Looking for non-flashy and quiet case.

S

Shrimpanzee

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 30, 2008
Messages
244
Like the title says, I'm searching for a well-built, quiet, and simple case. It will be a single GPU machine and won't be overclocked.

EDIT: I will also be using a MicroATX motherboard.

I'd appreciate some recommendations.

Thanks.
 
The A05B and mini P180 both look good. Which one is quieter? I would think the Antec?
 
+1 for the P182 or if you're setting up a mATX motherboard, look into the Mini P180, if the vents don't annoy you, that is.
 
I just prefer the cleaner look of the p180/182 door myself, no vents in the door itself.
 
+1 for a P180 or P182 (they are both the same thing these days, just different colors). I found my P180 (silver) for ~$60 AR at Frys. I got lucky.

All of the Antec TriCool fans are on low in my build with 2 Scythe S-Flexs, one on my CPU heatsink, one on the optional fan area in the front of the case. E3110 is at 39 deg C idle right now (no SpeedStep). The only thing I can REALLY hear from my case is the GTX260 when I turn the fan above the "auto" config in eVGA Precision.

Build in SIG, pic:
p1000324.jpg
 
Just cut the vents out if they're too restrictive for you.
 
P18x series is going to be WAY quieter than any comparable Lian-Li case.
 
Drakan290 said:
Mini-P180 if you're using a mATX board.
Click to expand...

He can use either a Mini-P180, or a P180/182. I have no experience with the Mini-P180, but if someone knows how the sound dampening on the Mini compares to the non-mini, I'm sure that would help a lot.
 
NoNRG said:
He can use either a Mini-P180, or a P180/182. I have no experience with the Mini-P180, but if someone knows how the sound dampening on the Mini compares to the non-mini, I'm sure that would help a lot.
Click to expand...
Yeah that would be helpful because I can get them both for about $100 at Micro Center. I'd prefer a smaller case, but if the P180/P182 is quieter, I'd go ahead an get that.

On a side note, anyone know how the the Antec Sonata line compares?
 
I'm gonna throw the Sonata III in the mix, I actually like it more than my P180.
 
P180-serie's strong point is heavy multilayer panels which both dampen escaping noise and resist vibration. Sonata and other Antecs (and other brand cases) would need combination damping mats for getting close to that.

Mini P180 seems to be partially "schizophrenic", while having similar construction it has media sexy big and acoustically very mediocre fan: (whose big hole surely compromises damping of component sounds)
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article810-page7.html
As curious decision they've put all except one of the 5.25" bays to bottom of case so that might be problem.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article810-page2.html

Here's more case reviews with emphasis on noise.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/section9.html


JaYp146 said:
P18x series is going to be WAY quieter than any comparable Lian-Li case.
Click to expand...
No doubt about that "at stock" because of thick/heavy multilayer vs. normal construction aluminium panels difference.
But wouldn't be so sure about that after damping of normal panels. I have Lian Li A71 and with door closed it's very hard to heard any kind HDD noises (including full stroke seeks) from seven AAM disabled WD drives in there!
 
Sonata/Solo if you want quiet out of the box or 3480 if you're willing to do some damping!
 
^^^ If your willing to mod some Lian Li can be quiet. Picking the right components and using dampening materials can do wonders. I won't say SILENT but quiet. I would say your better off with one of the K (steel interior) cases instead of the A05b. Something like the K10 is pretty quiet stock as it has vinyl dampening on the side panels and a nice solid door.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112155. But of course you could likely mod the door and add dampening to the top panel and floor for more quiet.
 
So from what I've gathered, the P18x series looks to be my best bet, as I'm not interested in modding (although I would like to learn eventually for my next build).
 
GuyClinch said:
^^^ If your willing to mod some Lian Li can be quiet. Something like the K10 is pretty quiet stock as it has vinyl dampening on the side panels and a nice solid door.
Click to expand...
That Akasa sh*tmat like light and thin foam is acoustically nearly impotent for doing anything and would serve best by not being there! (if it worked you would see it used lot in loudspeakers and room acoustics)

Especially because of light weight of aluminum side panel damping must start by increasing mass for lowering resonant frequency and damping vibration through added mass and extra rigidity. Generally that means bitumen layer but regardless of specific material this dense layer does double job by also damping sound passing through and reflecting some back into case. Light airborne sound absorpting foam comes only after that and ~1cm/0.5" is about minimum thickness for it to be able to have actually good effect instead of cosmetics.


Besides of lacking direct noise escape path in front Antec P18x dampens sound of components so well because those thick multilayer panels are heavy enough to resist vibrations well and have very low resonant frequency and different material layers also absorb part of sound passing through/boundaries between layers bounce part of sound back inside case.
Compare that to walls in apartment houses: heavy/massive or more complex thick layered construction walls always dampen sounds better than light and thin walls consisting from mostly nothing.
It's no miracle that P180-serie is so good without doing any mods.
 
