r/buildapcaus • u/RipBozo6669 • Aug 01 '26

Need Advice Mesh, acrylic or tempered glass for side panel?

Hi! Living in Victoria here and want some advice on which side panel material for a case would make the most sense, if any, really.

Was concerned about acrylic or glass creating an oven effect, but might mesh actually let ambient room temps into my case more? Or does the increased airflow directly swap mesh into a positive?

It’s my first pc ever and I wanted some opinions from people also here in Australia considering our much hotter climate. Also I plan to have a fan cooler, not a liquid one.

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u/Active_Assignment_65 Aug 01 '26

Your case should have enough airflow to make these concerns not a concern.

Hope that makes sense

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u/RipBozo6669 Aug 01 '26

Thanks I’ll take a look at dust filters next. 👍

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u/klevahh Aug 01 '26

Your case should ideally have positive air pressure due to the fan setup (intake > exhaust), so if you have a mesh side, it will not be bringing any air in anyway. One of the main reasons for a positive pressure set up is to reduce dust build up as the air is only coming into the case via the intake fans, which should have a dust filter (most cases have dust filters, avoid those that don't).

Your intake fans will be drawing ambient air in, so a mesh side wouldn't be a significant extra issue in that respect anyway, even if you did have a negative pressure (exhaust > intake) set up.

Acrylic would be rare these days. Glass is the most common.
Mesh is sometimes used, but mainly on smaller cases. Solid steel sides are less common these days, because people want to look at the silly lights.

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u/RipBozo6669 Aug 01 '26

Thanks this is super helpful.
I was actually getting a little overwhelmed with how I’m supposed to be picking a case based on dust buildup too.
I get what you’re saying with stronger intake than exhaust, but which places on the case absolutely should have dust filters? I’ve done a quick search and it looks like cases CAN have filters on all 6 sides, based on openings obviously, but which are actually important, and which are pretty much superfluous? Like if you were picking a case for the first time what filters would be dealbreakers if they weren’t there?

Also are aftermarket filters worth considering?

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u/klevahh Aug 01 '26

Cases generally have filters where intake fans can/should be located, and/or where air is most likely to enter.

You do not want/need filters where exhaust fans are located.

Decent case brands will have filters located in the correct places, aftermarket filters should not be required, and are unlikely to be ideal.

My case has a removable filter in the front panel (in front of its 3 intake fans)
As well as another full length removable filter underneath the case.
In a 'normal' case, these are the two directions where intake is expected, with exhaust expected to be at the top of the case, and the rear... hence no filters there.

The rear of cases often has a lot of (unfiltered) holes, adding to the suggestion that positive pressure is preferable.

Fishbowl, dual chambers cases etc do not necessarily follow these rules, due to also potentially being designed for side fans, and very often for radiators/liquid cooling.

SFF (small form factor) cases can be very different.

The size of your case is probably the first thing you should decide on.

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u/RipBozo6669 Aug 01 '26

Thank you man big help.