Case upgrade or new fans?

Hanga · 17 Oct 2020 at 15:57

Hi.

I have the Fractal Design R5 white (windowed) with the stock fans (1 front 1 back).

I am considering upgrading to a new case. Mostly because I would like a full glass side panel, which of course requires a new case, but also because I think the airflow could be better.

Silence is important to me however, so I guess my question is what road to go down.

1) New fans - are there options where i can increase airflow without sacrificing noise level?
2) New case - is there a much better case out there? A white one in a stylish design with glass panel and the right balance between airflow and noise ?

I don't have a max budget as such, but would prefer to stay under £200.

Thank you and enjoy the rest of your weekend

chaparral · 17 Oct 2020 at 16:14

Hanga said:
I am considering upgrading to a new case. Mostly because I would like a full glass side panel, which of course requires a new case, but also because I think the airflow could be better.

Do you know you can buy this for £27
https://www.fractal-design.com/products/accessories/define-r5-tempered-glass-side-panel/black/

Sorry my mistake

it looks like they only sell a black version (no white ones)

Hanga · 17 Oct 2020 at 16:30

chaparral said:
Do you know you can buy this for £27
https://www.fractal-design.com/products/accessories/define-r5-tempered-glass-side-panel/black/

Sorry my mistake it looks like they only sell a black version (no white ones)

Did not know that, thanks. Shame it is not made in white.

Hanga · 18 Oct 2020 at 08:51

If I choose to buy fans - are there much better fans ourt here (airflow to noise ratio) or should I just get another FD GP-14 as the second intake?

Pocket10s · 19 Oct 2020 at 21:22

Noctua is the obvious choice - check out their website for which model you should get for case fans. People mention the Artic P14 but I've never used them personally. The are a heck of a lot cheaper - not sure if they are only optimised for radiator cooling.

I just wanted to mention, there aren't that many cases really better than the Fractal in airflow (I mean, meaningful difference, like going from a H510 to a Meshify C). To have a quiet setup, I would isolate the sound first: What is making the most noise? In most cases, it's the GPU. Can you deshroud and stick some 120mms on there?

jsbombjack · 20 Oct 2020 at 12:20

Or increase the airflow to it using decent fans. I found adding decent fans that shifted a reasonable amount of air at low RPMs meant my GPU fans didn't spool up anywhere near as much. Thus reducing the noise from the GPU. Between that and repasting the GPU noise gets managed quite easily

Hanga · 21 Oct 2020 at 10:14

Pocket10s said:
Noctua is the obvious choice - check out their website for which model you should get for case fans. People mention the Artic P14 but I've never used them personally. The are a heck of a lot cheaper - not sure if they are only optimised for radiator cooling.

I just wanted to mention, there aren't that many cases really better than the Fractal in airflow (I mean, meaningful difference, like going from a H510 to a Meshify C). To have a quiet setup, I would isolate the sound first: What is making the most noise? In most cases, it's the GPU. Can you deshroud and stick some 120mms on there?

Noctua is the obvious choise yes - but also expensive and I will only go that way if I can get them in black/white.

I have seen the NF-A12x25 get amazing reviews. Does the A14 Chromax PWM deliver the same performance?

mickyflinn · 21 Oct 2020 at 10:30

Hanga said:
Noctua is the obvious choise yes - but also expensive and I will only go that way if I can get them in black/white.

I have seen the NF-A12x25 get amazing reviews. Does the A14 Chromax PWM deliver the same performance?

Your over thinking this just add 3 arctic pww fans 2 as intake and 1 exhast and you have at least doubled your airflow at a reasonable cost . You can set fan speed if to noisey.