ATCX vs. FK-320 vs. FK-603

zlooop

Senior member
May 24, 2001
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I plan on purchasing Panaflo L1A fans and buying an enermax powersupply in addition to my case purchase. I cannot decide between the Pal Alto ATCX, FK-320, or FK-603. All reviews contest to the quality of these cases. Which in your opinion is quietest?

Thanks
 

TrickyKid

Member
Apr 1, 2001
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Well, I'm no expert, but I do have a FK603 modded to hold 120mm Panaflo L1As front and back. And the case is really pretty quiet -- the 80mm Sunon on my Swiftec contributes most of the [low] noise level.

I would bet you that you can make most cases "quiet", including these three. Provided they're all well put together and don't vibrate, I think the important things to keep in mind are (and most of these are common sense):

- low db fans -- a 45db Delta fan is gonna be loud in a concrete case.;)
- big fans -- 120mm fans move large quantities of air at lower noise levels
- good fan placement and use -- 10 case fans is gonna be louder than 3 or 4
- remove restrictions, such as the case's metal "grills" by the fan openings -- they restrict air and make noise due to turbulence
- try mounting the fans with spacers/grommets to minimize vibration noise

All that said, I'd pick the case you think looks the coolest. :D
 

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
81
TrickyKid is right. It's the fans that will determine how noisey your sytem is, not the case itself. Just use some Panaflo L1A's, and it'll be fairly quiet.