Looking for specifics in a case....

[phxrider]

I am looking for a case with very good general airflow for future builds, WITHOUT a million fans or giant loud fans, with mesh or mesh-like construction in a mid-tower size.

Something like an ASUS Prime AP201 or Silverstone Sugo-14 (M-ATX and ITX sizes), but in an ATX size case. Both of these are very well ventilated and run reasonable temps with air cooling and only a quiet exhaust fan behind the CPU. But when I look for an equivalent that will take a full size ATX board, everything I find is all fans and I can tell will be loud under any kind of load.

I'd use the ASUS case in every future non-SFF build if someone made a mid-end M-ATX board with PCIe 5 and good audio with rear panel jacks for 5.1, but there is no such beast (at least not in AM5) - this only comes in ATX (and ITX without the 5.1 rear jacks).

Anyway, I'm looking for suggestions. No "this has fans but they're really not that bad" suggestions, please. I already have a nice Lian Li 216 that is great, but still gets louder than I want.

 

[wNotyarD]

I am looking for a case with very good general airflow for future builds, WITHOUT a million fans or giant loud fans, with mesh or mesh-like construction in a mid-tower size.

Something like an ASUS Prime AP201 or Silverstone Sugo-14 (M-ATX and ITX sizes), but in an ATX size case. Both of these are very well ventilated and run reasonable temps with air cooling and only a quiet exhaust fan behind the CPU. But when I look for an equivalent that will take a full size ATX board, everything I find is all fans and I can tell will be loud under any kind of load.

I'd use the ASUS case in every future non-SFF build if someone made a mid-end M-ATX board with PCIe 5 and good audio with rear panel jacks for 5.1, but there is no such beast (at least not in AM5) - this only comes in ATX (and ITX without the 5.1 rear jacks).

Anyway, I'm looking for suggestions. No "this has fans but they're really not that bad" suggestions, please. I already have a nice Lian Li 216 that is great, but still gets louder than I want.

If you already have a 216, how would it be if you took its front fans off?

 

[phxrider]

If you already have a 216, how would it be if you took its front fans off?

I'm not messing with my current PC - this is for future builds, either for myself or customers.

 

[dirtyferret]

I already have a nice Lian Li 216 that is great, but still gets louder than I want.

pick one
1) replace the fans with ones that have lower RPM
2) get a fan controller
3) lower RPM via BIOS)

 

[freeagent]

You can’t get away from fan noise, or the sound of air moving.. in a high performance system.

There is always going to be some..

 

[phxrider]

You can’t get away from fan noise, or the sound of air moving.. in a high performance system.

There is always going to be some..

Yes you can. I have 2 of them sitting here that don't get very loud and perform very well at reasonable temps.

 

[Falck]

Check out Ssupd cases.

 

[phxrider]

HELLO - I'm not looking for suggestions to talk me into a different direction - I'm looking for a case that's mesh without fans except for the exhaust fan behind the CPU. Kindly keep your contrary opinions to yourself, they're not helpful.

 

[dirtyferret]

I'm looking for a case that's mesh without fans except for the exhaust fan behind the CPU.

Antec had mostly mesh type case maybe ten years ago (if not more)

 

[lexluthermiester]

Yes you can. I have 2 of them sitting here that don't get very loud and perform very well at reasonable temps.

I'm a system builder too and @freeagent is correct. There is no avoiding at least some fan noise. Many can be very quiet but none are perfectly silent. So good enough is the best you can expect without very expensive passive cooling equipment.

That said, it would be wise and perhaps very productive to hear out input about what might be "good enough".

I'm looking for a case that's mesh without fans except for the exhaust fan behind the CPU.

That's a tough one. There are a lot of good cases that can do this, but as far as fans, Noctua is the brand you want to look at, they are the most silent and push the most air while being very quiet.

 

[wNotyarD]

I'm not messing with my current PC - this is for future builds, either for myself or customers.

Ah, alright, this wasn't clear for me from your opening post.
I think that today it's a bit hard for any ATX mesh case not to come factory-loaded with fans. So I'm actually short of recommendations other than taking the front fans off any of the usual airflow/temp champs and seeing how they perform.

 

[Fuzzi0n]

You could look at some of the darkFlash cases, the DLC29 is full mesh for example.

 

[A Computer Guy]

I am looking for a case with very good general airflow for future builds, WITHOUT a million fans or giant loud fans, with mesh or mesh-like construction in a mid-tower size.

