Quiet case!

[SeeK]

If you take a look at my spec, you may conclude that it generates a lot of noise (mostly the graphics cards, though the H60 stock fan can get a bit breezy). My Centurion 5 case does very little to deal with this.

For this reason, my plan is to get a quieter and more sensibly-designed case and stuff it full of Apaches. The main contenders are Antec P183v3 and P193. I was thinking about the Define R3 and Define XL, but I'm fairly convinced Antec's build quality will be better. I also like that I'd be able to take the top drive rack out to improve the airflow to the graphics cards. My question is, seeing as I've got a Crossfire setup, would a P193 be a no-brainer? Also, how much louder might it be because of the opening on the side, however small it may be?

Thoughts?

 

[de.das.dude]

Can you give a description of how it is cooled? i.e fan positions and flow?
pic would be great.

If you're talking of a rattling sound then have you tried rubber fan mounting kits?

 

[MRCL]

The build quality of Fractal Design cases is very good, but the noise dampening can only be achieved at the cost of limited airflow. So I wouldn't recommend them if you go for absolute silence with high end components. The 5850s are loud, maybe you could change the coolers there (Scythe Musashi is a good choice).

about openings; they can be very small to allow soundwaves to go trough. The P193 was one time on my list, but I ditched it in favor of the Fractal Design Define R2.

 

[SeeK]

Too lazy to get pictures at the moment, might do that next week. Basically, there's an 80mm intake fan at the bottom of the front panel, in the lower drive rack. This is the only intake fan. Then there's the exhaust at the rear, which is also where I've got my H60 mounted. So, the exhaust won't help anything but the CPU and the intake, well... it's the only fan I can hear when idle and it's the only thing feeding the graphics cards with cool air.

And there's really no space/mounts available for additional fans. Could possibly get a 120mm fan in the 5.25" rack somehow, but it'd take a bit of work.

I'm interested in the P193 not only because of its soundproofing features but also because its extensive cooling features should be able to keep my graphics cards from spinning up so much. I'm not really fancying getting new GPU coolers at this point as I know my case is ridiculous.

EDIT: Apparently a lot of people are saying that fitting H60-style rads in the P193 is a no-go due to the side fan. Will have to look into this...

 

[de.das.dude]

you said most of the noise is resulting from the GPU and CPU fans?

well if you added some fans that provide them more air, it would mean that the GPU fan would spin quietly and hence no noise. heck i have 8 fans ATM and i can sleep less than 100cm away from it. and mines a mini tower.

 

[SeeK]

you said most of the noise is resulting from the GPU and CPU fans?

well if you added some fans that provide them more air, it would mean that the GPU fan would spin quietly and hence no noise. heck i have 8 fans ATM and i can sleep less than 100cm away from it. and mines a mini tower.

Indeed I would, but my case simply doesn't allow it, not without extensive modding. I think I'm more into the P183 now - it'll allow me to mount my H60 properly in push-pull configuration and put good fans in the front to let my graphics cards breathe.

Does anyone know if it's possible to mount a 120mm fan in the 5.25" cage on a P183?

 

[Hotobu]

The fan the better. The blades turn slower move more air and they're quieter. I'd look for something that gives me a minimum fan size of 120.

...there's also water cooling.

 

[SeeK]

I've added a 120mm fan to the side of my Centurion 5 - this helped a lot. The graphich card fans, during full load, are now only spinning at around 70-75% as opposed to 90-100% before. Still interested in a new case though, and I've become quite attracted to the Define XL. It's a beast, but the removable drive cage, space for my H60, 140mm mounts and the top 180mm fan design have me quite intrigued. Not very expensive either compared to the Antecs. Only wish they were a big more solid, but having looked at Lian Li I know the price of that...

 

[erixx]

get any case with solid side panels and paste foam on them. have only mesh for 1 input and 1 output fan (good, silent, auto speed by Bios). tape any other openings. (add more fans if necesary.)

 

[TIGR]

To get quiet performance and good cooling I suggest looking at the Silverstone Raven RV03b—if not as a purchase option, then at least because it may give you some good ideas.

I suggest you replace particularly loud components with quieter ones where possible rather than trying to suppress already-present noise.