Cool (Cold), and Quiet Cases for under $150

[Brandonn]

I'm seeking advice for a quiet and cold case for the system I'm putting together.

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Hard Drive: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card
Power Supply: Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Monitor: Asus VE278Q 27.0" Monitor

I don't need a fancy side window, or any glowing lights...

But if it came with all the fans I'd need - that would be best, or if you could help me to know what fans to buy. Or even link me to some good guides.

And while on the topic of cooling, would any of you recommend a CPU cooler for the above setup, or is it unnecessary?

 

[amuffin]

up it to a 2500k and grab a cooler master hyper 212+ for the cooler.

As for fans, I would recommend the Cougar Vortex 120mm fan.

Some silent Cases:
NZXT H2
Cooler Master Silencio
Fractal Design Define R3
Antec Sonata IV

 

[kemperkipie]

Depends on your budget..
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163162
This is a very good cooled case, it has 90 degrees mobo setup, making all heat go up, instantly escaping the case.
But it´s very expensive...
Overall i would go for any 90 degrees setup for optimal cooling

 

[Goldengoose]

Can't go wrong with HAF.

I'm looking at a very similar build to yours but with the Rosewell Nine Hundred Two V3 case. Read a lot of reviews and it cools very well for the price - problem is it has glowey lights.

 

[Uther39]

I'm seeking advice for a quiet and cold case for the system I'm putting together.

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Hard Drive: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card
Power Supply: Corsair 650W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Monitor: Asus VE278Q 27.0" Monitor

I don't need a fancy side window, or any glowing lights...

But if it came with all the fans I'd need - that would be best, or if you could help me to know what fans to buy. Or even link me to some good guides.

And while on the topic of cooling, would any of you recommend a CPU cooler for the above setup, or is it unnecessary?

This case is fantastic and meets your requirements perfectly, ive used them in 4 builds now and they are truly fantastic, $159

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139012
http://www.corsair.com/obsidian-series-550d-mid-tower-quiet-case.html

 

[Uther39]

Oh and to go with the case which is a perfect fit looks great and leaves you with plenty of room as do any of the Corsair coolers.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181018&Tpk=H40

 

[hellfire24]

it's not the case that makes noise.you can make any case "silent" by putting some silent fans.this case comes with fairly silent fans-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352014
and if you like white then-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352015
you can always swap out stock fans if you want but i would suggest adding just two fans(one at top and one at front).this is a really good fan,it moves a lot of air maintaining silence-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835553002

 

[digdog]

i agree with every post on this thread (except maybe for the H100, i'd go with the simple 212+, not the evo version either).

 

[hellfire24]

but evo version is better then 212+

 

[whatsthatnoise]

I'd say go with the new Corsair 550 or Fractal Design Refine R3.

Fans make noise, no matter how much you dampen your system. So be ready to get some silent fans and/or a fan control. For instance Enermax T.B. Silence, inaudible at max speed with good airflow.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Corsair 550R ....... $110 - $125 on newegg

Antec 1200 V3 or DF-85 in $130 - $160 on newegg depending on specials .... one huge advantage here is that they fit CPX form factor PSU's which falls nicely into your quiet desire. Try finding another 10.0 performance rated 850 watt PSU for $120

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=142

HAF-X - stands out among the other HAF's but I still find the tool less features a bit flimsy and difficult to work with.

As for coolers.....

Hyper 212 for budgets < $1200
Hyper 612 PWM or Scythe Mugen 3 for $1200 - $1500 budgets
Phanteks or Silver Arrow for > $1500 budgets

http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/phanteks_ph_tc14pe_cpu_cooler_review,14.html

 

[Cryosis00]

I love my Haf 932. You can pick one up online for under $140

 

[voodooking]

I really love my Corsair 500 r in white.

 

[hellfire24]

yep,500r is really great case but i don't think it's made for silence(10 fans )

 

[voodooking]

I'm listening to it right now and it's ok for me. How quiet do you think he wants it? I mean when people use the word quiet, that can mean a lot of different things. Do people in the computer world mean barely hear it with no other sound present or there is no sound emiting at all.

Thanks.

