Time for a bigger case, but what one?...

EsaT · 12 Jun 2008 at 09:57

Diggsy said:
So, with this in mind, i've now set my eye to the Silverstone Temjin TJ07B, which really is a HUGE case, and from what I can see it has everything I could ever need in a case and then some.

Hard HDD mounting and HDD chamber has huge direct noise escape path so not good for quietness.
And while full motherboard tray is really nice thing (vs. removable motherboard's backplate) airflow design of upper compartment leaves lot to desire, front lacks any intake holes and using rear fans for intake means airflow leaves lot of components without airflow over them.

Lian Li A20 and A71 both look good basis for quiet PC, like V1110 and V2110. (too bad that exhaust fan for expansion cards doesn't come with later)
Coming newer A7x10 versions of A70/71 lack soft mounting so they're not as good from noise perspective.

Coolermaster Cosmos (RC-1000) is also one decently quiet design case if you don't have need for more than couple HDDs. (it has problems in cooling many of them)
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/CoolerMaster/Cosmos/3.html
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/CoolerMaster_Cosmos_1000/index2.shtml

C64 said:
Spending that much money on a case is simply a waste of money

And putting five hundred to thousand bucks to two graphic cards which get old in year or two isn't waste?
(of also electricity and natural resources)
Compared to that and most PC components quality case is exceptionally good long term investment.

Diggsy · 12 Jun 2008 at 10:34

EsaT said:
Hard HDD mounting and HDD chamber has huge direct noise escape path so not good for quietness.
And while full motherboard tray is really nice thing (vs. removable motherboard's backplate) airflow design of upper compartment leaves lot to desire, front lacks any intake holes and using rear fans for intake means airflow leaves lot of components without airflow over them.

Lian Li A20 and A71 both look good basis for quiet PC, like V1110 and V2110. (too bad that exhaust fan for expansion cards doesn't come with later)
Coming newer A7x10 versions of A70/71 lack soft mounting so they're not as good from noise perspective.

Thanks again for that.

I'm not so bothered about the front intake part, as I have 2 Kama Bays. 1 is installed and the other lying in a box at the moment, so that outta take care of the front intake.

Heat exhaust should be superb in this case. What with 2x 120's in the roof and 2x 92's at the rear. All placed perfectly to remove the heat from the CPU and other components.

From a noise perspective, I find the Kama Bays very quiet indeed, especially if the dust filters are used.

I also intend to replace all the stock 120mm fans, likely with Noctua NF-P12's to further improve performance/noise levels.

As you say, the one thing that does worry me slightly about the TJ07 is the potential for noise from the HDD's. However, given that the case will be sitting on the floor beneath my desk, I don't really see it being a big issue.

Also, I use Spinpoints which are very quiet to begin with, and if I position them in the farthest back bay, then that should help too. Worst case scenario, they could always be moved up into the 5.25 bays and bungee'd

Diggsy · 12 Jun 2008 at 10:42

EsaT said:
Coolermaster Cosmos (RC-1000) is also one decently quiet design case if you don't have need for more than couple HDDs. (it has problems in cooling many of them)
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/CoolerMaster/Cosmos/3.html
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/CoolerMaster_Cosmos_1000/index2.shtml

You know, I did also look at the Cosmos RC1100, but not the 1000. It fits the bill pretty well.

What does annoy me about it, and a lot of other large cases too, is why on earth is there only 5 drive bays?? My current case has 4 5.25's and 2 3.25's, and it's by no means a large case.

I find 5 bays is a little restrictive tbh. Especially when I still like to have a floppy drive installed, a fan controller, a Kama Bay, and a DVDRW. I would have to lose one of these, which i'd rather not do.

EsaT · 12 Jun 2008 at 11:13

Diggsy said:
why on earth is there only 5 drive bays?? My current case has 4 5.25's and 2 3.25's, and it's by no means a large case.

That's the difference, racks for many HDDs take away space from 5.25" bays and if you want good space for cooling airflow one HDD requires nearly as high vertical space as 5.25" device...
Really annoying when you can't have perfect case fitting to every situation.

