 4 years later that you were wrong and not 1 trend was started from this.

[@Grrizz84]

I wish they would have a dedicated hardware video player/image displayer that you can load files into because having it setup as a second monitor just gets annoying (much like some of the HTPCs with control panel touch screens on the front).

[@PenPeng]

I think having it set up as a second monitor might actually be way better for compatibility and might bring more features. You can run virtually any program on a second monitor without the need for special software or support from Ibuypower or whoever might sell these. But when you have dedicated hardware you will probably need special software, special APIs, etc. And we all know that software for special hardware like this will always lack some features that I want, go unsupported after a time and so on.

[@Grrizz84]

Mr. Tux Having it as a second monitor definitly has compatability benifits but IMO I wouldn't use it for more than running looping videos or images etc., both of which shouldn't have any compatability issues because even if you had a h265 video or something new that wasn't supported you can just convert it to something that is, on the other hand if you've ever had a multimonitor setup with a screen that isn't really there it gets damn annoying with the mouse running on to it and add to that the fact your PC has to be on and fully booted/logged in before it works, without a screen saver or sleep mode etc. running and anything that hits performance can cause your nice display to jitter (even if it is only briefly), you will have to manage it manually (things knocking it out of full screen etc.) and, for what is no doubt a small group of people like myself, giving up a screen for a side panel or needing a second GPU is a bad trade off, all making the second screen implementation far less desirable IMO, at the very least having a dedicated hardware display module that can be bypassed should be a thing IMO, if they can do it in $20 picture frames I'm sure they can do it in a case that will no doubt cost at least a couple of hundred dollars.

[@PenPeng]

The best solution might be to just have an HDMI or similar connector on the side panel display. Then you could hook that up to an Rasperry Pi and throw some video files on it. Or you could connect it to the graphics card and use it like a second monitor. Of course the Rasperry Pi solution needs a bit more tinkering. I just think that it sould at least give you an option to use it without any OEM Sooftware. But you definitely have a point that having the panel on without the PC being on would be quite a great feature. But I just don't think that this feature would be worth having to use OEM software and therefore losing flexibility, futureproofness (idk if that's a word :D) and linux support.

[@tipturkey1283]

it would be amazing. I'd love one for my phantom 630 but, it would be crazy expensive and my rig has a fully blacked out interior with blue accents and a black/blue mobo. probably wouldn't work out too well. it would be better if it was replacing the 5.25 drive bay door on the front of the case and you could add custom static decals to it, black gloss/matte with only the lit up decals showing through

[@Roguey]

very neat

[@mljenkins7913]

Depending on how much control I would have over the files it could play and the formats this would be much easier than taking the current idea of a ras pi and using one direction glass. For a bespoke computer this could easily go as a $400-500 option at something greater than 5:4. NZXT and Fractal have a great deal of narrow and long windows in their cases so that would be an interesting direction rather than a simple box format. Impressive idea hope you can move faster than the boutique and mod squads as this should be the step beyond RGB/Tempered glass oblivion.

[@mirotvorez1134]

Its awesome, I would buy it. I'm thinking for at most $200. I assume they plan on producing a kit that installs into any side panel that is big enough with some fabricating.

[@yungen_leem]

I need it now :o

[@kkndking]

very cool

[@grosh2064]

love the idea, execution is good, make it reasonable price and I'll buy it

[@jasonthegentleman2992]

It would be great if some case maker somewhere would really capitalize on this idea and make it available as a seperate case one can buy....

[@JWeel89]

Such an awesome build. Best thing is the stock CPU cooler.

[@SaccoBelmonte]

What we need is a transparent OLED version of that.

[@Sycophantichallenger]

Fuck Yeah I'm interested. This would be a really sweet feature. I have no idea what the costs involved in production would be, but I couldn't see paying any more than a 100 to 150 dollar premium for such a feature. Even 100 is kind of pushing it, but I'd be willing to pay it for such functionality.

[@spunkmire2664]

I'd buy that, I'd love to see touch panel for that too.

[@JhustineProvido]

ID BUY IN A HEARTBEAT!

[@Mandurath]

Like some of the others, am wondering how it would do as a monitor. Game on main screen, work on secondary. Looked like the quality wasn't to bad when it was playing the video of GN recording the show. Of course it would be cool for the graphics lighting up, but it might actually be useful.

[@Venaloid]

Cool, so it's basically an all in one PC? I like it.

[@NeoFlowFPV]

Imagine being able to use your case as a secondary monitor that would be very useful

[@Soldier-zi6wg]

I bet this takes off next year with PC cases.

