Case Noise

[patfactorx]

I am running a Gateway DX that is pretty much completely silent. I dropped in a GTX 460 and it already has an AMD Phenom II x6. The stock case has no vents which I think is the reason why it is so quiet.

If I built a new system with the same components but with a case that has a case fan, is it almost guaranteed to be much louder?

 

[tsnor]

"..same components but with a case that has a case fan, is it almost guaranteed to be much louder?"

No, there are tons of low noise components. Best place to ask is in a HTPC home theater pc forum. They know which fans move lots of air at low rpm with little/no noise, cases with acoustic material inside to reduce noise, etc. Use google.

re: "The stock case has no vents" The photos here seem to show a DX with side panel vents and a rear fan as well as the power supply fan... ??? http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageGallery.aspx?CurImage=83-113-149-TS&ISList=83-113-149-Z01%2c83-113-149-Z02%2c83-113-149-Z03%2c83-113-149-Z04%2c83-113-149-Z05%2c83-113-149-Z06%2c83-113-149-Z07%2c83-113-149-Z08%2c83-113-149-Z09%2c83-113-149-Z10&S7ImageFlag=1&Item=N82E16883113149&Depa=0&WaterMark=1&Description=Gateway%20DX%20Series%20DX4320-39%20Desktop%20PC%20Phenom%20II%20X4%20820%282.8GHz%29%206GB%20DDR3%201TB%20HDD%20Capacity%20ATI%20Radeon%20HD%204250%20Windows%207%20Home%20Premium%2064-bit

You can use a simple temp monitoring program like GPU-Z or realtemp to tell you how hot you are running. GTX460 is like 150 watts, with most of the heat being dumped outside the case through the exhaust grill on the card ? If you are not overheating and are happy with your case then you are all set.

p.s. at a guess the rear fan is temp controlled, and if it's quiet then the system thinks it is cool enough...

 

[patfactorx]

Best answer selected by patfactorx.