no more b/s what is the most silent case[?]

nyhcbri · Post by **nyhcbri** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:25 pm

im looking for the number 1 out of the box silent case. no more b/s what is the most silent case out there right now. so i see antec one series but cololer master says no way we have 200mm fans so were better, but there stuff is more holy than the local church. antec also has cases built this way like the nine hundred. so i just want to know who has the #1 out of the box, stock, most silent case.

swivelguy2 · Post by **swivelguy2** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:23 pm

Every case is out of the box, stock, 100% completely perfectly silent.

They don't make noise until you put components into them - and then the noise they make depends on the components inside them in a very complicated way.

Welcome to SPCR.

KadazanPL · Post by **KadazanPL** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 1:41 am

Antec Solo is probably the best silent case ever released. It's been on the market for several years now and still doing well.

maalitehdas · Post by **maalitehdas** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 1:54 am

I suppose nyhcbri is talking about a system with fans out of the box installed, and all other components wouldn't count. The question could be expanded:
1. The quietest case with all stock fans at full/minimum speed
2. The quietest case with 2 reference fans at full/minimum speed
3. The quietest case with only stock PSU inside, no other fans spinning
4. The quietest case with only a reference PSU inside, no other fans spinning

This way we would find the case which reduces most noise, and also find the manufacturerwho have selected the best stock components in the box.
A lot of us don't use stock fans or PSU's. I'd personally like to choose the case, the PSU and all the fans and separately.

xan_user · Post by **xan_user** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 7:48 am

swivelguy2 wrote:Every case is out of the box, stock, 100% completely perfectly silent.

They don't make noise until you put components into them - and then the noise they make depends on the components inside them in a very complicated way.

I find them all equally silent, no matter what components are inside, so long as you just avoid turning on the power.

Stick an ARM or ATOM processor in an old shoebox, and it will be silent -even with (proper) power applied.

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:10 am

Hi & welcome to SPCR,

The point that folks are making is: there is no case that is a "magic bullet" that simply lets you put any components in and the system will be silent. There are cases that work better for putting in quiet components, and you'll end up with a quieter system than you you would with another case, but you always have to use quieter components, in order to get what you want.

The best case I know of is the Antec Solo. It has excellent air flow, dampened side panels, good cable management, built in hard drive suspension, and uses sturdy steel construction.

capecodbackup · Post by **capecodbackup** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:12 am

maalitehdas wrote:I suppose nyhcbri is talking about a system with fans out of the box installed, and all other components wouldn't count. The question could be expanded:
1. The quietest case with all stock fans at full/minimum speed
2. The quietest case with 2 reference fans at full/minimum speed
3. The quietest case with only stock PSU inside, no other fans spinning
4. The quietest case with only a reference PSU inside, no other fans spinning

This way we would find the case which reduces most noise, and also find the manufacturerwho have selected the best stock components in the box.
A lot of us don't use stock fans or PSU's. I'd personally like to choose the case, the PSU and all the fans and separately.

I completely agree with this. It is such a waste to immediately replace perfectly good case fans. But for the sake of a Db or 2, I will gladly do it. And these ones I want, Noctua, are not cheap at all.

nyhcbri · Post by **nyhcbri** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 5:23 pm

thanks for the replies....i understand the point being made but it still seems that some cases are designed to dampen or reduce sound so to clarify the question i want the case that case the most out of the box potential to be silent. i know some come with crap fans and i plan to get a quality psu. what im really worried about is getting one of those cool antec 900, p183 or cooler master sniper, haf922, type cases and it being louder than i want because of all the airflow.. cooler master says there more silent due to the 250mm fans even though the case is not meant to be silent. i need to make the right choice here.

xan_user · Post by **xan_user** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:43 pm

Is something like this what your looking for?

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article301-page1.html

All we can do is guess what kind of performance/silence/value balance you are seeking.

Michael Sandstrom · Post by **Michael Sandstrom** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:27 am

Go with the Antec Solo unless you plan to use a very long video card. Also, don't try to think too much.

capecodbackup · Post by **capecodbackup** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 10:01 am

My search has also brought me to the Antec SOLO as the best solution for now. I get the feeling there are going to be a FEW new cases coming out this year. Seems most of the decent ones out are 4-5 years old.