[@DrForbin001]

Steve you gotta do a DIY build on this and show how we can execute this

[@philasplin6063]

I would buy it for sure. Be awesome if they could put it in your windows in your house, feeling blue and change the backdrop to a beach.....

[@dashun1406]

phil asplin I like the way u think

[@LocozillaYT]

I like this idea for people who build custom cases that they like to display and show off. If thus were a full fledged LCD screen I think it would be not as desireable, 1) people who would be interested in something like this would be like I said earlier, people who enjoy cusomizing their rigs for display which almost always includes the inner components and 2) like many have already mention they already have desktop computers with build in displays and they are called AIO Computers. Linus actually reviewed some company that tried to make a full ATX tower with a built in LCD and I'm pretty sure his review was not full of positive lol and I'm pretty sure the product never went into full production because of the lack of interest.

[@r0q]

I've got a white Deepcool Genome case and an Asus Z170 S motherboard and I would very much like to have something like this!

[@paskowitz]

I'd say $100. Any more and I might as well get a better GPU or other component. Honestly, it doesn't even have to be the full side panel. it could be a section of it. Like a bar along the bottom, similar to a stock ticker.

[@Teddi87]

This product clearly isn't for you then, this is where you end up when you have nothing else to reasonable to upgrade, you don't put things like this, like custom water cooling and $800 motherboards in any machine at all that is concerned with price for performance, this is for when you are making a piece of art not for when you are building a computer.

[@paskowitz]

My original reply was not formulated... but by your logic, they should charge whatever they want because price doesn't matter. Well... how big is the market for $800 LCD translucent case panels??? Not to mention if NZXT sells this... they aren't Caselabs or In Win or Lian Li or Parvum... they won't be able to command a very high price from their existing customer base, nor will a higher end customer be inclined to choose an NZXT case with this "premium feature".

[@Teddi87]

paskowitz If it sells it sells, personally I would buy an NZXT case with this feature if it was exclusive to that case and expensive enough that it isn't a common sight, $500 for a case if the build quality of the rest of the case was up to snuff seems like a sweet spot to me, though I would be willing to pay more.

[@_Foxol]

it being the last thing you should spend extra money on doesnt mean it shouldnt be a fair price... is like oems fitting i7's with hd 5450s...

[@teddybeddy123]

I WANT this

[@technologicalsingularity1788]

awesome

[@YarbroughJL82]

I am quite interested in it, although I have no idea what to quote for the price point.. As long as the price is not ridiculous I would probably be willing to purchase it, and I'm sure a lot of enthusiasts feel the same way..

[@SirBapkins]

I think if they could get the cost down enough, people would buy it. My initial estimate would be the $100-300 range.

[@soul2310]

Why isnt Gamers Nexus doing a how to DIY on this? o.O like with an raspbery pi

[@LeoDavidson]

If this can be combined with one of those cases that's designed to hold two full systems, finally those cases, and this case, with have a reason to exist (even if it's just giving each other a reason to exist). :) I think it looks neat, but I bet it will cost too much if it goes to production, and I bet it will be annoying to use. If it's a second monitor, it's going to get in the way of using the main monitor(s). If it is handled differently, as a custom device that only special software can play videos on, then I bet the software will suck, as hardware vendors are almost incapable of making and supporting decent software (with a few exceptions), and the less hardware-vendor software on my machine the better. Still, I am sure my cats would enjoy chasing the animations. :D

[@Anthony-qu7qd]

Just about 1760.00 for this computer with a 1070 (msi armor with a back plate) i7 7000(no k) 256 and 1tb , 16gibs of ripjaw at 2400 and tomahawk mother board. It's not really that bad.

[@vicdez]

Extra 100 I guess. What would warranty be like though?

[@GamersNexus]

Warranty is a great question. Shipping alone would have to be pretty careful.

[@vitaobatera]

Question for ASK GN: We are now at about the same point in time that I found myself when I bought my 970 SLi setup - There is no GTX 1080 TI and I have more money to invest in GPU than a GTX 1080 (back then it was GTX980 for me). Well I have not many complaints about my SLi setup other than the obvious 3.5GB VRAM problem and games that do not support SLi. SO a person with around $900 should buy: A) GTX 1080 B) 2 GTX 1070 for SLi C) wait probably many months for the 1080Ti ??? =) Thanks

[@RobertD_83]

I so want this to become a thing. a somewhat affordable thing

[@kael4192]

yep

[@TrigrH]

yeah maybe a $100usd add on cost? it's kinda hard to put a price on because most people will not want to buy an entire system, they just want the case.

[@dinxsy8069]

Been done a long time ago by Mosquito. It's cool but when it becomes main stream won't be unique.

