Quiet vs. Windowed vs. Cool - Can I have it all?

daveyg · 18 Sep 2012 at 08:40

Hi folks,

My current case is an ancient Jeantech Butterfly v2 which was really nice at the time, but I have been getting a lot of PSU failures 3 in 3 years (dumb luck maybe but I want to eliminate a common denominator) and I fee like a change.

My current case has stealthed 5.25 drive bays and I like the clean finish it gives. I'm not a big fan of DVD drives sticking out on the front of someone’s well design case front, especially given how little they get used these days.

That was drawing me towards a quiet case like the Corsair 550d or the Bitfenix Ghost or similar. Thing is none of these have windows and I've always really fancied a window, or at least the option to have one.

So the question is: Is having a quiet case incompatible with a window? Do the windows let too much noise through?

Secondly how good are the quiet cases at cooling? - they nearly all have a closed front and draw air from the sides of the front door.

I guess I want it all: Quite, cool, good looking. Can I have it all?

My budget is up to £150, but would rather nearer a £100 to leave a budget for a few extra fans, bling etc.

Cheers,
Dave.

olivier renault · 18 Sep 2012 at 14:51

sorta. I wish some manufacturer would make a double glazed, dampened panel, with a silicon join going round the cut out to hold the acrylic windows

No rivets, no noise leak, looks cool, and dampened all round.

daveyg · 20 Sep 2012 at 13:58

To answer my own thread I see FD are releasing an R4 withe a window.

What do people think of the R4, it looks pretty nice and may tick most of the boxes above.

King Damager · 20 Sep 2012 at 14:07

R4 would definitely be the best bet. One of the better cases in the silent case market anyway!

kd

Mei · 20 Sep 2012 at 16:04

aslong as they dont put fan holes all over it, will be awesome
they wouldnt be that silly, would they?^^

C64 · 20 Sep 2012 at 17:38

Silverstone raven rv03 cant recommend it enough it's an awesome case

olivier renault · 22 Sep 2012 at 11:35

daveyg said:
To answer my own thread I see FD are releasing an R4 withe a window.

What do people think of the R4, it looks pretty nice and may tick most of the boxes above.

Yes very nice case. Windowed? Do Want.

http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=5&prod=103

Review, in Tom's special style.

Review of one of the direct competitor, the 550D.

Rexton · 22 Sep 2012 at 15:17

Where would I be able to find a window for the R4? I can't find any anywhere

daveyg · 23 Sep 2012 at 07:34

Rexton said:
Where would I be able to find a window for the R4? I can't find any anywhere

I think it has only just been announced so I guess it will take some time to come into the supply chain.

I think the are going to sell the window separately as well so if you already have an R4 you can do a simple upgrade.

The_Baron · 23 Sep 2012 at 08:02

My Silverstone would suit you well

daveyg · 10 Oct 2012 at 19:52

Yes it would alas it is too deep for me by about 100mm, my desk will only take something about 530 deep, I can let a bit poke out, but 616mm is just too much.