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Low noise, lowish cost case?

N

Newsome

n00b
Joined
Dec 28, 2008
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42
I have the feeling that low noise and low cost are pretty much an impossible mix to find. Still, what low noise cases that are on the cheaper end of the spectrum would you guys recommend?
 
Can you describe a number for us to look at.

Personally, I'm in love with my Antec Solo. While does not have the space or options available like the P18x series but it's about as quiet and slightly cheaper. If you do some digging, I'm sure you could find it for about 70 (I paid 50 during a labor day sale at newegg).
 
Right, sorry about the non-specificness: I'm looking at a maximum of $100, and less is preferred. I should also note that I am considering buying third-party fans (Scythes, most likely) for noise reasons, so the noise of the stock fans, while important, isn't necessarily critical.
 
I built a system with a Compucase LX-6A19 ATX. It ran around $30 and was near silent with decent voltage regulated fans. Also the Antec SLK1650B or SLK 3000, if they are still available. The Anted Sonatas are known to be quiet.

Check out SilentPCReview.com or EndPCNoise.com for more ideas.
 
Thanks to c1001 for the ideas; I hadn't heard of EndPCNoise.com

Still, I think I've been sort of indirect so far, so let me try this a different way:

I'm actually looking for the best of three worlds. 1) <$100, 2) a case that has the air flow to allow a Vapor-X 4870 to function well, 3) lowish noise.

I understand that decreasing noise decreases airflow, but is there a happy medium? For example, are the Antec Sonatas practical for gaming? Or am I going to have to choose between points 2 and 3?
 
I have an antec mini p180 that I love. I don't know if you need full size atx, I have seen the well under $100
 
The Mini P180 is a pretty good case, and the next rig I build will probably be a Micro ATX build again using that case, and dump my full ATX or maybe keep my full ATX around doing something else. Who knows. I do like the Mini P180 a lot though, happy medium as far as size goes I think, and if you take the mid hard drive cage out you can fit full size cards in it, and still have room for hard drives.
 
Have you actually used their products or are you just assuming? Not all sound dampening products are created equal. This one actually works. You can't just stuff any foam in and think it's all the same. Yes, by nature all will prob do something, but a lot of this type of material is a total waste. If someone is actually bothered enough with noise to want to spend extra money on silencing, this product does provide measurable results. It's definitely one of the better of its kind.

http://tech-reviews.co.uk/reviews/acoustipack-ultimate/
 
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I built a small PC with a seasonic HB380W and 3 noctua fans low-RPM fans (one on an aftermarket cooler), in my standard old CM Elite RC330, and it was the quietest computer I've ever seen. Its more about the fans rather then the case.
 
MrWizard6600 said:
I built a small PC with a seasonic HB380W and 3 noctua fans low-RPM fans (one on an aftermarket cooler), in my standard old CM Elite RC330, and it was the quietest computer I've ever seen. Its more about the fans rather then the case.
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[bold added]

Is there a consensus that this is generally true?
 
angelicvoices said:
Have you actually used their products or are you just assuming? Not all sound dampening products are created equal. This one actually works. You can't just stuff any foam in and think it's all the same. Yes, by nature all will prob do something, but a lot of this type of material is a total waste. If someone is actually bothered enough with noise to want to spend extra money on silencing, this product does provide measurable results. It's definitely one of the better of its kind.

http://tech-reviews.co.uk/reviews/acoustipack-ultimate/
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Sounds like an advertisement. Been mentioned many times on SPCR forums that foam crap is the last measure and least significant part in noise reduction.

Newsome said:
[bold added]

Is there a consensus that this is generally true?
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Yes, fans usually are the problem and solution. However, case design does have impact on noise. E.g. the Antec 300 has hard drives screwed right to sides of the bay with no dampening and you can definitely feel the resonance from the drives. You'll find steel cases to dampen noise better than aluminum as well, instead of a hollowing noise it'll be less pronounced. How much space is exposed from the case will also have an impact - an open case type like the HAF923 will let out more noise than a closed case like a P182.

ANY moving parts will generate noise, hard drive droning is the hardest to cure, usually by suspension. PSU, video card fans can have a big impact on noise as well.
 
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If you have quality low-medium rpm fans, I think the biggest thing on some cases are how they dampen the sound of harddrive vibrations, and how much they restrict airflow on where the case fans go. Some cases are terrible on killing airflow for a fan. I got a cheap CM534 a while ago, side fan had very small vent like slot holes. It just made a bunch of noise trying to suck air and didnt blow much. Ended up just cutting a hole out for it, made it less annoying and tripled the flow.

The coolermaster also sucks at dampening the harddrive vibrations. I didn't know the lil rubber mounts on the sonata actually made a difference. But it is a budget case, and I did get it for 23$

I'm planning on modding my Sonata and putting my computer hardware back in it. Going to make a 120mm side hole, and front intake fan via cutting a hole through the front bezel. Also gonna do some painting since I havn't painted anything in years :) , been browsing the forums for a good color scheme.

You could just get an antec300 for cheap off newegg. Add 2 low rpm 120mm to the front, and 1 to the side. Should be really good airflow and low noise if you have decent fans at low speeds.

Also you can get somthing like this. It's prolly overpriced for what it is, but its hassle free and cuts down annoying vibrations from the hdd. Or make your own solution on suspending the harddrive. Also could try rubber washers with the stock 300 mounting.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817984001
 
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Newsome said:
[bold added]

Is there a consensus that this is generally true?
Click to expand...

MrWizard6600 said:
Its more about the fans rather then the case.
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not really. case, fans and mounting all matter. aluminum cases are known to resonate more than steel cases, and tend to be noisier. some fans, like the antec tricools are pretty damn quiet at the low setting, but don't push any air. honeycomb fan vents tend to make fans noiser because there is more surface area restricing the airflow. rubber and silicone grommets and washers to can help minimize vibration. placing a case on carpet tends to make things more silent.

just remember: silencing a pc with any moving parts is impossible. once you get the case fans quiet enough for your tastes, then the video card noise will get to you. once you tame that beast then the cpu fan will stick out, when you go passive on that, then the psu fan will become noticeable. after that the hard drive, then the dvd-rom...
 
My vote is for the Cooler Master Sileo 500. It's the only case out there with acoustic insulation on all 4 panels of the chassis. It also includes 800rpm 13dBA fans as an extra consideration, so you don't have to rip out the fans that come with other cases. Its available online for about $69.99. I've actually used this case in person and it is almost like you never turned it on when it is on, but the blue LED gives it away.
Link here
 
mrmylanman said:
The Mini P180 is a pretty good case, and the next rig I build will probably be a Micro ATX build again using that case, and dump my full ATX or maybe keep my full ATX around doing something else. Who knows. I do like the Mini P180 a lot though, happy medium as far as size goes I think, and if you take the mid hard drive cage out you can fit full size cards in it, and still have room for hard drives.
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The main thing that I do not like with the Mini P180 is that it has just four expansion slots and does not look like I can use the bottom motherboard PCI slot that I am currently using.
 
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