Looking for a good PC case.

[djh2048]

This is what I have/will have in my new PC build.


EVGA 590 SLI (12"x9.6") motherboard
Athlon 2.6 dual core, stock heatsink/fan.
Nvidia 6800, looking to upgrade to 8 or 9 series.
WD 160gig hard drive.


As you can see my system isn't too demanding, but the noise and heat of my current case drives me up the wall. What I have right now is: Rosewill R6A34-BK (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147041)

What I'm looking for is a case with good cooling, minimal noise, and minimal form-factor, I'm not fond of the bright and crazy cases (unless you can give me a reason why I should buy it). The case I purchased taught me to research these things a lot more. I was considering a Lian-Li for my new build, but it looks like they actually have bad quality: is this true?

Any help would be awesome, suggestions or tips on what I can do to improve my current situation would also be great.

Dan

[passn_thru2]

I have decided on this one... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

this thing has so many really big fans i think you will have to tether it to your table.

now I'm try'n to figure out what to put in it, thinking of building around an
Intel C2D E8400 ..

[Cricket]

I was considering a Lian-Li for my new build, but it looks like they actually have bad quality: is this true?No, not true. Lian Li cases are some of the most high quality cases available.Any help would be awesome, suggestions or tips on what I can do to improve my current situation would also be great. That Rosewill doesn't look that bad actually. The cooling should be fine and the size looks like what you're asking for (not too big). But when it comes to noise the thing to look at is the number of cases fans you have and if they're high speed/high output or low speed/low output fans. High speed fans obviously make more noise. Low speed fans obviously make less noise. Then look at any other fans in the system. Is the CPU fan a noisy one? What about the video card heatsink fan? Can they be easily replaced with quieter low speed fans?

And there is a way to limit the noise caused by drive vibration...rubber grommets or o-rings between the drive and the mounting surface help reduce vibrations transfer to the case. Some cases will drone sort of loudly if there is a lot of vibration present and some won't. Dynamat anti-vibration adhesive backed pads can help with this.

:) Cricket

[djh2048]

No, not true. Lian Li cases are some of the most high quality cases available.That Rosewill doesn't look that bad actually. The cooling should be fine and the size looks like what you're asking for (not too big). But when it comes to noise the thing to look at is the number of cases fans you have and if they're high speed/high output or low speed/low output fans. High speed fans obviously make more noise. Low speed fans obviously make less noise. Then look at any other fans in the system. Is the CPU fan a noisy one? What about the video card heatsink fan? Can they be easily replaced with quieter low speed fans?

And there is a way to limit the noise caused by drive vibration...rubber grommets or o-rings between the drive and the mounting surface help reduce vibrations transfer to the case. Some cases will drone sort of loudly if there is a lot of vibration present and some won't. Dynamat anti-vibration adhesive backed pads can help with this.

:) Cricket

Thanks for the info, that helps a lot actually. I'm sure if I put on a fan controller and swapped out my fans it would run quieter, then I'd have to address the heat issue. My video card produces a whole lot of heat, making a pocket of hot air that doesn't move at all except right into the processor. The case was shipped out with a few defects anyways, so that's partially why I'm looking for a new one but I bet I could mod this one out.

The most noise is from the fans, to be honest. The vibration on the case is pretty low, with rubber o-rings between the drive and mount, and the drive itself is a single platter that runs whisper quiet.

[djh2048]

I have decided on this one... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

this thing has so many really big fans i think you will have to tether it to your table.

now I'm try'n to figure out what to put in it, thinking of building around an
Intel C2D E8400 ..


We have this one at Best Buy, so I can pick it up there with disco and no shipping. The only reason I haven't is all the fans, plus it's open mesh on the front. A lot of the guys around work have it, and it runs pretty damn quiet. It'd be over-kill for my build, quiet/cool/sexy overkill. :D

[Cricket]

then I'd have to address the heat issue. My video card produces a whole lot of heat, making a pocket of hot air that doesn't move at all except right into the processor.A cheap quick fix that we used to do was remove 1 or 2 expansion slot covers under the video card and let the warm air get blown out the back (works if you have a front intake fan). Or you could install a slot fan (http://www.thermaltake.com/product/DCfan/Slot/a2375/a2375.asp) to help pull heat away from the video card and out the back of the case.

:) Cricket

[Katreat]

The 900 you went with is a great case for cooling. I run mine with all fans on low, it came with them all switched to high and it sounded like a jet engine warming up. But on low it is surpisingly quiet. Each fan has its own fan controller, a front pannel fan controller would be eaiser to work with but since they are already 3 speed fans it might be a bit hard to hook up. I always shop for cases with 120 mm fans because they can move more air at slower speeds. The three 120 mm and top 140 mm in that case move a lot of air even set to low. It is on the flashy side, with all the blue fans running, which might turn you off. My case still gets a bit noisy when the video card really winds up. Lot of vents in the case so nothing to shield the noise and the fan on my 8800 GTS 320 is on the loud side. But usually when that happens I have my headphones clamped on and am more concerned about staying alive in the game so it does not bother me much......lol.

Kat

[doubledragon5]

I have the Antec 900 and the only noise is from the 200mm fan which is really not that big of a deal.. Your machine will run cooler for sure. My temps dropped an average 10-15 degrees from my previous case.. It does collect an awful lot of dust so regualr cleanings is a must..