Something like an ASUS Prime AP201 or Silverstone Sugo-14 (M-ATX and ITX sizes), but in an ATX size case. Both of these are very well ventilated and run reasonable temps with air cooling and only a quiet exhaust fan behind the CPU. But when I look for an equivalent that will take a full size ATX board, everything I find is all fans and I can tell will be loud under any kind of load.

I'd use the ASUS case in every future non-SFF build if someone made a mid-end M-ATX board with PCIe 5 and good audio with rear panel jacks for 5.1, but there is no such beast (at least not in AM5) - this only comes in ATX (and ITX without the 5.1 rear jacks).

Anyway, I'm looking for suggestions. No "this has fans but they're really not that bad" suggestions, please. I already have a nice Lian Li 216 that is great, but still gets louder than I want.

This one is on my wish list. Lian Li 011 Air? Comes with 3 fans but I guess you could get rid of two if you wanted.

 

[phxrider]

I'm a system builder and @freeagent is correct. There is no avoiding at least some fan noise. Many can be very quiet but none are perfectly silent. So good enough is the best you can expect without very expensive passive cooling equipment.

That said, it would be wise and perhaps very productive to hear out input about what might be "good enough".

If I hadn't built a zillion PCs myself and had no idea what was a reasonable / necessary level of noise is, I would perhaps be looking for advice on that. But I have, and I'm not.

Notice I did not say "silent", I said "quiet". This implies that I expect to be able to hear the thing in a dead silent room, however I also do not want it to sound like I have a jet in the room with me. My SFF PC is very quiet (not "silent"), even stuffed on a chair under a dining room table, and still runs perfectly acceptable temps while turning out very high FPS. I just want to be able to do this in a larger case, which shouldn't be that difficult.

I'm looking for a case that accepts ATX boards with high natural ventilation and no fans except the CPU exhaust. Think ASUS AP201 except in mid-tower.

This one is on my wish list. Lian Li 011 Air?

I thought about that one when building my SFF PC - ended up going with the Silvertone Sugo 14.

But for this question I'm specifically looking for ATX size.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Notice I did not say "silent", I said "quiet".

Fair enough.

I'm looking for a case that accepts ATX boards with high natural ventilation and no fans except the CPU exhaust. Think ASUS AP201 except in mid-tower.

Ok, I'm getting your vision. I have a case in mind, depending on where you live you'll have to figure out if you can get it. BRB.

EDIT:
Ok, remembered the reviews I've been reading and I think these might fit what you have in mind;

Gigabyte C102 Glass Ice Review

The Gigabyte C102 Glass Ice has an enticing price tag that warrants a closer look. With attention to detail along with ensuring all aspects of the case are white, it manages to offer a great base for compact mATX builds while retaining all the usual room for large components or liquid cooling...

www.techpowerup.com

NZXT H5 Flow RGB (2024) Review

The NZXT H5 Flow RGB (2024) is more than a simple refresh of the variant that launched just over a year ago. Employing a unified three fan design along with clean aesthetics, the H5 Flow RGB (2024) is the first of the H-series to add a new, unique design element to the company's range of enclosures.

www.techpowerup.com

Cooler Master MasterBox 600 Review

The Cooler Master MasterBox 600 aims squarely at the magical $100 market, aiming to offer as much functionality as possible. This includes four fans with a built-in controller, a fine mesh front and full BTF support. The MasterBox 600 checks off all the boxes while also managing to include a few...

www.techpowerup.com

This one is my choice as it a very solid case, not too expensive, has fan exhaust behind the CPU, mesh front and top and will take upto an EATX board.

Montech Sky Two GX Review

The Montech Sky Two GX is a variation on the original Sky Two with a more traditional look, by sticking to a singular glass side panel and mesh front. On top of that, Montech improved several aspects and made the case taller to accommodate bigger liquid cooling setups.

www.techpowerup.com

There's also these but they're a bit pricey.

be quiet! Shadow Base 800 FX Review

The be quiet Shadow Base 800 FX continues the brand's perfectly sized, roomy case line-up, but adds all the functionality one would be looking for in form of four ARGB fans, tons of room, excellent compatibility and well designed details.

www.techpowerup.com

 

[A Computer Guy]

But for this question I'm specifically looking for ATX size.

