Most silent and coolest case

[gamepassion]

A gaming rig, with non OC components like i5-4690, 8gb ram, 2 hdd, one ssd, one optic drive and a msi gtx 560ti 1gb vram twinfrozr II, upgradable soon to gigabyte gtx 970 g1 need a silent and still a cooler case. What would be then the most silent and cooler case, in full load scenario, for around 100 bucks? if needed, please provide advices for extra vents.

 

[Karsten75]

My top picks for silent cases (the only kind I like):

Fractal Design multiple form factors (non-windowed are quieter)
Nanoxia Deep Silence
Aerocool Deep Silence series - particularly like toe Aerocool DS Cube

 

[gamepassion]

Ok, so as of now, I have some options (prices are as best in my area - Romania - and around 25-30% higher than US prices, due to VAT and taxes)

- Fractal design define r4 - 110$
- Fractal design define r5 - 140$
- Nanoxia DS 3 - 95$
- Nanoxia DS 2 - 110$
- Nanoxia DS 1 - 130$
- Aerocool DS 200 - 120$

I have not yet any preference. I have no idea if Define r5 is worth the 30$ over r4. I have no idea if Nanoxia or Aerocool are any better than Fractal. I like design in Aerocool and Fractal, but I am a little worried Aerocool is all plastic exterior. What model would you choose?

 

[Karsten75]

The main difference between the R4 and R5 is size 00 do you really need the extra space? My most recent build was in an R5 case and it was wonderful, but I removed one drive cage and gave it to the user as a loose piece so it didn't clutter up the inside airflow. No way she needs more than 3 expansions over the 3x 3.5 additional drive bays and 2 x SSD slots that remained. I didn't care, since the person who wanted the machine insisted on that case.

I have also decided that for myself, my next build for our family room will be the DS Cube because it's a nice silent space saver.

If you want to save a few dollars, then go with the Nanoxia DS3. Nice, reputable German all-steel product.

As for Aerocool, if you want a colored case, that's your only option, and it's durable and silent enough regardless of the plastic.

In the end, I think a case is like a religion. Most people swear by one and how they come to that one is a mystery. For myself, I like to mix it up just so I get to test out the different cases I come across.

That's why I can tell you with utter confidence that the Bitfenix Prodigy and Rosewill neutron are the two noisiest cases I've ever built in and I'll never again build in a Bitfenix and I'm still sad the Neutron is now off the market.

 

[gamepassion]

It looks you already gave me the answer... 😉 Except I still can`t decide. Not before understanding a few things. And as you seem to know what you`re saying , I`m asking:

I read in a silentpcreview site a guide for a silent game rig using r5 and r4. The results were 16.5 dbA for r5. Now as I understand dbA is noise over ambient, meaning how much noise it ADS to the already noisy ambient. Now, I read on my purchasing site forum a user review stating his rig (with r5 case) made 30 db. Can you enlight me, are those 2 results ok?

(Also i was recommended Zalman z3 by quite many users in above mentioned forum, stating it will actually be fairly silent due to very good airflow. at roughly 40$, it a wow, but I still has to check it more.)

I like r5 better for its looks (top panel). I like r4 for its apparent value for money. I don`t really like nanoxia. I can`t find any deep reviews on Aerocool and color is not my side.

It looks I`m left with r4 and r5. In silentpcreview, the difference was 2 dbA in r5 favour. 2dbA looks little but they stated it is audible diference. quite similar configuration with mine and I should also say my desk is really close to my bed.

 

[Karsten75]

SilentPCReview is one of my favorite sites. But they are fanatical. They measure sound in an anechoic chamber
(dead silence).

Both the R4 and R5 are truly excellent and probably some of the best-selling cases in the market. when it comes down to looks, you have to decide.

I will tell you that my last build in an R5, I could literally not hear the machine standing in front of it. In fact the owner called me to complain about a noise. When we investigated, a thread of the front fan filter had come loose and was touching the fan blades - she heard that over the rest of the computer's noise.

This build had an NZXT Kraken as cooler - it is generally accepted the AIO liquid coolers are a tad noisier than air coolers, as you can tell from the SilentPCReview.

I will also add that the decibel scale is logarithmic, so 2dB noise depends on whether it is 17-19 or 47-49. In most cases I'd say that anything under about 35 is tolerable.

Look here: https://www.pugetsystems.com/serenity.php

 

[gamepassion]

thank you! I will pick your first asnwer as the solution, as it was my starting point. Still not decided, but I will choose between r4 and r5, I just have to weight the look vs the price. Once again , THANK YOU!

 

[Karsten75]

thank you! I will pick your first asnwer as the solution, as it was my starting point. Still not decided, but I will choose between r4 and r5, I just have to weight the look vs the price. Once again , THANK YOU!

You're welcome, and as I said, ultimately it comes down to a few intangible factors that are unique to each user. One of the reasons we build custom PCs.