Coolcases D8000: which options to take for minimum noise?
Moderators: NeilBlanchard, Ralf Hutter, sthayashi, Devonavar
Coolcases D8000: which options to take for minimum noise?
Hi,
If I understand it right the Coolcases D8000 (see: http://www.coolcases.com/cases/D8000_s-m_p2.html) can be bought modified according to what the buyer wants, is that correct?
It seems there are lots of options, so I was wondering which ones to take and which ones not for best silence, but also good enough airflow for something like a Pentium 4 800Mhz 2.6Ghz:
- for instance, is it really necessary to get the intake fan in the front. The hole seems big enough so I suppose air will go in without the need of a fan. If it's not really necessary, it's better not to have an intake fan in the front as this obviously makes the most noise. I would get a Pentium 4 2.6 800Mhz to give you an idea with a big Zalman cooler, so do I really need the intake fan.
- is it really necessary to get the left-side exhaust fan to improve the motherboard circulation, as this once again gives more noise. I thought fans in the side panel weren't really required and some even say that fans in the side panel do absolutely nothing or even have a negative impact on airflow?? Anybody can please clarify.
- and then ofcourse the question about the 120mm fans. Is it true that they are more noisy then 80mm fans as I've read this in some postings. I thought a 120mm would be more quiet as it can rotate at a lower speed to give the same result as a smaller fan, but somebody said that you can't set the voltage as low as with 80mm fans. At which voltage do these 120mm fans rotate and to how low can you change this and how much db does this generate approximately?! I really would like to know this!
- are you sure this case is the same as the Antec SLK3700, as it seems rather different. Does it have the same covers arount the front grid grooves that muffle noise like the SLK3700?
I hope somebody can help me out with those questions! Thanks in advance for all good feedback!!
If I understand it right the Coolcases D8000 (see: http://www.coolcases.com/cases/D8000_s-m_p2.html) can be bought modified according to what the buyer wants, is that correct?
It seems there are lots of options, so I was wondering which ones to take and which ones not for best silence, but also good enough airflow for something like a Pentium 4 800Mhz 2.6Ghz:
- for instance, is it really necessary to get the intake fan in the front. The hole seems big enough so I suppose air will go in without the need of a fan. If it's not really necessary, it's better not to have an intake fan in the front as this obviously makes the most noise. I would get a Pentium 4 2.6 800Mhz to give you an idea with a big Zalman cooler, so do I really need the intake fan.
- is it really necessary to get the left-side exhaust fan to improve the motherboard circulation, as this once again gives more noise. I thought fans in the side panel weren't really required and some even say that fans in the side panel do absolutely nothing or even have a negative impact on airflow?? Anybody can please clarify.
- and then ofcourse the question about the 120mm fans. Is it true that they are more noisy then 80mm fans as I've read this in some postings. I thought a 120mm would be more quiet as it can rotate at a lower speed to give the same result as a smaller fan, but somebody said that you can't set the voltage as low as with 80mm fans. At which voltage do these 120mm fans rotate and to how low can you change this and how much db does this generate approximately?! I really would like to know this!
- are you sure this case is the same as the Antec SLK3700, as it seems rather different. Does it have the same covers arount the front grid grooves that muffle noise like the SLK3700?
I hope somebody can help me out with those questions! Thanks in advance for all good feedback!!
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Re: Coolcases D8000: which options to take for minimum noise
I don't pretend to know. However, I recall seeing at least one posting by someone who was disenchanted with the JMC fans that are available as an upgrade (although Panaflows are now also available, at least for the rear). I have the mod 1 package on order, just because I didn't want to fool around with cutting out the vents.Dance123 wrote:It seems there are lots of options, so I was wondering which ones to take and which ones not for best silence, but also good enough airflow for something like a Pentium 4 800Mhz 2.6Ghz:
.- for instance, is it really necessary to get the intake fan in the front.
My personal opinion is that front fans are often unnecessary. They may increase the airflow through the case, but not by the amount of the CFM of the fan. I have a PAPST 4412FGL on hand, in case it's needed. But I hope not to use it. I supose I might have been tempted to try using only a front intake fan, except that the D8000 reportedly won't accept a 120x38mm fan there unless you mount it without grommets.
The often cited advantage of positive airflow is one reason to use intake fans, with the benfit of making the PS supply fan work less hard. But I don't imagine the low-pressure fans I plan on using will cause much of a problem on that score.