What do you mean by ATX size? It fits ATX. Another one that's ATX that's pretty small is Corsair 220T (I have one), it's light weight good construction but comes with 3 fans (removable of course) and mesh removable front filter.

 

[lexluthermiester]

See edit! Let me know if those work for what you had in mind, there are a few others if not..

 

[freeagent]

Yes you can. I have 2 of them sitting here that don't get very loud and perform very well at reasonable temps.

Maybe.. if all you do is play games. Not very difficult these days.

 

[Sarajiel]

I'm looking for a case that accepts ATX boards with high natural ventilation and no fans except the CPU exhaust. Think ASUS AP201 except in mid-tower.

You might want to take a look at the Jonsbo D41 Mesh. It's the ATX version of the Jonsbo D31, which is basically a knock-off version of the AP201.

However, you only get mesh in the front, bottom, back and on the top, not on the side panels, those are glass and solid. I got one in white with the optional front display and one in black with the full mesh front. Both systems have 360mm AIOs and use the chimney effect for cooling. The only air intake in my systems happens via the 850W PSUs in the front and what the three GPU fans of the 4070 Ti Supers suck in, while exhaust happens via the three AIO fans. You can also add up to three bottom fans or an optional exhaust fan on the back if you use an air cooler. Overall manufacturing quality is okay, but doesn't match the AP201.

 

[phxrider]

Maybe.. if all you do is play games. Not very difficult these days.

It's the same running stress tests. It's a 7800x3d with a Thermalright Phantom Spirit SE cooler and one fan on the back in a Sugo 14 ITX case with 7900XT. I replaced the stock exhaust fan with a Thermalright PWM fan like the ones in the CPU cooler, and that's the only mod. It's audible - I never said "silent" - but it's way quieter than most comparable spec PCs, even in full size cases and the CPU never gets over 80C in stress tests due to the mesh-like areas of the case in all the right spots. The PC in the ASUS AP201, a high-airflow mesh case, is the same way, 5800x with a Scythe Fuma 3 and stock case exhaust fan - cool and quiet.

You might want to take a look at the Jonsbo D41 Mesh. It's the ATX version of the Jonsbo D31, which is basically a knock-off version of the AP201.

However, you only get mesh in the front, bottom, back and on the top, not on the side panels, those are glass and solid. I got one in white with the optional front display and one in black with the full mesh front. Both systems have 360mm AIOs and use the chimney effect for cooling. The only air intake in my systems happens via the 850W PSUs in the front and what the three GPU fans of the 4070 Ti Supers suck in, while exhaust happens via the three AIO fans. You can also add up to three bottom fans or an optional exhaust fan on the back if you use an air cooler. Overall manufacturing quality is okay, but doesn't match the AP201.

The AP201 is a marvel, isn't it? It's built like a tank, has the coolest high-quality no-tool removable panels, insane airflow, and costs $70. As you can tell, I am in love with that case!

The Jonsbo looks promising, can you get it with a mesh side cover as opposed to the glass? I think it would fit the bill with the screen and mesh top, sides and bottom (like the AP201)! I'm definitely going to look deeper at this one.

 

[AleXXX666]

I am looking for a case with very good general airflow for future builds, WITHOUT a million fans or giant loud fans, with mesh or mesh-like construction in a mid-tower size.

Something like an ASUS Prime AP201 or Silverstone Sugo-14 (M-ATX and ITX sizes), but in an ATX size case. Both of these are very well ventilated and run reasonable temps with air cooling and only a quiet exhaust fan behind the CPU. But when I look for an equivalent that will take a full size ATX board, everything I find is all fans and I can tell will be loud under any kind of load.

I'd use the ASUS case in every future non-SFF build if someone made a mid-end M-ATX board with PCIe 5 and good audio with rear panel jacks for 5.1, but there is no such beast (at least not in AM5) - this only comes in ATX (and ITX without the 5.1 rear jacks).

Anyway, I'm looking for suggestions. No "this has fans but they're really not that bad" suggestions, please. I already have a nice Lian Li 216 that is great, but still gets louder than I want.

Corsair 3000D is okay case, although a lil overpriced, doesn't included ssd cages.
I am fan of Deepcool Matrexx 55 Mesh. It has a "restyling" these days. It's great for it's reasonable price.

 

[Smok3_WCS]

The Phanteks P600S case would fit your needs nicely. I quite enjoyed building in it and the air flow is pretty impressive for keeping those temps down.