Affordable, yet quiet cases?

[slugg]

So I've seen three trends when it comes to cases lately:

1. Cheapo garbage.
2. Expensive "gaming" cases that are good quality, but way too extravagant.
3. Cheap knockoffs of number 2.

And unfortunately, most reviews revolve around gaming-targeted products.

Well what about a case that looks plain, has a good/sturdy build quality, and is reasonably insulated and quiet? Something that simple and inexpensive is just what I'm looking for. I don't need any crazy colors or lights.

Any suggestions?

 

[texasnightowl]

Ummm...Antec Solo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tec%20solo

But I guess it depends on your definition of inexpensive.

 

[BoomerD]

"Quiet" is going to be more the components than the case, IMO.
I have the HAF 932, and it's very quiet. I can hear the sound of a fan whooshing away gently...but my Corsair PSU is the noisiest part of the whole build. (and all I hear is the fan from that as well.)
My video card makes a bit more noise when the fan ramps up, but even that's not bad until it hits about 70%.
I'm not a big fan of cases with 74 multi-colored LED fans and lights either. The HAF has ONE red LED fan in the front...and the way it's in the case, it's very muted. (however, the blue "power" and "CPU activity" LED's are bright enough to be seen from the ISS...and will light up a room at night.)

 

[Zap]

Antec Sonata Proto was on sale.

 

[Petey!]

The Antec P series cases are very quiet, but they don't run very cool.

Quiet
Cool
Cheap


pick 2.

 

[Golgatha]

Ummm...Antec Solo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...tec%20solo

But I guess it depends on your definition of inexpensive.

I have two of these cases. Well worth the bit extra and yet don't break the bank. The only thing I don't like is it will not fit gaming video cards over 10in without modification. I had to cut out a couple of hard drive bays to get my GTX 570 in my current rig.

The Newegg.com specs don't list them, but there is a fan filter and mounting for 2x92mm up front and the side panels are covered in sound deadening material on the inside of the case.

 

[dkm777]

Fractal Design Define R3 or Nexus Prominent 5. I currently use a Define and I'm quite happy with it.

 

[lehtv]

I received my Fractal Design Define R3 yesterday. Here's a sort of minireview:

+ It quiets down internal components very well (especially because of the padded front door), and the 2 fans that come with it are also quiet.
+ It looks great (Silver Arrow)
+ Great cable management for its size. I have a non-modular PSU and in order to close the right side panel properly, I had to leave the two multi-molex cables rolled on the floor of the case; however that allows easy access for power to additional case fans. Everything else I managed to fit behind the motherboard quite easily.
+ Hole behind motherboard (didn't need it though, at least yet)
+ The PSU fan filter on the floor lines up with the PSU fan easily (unlike in some user reviews I'd read)
+ Easy installation of drives
+ Each of the numerous drive mounts supports 2.5" SSD installation
+ Unused fan mounts on the side and the top (2) are blocked with noise-absorbing padding

- Using the PSU fan filter increases the fan noise slightly and decreases airflow to it
- Can remove only hard drive mounts from within the hard drive bay, not the bay itself (for better airflow)
- Inferior airflow to 900 (CPU idle temps went up from 35-37 to 40-42 even though I added a 120mm side fan)
(- The rubber grommets lining the cable management holes are largely useless)

Having the PSU fan facing the floor isn't a great idea for noise control if the PSU itself isn't quiet. As in my case. In my Antec 900, the PSU took air from inside the case and as such wasn't very loud, but now, it pretty much offsets any added silencing that the R3 provides compared to the 900. I'm unwilling to turn it around though, as then I'd have to route the CPU power cable in front of the motherboard.

I can thoroughly recommend this case for its quietness IF your PSU is quiet.

 

[rumpleforeskin]

coolermaster sileo 500

http://www.coolermaster.com/product.php?product_id=5843