Looking for a quiet case for my media server

[decrescendo]

So, I'm looking for a case to house the following components in the most quiet and cool way possible for under $200 or so. My mobo is the micro ATX size.

The smaller the better. I don't need an ATX Full Tower, by any means, and I don't want a gaming case with a ton of ridiculous lights and colored plastic on it. Understated is better; something up the alley of a Corsair 650D, maybe?
What do you guys think? I've been trying to read up but there are so many options.


Components:

OS: Windows 7 64-bit
Case: TBD
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 PRO3-M - $115
CPU: Intel Core i3-2105 - $140
RAM: G.SKILL F3-10666CL9D-4GBNS 2x2GB - $38
GPU: N/A (using i3's GPU)
OS Drive: TBD ~30GB SSD
Data Drive: WD Caviar Green WD20EARS 2TB 64 MB 3.0 Gb/s - $80
Data Drive: WD Caviar Green WD20EARS 2TB 64 MB 3.0 Gb/s - $80
Optical: Samsung SH-B123L BD-ROM/DVD-R Combo - $65
PSU: Antec Earthwatts EA-430D - $40


Requirements:

1. store ~4TB of mp3s, movies, photos, and documents
2. stream audio to speakers connected to Win7 laptop or Squeezebox
3. stream 1080p video to an HTPC-connected TV
4. be constantly running uTorrent
5. ability to rip optical discs (Blu-Ray, DVD)
6. function as backup computer in case laptop breaks
7. store backup image of laptop

Additional attributes:
8. Will sit in a corner of my living room or bedroom without being connected to a keyboard or monitor
9. The data on it will probably be backed up to some sort of NAS or set of USB drives
10. Might be hooked up to HDTV as an HTPC until I can buy a streamer or build an smaller HTPC

 

[Zap]

Antec Solo

It is smaller than Corsair 650D
It can hold three HDDs using suspension, or four HDDs using grommets (softest in the industry)
It comes with sound dampening panels already installed
It is piano black with silver face

 

[alaricljs]

Go Zap

My HTPC is in an Antec Solo. The only moving parts in it however are 2 Panasonic DS12L Fans and a MSI 49GTX Cyclone. When I run video games the Cyclone cranks up, but I never hear it because of the game audio.

It has held 1 HDD of various styles across a few upgrades, and they've been inaudible.

 

[decrescendo]

Antec Solo

It is smaller than Corsair 650D
It can hold three HDDs using suspension, or four HDDs using grommets (softest in the industry)
It comes with sound dampening panels already installed
It is piano black with silver face

Read about that one on Silent PC Review. Seems pretty good (and reasonably priced).

 

[Doclife]

Antec Mini P180 is another alternative.

 

[DesiPower]

Whats so great about solo? looks like just another case... has just one 120mm tircool. Not sure the sliver and black front will look good, not to my taste atleast. IMHO Sonata looks far more beautiful has almost similar dimensions...

Lian Li has several beautiful cute boxes like PC-Q11B but most are little mini-ITX. they do have a ATX mini tower - PC-A05NB, it looks nice!

 

[Binky]

@desi - Steel > aluminum if you're looking for silence. The Sonata is also an option if the looks work better.

The NSK2480 is a decent option if you need something to fit better in a TV stand or audio rack. It can fit two 3.5 HD's and two 5.25 drives. It's rather wide so be sure to measure and leave room on the sides for air exhaust. One great thing about the 2480 is the fans sit right next to the CPU, making it very easy to go fanless on the CPU.

 

[Arg Clin]

Fractal Define Mini.

 

[Zap]

Whats so great about solo? looks like just another case...

It has "quiet" features that are more than skin deep.
- Noise dampening panels pre-applied to major panels.
- Thick steel for natural noise dampening.
- The BEST stock hard drive mounts in the world for "quiet" with option of using the grommets or suspension.

 

[decrescendo]

It has "quiet" features that are more than skin deep.
- Noise dampening panels pre-applied to major panels.
- Thick steel for natural noise dampening.
- The BEST stock hard drive mounts in the world for "quiet" with option of using the grommets or suspension.

Just bought a Solo. Thanks, Zap.

 

[Zap]

You're welcome! You won't be disappointed. I'm still using one for my server, but I used to use one for my main rig too. One of my favorite "quiet" cases.

 

[chuck2002]

I would like to toss my wall mounted computer solution into the mix.
It is not a case, but it can take up less room, be quieter, and look more interesting.
You could get a USB DVD drive to add to the solution presented below. This would at least look nicer mounted to the wall than a standard DVDrom.

It will work with all of your gear, minus the power supply, which is a picopsu and good for zero noise.
See the bottom of the post for a 2nd example with rubber band mounted hard drives.
Also in the 2nd example, I chose an overkill CPU cooler. This isn't for overclocking on this rig but it is used to allow for no CPU cooling fan. This is one of those at your own risk deals, but it is open to the air and I have touched the cooler during hard CPU work and it gets only slightly warm. I have set throttling and CPU shutdown in the bios if overheating happens just encase.
This is a link to my blog post with instructions and lots of pictures.
http://chuckscoolreviews.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-build-wall-mounted-computer.html

 

[Cheesetogo]

Antec Mini P180 is another alternative.

This is what I use. It doesn't really look like an HTPC case, and it is a bit larger, but it's VERY good at cutting down noise. Most HTPC cases don't really have any built in noise reduction material, but the Mini P180 does.