New quiet PC case on a $120 budget

Hi all,

I'm looking at upgrading my PC case. I'd like something with a larger size fan (120mm I think) rather than the little fans I have now (4 of them and they sound like tornadoes they spin so fast). I've heard the larger fans spin more slowly and thus produce less noise.

I don't want a case with a PSU (have one) though if it included the fan(s) that would be a bonus. It's an ATX size motherboard (Gigabyte GA-EP35C-DS3R and an ATI 4870 graphics card if it makes a difference).

My budget is $120.00 AU.

Obviously it'd be good if it had some usb outputs, practical stuff, etc. at the front but that's not a deal breaker.

I don't need (want) anything with lights, that flashes or is in any other way for show.

Many thanks,

David

 

Instead of trashing the case, you might consider installing quieter fans. Zalman and SilenX offer models with a significantly lower decibel rating than standard fans. Pay attention to the airflow rating versus your current fans, though. If your system temps are in the low to normal range now, you should be OK. If the CPU and other internal temps are currently on the high side, a bigger case is likely the better choice.

Based on US pricing, you should be able to get four quiet fans at about $12-$15 each (US Dollars, depending on size). Not sure of the currency exchange rates, but this should give a basic idea. This would be about half the cost of a new case and save time instead of transferring everything to a new case.

If you go with a new case, check reviews carefully. Even a case with acoustic deadening materials (such as select Antec Sonata models) will not deaden the sound of air rushing out of the case.

 

What do you use your computer for? If only surfing the net, email, and office and school works, and maybe watch an occasional movie, then I agree, replacing your current 80mm fans with quiet fans may be all you need to do. But note these fans typically achieve this less noise by turning at a lower RPM - thus reducing the CFM, and cooling effectiveness. Larger fans are not just quieter, they move massive amounts of air at the same time.

Do not disregard a case just because it includes a PSU. Many PSUs are bundled in just to make the case sale. I have bought many cases only to toss the PSU into the spares bin. If nothing else, it is nice to have a spare handy for testing fans, or in case your PSU fails.

I agree 100% Fancy facades go out of style, and flashing lights do nothing for performance, consume power, add heat, and do nothing for performance (worth repeating!). I want a case to sit quietly and discreetly out the way and not draw attention to itself. After all, I am paying attention to what's on my monitors, and not watching pretty lights on the case. A side panel window, while often for show, makes monthly inspections for dust buildup easier.

And speaking of dust, I will never buy another case that does not have a removable, washable air filter. They make a huge difference in the number of times I have to lug my systems outside to blast the dust and dog hair out.

The Antec P183, while slightly over your budget, is a great case. It comes with 2 120mm fans, but supports up to 3 more. The Antec Three Hundred is hugely popular, and also comes with 2 120mm fans, with support for 3 more, and has washable filters too. And it is much more affordable.

I have used the Antec Sonata for many builds and while it is true if the fans are spinning full speed, you can hear the air movement. But, that's the way with all cases. The fans that come with the Sonata are very quiet fans so you really have to be on top of the case to hear them. But the Sonata only supports two 120mm fans, one front and one back, which may not provide enough air flow if you do serious 3D animated gaming and have to move out excessive amounts of heat. But the Sonatas are great cases for the non-gamer.

Slide out motherboard tray are nice, but if you are not swapping out motherboards frequently, you don't need it. Wider cases often allow you to route cables behind the motherboard. This not only looks tidier, but the cables are out of the way of the air flow.

Another thing to pay attention to is the location of the power and reset buttons, and USB and headphone jacks, and consider that in relation to where you sit and where you will locate your computer. Some cases put them at the bottom. That's no good for me and other people who put their cases on, or near the floor. So for me, I would have to get down on my hands and knees to see what I am doing. And when pushing 60, that's not something I want to be doing - at least when it is not fun. If you locate your case on your desk, then bottom located buttons and jacks may be perfect for you. Other cases (like the Antec 900) put them on the top of the case and recessed back a few inches. That also does not work for me because my case sits in a slot in my desk and so I could not see the jack labels as the desktop would be in the way.

I note today's exchange rate is almost 1:1 with $120AUD = $118.63USD.

 

[QUOTE='Digerati]But note these fans typically achieve this less noise by turning at a lower RPM - thus reducing the CFM, and cooling effectiveness. Larger fans are not just quieter, they move massive amounts of air at the same time.[/QUOTE]

Let's not confuse the poster here, CFM could be equal between a high RPM small fan and a lower RPM large fan and less noise.

