Looking for a quiet case.

madteamkiller · 1 Jul 2011 at 22:20

Hello and welcome to my humble thread. I am seeking a new case for my system that will hopefuly be "sound proof" as much as possible. I've got a H50 for my CPU to help keep things cool. My main problem is with my HD 5870 fans going berserk under load and causing too much noise. So what are the best solutions to make my computer as quiet as possible?

£200 budget, go!

Thanks

hawker1986 · 1 Jul 2011 at 23:09

Silverstone FT02 and a custom cooler for your GPU, that said my 5870 isnt disturbing in the FT02 to start with.

Hawker

stulid · 2 Jul 2011 at 01:05

As above, FT02.

lrlcr · 2 Jul 2011 at 01:08

Get a fractal design case and pray it arrives in one piece. Very very quiet, but poor packaging...

Personally I'd just watercool the lot and be done with it, but your budget isn't really sufficient.

d_brennen · 2 Jul 2011 at 01:12

madteamkiller said:
Hello and welcome to my humble thread. I am seeking a new case for my system that will hopefuly be "sound proof" as much as possible. I've got a H50 for my CPU to help keep things cool. My main problem is with my HD 5870 fans going berserk under load and causing too much noise. So what are the best solutions to make my computer as quiet as possible?

£200 budget, go!

Thanks

Crazy idea: do you have another room next to where you use your PC that you wouldn't mind putting a noisy PC? I've been toying with the idea of knocking a hole in the wall and running USB extenders, audio and DVI cables though... PC can be as noisy as it likes in the spare room then

Reldar · 2 Jul 2011 at 03:35

£200?

Like others have said, SilverStone FT02.

Aberfala · 2 Jul 2011 at 08:24

Yep, as others said before if you've got the money then the FT02 is the way to go.

Inkblot · 2 Jul 2011 at 16:17

Quick question about the FT02 with a H50/H70 or similar: I believe that the recommendation for these CPU coolers is to use them as an intake pulling air into the case. In the FT02 the only suitable mounting appears to be the top exhaust fan - so do you cool your radiator with already warm air that's on it's way out of the case or do you use the top fan as an intake and spoil the airflow? Neither seems ideal although it may be that it makes little difference.

Sorry for the mini-hijack

madteamkiller · 2 Jul 2011 at 22:49

I've checked the listed retailers for the FT02 and it seems not many sell the case with out the side window. I'm thinking the window won't help but I'm not really bothered if it doesn't make a difference, does it?

Inkblot · 3 Jul 2011 at 07:04

I managed to find it without the window (Not bought it yet but hoping to at some point). Can't say where although as it's not something sold by OCUK any longer the rules may be different? Did you look at the authorised dealers list on the Silverstone website?

Aberfala · 3 Jul 2011 at 08:55

madteamkiller said:
I've checked the listed retailers for the FT02 and it seems not many sell the case with out the side window. I'm thinking the window won't help but I'm not really bothered if it doesn't make a difference, does it?

I got the one without the side window so can't advise if the window affects noise levels. I presume it must do though to some degree as with the window of course it's got less insulation on the inside of the side panel.

It's not hard to find a windowless one online, just a shame OCUK don't have it

Tealc · 3 Jul 2011 at 10:15

A good case will help a little but nothing will stop the stock blower fans on graphics cards making a loud noise.

If you are happy with the stock H50 noise then just invest some cash in an aftermarket cooler for your graphics card, one that might be good for future card purchases would be the best option.

What case do you have now? I found that having a sound deadening case works but not at the sort of level I'd like, after all there are always holes for fans to sit in that let noise out.

madteamkiller · 3 Jul 2011 at 18:09

My current case is some old brand from many years ago, 'ebox' is the only written branding I can find on the case and google returns no results that look like my case.

stulid · 3 Jul 2011 at 18:14

Sounds naff, buy the FT02, the window will be fitted well and will be a quality material used so should remain quiet.

KiiYzOo · 3 Jul 2011 at 18:18

if your not wanting a window then definitely get the silver ft02 that you can get from the place that has the name of something that happens at the checkout for £167!!

madteamkiller · 3 Jul 2011 at 18:32

Ordered 1 FT02, should arrive Tuesday.

Thank you all for your input. I appreciate it.

stulid · 3 Jul 2011 at 18:51

You cant leave it at that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Black or Silver? with or without the window?

Or is it a surprise with pics to follow

madteamkiller · 3 Jul 2011 at 19:22

Black with no windows. I would have it no other way. As for pics, I will do my best to get some up on the same day it arrives.

madteamkiller · 5 Jul 2011 at 19:55

Hey everyone. Letting you all know that I got my case today and it was... bigger than expected.

It took 3 hours of extracting everything from my old case and into my new one, with 2 problems accuring. The H-50 is incompatable with the case, so as of right now it's just a heatsink cooling my CPU, but slightly compensated for by the fact it's resting on a fan (I checked temps and they are in 20-30's). The second is that I'm having trouble getting SATA power cables to reach my HDD and SSD even when using the cable tidys. Probably because my power pack is a cheap one.

As for the case itself. It is pure sex, it has lots of space, the motherboard rotated 90 degrees meens no more having to reach down the back of the tower. It came delivered in perfect condition and seems very well built compared to my old case. Seing as it's my second case I can't really compare it to anything as it blows my old one out of the water. And most of all, it seems quiet although it has 5 fans. If I buy a compatible CPU fan I should be able to turn off 4 of the fans which should make a big difference to the sound levels.

You'll get your pics, don't worry. I just need to sort out the CPU fan first.

rikky · 5 Jul 2011 at 20:15

madteamkiller said:
Hey everyone. Letting you all know that I got my case today and it was... bigger than expected. It took 3 hours of extracting everything from my old case and into my new one, with 2 problems accuring. The H-50 is incompatable with the case, so as of right now it's just a heatsink cooling my CPU, but slightly compensated for by the fact it's resting on a fan (I checked temps and they are in 20-30's). The second is that I'm having trouble getting SATA power cables to reach my HDD and SSD even when using the cable tidys. Probably because my power pack is a cheap one.

As for the case itself. It is pure sex, it has lots of space, the motherboard rotated 90 degrees meens no more having to reach down the back of the tower. It came delivered in perfect condition and seems very well built compared to my old case. Seing as it's my second case I can't really compare it to anything as it blows my old one out of the water. And most of all, it seems quiet although it has 5 fans. If I buy a compatible CPU fan I should be able to turn off 4 of the fans which should make a big difference to the sound levels.

You'll get your pics, don't worry. I just need to sort out the CPU fan first.

Would you not be better simply purchasing a fan controller as I don't think it would be wise turning off fans in such an expensive case - kind of defeats the purpose imho.