[SOLVED] Silent and compact case

Feb 14, 2020
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Hello everyone !

I'm currently looking for a new ATX silent and compact PC Case for this configuration :

  • Processor : Intel Core i7-7700K
  • ATX Motherboard : Asus STRIX Z270F GAMING
  • CPU cooler : Be Quiet ! Dark Rock 3
  • Graphic card : Asus GeForce GTX 1080 ROG STRIX OC v2, 8 Go
  • Power Supply : Cooler Master GX Power - 750W
My current case is an Aerocool Xpredator - Black Edition, no problem with it but I find it too large for what's inside and it's too noisy with this old power supply (I'm looking for a new one aswell).

After some research, the BeQuiet! Pure Base 500, the Fractal Design Meshify C and Define C are cases that I found very interesting. BQ and Define C seem very silent whereas Meshify C seem more "cooling" oriented but quite silent too. Did someone build some PC inside those cases and can give me some advice on which one to choose ? Or do you have any other recommendations for other cases ? My max budget is around 150€. Thanks in advance !
 
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Solution
No pc with moving parts will be truly silent.
I am a bit surprised that yours is noisy.
Noise comes from fans turning at high rpm.
You really can't get away from the cpu cooler fan or the graphics card fan.
Even liquid cooling requires fans on the radiator.

What you can do is use larger/slower turning case fans.
I am surprised that your 230mm front intake is not doing the job.
A good psu will only turn on the fan to keep itself cool.
If your cm 750w psu is noisy, I would agree to changing it out.

On occasion, a HDD will make noise.

750w is sufficient, even 650w should do,
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm
Higher efficiency gold rating and higher will not usually need to turn the fans on at all.
Seasonic...

korv

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Dec 26, 2018
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I was quite interessed in it but I think it's still too large, I don't plan to add component to my computer for now that's why I'm looking for something very compact.
Ah okay. Well, then the fractal design define c should be fine. I'd would also go with a decent 850-1000 watt power supply if you really want it quite silent if not completely silent. Maybe a corsair rm850x v2 (850 watt)?


Edit: If you do not need a tempered glass side panel, there are cheaper alternatives.
 
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Feb 14, 2020
5
0
10
Ah okay. Well, then the fractal design define c should be fine. I'd would also go with a decent 850-1000 watt power supply if you really want it quite silent if not completely silent. Maybe a corsair rm850x v2 (850 watt)?


Edit: If you do not need a tempered glass side panel, there are cheaper alternatives.
Alright, thank you for your reply ! I think I'll go with the Define C. I'm not an expert regarding power supply but do you think I need that much power ? I made a simulation of what I need with my current configuration and it's more around 450-500W. But maybe there is a reason to have more.
 

Selynelar

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Feb 19, 2019
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I can recommend this one. Phanteks Enthoo Pro M SE.
http://www.phanteks.com/Enthoo-Pro-M-SpecialEdition.html

And fit very well for a small place. I have Rtx 2080 ti gaming x trio inside which is quite big card and also ATX motherboard with Be quiet STraight power 800w. And on for the cooling is a Noctua NH-D15 which is not a small air cooler. I have to tell you that i cannot hear anything only the hdd when i power on the computer. Becide that is fantastic and quiet case with two 14cm fan in the front plus i built in 3 additional fans (also 14 cm). No noise at all.

You can buy it here:
https://www.amazon.com/Phanteks-Tempered-Glass-Black-PH-ES515PTG_SWT/dp/B074Q5MFX5
 

korv

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Dec 26, 2018
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Alright, thank you for your reply ! I think I'll go with the Define C. I'm not an expert regarding power supply but do you think I need that much power ? I made a simulation of what I need with my current configuration and it's more around 450-500W. But maybe there is a reason to have more.
No, you don’t need that much power. I just recommended that much wattage because you wanted a silent pc and it’s also future proof.

Edit: A decent 650-750 watt should also be fine.
 
Feb 14, 2020
5
0
10
I can recommend this one. Phanteks Enthoo Pro M SE.
http://www.phanteks.com/Enthoo-Pro-M-SpecialEdition.html

And fit very well for a small place. I have Rtx 2080 ti gaming x trio inside which is quite big card and also ATX motherboard with Be quiet STraight power 800w. And on for the cooling is a Noctua NH-D15 which is not a small air cooler. I have to tell you that i cannot hear anything only the hdd when i power on the computer. Becide that is fantastic and quiet case with two 14cm fan in the front plus i built in 3 additional fans (also 14 cm). No noise at all.