I assume that you can't fit 120mm or larger fans in your case, so in view of that, take a look at this CoolerMaster 690 II case, it has all you want plus more. It includes a pair of 19dBA 140mm fans and a 120mm plus space for an optional 7 more fans! Beside it has toolless mounts for graphics card, optical drives and HDD's plus the side mounted HDD cage makes for easy installation and the open back makes for excellent cable management for good air flow. Mind you, my case is the older brother to the linked one but works great! Here's what it looked like before(the top one) and after. Still needs some work.





http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9501/mlna0026.jpg

 

There are many fine cases from Antec, Cooler Master and other vendors. As Digerati stated, the actual case dimensions and layout of the USB/eSATA ports are an important consideration based on where the PC will be located.

If you choose a case that doesn't come with removable, washable filters, aftermarket external intake filters are available made by Cables Unlimited (and possibly other mfrs.) that fit most common fan sizes (80, 92 and 120mm; about $4-$5 USD each).

I have filters on my PCs. Just be sure to clean them on a regular basis (at least every few months) so the dirt they catch doesn't impede the airflow.

As for cleaning the inside of a PC, I hate using compressed air (cough, cough). If you have a Shop Vac, Lowe's sells an adapter and set of precision cleaning attachments for around $12 (not sure if Lowe's has stores "down under"; you should also be able to find this at most home improvement superstores or on ebay). Unlike some of the cheap PC vacs out there, these tools mounted on a Shop Vac actually have the suction power to do serious dust removal.

 

My bad. I was also looking at a post from someone in Australia and got my wires crossed. :heli

 

Lowe's, in OZ, is a clothing chain of stores. :-D

A link from Wikipedia might help. Scroll down a bit.
"Common noise reduction methods"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quiet_PC

Or a search on desktop silencing gives lots of links

Bazza

 

Actually, I was pretty clear. It is you who have now confused the facts by taking my comment out of context and introducing this comment about different size fans. If you notice, I was responding to gman's comment of replacing the existing 80mm fans in Kendrite's existing case with quieter fans. So I say again, with my whole comment, "I agree, replacing your current 80mm fans with quiet fans may be all you need to do. But note these fans typically achieve this less noise by turning at a lower RPM - thus reducing the CFM, and cooling effectiveness."

Compressed air works great, especially if you clean PCs frequently. But you do need to take the computer outdoors. And compressed air, with a properly configured compressor, is actually safer than a vacuum cleaner. Dust particles and air molecules rushing past vacuum nozzles have a tendency to create very high potentials of static electricity in the nozzle. And because you have to get in very close with a vacuum, the static can then discharge through and destroy ESD sensitive devices, such as CPUs, memory modules, and other integrated circuits (ICs). Also, a vacuum just does not have the blasting power of an air compressor at 80psi. This means you may have to use a soft brush too, and again risk ESD damage.

That said, if it raining, I use a vacuum too. But I always wrap my hand around the nozzle with my finger extending past the tip. And I then plant that finger on bare metal to prevent any static build up.

And with either type of forced air (including cans of dusting gas) I use popsicle sticks to hold fans stationary. Even with a vacuum, you can make fans spin faster than designed, and ruin the bearings.

 

Do hardhats and toolbelts count as a "clothing store" here in the States? :-D

 

My apologies, you are correct sir.

 

No problem! Of course it may all be moot as the OP has not returned. Let's hope he is just preoccupied and has not abandoned us.

 

I'm here, I'm here and reading all the feedback.

As mentioned,I could save some money buy changing over the fans. Especially as my current case has room for four fans and I'm only using two (or three?) at the moment. That means I could get four quieter, slower fans to replace the ones I currently have to get a quieter PC.

I must confess though that I do sort of have my heart set on a new case. I'm thinking of a Factual Design Define R3. A little over my price range but I think it looks awesome and have read good things about it.

 

Ah-ha! The truth has been revealed! LOL

You're among friends. I confess I've used the same logic on justifing a major upgrade even when a lower-priced option might have solved the issue.

 

Actually, I have used the excuse, "because I want it" to justify most everything I own!

 

LOL, welcome to the club of 'I want it'!:-D Hey, at least the case will survive well for your future new build which will need lots more cooling.