There are a lot of cases without this that work without this just fine. So, is it really necessary? no. However, I don't know if it improves circulation.- is it really necessary to get the left-side exhaust fan to improve the motherboard circulation
In general, 120mm fans are designed to deliver more air flow than 80mm fans. And they are often used in applications where noise is a secondary consideration to air flow. Three main components of fan noise are motor noise, impeller noise, and noise resulting from the air flow itself. For the same CFM, a 120mm fan can often spin at a slower RPM (and thus can result in less impeller noise). The air velocity exiting the fan is also slower. But whether you will be able to find a a 120mm fan that is as suitable as an 80mm is an open question.- and then of course the question about the 120mm fans. Is it true that they are more noisy then 80mm fans
I have some fans on hand that I suspect will work ok for me, and one of these will end up in my D8000 case:
NMB 4715KL-04W-B10
PANASONIC FBK-12G12LH
PANASONIC FBA-12G24M
The D8000 has a different bezel than the 3700. But I don't know about the grooves since I don't yet have either case.Does it have the same covers arount the front grid grooves that muffle noise like the SLK3700?
Re: Coolcases D8000: which options to take for minimum noise
So the D8000 is a different design as the 3700. I thought they were the same?The D8000 has a different bezel than the 3700. But I don't know about the grooves since I don't yet have either case.
When do you think you will get the case and could you then perhaps post about the front grid grooves.
Regarding case fans. I believe you can get 80mm fans of just 12db. Which are the most silent 120mm fans and how much db do they make? Also, to how low can you lower the voltage on those 120mm fans?
Also, in case I would take a case with an 80mm fan on the back, are those who only make 12db enough to take out the air and is it enough to only install 1 80mm outtake fan on the back for a Pentium 4 2.6?!
Thanks in advance for all good feedback!!
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The SLK3700 and the D8000 are identical except for the front bezel. The grills and all internals are the same on both cases. Other than the bezels, anything that is said about one is applicable to the other.
I'm running a P4 2.4C in my SLK3700 and am now using no front intake fan at all. The only reason that 92mm fan was there was to cool the HDD. It provided no additional cooling for the case. Since I wrote that post I have moved my HDD into a mobile rack in the 5.25" bays and have removed that 92mm fan entirely. My case temps remained unchanged. I have experimented extensively with various configurations in this SLK3700 and have found that a front fan is completely unnecessary for case cooling. A very low speed front fan does help cool the HDD(s) but that's it.
I also wouldn't waste my money on a side fan either. This case has excellent ventilation just the way it comes from the factory. The only thing you should do to improve it is to remove the fan grill(s). All the ventilation in my SLK3700 is coming from the 5 volt 120mm Panaflo and whatever the Seasonic SS400 PSU provides.
I highly doubt that a very low noise/low flow 80mm fan would be enough to cool this case with a 2.6C CPU in it. How quiet do you need this anyway? Can you give us a list of the components that will be in this system?
You'll also need some sort of fan on whatever CPU cooler you get and it's certainly going to need to be more powerfull than a 12dB 80mm fan (I'm using a 92mm L1A running at about 8 volts on an SLK900U to cool my 2.4C). Have you thought about this too?
I'm running a P4 2.4C in my SLK3700 and am now using no front intake fan at all. The only reason that 92mm fan was there was to cool the HDD. It provided no additional cooling for the case. Since I wrote that post I have moved my HDD into a mobile rack in the 5.25" bays and have removed that 92mm fan entirely. My case temps remained unchanged. I have experimented extensively with various configurations in this SLK3700 and have found that a front fan is completely unnecessary for case cooling. A very low speed front fan does help cool the HDD(s) but that's it.
I also wouldn't waste my money on a side fan either. This case has excellent ventilation just the way it comes from the factory. The only thing you should do to improve it is to remove the fan grill(s). All the ventilation in my SLK3700 is coming from the 5 volt 120mm Panaflo and whatever the Seasonic SS400 PSU provides.
I highly doubt that a very low noise/low flow 80mm fan would be enough to cool this case with a 2.6C CPU in it. How quiet do you need this anyway? Can you give us a list of the components that will be in this system?
