Advice on buying quiet, multipurpose case on budget

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MrSavio

MrSavio

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Hi there,

I have quite specific needs so made my own thread.

I need a case which:


  • Has decent air flow. I won't water cool

    I can play games on part time.

    Has plenty of storage space (at least 3 - 4 ideally 5 or 6 3.5 " drives)

    Is reasonably quiet. I will record a podcast. I may record music again in future (acoustic)

    Under £75 preferred. I don't need anything fancy. But I do hate cheap tacky plastic cases. Quality with no thrills suits me.

    I've looked at the ethnoo pro and define S but they seem aimed at water cooling with limited storage. Struggling to find a case marketed to someone like me. Any ideas?

    As an R4 once. Seemed great but too big and heavy for my taste.

    Optical drive as an option might be nice. I think it's possible I'll be burning DVDs on this machine for backups, unless some more reliable form of back up has arrived which I suppose I doubt :)

Edit. I have an i5 4970k and a 1060 KFA. Its a 3 fan card. Big but not huge.
 
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Aeacus
The thing with newer PC cases is that ODD is becoming obsolete and case manufacturers won't add 5.25" external bays to the cases anymore. Though, 5.25" external bay has a lot more uses that just for ODD and one can put a variety of different devices into it. 2nd most popular behind ODD would be fan controller, followed by card readers and hot-swap bays. You can even convert 5.25" bay to hold 1x 3.5" HDD or 2x 2.5" SSDs.
While 5.25" external bay does take up quite a lot of space inside the case, in my opinion, it's versatile use is something that i'm not willing to give up.

As far as HDD cage rattling goes, there are few things to do to lower the vibration noise:
1. Use 5400 RPM HDDs and not 7200 RPM HDDs. Lower HDD spin speed causes...
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Aeacus

Aeacus

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How about Thermaltake Urban S31?
specs: http://www.thermaltake.com/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002041
video review (windowed): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qanD9XuV6f4
pcpp: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/ZjmLrH/thermaltake-case-vp700m1n2n

It has 6x 3.5" drive bays in modular HDD cages, 3x 5.25" external bays, sound dampening foam on the side panel to keep the noise from escaping, classy looks, hot-swap bay, filtered fan mounts and a good fan placement:
2x 120mm front
1x 120mm bottom
1x 120mm top
1x 120mm rear

Note: it has GPU clearance of 290mm. If you remove the upper HDD cage then you can get GPU clearance of 410mm.
 
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MrSavio

MrSavio

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My mistake this is my GPU:

http://www.kfa2.com/media/catalog/product/cache/25/image/500x500/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/k/f/kfa2_gtx1060_exoc_box_card_01_600px_1.png

Two fans, not three :)

I'll check out that case.

Was looking at ...

Define C
Ethnoo Pro M + Phanteks P400

or just go with the big beast again of the R4.

There's actually second hand Define S on Amazon for like £54, which seems really nice... but I don't know how the drive storage is, I find it hard to get a clear answer 'room for up to five drives' does that include SSDs? They don't say.

Phanteks put me off with their excessive £6.99 for additional drive bays (plastic?) and only one fan in the Ethnoo Pro M or something..

I'm adding the case to my list, looks interesting, especially the top mounted drive cage thing..
 
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Aeacus

Aeacus

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Fractal Design Define S has 3x 3.5" HDD bays and 2x 2.5" SSD bays,
specs: http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-s

Check the manufacturer's page for case features since retailers can get the info wrong or it's vague.

While Phanteks Eclipse P400 can have up to 6x 3.5" HDD bays, only 2x 3.5" HDD bays are included with the case. If you want to install more HDDs, you'll need to contact Phanteks and buy the additional HDD bays. The case manual, page 22, shows what optional upgrades you'll need for the other 4x 3.5" HDD bays,
specs: http://www.phanteks.com/Eclipse-P400.html

The same goes with Phanteks Ethnoo Pro M. While it has 8x 3.5" HDD bays, only 2x 3.5" HDD bays are included,
specs: http://www.phanteks.com/Enthoo-Pro-M.html

Fractal Design Define C has only 2x 3.5" HDD bays and 3x 2.5" SSD bays,
specs: http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-c

The top mounted "drive cage thing" of Thermaltake Urban S31 is hot-swap bay for either 3.5" HDD or 2.5" SSD. It's handy when you have an external HDD/SSD where you keep your system backups.
 
