Silence - antec/fractal or others?

Curunen

Curunen

Curunen

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As much as I like the idea of smaller, more portable machinces, I have to concede that small size and silence don't really go and in hand - especially with mid range performance components. At the moment matx offers (more than) what I need, and although it's possible for me to switch to an itx build for simplicity, for such small cases there have to necessarily be a lot of perforations and compromises on the silent aspect. So in the past 18 months I've used the silverstone SG03, SG04, and currently FT03, with the reasons for changing case being for ease of maintainence, accessibility and sound damping features. But now I've decided there's no real need for portability (never leaves the desk), so not really any need to cram components into a smaller case.

The two key features I want in a case are:
1. Invisibility - not literally of course, although that would be pretty weird! :p
2. Inaudibility
[Along with that I could say lack of smell, but that's not really an issue with metal/plastic :D]

Of course, small size, low price, ease of access for maintainence, and low weight are welcome (and preferred), but not if it compromises those two features. And for the first time in 5 cases (TJ07 and SG01 before that), I'm looking for a change from Silverstone!

I'd rather have a sealed front, and maybe a door (no mesh/grilles for air intake), and same for the sides, so please don't suggest anything with unnecessary fan mounts/airflow pathways. Specs are in signature, and even when I do upgrade it will still be midrange stuff.

The two that have caught my eye are the antec mini p180 (which I considered in the past, but ruled it out because I needed a more portable system), and the soon to be released fractal define mini (release date?), but I'm open to suggestions.

Now if the define mini might not be available until july/august, then I might consider something larger like the R3, although I would never use all the space.

Price - I'm looking at under £100, although willing to stretch if there is something that little extra special.
Also lighter weight would be nice - not for any particular reason, other than I don't want something so bulky.

Any other cases I should look at?
:)
 
If its on you desk, why does it have to be so small? You said about the R3 and that would be a good choice, alternatively there is the CM Silencio 550, Lian Li PC-Z60 or a PC-10.

Evoss
 
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^No reason I guess. Only because I'd never use up the space, seeing as I am content with mid range, single gpu and matx.
R3 is an option, and I did mention it. But looking to see if there is anything besides antec P series or fractal cases.
 
I've never owned a lian li case (been a silverstone fan! :p), and also concerned that there would be more possibility for vibration due to the thin aluminium in most of their cases?

Coolermaster I have no experience with, so not sure which models to look at.
:)
 
Curunen said:
FT03
Click to expand...
Stick with this and use a fanless heatsink? The airflow is very clean (probably as good as it gets for µATX) and you don't really need to use all the fans, none at all for some systems. If one or two fans are absolutely essential then you can use an intelligent fan controller to only start the fans under moderate and high system load (semi-passive)

Demo of FT03 fanless config:


Curunen said:
antec mini p180
Click to expand...
This was never really a quiet case in the way the full size P180 was. Ancient history now, much better µATX alternatives available.

Curunen said:
fractal define mini
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This might be a possibility, but the traditional layout may require audible fans, though I think it would be OK with a good fan controller so that you can run semi-passive.

Fractal Design's other µATX, the Arc Mini might be open enough to run fanless?

Curunen said:
Any other cases I should look at?
Click to expand...
I don't know if the Antec P180-P183 were ever bettered for sound damping, now the P280 has been announced. In systems where you have to have stronger forced airflow the Silverstone RV02, FT02, and RV03 are difficult to beat: http://www.silentpcreview.com/section9.html. Of course all of these are full size and bulky, but it's difficult to replicate with a smaller case, inevitably the smaller closed space gets hotter faster and then the fans have to be faster and louder to compensate...

To keep it small, another option would be one of the open air cases from Lian Li e.g. PC-Q06 or T1 http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product04.php?cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=64
 
Hmm, interesting stuff there.
I'd never considered the possibility a semi-passive setup in the ft03. But what bothers me are loads of small issues which I won't cover here, and the novelty has certainly worn off. The fact that it is not especially portable (unlike the sugos) makes me think what is the point - I may as well get something larger and treat it as a piece of furniture. As such there is the desire for something very clean and sealed off, which is what prompted me to look at fractal's stuff in particular.

Although I love the look of the RV02 (especially white), I don't think I would like to own one; same goes for the RV03. And FT02 is just way more than I'm willing to spend.

I've thought of using test benches for minimalism, but prefer something completely enclosed.

One thing I haven't considered is corsair's cases - they seem to get rave reviews.
 