You'll also need some sort of fan on whatever CPU cooler you get and it's certainly going to need to be more powerfull than a 12dB 80mm fan (I'm using a 92mm L1A running at about 8 volts on an SLK900U to cool my 2.4C). Have you thought about this too?
I have a CoolCases D8000 and have been very happy with it. I think the only change I would like to see is snap-in plastic/nylon drive rails like I have in my Palo Alto cases, and flat rather than curved optical drive blanks. The case is easy to work in, supports a huge (to me) number of drives (5 hard drives, 4 optical, 2 3.5")
I got the case with "Mod Package 1" (basically, grommeted and fan grills cut out) and the stock fans. IMO, the stock fans are very good, nearly inaudible with Zalman fan controllers in-line. My case lives beneath my desk and it is, to my ears, dead silent...though I'm sure there are people here who would pick that nit
I also got it with the Sparkle 350w power supply with the 120mm fan, another excellent component.
There is a flip-down front bezel piece with a fan filter behind it, I have found that opening that bezel lowers temps a couple of degrees C.
So, honestly, that's the best combo I would recommend, I think anything beyond that will follow the law of diminishing returns.
Jim's a nice guy and gives good service and will answer all of your questions. However, patience is warranted as I think he is constantly overloaded...so if you need your case yesterday, reassess your needs. His web site is OK but not great, the info can be wordy and difficult to find.
Pete
I got the case with "Mod Package 1" (basically, grommeted and fan grills cut out) and the stock fans. IMO, the stock fans are very good, nearly inaudible with Zalman fan controllers in-line. My case lives beneath my desk and it is, to my ears, dead silent...though I'm sure there are people here who would pick that nit
I also got it with the Sparkle 350w power supply with the 120mm fan, another excellent component.
There is a flip-down front bezel piece with a fan filter behind it, I have found that opening that bezel lowers temps a couple of degrees C.
So, honestly, that's the best combo I would recommend, I think anything beyond that will follow the law of diminishing returns.
Jim's a nice guy and gives good service and will answer all of your questions. However, patience is warranted as I think he is constantly overloaded...so if you need your case yesterday, reassess your needs. His web site is OK but not great, the info can be wordy and difficult to find.
Pete
Actually it is the front panel that interests me the most. Does the Coolcases D8000 have the exact same plastic covers around the grooves of the large front grill as the SLK3700 that I suppose was done to muffle noise, am I right. I don't know how to describe them well, but I suppose you know what I mean (maybe you can desribe them better?!). Does that help much by the way?!Ralf Hutter wrote:The SLK3700 and the D8000 are identical except for the front bezel. The grills and all internals are the same on both cases. Other than the bezels, anything that is said about one is applicable to the other.
So, does the Coolcases D8000 has the exact same things around the front grill grooves like the SLK3700 because you say the front panel is different between the SLK3700 and D8000?!!
Thanks very much for the info!!
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The air intake openings in the plastic bezel on the SLK3700 and the D8000 are different. Look at the pics. THe SLK3700 has 7 slots that have bit of a "hood" on the top of them and are about 3" wide. The D8000 has 10 "smile shaped" openings that are around 4.5" wide but narrower than the SLK3700 openings.Dance123 wrote:Actually it is the front panel that interests me the most. Does the Coolcases D8000 have the exact same plastic covers around the grooves of the large front grill as the SLK3700 that I suppose was done to muffle noise, am I right. I don't know how to describe them well, but I suppose you know what I mean (maybe you can desribe them better?!). Does that help much by the way?!Ralf Hutter wrote:The SLK3700 and the D8000 are identical except for the front bezel. The grills and all internals are the same on both cases. Other than the bezels, anything that is said about one is applicable to the other.
So, does the Coolcases D8000 has the exact same things around the front grill grooves like the SLK3700 because you say the front panel is different between the SLK3700 and D8000?!!
Thanks very much for the info!!
Is one design "better" than the other? I'm no expert but I'd think that the larger openings on the SLK3700 might flow air easier with a little less turbulence noise then the narrower, wider openings of the D8000 but that's strictly a guess. The "hood" on the SLK3700 vents may help keep any intake fan noise from a direct path to your ears, so that may be another benefit of that particular shape of opening too.
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All you need from Jim is to make sure the grills are cut out. That's really the only thing he can do to make it quieter for you. For the rest of making it quieter, you'll have to do it on your own. And here is how:
Modified D8000 article.
Modified D8000 article.