Looking for a new case - What case offers great airflow and low noise?

D

ditchmagnet

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 8, 2011
Messages
307
I want to get a new case. I just have a really old junker right now. I want something that is either mid or full size and something that offers great airflow for lower temps, but that is not obnoxiously loud. I do not water cool.

Looks don't really mater to me, I am more interested in performance. I would like to keep the price around $150 or less.
 
I am thinking about the HafX. How are the acoustics?

I am also looking at:
Raven RV03 - http://www.amazon.com/Silverstone-T...=1361649483&sr=1-11&keywords=silverstone+ft02

[strike=]Corsair 650D - http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Obsid...d=1361649483&sr=1-9&keywords=silverstone+ft02[/s] - Looks like cooling isn't so great.

I would like the FT02 if I could find it cheaper.

I am not in love with this case, but it has good performance and is cheap.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108395

Results - http://www.anandtech.com/show/4529/corsair-obsidian-650d-transmuting-graphite-to-obsidian/6
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
I have the NZXT Phantom 001 and i LOVE it. 3770 OC'd to 4.7 on Aircool only < 60o w/ 2 extra 200mm, reallllllly quiet. WONDERFUL case to work with.
 
Well, I was pretty torn between the RV03 and the HAF X. But I ended up buying that In Win BUC for $72 shipped. Can't beat the price and as far as I can tell, the performance was up there. The RV03 probably would have been a bad choice for me since I don't have a blower style GPU. So hopefully I'll be happy with the BUC.
 
Had a HAF 932. New build on the way, went with the 650d. The aesthetics got me. My GF thought the HAF was an eyesore. Will report on cooling but with an h100i and af120s doubt it'll be an issue
 
EPOQ said:
Had a HAF 932. New build on the way, went with the 650d. The aesthetics got me. My GF thought the HAF was an eyesore. Will report on cooling but with an h100i and af120s doubt it'll be an issue
Click to expand...

I built 2 Corsair 600t machines. The case is amazing looking and amazing to work on. Looks great sitting here. While I don't have an h100i, I find the cooling ability of the case is fine for me. Corsair makes some great cases. :)
 
Oooooh baby go with the Raven RV03. It's perhaps the best air cooling case on the market, the upward flow of air from bottom to top creates amazing cooling potential and the fans are virtually silent and included with the case price. Buy it and bask in the reverse-ATX glory.
 
Acoustics are all about what you put in your case for the most part.. Even gaming cases now have vibration mounts for HD and grommets to prevent fan vibration..

I like my Corsair 400r. But I would probably get a 500r just for the HD cage split. (Though I am thinking I might be able to fit a 500r cage in a 400r)..

Whats good about the case is the standard fan options. Use a quiet PSU (Seasonic X), a quiet CPU cooler (Noctua DH-14) and a quiet video card (DCU2 Asus) - and you WILL have a quiet system because can make sure you other fans are quiet too..


Fractal - and a bunch of other companies make cases that can be made quiet. I think the wrong approach is trying to 'block' noise. That restricts airflow alot - and restricted airflow means you fans have to spin faster to compensate..

What you want is 4-6 case fans under various RPMs. For 120mm its 800 - and for 140mm its like 600 or so. (this does depends some on the fan design)..
 
I keep my PC under my desk though. Not sure Raven would work well there. The upward hot air would recirculate too much I think.. For ontop of the desk seems like an excellent design..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top