Curunen said:
I'd never considered the possibility a semi-passive setup in the ft03...
...what bothers me are loads of small issues which I won't cover here...
Click to expand...
I had high hopes that this would be the basis for my next build, now I'm hoping Silverstone build a new revision soon to resolve the annoyances that stop the case being great. I've been considering using the RV03 instead, but it's not pretty and I don't need ATX either.

That said I think the vertical airflow arrangement is optimal, great for low noise and passive operation. I wish other brands would use it (I don't think there can be patents for this as the idea was around before the RV01 appeared)


Curunen said:
...One thing I haven't considered is corsair's cases - they seem to get rave reviews.
Click to expand...
I really like the look of the 650D (600T is same layout) but it's not got the airflow performance of best rivals, or the damping of the Antec cases. I do think Corsair have some great cases, but they're not really for the very low noise/silent users. You've also got the size compromise issue with Corsair.
 
Ok, so the two options I'm considering at the moment are:
1. Get a fractal R3 now (grey or white? ;)).
2. Wait for the define mini, which could be anything up to august. I have sent fractal an email today regarding this, so will wait for a response before making a move.

I think those two cases fit in best with what I'm looking for (I really like the minimalist box look - fits in nicely with the furnishings), and the price is fantastic.
Only concern is lack of removability of hard drive bays, for better airflow - is this really an issue?


Edit: Yeah, looking at the corsair cases - I dunno the 650D has a window, and is huge. The 600T can come with a closed side, but I'm not keen on the amount of holes in the front/top etc...
Shame because the internal layouts are better than most, but external just doesn't do it for me.

Edit 2:
Icm76 said:
I had high hopes that this would be the basis for my next build, now I'm hoping Silverstone build a new revision soon to resolve the annoyances that stop the case being great.
Click to expand...
Agreed, but I'm not prepared to wait until what will most likely be next year at the earliest, for a revised chassis.
 
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Apem said:
The 650D is exactly the same size as the 600T the chassis are the same just diffrent outside.
Click to expand...
Good to know. It's hard to tell from the exterior! :D


New info. I've just found the define mini available for preorder at a competitor, with expected arrival this week - probably not accurate, but nonetheless it certainly hints at availability this month and I might hold off for it.
 
If you PC is going to sit at home, don't judge a case by its size. If its wasted space then its not really a problem, just more room to expand in the future.
 
^Very good point and something I'm finding hard to let go of, considering I had the need for a portable machine for university, but not so much any more.
 
Right, I would go for a fractal R3, but for me using a matx board, and when I do upgrade I'd want to have front usb 3 ports (which that case doesn't have), so no point me getting that case for the sake of future expansion.
Although the define mini is smaller, it does have a few better features than the R3.

But one thing that puts me off is the number of reports I've read of the quality of these fractal cases - thin top panel, flimsy plastic, fit and finish being not so great... a bit concerning. Is this something to take into account, or is it the exception?

I know the mini p180 is a bit dated, but some of its features are very appealing. Unfortunately I imagined it would be available for a nice low price (around £50-60), but seems to be at least £90 everywhere I look. A slight turn off.
 
I have only heard praises about Fractal.

Going back to future upgrades, I dont think we have talked much about the Fractal Arc Midi Tower. It is USB 3.0 so would suit you for future upgrades. YouTube videos of it are stating very good quality.

CA-014-FD_200.jpg

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-014-FD&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=1556

Evoss
 
^Ah, although the arc looks unbelievably good, I'd prefer something with a sealed top/sides and a front door, which is what's making me look at:
- Define R3
- Define Mini
- Mini P180
as the top choices.

I've had a look at that coolermaster silencio, but apparrently the foam on the sides is so thick it can interfere with cable management (right side) and the cpu heatsink (left side).
Then there are the many lian li cases, but I'm not keen on too many of them.

But between those three, I'm having a hard time deciding which one.

One concern is with the bottom mounted psu and the soundcard being in the slot just above it - not sure if the psu casing will get hot enough to cause warm air to rise onto the soundcard? That's one thing nice about the p180 mini with the separate compartments.

Looking to buy today, and at the moment I'm hovering towards the define mini as being most suitable, but becuse they're all similar in price (even the XL), I could go any way...
 
I know I said it before, but the Mini P180 is dated and somewhat inferior by current standards, I would strike it from the short list immediately:

Note that the separate compartment is no longer relevant, even Antec's reps have explicitly said so when talking about their new P280. The compartments aren't necessary with contemporary PSUs, the floor mounted intake vents (directly under the PSU) and the improvements in cable management features.
 
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