[@nephildevil]

an extra monitor basically, gonna have a few frame drops in ur games possibly then

[@aaronz7267]

personally id rather build my own.. building computers gets kinda boring and this would add a little fun and challenge into building a badass gaming rig.. soon as i find a deal on a monitor im going to try this

[@bcatbb2896]

I remember seeing that or previous version of that case in another video, and gotta say, it piqued my interest.

[@s0urce29]

I would snowblind that lcd side panel with my enormous load.

[@higifnr]

Why are they even bothering with LCD? OLED can be simply slapped onto that, since it's transparent and doesn't need a backlight!

[@ColbyWanShinobi]

This is awesome, but I wouldn't pay more than 300 USD for it. Below that and it's a 100% buy for me.

[@HasXXXInCrocs]

I wouldn't buy a prebuilt with it because that would be too expensive, so they would need to sell just the case. the most I would spend on it would be like $200-$250 but preferably it would be $150. not a huge fan of the noctis case because of the top and the gigantic drive cages. I think it should be in a s340 or a h440. or a fractal define s would look amazing with it, but I'm not sure if they make white ones.

[@StasRyadinsky]

I'm very interested in this case. I like the idea and im willing to cash out extra £50 or equivalent $60 on a case with this feature

[@deathgripfan]

love it. but wouldn't spend over 200 aud on it.

[@TarisRedwing]

neat but I personally wouldnt pay much for that lcds are VERY cheap and that just looks like a monitor minus all the diffuser screen stuff that normal goes with it.

[@nebitnoime1377]

Price?

[@BolognaRob]

um hell yes I'd want that. probably be willing to pay $300 for the whole case.

[@aflyingmodem]

In total I'd pay 100-150 dollars maybe 200 dollars for the case, not including tax. I'm interested but if getting. A tempered glass case is way cheaper and doesn't have that huge ugly branding on the top I'll buy it over this LCD panel case.

[@GabrielleWolfe]

DUDE IS YOUR LEG OK?

[@7alexze]

I'd like to see a 144hz 1080p full color display side panel with a solid back. like a kit.

[@shawndiaz7528]

Just look up any of those aio towers

[@7alexze]

you mean to tell me thats already a thing for BIY style towers?!??!?!?!?!?!!? :DXDDDXDXDXDXXDXDXD

[@knerkilajnen]

Black Sabbath vol4 snowblind

[@ShadowGilgamosh]

I'd defend keyboards and mice with RGB lighting, I'd defend putting LED strips inside of a case, I'm really kind of iffy with the tempered glass craze going on, but this....this shit is just ridiculous.

[@Brikzilla]

I remember when pc esthetics wasn't even a thing, lol 10 years ago, what is cable management?

[@dsayiasdad8099]

make it now

[@standuporshutup]

Did doge edit this or am I insane?

[@MunkeyChips]

It's cool, but I don't have a use for it.

[@Tuchulu]

Steve why do you say "I'll see you all next time" ? Shouldn't it be "You'll all see me next time"?

[@GamersNexus]

How do you know I can't see you?

[@shawndiaz7528]

Because the cops still have no idea I did it.

[@MichaelBlanchard123]

*ring ring* Hello Police..

[@streetguru9350]

about tree fiddy

[@VanHonkerton]

If it's transparent? 0 interest. If it can be opaque and function as an actual monitor? Would work well for a LAN machine, provided it can be replaced without a hassle.

[@camd1552]

Remove the reflective panel and the other thing

[@Bass.Player]

People who are interested in this were the same people that bought sneakers with lights in them...

[@nimrodery]

Why did you buy sneakers with lights in them?

[@sbn025]

children love them!

[@_Foxol]

so thats what paedophiles offer now...

[@dylandennen1377]

so can i have one? i mean plz?

[@YouFrAGit]

Shut up and take my money!!!!!

[@9848130723]

100$ premium no more!

[@dancetweety10]

I would be willing to pay 50$ voor something like that

[@HowDareYouu]

it's no point - why would u put a LCD on the case? u will just transform it in a ''all in one system''

[@MyIronman8]

50 bucks extra

[@il2xbox]

I wouldn't be interested in this if I can see through the screen into the case, because the only reason I might find this useful is to actually use this display as a monitor to save space on my desk, so I would want the screen to be opaque like any normal monitor. For example instead of having two monitors and a tower case on my desk, I'd have one monitor and the case would be the other monitor, that could leave room on the desk for a third monitor or something.

[@GamersNexus]

That's valid!

[@hanksnow12]

I give $19.95 $5.00 s&h

[@aZebroadcast]

200$

[@sbn025]

this trend is getting pretty ridicuslous

[@jonathanfrakes1284]

such nonsense much waste so unnecessary very ridiculous wow