Silence - antec/fractal or others?

[Curunen]

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!
2. Inaudibility
[Along with that I could say lack of smell, but that's not really an issue with metal/plastic ]

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?

 

[Curunen]

^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.

 

[Curunen]

I've never owned a lian li case (been a silverstone fan! ), 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]

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]

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:

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.

Agreed, but I'm not prepared to wait until what will most likely be next year at the earliest, for a revised chassis.

 

[Curunen]

The 650D is exactly the same size as the 600T the chassis are the same just diffrent outside.

Good to know. It's hard to tell from the exterior!


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.

 

[Curunen]

^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.

 

[Curunen]

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.

 

[Curunen]

^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...

 

[Curunen]

^Thanks for that, right then p180 off the list!

But as a general question (because I've not yet run a rig with that layout) - is it a problem with the soundcard being sandwiched between the psu and graphics card? I'm guessing no, or negligable (or use an external solution! ), but would like clarification.

------------------------

Edit: Final decision - R3 or mini?
Size difference isn't that much, so not really factoring it into the decision.

R3 pros:
- more colours (I like the white and grey options)
- room for expansion
- FLAT side and top vents

Mini pros:
- fits what I currently have
- usb 3 on front
- removable hard drive cage
- bottom dust filter slides out as one piece

R3 cons:
- no front usb 3
- no removable hard drive cage
- bottom fan filter is screwed in

Mini cons:
- Lack of colour choice (at the moment)
- The top and side vents are raised! (not liking this)
- Less room for airflow around soundcard (not really a con, just me being picky)
- can fit long graphics cards, only if the pci-e x16 slot is the top one (some matx boards might have a x1 slot at the top, which means the card would sit lightly lower and again the bottom hard drive cage would interfere). The thing is I doubt I'd ever buy a top end card (ie 590/6990), mainly staying mid range like GTX460/560. BUT I could conceivably go for something slightly longer (10.5-11 inches), which wouldn't fit in the above scenario (pci-e slot second, bottom hdd cage not removable). The R3 would have no problem with this.

 

[Curunen]

At the moment a gtx 260, although that style of intake is noisy anyway, so planning to change either the cooler or the card at some stage.

I suppose with the R3 the extra room in between cards (considering I use nothing other than sound/graphics cards and a usb3 expansion card) might be beneficial for airflow, even though I have no need for the extra slots on an atx board.

 

[Curunen]

Ooh, I come back in here pretty much decided on the mini, and then you post that!

Well it's pretty much the white R3, or the black mini.

The odd thing is my attention has been mainly caught by the white R3 - I haven't even given a thought to the black one. So I was thinking, if the mini was available in white would I even look at the R3?
Ok, maybe the grey one as well...


Edit: saw this on another forum:

I had sent Fractal Design an email a few days ago asking if they plan to offer an upgrade or retrofit to USB 3.0 for the Define R3 case since it only has USB 2, as the Lian Li PC-9F case that I was looking at (for my upcoming i7/SB build) has USB 3.

Here is their response this morning:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello,

Thank you for your mail, and thank you for interest about our products.
Very soon we will be able to offer USB3.0 upgrade kit for Define R3.
We are now working to find a technical solution for upgrade,
but unfortunately for now I can´t tell you exactly date when upgrade kit will be available on the market.

Best regards
Fractal Design

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I thought they had ignored my email and almost given up.. but at least it's good to know that there is a possible USB 3 retrofit or upgrade in the future.

Well that's one less problem!

 

[Curunen]

Ah, couldn't take it any longer - I've gone for the define mini!

I thought it was most suitable for what I have now, and not to big a deal to change case as well when I upgrade components (it's not a £200 case!) which won't be for a while because they're still flying.

Thanks for all the comments, they've definitely (see what I did there...) helped.

Will try to post some pictures of transfer between ft03 and this case once I receive it and have time to do it.

 

[Curunen]

Just a quick update. Received it this morning, with priority being to check for defects (after what I've read regarding broken fractal cases).
Pleased to say no major problems.

A few small things like the cloth on the side panel damping material was peeled off a bit (maybe due to heat), and the lower pop out door on the front is a little loose (hope it doesn't cause any vibration), but at least no cracked plastic or bent steel!

 

[Curunen]

Thanks.
At least they're only "soft" problems - things I can fix myself (glue on the cloth if necessary; stick some foam or something under the pop out vent).

But being the first non-silverstone case I've owned in 5 cases, it's easy to see the difference in quality.

Having said that, this should be a lot more practical and functional. I like to think of silverstone cases as rough, uncut diamonds; you've got to do the final polish to make them shine.

Anyway, camera battery needs charging - will get back to it.