You can buy it here:
https://www.amazon.com/Phanteks-Tempered-Glass-Black-PH-ES515PTG_SWT/dp/B074Q5MFX5
Thanks for your advice, unfortunately, this case is hard to find in my country, the only one I found have only one fan and it's quite expensive :/


No, you don’t need that much power. I just recommended that much wattage because you wanted a silent pc and it’s also future proof.

Edit: A decent 650-750 watt should also be fine.
Thank you very much, I will probably go with a Be Quiet ! Pure Power 11 CM, 700W or a Corsair TX650M, 650W
 
No pc with moving parts will be truly silent.
I am a bit surprised that yours is noisy.
Noise comes from fans turning at high rpm.
You really can't get away from the cpu cooler fan or the graphics card fan.
Even liquid cooling requires fans on the radiator.

What you can do is use larger/slower turning case fans.
I am surprised that your 230mm front intake is not doing the job.
A good psu will only turn on the fan to keep itself cool.
If your cm 750w psu is noisy, I would agree to changing it out.

On occasion, a HDD will make noise.

750w is sufficient, even 650w should do,
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm
Higher efficiency gold rating and higher will not usually need to turn the fans on at all.
Seasonic focus gold even warns you that nothing is wrong if the fan does not spin.

One of my keys to good cooling is sufficient front intake capability.
The cases you are looking at will handle at least two 120/140mm front intakes.
I like 140mm better because they push more airflow at lower rpm.
A 120mm rear exit is only needed to direct the airflow past your cooler.
Your cooler is excellent.
You might look at the cpu fan speed adjustment profile if the cooler fan s are too noisy.

One other thing you might do is to apply some noise deadening foam to the inside of your case.
Silverstone makes some which I have used.
https://www.newegg.com/silverstone-sf01/p/N82E16811999222

Your candidate cases seem ok to me.
Pick the one you like best.
 
Solution
Feb 14, 2020
5
0
10
No pc with moving parts will be truly silent.
I am a bit surprised that yours is noisy.
Noise comes from fans turning at high rpm.
You really can't get away from the cpu cooler fan or the graphics card fan.
Even liquid cooling requires fans on the radiator.

What you can do is use larger/slower turning case fans.
I am surprised that your 230mm front intake is not doing the job.
A good psu will only turn on the fan to keep itself cool.
If your cm 750w psu is noisy, I would agree to changing it out.

On occasion, a HDD will make noise.

750w is sufficient, even 650w should do,
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm
Higher efficiency gold rating and higher will not usually need to turn the fans on at all.
Seasonic focus gold even warns you that nothing is wrong if the fan does not spin.

One of my keys to good cooling is sufficient front intake capability.
The cases you are looking at will handle at least two 120/140mm front intakes.
I like 140mm better because they push more airflow at lower rpm.
A 120mm rear exit is only needed to direct the airflow past your cooler.
Your cooler is excellent.
You might look at the cpu fan speed adjustment profile if the cooler fan s are too noisy.

One other thing you might do is to apply some noise deadening foam to the inside of your case.
Silverstone makes some which I have used.
https://www.newegg.com/silverstone-sf01/p/N82E16811999222

Your candidate cases seem ok to me.
Pick the one you like best.
My current case is not too noisy but I think I can do better also I have it since a long time and I think that's the main reason I want to change ahah! Thank you very much for all your recommendations regarding the cooling ! I already planned to add more fans to the case I will choose. Do you have any fans to recommend ? BeQuiet! or Noctua I guess ?
Power supply recommendations - click on the first link in my signature.

EDIT: the Corsair TX650M you mentioned is a very good choice.
Thank you for the link, it was really helpful ! Do you also agree that 650 will be sufficient for my configuration ?
 
I have always liked the noctua fans.
They come with low noise adapters if you need one.
Some do not like the traditional beige color, but now the fans come in black or grey also.

A good resource for quiet computing is www.silentpcreview.com
Here is an article on 140mm fans:
https://www.silentpcreview.com/140mm_Fan_Roundup2

You can get really involved in the quiet thing.
Not only is there the noise vs airflow question, but they also discuss the tone quality of the fans.