(if I wouldn't be looking for clearly quieter case I might get Lian Li A77 for replacing Stacker)

still like to have a floppy drive installed

Damned stone age installer of XP, ehh?
(considering lack of other use for it portable USB floppy drive would be best)

Also, I use Spinpoints which are very quiet to begin with

While Spinpoints have been one of the quietest HDs for many years in noise bigger capacity Spinpoints have also had some of the worst vibration levels in SPCR's reviews.
New F1 models seem to be quite good, but can't compete against 5400rpm WD GP. (which actually wins Seagates in many tests despite of lower rotation speed)

Diggsy · 12 Jun 2008 at 11:35

EsaT said:
That's the difference, racks for many HDDs take away space from 5.25" bays and if you want good space for cooling airflow one HDD requires nearly as high vertical space as 5.25" device...
Really annoying when you can't have perfect case fitting to every situation.
(if I wouldn't be looking for clearly quieter case I might get Lian Li A77 for replacing Stacker)

Damned stone age installer of XP, ehh?
(considering lack of other use for it portable USB floppy drive would be best)
While Spinpoints have been one of the quietest HDs for many years in noise bigger capacity Spinpoints have also had some of the worst vibration levels in SPCR's reviews.
New F1 models seem to be quite good, but can't compete against 5400rpm WD GP. (which actually wins Seagates in many tests despite of lower rotation speed)

That's another very nice case too.

Oh, and yes i'm a stone age XP man alright

I also refuse to flash a bios with anything other than floppy. And I just feel better knowing it's cabled direct to the board. Anal I know, but there you go

Regarding the Spinpoints, I have a 160gb and 2x 250gb's. The 250's definately rattle more than the 160, but when installed near the bottom of the case, they are by no means intrusive. I have been seriously considering a change to the newer WD's though.

EsaT · 12 Jun 2008 at 13:21

Diggsy said:
That's another very nice case too.

Oh, and yes i'm a stone age XP man alright I also refuse to flash a bios with anything other than floppy.

And has also soft mounting of HDDs and definitely excellent cooling capability.

Looks like we have to keep XP also over Vista's successor...
Despite of earlier advertising that Windows Seven will have new lean microkernel it seems to be going to be just more crap bolted onto top of megalith pretending to be OS called Vista. (which doesn't even ask anything about what components/parts you want to install)
As far as BIOS updating I think most motherboards should be able to update it directly from USB memory. (floppies are neither very reliable)

But you might want to check nLite, it can integrate drivers, updates and such to installation CD...
And also remove useless components and parts of Windows! (TweakXP can do it after installation but why to install them at first place)
http://www.nliteos.com/nlite.html

C64 · 12 Jun 2008 at 18:30

EsaT said:
And putting five hundred to thousand bucks to two graphic cards which get old in year or two isn't waste?
(of also electricity and natural resources)
Compared to that and most PC components quality case is exceptionally good long term investment.

Yes but you sell on and change your cards and components it's not like you buy a gpu and keep it or bin it when you upgrade.
By all means spend £250 on a case but you wont get any better performance over sub £100 cases you will get better looks though.
If spending £250 why not get a mountain mods ufo case where you can customize to your preferences

smilertoo · 13 Jun 2008 at 00:59

With the expensive cases your paying for quiet cooling. I really don't understand people who pimp out cases with lamps and leds etc.

Slashiem · 13 Jun 2008 at 01:29

smilertoo said:
With the expensive cases your paying for quiet cooling. I really don't understand people who pimp out cases with lamps and leds etc.

Ahhh damn i was under the impression of they make your pc go faster, like speed holes in my cars bonnet. :confused:

~Slash

pingwing · 13 Jun 2008 at 01:57

hehe speed holes.....
Maybe i should get some in the old flandersmobile.....

I do think a case is for life, not just for christmas but £250 for a cae is just ott (yeah might be a cheapscate but you know you could get a case for £12 and mount it in a cupboard or somethign and then spend the rest on drink or taking a nice girl out...) *shuffels about like if done something dirty*

Diggsy · 13 Jun 2008 at 09:50

Thanks again guys. This quickly turned into a '...wow don't spend that much blah bah...

So, let's ignore the prices for now, what would you recommend?

I don't like those MM cases, or any of the other double width ones either tbh.

RoEy · 13 Jun 2008 at 13:04

Diggsy said:
Thanks again guys for all the comments and advice.

So, with this in mind, i've now set my eye to the Silverstone Temjin TJ07B, which really is a HUGE case, and from what I can see it has everything I could ever need in a case and then some. Even has room for internal watercooling, should I ever change my mind about that.

But, and it's a big BUT - the price, £250!!!

Question is, is it worth it?

Hi Diggsy,

Send me an email mate - [email protected]

I have lots of good photos with what people have done with this case.

RoEy