 

[whatsthatnoise]

In general, quiet is associated <30dB, while silent is <20dB, each at max values.

Since noise comes from fans and to some extent from (high) airflow ... Even 10 fans can still be silent, if they are good quality and running @low speed.

 

[voodooking]

Now that's an answer!! Thank you perfectly quantifiable.

 

[rufus_22]

up it to a 2500k and grab a cooler master hyper 212+ for the cooler.

As for fans, I would recommend the Cougar Vortex 120mm fan.

Some silent Cases:
NZXT H2
Cooler Master Silencio
Fractal Design Define R3
Antec Sonata IV

+ 10 to mr. muffin he stole my words ,, the 212 + or the 212 evo are the best bang for the buck and the cougars are a very good and much under-rated ( IMO ) fan

 

[rufus_22]

the 550d posted above is a beautiful case . good call uther ! heres a review if your interested http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv1RXdeLU5o&list=UU_SN80_V2GymyCWM2oTYTeg&index=7&feature=plcp I'd go with that one ... happy hunting

 

[voodooking]

The Guy in the 550D review keeps saying "a couple of degrees cooler." What does he mean by that? How much cooler? What are the temperature differenttials of a rig between the panels on and off? There are a lot of specifics that needed to be covered and weren't. Also, if you found that you specific system was running too hot when you were running certian programs, would you just live with the panels off? What's the point then if one does that? I really am concerned about the heat issues with this case while running intense programs.

 

[whatsthatnoise]

There won't be heat issues with this case. That's the whole purpose of those detachable top and side panel slots. If your temps are to high, just open up one or both of them and put in some fans > end of temp problem.

No one can give you specific numbers, because systems are different. But it can be said that the system is capable of handling all kind of hardware due to it's versatility.

 

[j2j663]

I can't say that I have any experience with any of the cases in this thread other than the 500R, which is great. But I am currently using the Hyper 212 Evo and it took my temps down about 5C under load from the similarly priced cooler that I had before it.

About the fans, I have used the Enermax Fans before and while they are extremely silent there is a price paid in air flow and especially pressure. As a side fan with nothing blocking them they are great but don't expect it to cool a fin tower or a radiator.

Because of the fail with the Enermax fans I went looking for something better, and since I didn't feel like having an orange glow coming from my case the cougar fans were out. Enter the Apache fans from Akasa. These have been hands down the best fans I have ever used. They are extremely powerful (airflow and pressure) and yet if you can control them (take them down to about 70%) they are completely silent. Obviously you are going to pay a bit more for the quality but they are still going to run you a couple bucks less than an Aerocool Shark or a Scythe fan.

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/10345/fan-675/Akasa_120mm_x_25mm_Apache_Black_Super_Silent_PWM_Fan_w_Hydro_Dynamic_Bearings_-_Black.html

 

[Brandonn]

Thanks for all the great advice, I've decided to go with:

"Fractal Design Define R3 Silver Arrow w/ USB 3.0 ATX Mid Tower Silent PC Computer Case"

It is simple on the outside, and has good space on the inside, and at only $100 that give me some room for the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus.

I'm going to try out the included stock fans for now, but I have my eyes on the Akasa 120mm if it's not quiet enough.

I want to thank uther39 for taking the time to post those photos, that case looks fantastic, and I did say $150, but I'm getting close to the top of my budget.

Now to get everything ordered...

 

[hellfire24]

Thanks for all the great advice, I've decided to go with:

"Fractal Design Define R3 Silver Arrow w/ USB 3.0 ATX Mid Tower Silent PC Computer Case"

It is simple on the outside, and has good space on the inside, and at only $100 that give me some room for the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus.

I'm going to try out the included stock fans for now, but I have my eyes on the Akasa 120mm if it's not quiet enough.

I want to thank uther39 for taking the time to post those photos, that case looks fantastic, and I did say $150, but I'm getting close to the top of my budget.

Now to get everything ordered...

R3 was my idea
anyway,great choice but akasa is definitely not the best fan maker.go with noctua or cougar fans.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835553002

 

[amuffin]

Get a case and replace the fans with larger/quieter fans.