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Which is the quieter case?

Forum CPU & Components : Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods - Which is the quieter case?

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dubsu   10-31-2008 at 07:04:07 PM

Hi guys need some help here.

So I’ve narrowed it down to these 2 cases as far as look, airflow and price.

Antec 300 $50
COOLER MASTER RC-690 $75

As of right now, I’m leaning towards the CM 690 by a hair because of the wire management. What is most important to me is noise. The computer will be in my bedroom and if the Antec 300 is noticeably quieter then that will be my choice.

How much of a difference is the 2 cases?


My setup will most likely be:

Q6600 w/ xggy cooler
MOBO P45
Antec earthwatt 500
4850 no crossfire
4gig ram
LG 20X dvd r

Thanks


Message edited by dubsu on 10-31-2008 at 07:07:50 PM
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Bronze CPUs badge GhislainG   10-31-2008 at 07:17:39 PM
- 2 +

If you really want a quiet case, go with the Antec Sonata Plus 550 or the Antec Solo with a very quiet PSU. I replaced my Antec Sonata III with the Antec Sonata Plus 550 and I couldn't be happier. There's a significant difference between those. I also have a Sonata Designer in a room and it's very quiet.

Reply to GhislainG
jtt283   10-31-2008 at 07:24:45 PM
- 1 +

Since your PSU uses an 80mm fan, it won't take advantage of the floor opening in the RC-690.
In addition to the three stock (front, rear, and side), I added a top fan to my RC-690 and it is definitely not loud. The fans are all controlled by my mobo, and are typically running on 8.5V-9.0V.
I do not see how the Antec 300 could be louder, in fact if anything I'd guess it would be slightly quieter, but slightly warmer, as the PSU will be pulling air down, countering the tendency of warm air to rise.
Assuming you aren't going to OC, another case to look at for quiet is the Antec Sonata III at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 811129024. It comes with the Earthwatts 500 PSU. It is a very solid, quiet case. It does not cool nearly as well as the other two. In your position, I'd choose a 4850 that exhausts its heat out of the case.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
 Reply to jtt283
dubsu   10-31-2008 at 07:27:19 PM
- 0 +


Those 2 Antec cases are some good recommendations as far as noise is concern but not really digging the look. I was also considering the Antec P182 but no deal currently on the case and $100+ is a little too rich for my blood.

Reply to dubsu
Bronze CPUs badge GhislainG   10-31-2008 at 07:31:51 PM
- 0 +

Though it's quieter than the 300, the Sonata III isn't as quiet as I expected. Mine is now used for a small server that's far enough from my desk. The more expensive and better quality Sonata Plus 550 is a lot quieter.

Reply to GhislainG
rozar   10-31-2008 at 07:33:56 PM
- 0 +

I have the Antec 300 and use all Antec fans set to the slowest speed. Its VERY quiet. I also do not agree that the power supply placement being in the bottom draws air down to the bottom of the case. The top and rear fans do a great job of moving the hot air out. I also did add 2 Antec fans to the front of the chassis because the 300 does not come with them stock.

------------------------------ Intel DX48BT2 bone trail 2 || Q9650 with Xigmatek S1283 || 4GB Gskill DDR3 1600 || 1 - 300GB 15k SAS boot , 3 - 750GB SATA Raid 5 || Adaptec 5805 SAS RAID controller || ATI 3870 || Antec 300 Chassis with Nspire 600 watt PS
 Reply to rozar
Silver CPUs badge JohnnyLucky   10-31-2008 at 08:02:09 PM
- 0 +

Generally speaking it is not the case that causes noise. It's usually the movement of air over, through, and around parts. As you can see from the posts some of the people actually slow down their case fans to reduce the movement of air which in turn helps to reduce noise caused by air flow. Some people install larger fans that run at reduced rpm in an effort to maintain airflow while reducing noise.

Noise is a personal matter. One person's quiet pc is another person's wind tunnel.

The comments about psu placement at the bottom of the case are not always correct. I have a large well ventilated case with the psu mounted in the bottom. The bottom panel directly below the psu is perforated mesh. The psu fan faces down. It pulls in cool outside air through the bottom panel and exhausts warm air out the back. The psu is simply cooling itself. Other fans and ventilation cool other components.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to JohnnyLucky
eric54   10-31-2008 at 09:02:38 PM
- 0 +

JohnnyLucky wrote :

Generally speaking it is not the case that causes noise. It's usually the movement of air over, through, and around parts. As you can see from the posts some of the people actually slow down their case fans to reduce the movement of air which in turn helps to reduce noise caused by air flow. Some people install larger fans that run at reduced rpm in an effort to maintain airflow while reducing noise.

Noise is a personal matter. One person's quiet pc is another person's wind tunnel.

The comments about psu placement at the bottom of the case are not always correct. I have a large well ventilated case with the psu mounted in the bottom. The bottom panel directly below the psu is perforated mesh. The psu fan faces down. It pulls in cool outside air through the bottom panel and exhausts warm air out the back. The psu is simply cooling itself. Other fans and ventilation cool other components.



I can top that. Generally speaking it is the fact that earth is not in a vacuum that you are able to hear. Since you need a substance to carry the vibrations that our ears then decode into sound (of course I mean the brain does the heavy lifting here). So you can do a number of things to make it silent. Block the noise padding the walls of the case with sound deadening foam, make a mineral water aquarium case, get the case with the least amount of holes on it (aka. not the 300).

------------------------------ e6600(3.0ghz 1.325v) on Noctua U12F,XFX 680i mobo, EVGA 640mb 8800gts, Modded antec 900 for CM, 1tb(2x500gb wd re2)+150gb raptor, Vista home premium 64 bit, mx 5000 K+M, dual sammy's 19(193p+)+22(226bw "s" ), z5500+HD595's, xfi plat, 850watt enermax Galaxy
 Reply to eric54
Silver CPUs badge JohnnyLucky   10-31-2008 at 10:18:34 PM
- 0 +

eric54,

hehehehe......ROFLMAO!

ftr - I used to build pc's with those really great Panaflo high volume, high noise fans. I never heard the monster wind tunnels I created until I started wearing hearing aids. I am growing old very disgracefully.

Reply to JohnnyLucky
dubsu   11-04-2008 at 07:24:48 AM
- 0 +

ok back to the question. which case in your opinion is the quieter case?????

CM 690 vs Antec 300

Will appreciate an answer quick as I am about to pull the trigger on either 1 of these cases.

Reply to dubsu
Silver CPUs badge JohnnyLucky   11-05-2008 at 02:18:13 AM
- 0 +

The answer to your question is "neither".

As eric54 and I pointed out you will have to do other things to create a quiet pc.

http://www.quietpcusa.com/


Message edited by JohnnyLucky on 11-05-2008 at 02:18:40 AM
Reply to JohnnyLucky
dubsu   11-05-2008 at 09:47:53 PM
- 0 +

ok i'm going with the CM690. Thanks everyone

Reply to dubsu
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