Alright, so it looks like I'm getting one of these three from Antec:

- Mini P180
- SOLO
- Sonata III

Which one is quieter at stock?
 
Shrimpanzee said:
Alright, so it looks like I'm getting one of these three from Antec:

- Mini P180
- SOLO
- Sonata III

Which one is quieter at stock?
Click to expand...
I think Sonata will be the most quiet one, if you think its OK with a door.
Mini P180 is micro-ATX, you now that?

If micro-ATX is what you'r looking for, look for the 3480!

Swed
 
That Akasa sh*tmat like light and thin foam is acoustically nearly impotent for doing anything and would serve best by not being there! (if it worked you would see it used lot in loudspeakers and room acoustics)
Click to expand...

I hear ya. That's why I use dynamat extreme on my builds - then cover it for aesthetics with the mate stuff (only on the portions you see). That being said not sure if they use vinyl (something like a self stick vinyl tile or Asaka stuff on the K10). It's thought to be pretty quiet either way. The Solo for example uses a vinyl tile type of thing ...I believe.

I tested my lastest K7b without any Dynamat and there wasn't much vibration from the panels perhaps due to those little spring things they put on top of the case.

There isn't anything magic about the P180. You can achieve much the same effect layering your own materials and can find that dont have the ugly plastic fringe, restrictive door and such. It just takes more effort.
 
Swed said:
I think Sonata will be the most quiet one, if you think its OK with a door.
Mini P180 is micro-ATX, you now that?

If micro-ATX is what you'r looking for, look for the 3480!

Swed
Click to expand...
Yeah I'll be using mATX.

So you're saying the 3480 is good at stock, or after modding?
 
If weight is not an issue Antec P180 series.

For a premium case $$$ Silverstone FT01.
 
From what I've read its pretty quiet stock out of the box. Its aluminum frame is unibody (less chance of vibration) and relatively thick aluminum. The side panels have anti-noise foam on them (window version has less on one side). It has 3 fans, two of which are slow quiet 180mm and a 120mm. The harddrive cradles have rubber gaskets. Overall should be pretty quiet case, but won't insulate against noise aswell as the P180 (Cold rolled steel, thick side panels).

I've had a P180 for a few years now and its a good case, but the stock fans probably aren't that quiet by todays standards.
 
Well the mini P180 has a 120mm and 200mm fan.... I know 120mm are plentiful, but where might I find a high quality 200mm fan that's very quiet?
 
I'm using a Silverstone FT01 and it is quieter than any PC I've used. Ever.

I have two desktop rigs running side-by-side and the only component I can really hear out of either is a downvolted Scythe SFF21F.
 
+1, compared to my last build from a few years ago the FT01 is infinitely quieter. The only thing its louder than is my laptop lol.
 
Shrimpanzee said:
Yeah I'll be using mATX.

So you're saying the 3480 is good at stock, or after modding?
Click to expand...
The 3480 is one of the best mATX cases after some modding, but even at stock it's good.
Just replace the tri-cool fan with a good Nexus or somethin and you have a quiet case with good cooling.

Swed
 
Swed said:
The 3480 is one of the best mATX cases after some modding, but even at stock it's good.
Just replace the tri-cool fan with a good Nexus or somethin and you have a quiet case with good cooling.

Swed
Click to expand...
I'll probably end up with this case then.

Can someone please answer my previous question about a 200mm fan?
 
If you really want a quiet and simple case, try Cooler Master Sileo 500. It was just released last year. I found one of my friends with one, he likes it because it has think sound absorbing foam on 4 panels of the case so there is no noise. One other thing is I pulled out the fans and to my surprise CM included 2 real 800rpm 17dBA whisper fans instead of cheapo box fans.

Check the review

I have a P180 and although it is big, it is a b*tch to cable manage and the interior is really cramped. It doesn't cool as well as my HAF 932. P180 also has a door that also makes it quieter than my old Centurion 5.
 
Icejon said:
If you really want a quiet and simple case, try Cooler Master Sileo 500. It was just released last year. I found one of my friends with one, he likes it because it has think sound absorbing foam on 4 panels of the case so there is no noise. One other thing is I pulled out the fans and to my surprise CM included 2 real 800rpm 17dBA whisper fans instead of cheapo box fans.

Check the review

I have a P180 and although it is big, it is a b*tch to cable manage and the interior is really cramped. It doesn't cool as well as my HAF 932. P180 also has a door that also makes it quieter than my old Centurion 5.
Click to expand...
It's not mATX though...
 
Shrimpanzee said:
So from what I've gathered, the P18x series looks to be my best bet, as I'm not interested in modding (although I would like to learn eventually for my next build).
Click to expand...

Either the p18x or the Sonata line, for non-flashy Antecs. The P180 or Sonata III are more apt for a micro-ATX board--the P182 is actually rather large for a mid-sized tower due to its lower bay. Also, if color matters to you, the Sonata III is more of an actual black in color than that for the black P180. Between those two cases though, a lot of it just comes down to style preference.
 
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