Hopefully, some will raise the quiet bar

nyhcbri · Post by **nyhcbri** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 11:12 am

well im going with the antec p183 with the c850 psu thats made for it or the solo with either a seasonic x650 which is a little expensive for me or similar. any ideas on a cheaper rival to the x650. another thing how important is this esata the solo is lacking dont most motherboards have it

capecodbackup · Post by **capecodbackup** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 11:39 am

Yes, the MB has ESATA, However, I would prefer it on the front, as I will never use firewire.

I was thinking of the Seasonic 650 as well.

I ended up with the Nexus R5300. I think I saved a little money.

I have space requirements, so need a smaller case than the P-183. Otherwise I am sure I would have considered that.

I have no need for a large video cards, or many drives. 2 at most. So, I figure I can easily get by with a smaller case. I would actually prefer it to be even a little smaller.

I wish us both a successful build.

Calgarian · Post by **Calgarian** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 1:02 pm

Does Antec release info on how popular various models are? The Solo must be in the top 3.

One thing I would like to see from Antec is an updated Solo.

I have the P150 so I would like a white option.

Along with black, also offer a window option.

PSU on the bottom. Add USB 3.0 Option for either 120/140mm fans. (Noctua for me)

Make it a bit deeper, a smidge taller and wider. Have it sit a bit higher off the floor to allow for a vent on the bottom, with the screen being accessible from the front.

I like how both panels come off on the Corsair 800d and the large number of protected holes for cable routing. I also like the fan between the PSU area and main chamber. It looks like a good airflow design.

capecodbackup · Post by **capecodbackup** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 1:15 pm

Amen to a SOLO refresh. Silicone feet also. regardless, I may very well be going with the SOLO. Or the Mini P-180. Talk about a tough choice.

jessekopelman · Post by **jessekopelman** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 1:36 pm

nyhcbri wrote:what im really worried about is getting one of those cool antec 900, p183 or cooler master sniper, haf922, type cases and it being louder than i want because of all the airflow..

There is no doubt this will happen. Airflow = noise. A good case will help, but if you are sensitive enough to be apprehensive, you will be disappointing by every available case straight out of the box. I think the question you really want to be asking is not which is best out of the box, but which is the easiest to make silent.

ces · Post by **ces** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 6:24 pm

It's Not the Case, It's the Components.

The case has some effect. And the Solo is about as good as you get without spending a whole lot more on one of these supercases.

But a junky case with good components will be quieter than the Solo with loud components. A steel case is never going to stop the noise of lound components.

nyhcbri · Post by **nyhcbri** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:10 pm

good question jessekopelman, but what is the answer. what case right now has the potential to be the most silent. its all the same is not true. yes components are the real factor, but if you took the same set of fans, psu, hd, cpu fan, etc. and used them in 4 possible cases the acoustics would change in each one. tons of cases are created for size expandability and airflow. but im looking to get down to the nitty gritty of WHAT CASE HASE THE CONSTRUCTION TECH TO ACHIEVE THE MOST SILENT BUILD. let me worry about buying silent components. all i seem to be getting out of this forum is that all cases are about the same so just put the silent components in and call it a day, but i cannot accept that. why doesn't silentpc.com just post the winner rather than make you read through countless pages of reviews. one of the cases tested had to stand out. which one?

xan_user · Post by **xan_user** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:32 pm

Because we are all individuals and have very different needs.

some overclock, some undervolt.
some play the latest games with multiple monitors, some play solitaire on a 17" vga.
some have thousands to spend, some have only tens.
some have a noise floor above 40dB, some under 30.
some of us live in the tropics, some of us live in the frozen north.
some want only a nas with torrent down loader, some want the fastest folding box money can buy.
some want to look at porn, some want to edit the next Hollywood blockbuster....

There is no 'ONE BEST CASE', and there never will be.

This is perfectly silent for my relatively moderate noise floor.

nyhcbri · Post by **nyhcbri** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:41 pm

i give up......................

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:27 am

We've given you our answer: there are a couple of Antec cases that are well dampened and have near ideal air flow, and they address issues like hard drive vibration and cable management. The Solo and the P18x cases are among the best cases available.

