Quiet and Temperature-Friendly Budget Case

aposatsk

Junior Member
Mar 4, 2007
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I'm looking for a case under $100 (Canadian) that will be able to absorb much of the internal sound and keep itself quite cool. My cupboard that I use for the computer is partially enclosed, so my current case always has a problem with keeping cool. Therefore, I need something that can readily take environmental, cold air to keep the insides cool, as well as be sufficiently quiet.

Thanks.

ps. Also, any suggestions on a good, quiet case fan and a 500W+ quiet PS?
 

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
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PSU: Any decent 80+ model, or one that comes real close (FI, even the non-80+ Seasonics). If possible, don't get a 500w+ PSU. If you need a 500w+ PSU, then have fun with the PC in the cupboard cooking, because I don't think it will work very well.

Fan: Nexus, Scythe, maybe Noctua.

As for the case, expect some Antec and Rosewill recommendations. You're going to find few cases, other than the P180, that will absorb much noise--you need to be creating less noise to begin with. Do not accept a case that does not have a 120mm intake and exhaust, and spend some time doing cable management.

In terms of upgrading, keep your power consumption down. I'm emphasizing this because you're both having problems with cooling because of enclosure for your enclosure, and wanting a high-power PSU (you may as well be asking for a giant SUV that gets 50MPG in the city). With a computer hutch thing, you have to choose one or the other, or put in plenty of time and $ dealing with it.

Less power -> easier to cool -> slower quieter fans -> less noise made -> less noise to worry about. To that end, don't upgrade to a video card that has a power plug, as one glaring example.

Another thing is to use beefy heatsinks wherever possible (FI, Ultra 120 or Ninja). If you can't exhaust enough air, you're screwed. But, if you just need more surface area or higher overall delta-T for the HS, then they'll do nicely.

On the off chance you're using a P4 3.06 HT, P4 E, or P4 D, Athlon Thunderbird, and/or a GeForce FX 5900, any upgrade to more modern components (A64 X2, Core 2 Duo; GF 7x00) will likely cause a significant net drop in power consumption, making things easier to cool, or offer better cooling options (socket T and the newer AMD sockets have much better HS options than say socket A or 423). Just something to keep in mind in case this is true, as you may want to hold off, and save up for a nice upgrade that may cure your problems.
 

RallyMaster

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2004
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Cooler Master Centurion 534 should do...although it has no hard drive noise isolation. Should be fine though.
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
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If the OP didn't live in Canada, I'd have recommended the Rosewill cases that I always do. Perhaps he can find them under the Yeong Yang name there YY-5601. But if he finds he likes either the 5600 or R6A series, I'm sure a way could be found... IDK if you can find these there either: Enhance ENP-5150GH or the iStar TC-500PD1 aren't bad PSUs and the Enhance (slightly modified) is also sold under the Silverstone name.

.bh.
 

tylerdustin2008

Diamond Member
Apr 16, 2006
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First question should be what store are you going to be buying from. You tell me that ill go look there and see what i can find.
 

aposatsk

Junior Member
Mar 4, 2007
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Thank you for all the replies. I'm now considering the The Antec Solo or the Cooler Master Centurion 534.

How do I determine what power my processor and video card require? I'm probably buying an e6600 and a good video card (7900 or a cheap fireGL), but I'm not sure how many watts I need.
 

RallyMaster

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2004
5,581
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a decent 500W power supply will provide you with enough juice and overclocking headroom. Enhance ENP-5150GH or Corsair HX520W. Take your pick.