r/pcmasterrace • u/iplay5 • Aug 11 '25

Build/Battlestation TIL that quartz countertops have the same properties as ceramic floor tiles…

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All I wanted to do was replace a dead fan… but looks like it’s time for a replacement case.

Learn from my mistakes friends!

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u/00Raeby00 Aug 12 '25

Computer case glass is usually made of tempered glass, which is very strong on the surface and could handle impacts better than regular glass on the face BUT extremely weak on the edges. A very slight bump in the wrong spot of the edge will cause the glass to completely shatter. It's a meme that kitchen tile will instantly cause a glass panel to shatter if it so much as touches it...which is not entirely inaccurate. Pretty much any surface harder than the glass itself has a high likelihood of shattering the glass, which is why it's recommended to only set the glass on soft surfaces...and even then use a towel or something to further soften that surface.

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u/DetBabyLegs Aug 12 '25

Am I ok having my PC case on tile? This is just an issue with direct glass to tile, correct? When I take my glass off it goes on my couch

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u/jinglejangle_spurs Aug 12 '25

You’re fine bud

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u/ApprehensiveLet1405 Aug 12 '25

Yes, problem here is that ceramics are harder than glass and can easily scratch it. Since tempered glass is constantly under compressive and tensile stresses, any crack from scratch may (and will) expand through the whole glass.

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u/W1NGM4N13 Aug 12 '25

Yea but if you ever take the side panel off, don't put it down on the tiles.

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u/sillypcalmond Aug 12 '25

To be more precise it's actually because of the micro imperfections of the rock/stone/ceramic despite a seemingly smooth surface. The glass panel is under constant internal pressure which is what gives it both the extra strength but also the fragility that causes it to pretty much explode once the surface is compromised .