We just are pointing out that there is no case that will "make" any system "silent".

SPCR does have a recommended cases section!

nutball · Post by **nutball** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:35 am

nyhcbri wrote:i give up......................

Kids these days have no patience.

You are wrong. The question you are asking is the wrong question. That is why you aren't getting the answer you're looking for.

The simplest no b/s answer to your question is - flip a coin. Close your eyes and stick a pin in the catalogue. Choose any case. These are solutions which will get you an answer which is as correct an answer to your wrong question as anything else you'll get from here.

xan_user · Post by **xan_user** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:20 am

No B/S....

What the one best kind of socks I can buy?

What is the one best beverage I will like?

What is the one best OS?

Who is the one best life partner for me?

jessekopelman · Post by **jessekopelman** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:20 am

nyhcbri wrote:WHAT CASE HASE THE CONSTRUCTION TECH TO ACHIEVE THE MOST SILENT BUILD.

Actually, that is exactly the question I said you should be asking. Perhaps you should start a new thread asking that specific question. You will also need to indicate what size case you are looking for, as the answer will vary with that.

maalitehdas · Post by **maalitehdas** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:49 am

xan_user wrote:No B/S....

What the one best kind of socks I can buy?

What is the one best beverage I will like?

What is the one best OS?

Who is the one best life partner for me?

depends...

Deeper into the "right" case question

Q: WHAT CASE HASE THE CONSTRUCTION TECH TO ACHIEVE THE MOST SILENT BUILD.

A: A case with good dampening, heavy materials, antivibrate mounting for moving parts and NO HOLES anywhere. It's the holes that let the noise out. The amount and size of the holes needed depends on the systems heat generation, so it's best if you make your own holes into the case and just no more than you need. The best location for the holes depends on where you keep your PC (airflow should be directly away from you). Computer standing higher than you - exhaust hole on top. Computer facing you on table or on the floor - exhaust hole in the back. Computer next to you - exhaust in the opposite side or back or on top (in high case). One big exhaust is better than several small ones. Intake vents matter to, just in the same way, only less. The most important thing in them is that PSU, CPU and GPU and HDD's are getting the coolest air in the market from the easiest path there is. Most likely cool air directly outside the case.

The most usual location of PC is facing you under your desk. That's why many of the manufacturers build intakes in front and exhausts in back. If that's your setup, your case is Antec SOLO. In other PC locations the P-series offer more options - and you can always block any extra holes.

Offtopic: Unfortunately ATX MB's engineers did not think about optimal cooling when they decided about the standard. Just think about how hard it is to optimize GPU's air intake and exhaust, in many gaming computers it's the hottest component running. You can either have the intake inside the case and exhaust from free card slots (having no room for other cards...) or have the optimal intake in the free slots (having the same problem again...) and exhausting into the case - where you should have cool air instead of hot. OR (the most usual case) have both intake and exhaust inside the case, use your card slots for what they are ment for and run your GPU fan FAST and NOISY. Luckily there's always accelero... CPU cooling is hard to optimize too. Some case manufacturers have the intake in side. Good idea - but one hole more. Some people build ducting inside the case - but they do use a lot of room too.

nyhcbri · Post by **nyhcbri** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 7:14 pm

i know i have been a tough case here but thanks for all the good replies im going with the solo and a nx-5000. again thanks

capecodbackup · Post by **capecodbackup** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 7:54 pm

Great minds think alike... I ended up with the SOLO and the Nexus R5300 as it is modular and less wires equals more air flow

I hope!

nyhcbri · Post by **nyhcbri** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:16 pm

any idea how the 2 psu's compare in noise?

capecodbackup · Post by **capecodbackup** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:34 pm

I believe they are the same. I tested mine and it is as silent as I have ever heard, or in this case not heard, any PSU ever.

Of course I did not have it under load. I do not actually expect it to be under serious load most of the time. We shall see.

For me, computers and life itself both seem to be a work in progress

Ward · Post by **Ward** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 8:14 am

The 5000 is physically smaller than the 5300, but otherwise they are pretty much the same other than the modular design of the 5300.