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MrSavio

MrSavio

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Oh thanks yeh I've just managed to work that out, ha (that the manufacturer page or actually pc part picker are more accurate)

This is a difficult choice ! You have helped a lot though so thank you.

It would be fine if those extra drive cages weren't £6 a piece... seems a bit much for a bit of plastic to me...

I just think as I am not going to water cool, I'd rather have a mid tower that's compact, then a huge ATX tower that comes with the brackets.. hmm..
 
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Aeacus

Aeacus

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Bigger PC cases aren't meant to use AIOs or custom made water cooling loops. You can go with air cooling inside the bigger case just fine.
For example: my Skylake build sits in a Corsair 760T full-tower ATX case while i have full air cooling (i don't like AIOs for several reasons). Same is with my Haswell build that also sits in a Corsair 750D Airflow Edition full-tower ATX case. Full specs with pics in my sig.

Since both Corsair cases that i have are way out of your budget, i didn't suggest those. Though, both cases have all the needed features and some more. E.g 6x 3.5" HDD bays (upgradeable to 12x 3.5" bays), 4x 2.5" SSD bays, 3x 5.25" external bays, excellent airflow (up to 7 case fans in 760T and 8 fans in 750D AF).

For additional cases to consider, how about: Fractal Design Arc Mini R2
specs: http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/arc-series/arc-mini-r2
pcpp: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/BT8Zxr/fractal-design-case-fdcaarcminir2blw
Note: this case supports micro ATX MoBo and if you have ATX MoBo, you can't use this case. Also, GPU clearance is only 260mm. 400mm if you remove the upper HDD cage.

There's also Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 which is a bit bigger than Mini R2 and supports ATX MoBo with 290mm of GPU clearance (when HDD cages in place) but it's out of your budget range,
specs: http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/arc-series/arc-midi-r2
pcpp: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/tZV48d/fractal-design-case-fdcaarcr2blw
 
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MrSavio

MrSavio

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These two cases by Fractal seem more suited to my needs actually - though I am probably wanting to use a full sized ATX board, because I suppose it gives me more options and may be easier to work with inside with a bit more space? I have a full sized ATX but I believe it's broken (PC wouldn't boot, replaced it with an ITX temporarily...) but it's limiting me to two sticks of ram (2x 4gb that I am not keen to replace with 2x8gb)

I can stretch to £80, that's pretty much my max.

I must admit, I do care a little bit about aesthetics and I like the more modern case designs, but not enough to trump utility of course. Just a shame there's nothing a bit sleaker that will suit my needs. Anyway, this is very helpful thanks. I'd probably have gone for a phanteks p400 were it not for the costs of buying additional drive bays. Buying two or more puts you at the same price as these cases, with still less drive space ... meaning you'd spend more for the drive cages and over all more on the case...

The reason I want the DVD drives is because I will likely be making up data / documentary dvds to give to people in my local church. Theology based stuff you can only get online that some generations are not so good at navigating. I also want to store a few things that I want to help preserve, both with optical and HDD storage.

I'm kinda sad that flash isn't as reliable as optical, but it is what it is.

