Fractal Design Define R5, window or no window?

[CaptainCalm]

Due me deciding to use my current case (Zalman HD160 Plus) and CPU cooler (Noctua NH-C12P 14SE) in a bid to build a low power silent server machine (after a failed attempt with a Streacom F1C Evo case), my current gaming rig will need a new case and CPU cooler. I don’t like noise, so the case I’m thinking of going for is a Fractal Design Define R5. At the moment, it will sit down the side of the sofa (filling the gap between the sofa and wall), but if we move, then it will probably be more on show. The thing is, I’m toying with the idea of eventually going water/liquid cooled, so in some ways, I like the idea of getting the windowed Define R5, if not for show, then at the very least I’ll be able to easily visually check for leaks through the window without having to take the side off. On the other hand, I’m wondering if the window will adversely affect the acoustic dampening properties of the case?

The current spec of my gaming rig is:

Case: Zalman HD160 Plus
CPU: i7 4770k (did overclock it to a stable 4.5GHz, but the airflow is so bad in the Zalman that I put it back to stock)
MB: Gigabyte GA-Z87X-UD3H
Cooler: Noctua NH-C12P 14SE
GPU: MSI 4GB GTX770 Gaming
RAM: 8GB (2x4) Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz CAS 9
Sound: Asus Xonar 7.1
PSU: Seasonic X-750
Storage: 1 SSD, 1 HDD

I’m pretty much ready to press the button on buying the case, but, do I go for the windowed version or non-windowed version? Anyone got any experience on the noise differences between a windowed and non windowed version of the same case? Again, trying to keep things silent, anyone got any good suggestions on the CPU cooler front? I’ve noticed that going silent on custom liquid cooling is pretty expensive and can’t afford to do that at the moment, so I’m thinking the solution is probably another air cooler for now.

 

[hysteria357]

The window will affect sound dampening due to the lack of foam and the window being thinner than metal. If you want the most noise reduction, get it without the window. This is the case with most cases.
While not the R5, my roommate has the define R4 and I have the R4 window, and his is much quieter than mine with similar fan setups.

 

[Saltymoo]

Hi CaptainCalm,

I have infarct used the design Define R5. I built a PC for a friend. In terms of noise it will still maintain to be nice and quirt even with the window. As long as nothing is touching the window you should be fine. You don't want anything torching the window because you do not want to transfer vibration from inside the case to the window because that would make noise. It will be much quieter then that Zalman HD160 case....

Good luck with the build and be sure too add LEDs.

Hope this helps

 

[CaptainCalm]

The window will affect sound dampening due to the lack of foam and the window being thinner than metal. If you want the most noise reduction, get it without the window. This is the case with most cases.
While not the R5, my roommate has the define R4 and I have the R4 window, and his is much quieter than mine with similar fan setups.

That's just the information that I needed thank you very much.

 

[CaptainCalm]

Hi CaptainCalm,

I have infarct used the design Define R5. I built a PC for a friend. In terms of noise it will still maintain to be nice and quirt even with the window. As long as nothing is touching the window you should be fine. You don't want anything torching the window because you do not want to transfer vibration from inside the case to the window because that would make noise. It will be much quieter then that Zalman HD160 case....

Good luck with the build and be sure too add LEDs.

Hope this helps

This is so hard for me, I really want the window, and I would like to add some nice LED's, but I am one for wanting silence. Oh man, if from experience hysteria357 had written that it didn't make that much difference, then I'd have ordered the windowed one, but now I have to weight up what I really want the most, the ultimate in low noise, or something that looks nice (even though I won't notice it down the side of my sofa for the moment).

I think I'm going to have to sleep on this one. 🙁

 

[Saltymoo]

Hi CaptainCalm,

I have infarct used the design Define R5. I built a PC for a friend. In terms of noise it will still maintain to be nice and quirt even with the window. As long as nothing is touching the window you should be fine. You don't want anything torching the window because you do not want to transfer vibration from inside the case to the window because that would make noise. It will be much quieter then that Zalman HD160 case....

Good luck with the build and be sure too add LEDs.

Hope this helps

This is so hard for me, I really want the window, and I would like to add some nice LED's, but I am one for wanting silence. Oh man, if from experience hysteria357 had written that it didn't make that much difference, then I'd have ordered the windowed one, but now I have to weight up what I really want the most, the ultimate in low noise, or something that looks nice (even though I won't notice it down the side of my sofa for the moment).

I think I'm going to have to sleep on this one. 🙁

Okay well good luck with the build anyway. You can always buy a windowed panel and LEDs later if you change you're mind so just go with ya gut.

Hope it goes well.

 

[CaptainCalm]

That's a really good point your comment has helped me make up my mind. I've just ordered the Define R5 without the window (I'll probably buy a windowed panel at a later date). In addition, I ordered a Cooler Master Hyper 412S. Hopefully that will make for a silent machine ... although my GTX770 Twin Frozr might ruin the silence a little.