Best airflow?

T

thehybridfrog

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 8, 2009
Messages
422
So I've been looking at cases in preparation for the GTX 480. After reading some first hand consumer accounts at the EVGA forum about how some people's cases were failing (Silverstone Raven rv-02 and Thermaltake level 10) I've decided that my old case (Thermaltake armor) is just not going to do well.

So I've been looking at cases and can't decide which one to get even after looking at reviews. Different sites seem to have widely different opinions on temperature and stuff even for the same case. So which of these would you recommend getting for GTX 480 and in the future GTX 480 SLi?

1. Antec 1200
2. Silverstone Raven RV-02
3. CM 690-II Advanced
4. CM HAF 922
5. CM HAF 932

Suggestions are appreciated. Out of the above cases I really like the Raven, but apparently it sucks for airflow. I'm willing to spend up to $200.

Thanks!
 
Assuming you don't need room for more than 3 HDD's (6 with the CFP53 bay), I'd definitely get the RV02!
If you sign up for Amazon Prime free 1 month trial here
http://www.amazon.com/gp/subs/prime..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1FDV72WFT8RMB1NSN5T1
You can get the case for $159.99 + free 2 day shipping or $3.95 1 day shipping here
http://www.amazon.com/SILVERSTONE-R...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1271015203&sr=8-1

I'd suggest the FT02, but its a lil higher than your budget. The RV02 along with the FT02 look even better in person.

Edit: I must have skimmed, but where did you heat the RV02 sucked at airflow? I've heard of HDD's running a few degrees warmer (they don't in my case), but other than that I've read/heard nothing about this.
CPU temps dropped 7-10c and GPU temps dropped 10-15c going from a 902 to my FT02.
Also, I'd at least check out some Lian Li cases as Nighted kinda mentioned below. These come out next week :)
http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=490&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=62
http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=489&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=62
 
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If he has a motherboard which allows no spacing between his 480's, then yes the RV02 would make them way too hot imo. What MB do you have?
I guess I forgot to mention in my first post that the RV02 is a bad choice if your MB allows no space between an SLI/Xfire config.

Edit: Apparently he does have a space between both cards, so I really have no idea then. He also mentioned adjusting his fan speeds with a fan controller. Assuming he did this with the stock 180mm's of the RV02, it really doesn't work too well and even at 90% it undervolts them to a point where they're barely spinning. Granted I have the FT02 and only have two 260's, but I idle @ 37c/load @ 73 with fan around 65%.
 
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After reading some reviews, the airflow should be good in the RV-02. I think there's something about that guy's setup that's weird. I'll likely get it, at 159 with free shipping it's not the best case but I love the look.
 
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