Arc 2 midi seems to win out so far for utility. I like resale value also, and it's a popular case, whereas something like the Thermaltake seems more obscure / niche
 
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MrSavio

MrSavio

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"
Stock fans make a ticking sound which is quite annoying - I have already replaced them.
Poor built quality: side panels have no damping, actually there is no damping anywhere, the panels are rattling as their fit is really loose, the front filter is loose and rattling, the main cage is made of aluminium not steel. But the biggest flaw is the HDD noise. This case is like a resonator box - a guitar for hard drives. They are so noisy it is unbearable - the rubber grommits are good for nothing, the hdd cage transfers all sorts of vibrations: humming, head seeking, I mean everything. Then the side panels amplify this noise and you are actually better off when you take them off!
I have made several trials to prove my point and I can say that when I take the hdd cage out and put it on the carpet the hdd noise is almost inaudible. The moment I install the cage back into this case the noise can be heard from +10m. This case has been designed to make a lot of noise!"


God dammit - I was about to go for this case until I read this. It's not the first time I've heard of the fans being an issue on this case, or HDD noise. Hmmph.
 
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Aeacus

Aeacus

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Okay, so it's back to searching a suitable case.

Here's a pcpp list of cases that all have at least 6x 3.5" HDD bays, 1x 5.25" external bay, support for ATX MoBo and cost between £0 and £80,
pcpp: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/products/case/#X=0,8000&p=0&J=6,20&sort=price&G=1,12&f=2

There aren't many cases on that list and you can narrow the cases down with search filters, e.g only windowed cases.

Though, one option to consider would be buying Corsair Obsidian 450D and 2nd HDD cage,
specs: http://www.corsair.com/en-eu/obsidian-series-450d-mid-tower-pc-case
HDD cage: http://www.corsair.com/en-us/hdd-upgrade-kit-with-3x-hard-drive-trays-and-secondary-hard-drive-cage-parts
video review by Linus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bmDAfZha44
pcpp: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product/9JvRsY/corsair-case-cc9011049ww

When looking a new case for my Haswell build, Corsair 450D was a case that i wanted. It has Corsair's solid build quality, plenty of features and great looks. But the sole reason why i didn't go with 450D and went with 750D AF edition was due to the fact that i needed 3x 3.25" external bays (one for card reader, one for ODD and one for fan controller, just like with my Skylake build, full specs with pics in my sig).
 
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MrSavio

MrSavio

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I'd be happy with 3 minimum, 4 preferred, but I have to have two optical bays really, I can imagine the backup work I'd be doing along with making up data discs to give / sell whatever would be irritating with one drive. I considered external drives but they're both more expensive and unreliable, from looking at reviews, and more prone to breaking.

I'll take a look at this.

Edit: Looks viable, but as I care more about noise than airflow, I wonder if it's right for me?

I'm considering just making do with external dvd burners but the reviews scare me, they seem to break and fail a lot more than internal drives, as well as costing more. I don't know if it's worth the bother, just to have a smaller or more aesthetically pleasing case...of course the corsair solves that issue as it has optical bays. Hmm.

I am attracted to an R4 second hand on Amazon for £54 though...it's white and I fancy the switch to a white aesthetic, but yes I'd be disappointed with the size and weight of it as well as it being excessive to my needs, currently I have a mATX (temporary solution as my motherboard (ATX) broke) but it will probably do me for a long time. Four SATA ports is enough for the time being anyway...
 
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Aeacus

Aeacus

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The thing with PC cases is that it isn't the case that makes the noise but instead the case fans you put into there.
If i were to take a "quiet" case like Corsair 400Q and put a Noctua NF-F12 industrialPPC-3000 PWM fan into it which outputs 43.5 dB(A), then you can be certain that the PC won't be quiet at all, despite the claims it being quiet.

The more fans you have inside the case, the less each fan has to work to maintain the airflow and the less noise fans produce. And that is also a main reason why i have mounted all fan mounts inside my PCs: 7 case fans in my Skylake and Haswell builds and 5 case fans in my AMD build. All my fans are spinning between 800 - 1100 RPM and thanks to this, my PCs are quiet while still having proper airflow inside them.

The Corsair's stock fans that come with 450D (2x AF140L and 1x AF120L) are very quiet fans, even at full speed. Though, they also have poor performance.

