I had a very very noisy acrylic case before and when I first got my Carbide 500R in my eyes it was basically silent, I was so surprised by how quiet it was. I think my ears are more sensitive to it now though and I was wondering what it would like to be to have a case that is designed more for silence.
I have heard that it sometimes does not matter about the case that much as it depends on what components like the GPU and the fans and such.
Which is wondering if I could get away with using the Phanteks Evolv and having it still be quiet if the fans are quiet. I like the look and layout of the case inside the Evolv which is probably why I kind of want it to work but if there is a better option out there then please let me know so I can take a look at it.
I do not really plan to use a CLC because they are more noisy than traditional air coolers are they not? I do not really want to get into water cooling at the moment, since I am so new to this, maybe one day but I just want to replace my case at the moment.
Please do give me some suggestions of cases to look up that you think would be good.
Wow! A newer member with low post count who knows something! I'd love to discuss this over a pint or three.
Indeed, while a good case is important, the sound signature and level of components including fans makes the most difference. Grills are also a contributing factor.
I'm using an Evolv ATX and like it a lot. I am experimenting with spacing the front out 6-10mm to improve intake airflow area in hopes it will lower temps, and it does help, but not as much as I had hoped. Basically it shows the stock venting is not as bad as it looks. I am getting 3-6c better temps with the spacing.
Enthoo Pro & Enthoo Luxe cases are good. If silence is really important, the Define R5 is probably a little better, but it's fans would need to be changed.
I look at little things, like being able to clean filters without moving case from where it lives ( usually with it's back toward a wall .. and often under a desk). Bpth Enthoo Pro and Enthoo Luxe have 2x bottom filters, but taping them together with a few mm between them makes them into a single filter that slides out the front , same as Define R5. Evolv requires moving case out to pull filter out the back.
That is only a short list of cases I know are very good at reasonable prices. There are more I can suggest, like Define R4, Arc Midi, Enthoo Primo (much bigger), etc.
Like you my experiences with CLCs have not been good. Between marginal quality, loud fans and not uncommon pump failures making it necessary to have a backup cooler handy I avoid them like the plague I believe they are.
Good air cooling systems for CPU are common, and there are some quiet GPUs too, just not as well designed. While tower CPU coolers draw cool air from front and expel heated air back toward rear vent, I know of no quiet GPU coolers using this simple concept of intake and exhaust separation. Instead they all dump their heated exhaust every direct into all areas of case. But we can overcome most of these problems with cases that have venting over their entire back area, like one listed.
I can't remember how many posts you need before you can setup your 'trust' (1st button, bottom right) and be able to send me private messages.
