Would there be a functional reason for these tiles, or are the tiles only esthetic? I’d rather skip the customization of the tiles (whether I purchase them on Framework or 3D print them), but am not clear whether they serve a function other than customization of the look. It’s not the price, or materials, it’s just I’m kinda’ a minimalist functionalist of sorts on things sometimes… so if I can skip it, all the better.
Anyone use theirs without the tiles? Would it leave large gaps that dust or objects can get/fall in too much (like, say the gap left from an empty external bay on a regular desktop left without a bay cover)? From what I’ve been able to see it seems it’d be fine, and since it’s magnetic I could just skip the whole magnetic panel… but I wanted to check with y’all.
You can 3D print your own, there are files on Printables. The stock ones are plastic–and for what they are the quality is pretty good, even is $7/pack is kind of meh. But an extra $21 on a $1500-$2000 computer is a rounding error.
The way the FD case is designed is like most FlexATX cases. The CPU fan is both the intake and exhaust for the case. Which is why the fan needs high static pressure, if you bring your own. The fan has to counteract the resistance of the case openings and force air out. Without tiles on the front, there’s much less air restriction, so air is more prone to leak out everywhere–rather than be forced mostly out the back.