Here's another pcpp PC cases search link with following criteria: 4x 3.5" HDD bays, 2x 5.25" external bays, support for ATX MoBo, side window, front USB 3.0 ports and price range £0 to £80,
pcpp: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/products/case/#X=0,8000&p=0&J=4,20&sort=price&G=2,12&f=2&u=1&s=1

Note: Bitfenix Nova, while great case for your needs, has 1x 5.25" external bay and 2x 5.25" internal bays. While having enough space for HDDs and ODDs, you can't use 2nd ODD, unless you cut a hole inside the front I/O to get access to 2nd ODD.
specs: https://www.bitfenix.com/global/en/products/chassis/nova/
 
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Dragon4570

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There is also the BeQuiet! Silent Base 800. They are engineered for low noise from the outset. The airflow is also adequate. It also has more than your requirement for 3.5 bays. Comes pre-installed with 3 fans that are virtually silent, as well as plenty of sound dampening material throughout the case. The only draw back may be the price for you. As it lists for 119 dollars (U.S.) and I am not sure what that converts to in Pounds sterling. It also has internal 5.25 drive bays that sit behind a sound dampened door.

BeQuiet! is also very well engineered I have their Dark Base Pro 900 myself and can attest to the build quality that went into it.
 
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MrSavio

MrSavio

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The BeQuiet! is out of my budget I'm afraid. It's the same in sterling.. £120 or so

It's pretty frustrating there are no modern cases with a couple of optical bays beside the arc midi...which has this supposed HDD cage noise issue. Wish I could somehow get more confirmation on that...

If the Enthoo Pro M Mid had one more optical bay...or if the fractal r4 wasn't such an elephant... there must be something surely.

I suppose the solution is getting the right optical bays then replacing fans etc if the case is too loud - thing is there's nothing I can do about rattling HDD cages?
 
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Aeacus

Aeacus

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The thing with newer PC cases is that ODD is becoming obsolete and case manufacturers won't add 5.25" external bays to the cases anymore. Though, 5.25" external bay has a lot more uses that just for ODD and one can put a variety of different devices into it. 2nd most popular behind ODD would be fan controller, followed by card readers and hot-swap bays. You can even convert 5.25" bay to hold 1x 3.5" HDD or 2x 2.5" SSDs.
While 5.25" external bay does take up quite a lot of space inside the case, in my opinion, it's versatile use is something that i'm not willing to give up.

As far as HDD cage rattling goes, there are few things to do to lower the vibration noise:
1. Use 5400 RPM HDDs and not 7200 RPM HDDs. Lower HDD spin speed causes less vibrations.
2. Jerry-rig some rubber feet/dampening between HDD cage and PC case to block vibration spreading.
3. Don't tighten the HDD screws when mounting HDD. I had that issue with my AMD build in my old Chieftec case where WD Blue (1TB, 7200 RPM) produced loud "nnnnnn" sound when HDD screws were tight. I loosened HDD screws quite a bit to give HDD some room to vibrate, without carrying the vibration over to my case and that fixed it.

Oh, here are 3 independent reviews of Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 from reputable sources,
Tom's Hardware: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/arc-midi-r2-case-review,3562.html
Guru3D: https://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/fractal-design-arc-midi-r2-review,1.html
TechPowerUp: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Fractal_Design/Arc_Midi_R2/

Only Tom's Hardware explains the vibration noise in-depth (page 11) but that is regarding of stock fans. If you were to replace stock fans then you can fix that. None of the three reviews state that the HDD cage is problematic.

In Corsair lineup, there are many cases that have 2x 5.25" external bays, e.g. Spec-01,
specs: http://www.corsair.com/en-eu/carbide-series-spec-01-red-led-mid-tower-gaming-case
pcpp: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/pDphP6,vYrcCJ/

Also Spec-02, Spec-03, 100R, 200R, 300R and 230T all have at least 2x 5.25" external bays,
Corsair lineup: http://www.corsair.com/en-eu/pc-computer-cases
 
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