Silent Case! (DS 1, DS 2, 500D, R4) Need help picking.

[tential]

So I'm looking at the:
Nanoxia Deep Silence 1
Nanoxia Deep Silence 2
Corsair Obsidian 500D
Fractal Design Define R4

My problem is this, the DS 1 and DS 2, I can't seem to find, the 500D is my last resort (that aluminum bar at the top ew), and that leaves the Fractal Design Define R4.

Are there ANY other cases I should be looking at while trying to keep this type of design?
I'm looking for
-Black
-Clean
-HTPC look
-Space to work in
-Room for aftermarket cooler
-Easy for a second time builder

I've built my first PC 8 years ago. This is my second, and a MUCH better PC. Case is what I am the most worried about because my first case, NZXT (way too flashy), was ugly as sin, and loud. It was easy to work in, but I think that ease also made things not as tight as they should be so vibrations ran everywhere and it was just horrible sounding.

Any notes on these cases that I should know? Places I can even purchase the Deep Silence cases (I really like the look of those), and just building tips I should know if you have any of these 4 cases.

 

[Vageetasjn]

Bump -- I have the same question. Seems a real shame the Nanoxias aren't available.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Bump -- I have the same question. Seems a real shame the Nanoxias aren't available.

They are available on New egg I do believe.

 

[tential]

They are available on New egg I do believe.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...644&isNodeId=1

Not a single product in stock. I really don't want to default choose Fractal Design but it looks like I may have to.

 

[radtechtips]

Bitfenix ghost

 

[Rezist]

I love my R4.
NCIX.com had them for 80$ recently.
Personally my only issue is I wish someone would make a case as wide as the R4 (140mm fan support) but in the mATX size. It would still be a large case just shorter and maybe cut space front to back.

 

[smitbret]

You won't be disappointed by the R4. You may even be just as happy with the Define Mini if you can live with a MicroATX MB. No cheesy gimmicks, built like tanks and quiet.

 

[tential]

Already purchased a normal ATX board as a combo deal with my 4770k. Got both for $400 dollars.

I'm just going to order it on Amazon whatever. I need memory too but I have no clue.

 

[sLAMAZAUR]

Get DS1 if you can find one, otherway I'd go with R4

 

[jaedaliu]

Not a good sign for Nanoxia. Newegg has discountinued their products, and it's the only US distributor listed on the website.

For a nominal fee of all your money, I'll bring one back from Europe in July for you.

 

[tential]

Not a good sign for Nanoxia. Newegg has discountinued their products, and it's the only US distributor listed on the website.

For a nominal fee of all your money, I'll bring one back from Europe in July for you.

So much of my family is in Europe it wouldn't be too hard to ask them to bring one back considering we bring them just about everything.

This waiting business is killing me though. Amazon has the case with free shipping but it's out of stock. Goodies is selling through Amazon but I don't trust anyone selling through amazon, especially if I have to pay for returns.
Newegg is selling it but with 20 dollar shipping which just sucks.

Which leaves me with waiting... So much waiting for Amazon to get it in stock .

 

[mgttr]

Not a good sign for Nanoxia. Newegg has discountinued their products, and it's the only US distributor listed on the website.

Quiet PC USA sells the Nanoxia DS1. It ain't cheap though:

http://www.quietpcusa.com/Nanoxia-Deep-Silence-1-Black-Midi-Tower-PC-Case-P977C80.aspx

 

[smitbret]

Just an FYI, the Fractal Design R4 Black Pearl just went up on NewEgg for 79.95 with Promo Code EMCXPXN54.

 

[pcunite]

Antec Fusion Remote Black

 

[tential]

Just an FYI, the Fractal Design R4 Black Pearl just went up on NewEgg for 79.95 with Promo Code EMCXPXN54.

And I love you. A lot. Free Shipping included and it used to be 10 dollars. Adding it to my newegg box now.

 

[skycake]

I bought my DS1 about 6 months ago from the UK QuietPC site because it wasn't yet available at QuietPC USA. Amusingly it was almost the exact same price to have it shipped internationally as it is now from QuietPC USA.

It's an amazing case, and the built in fan controller is quite nice. I previously had a Hyper 212 Evo with push/pull Gentle Typhoons that was completely silent at all but the highest speed. I now have a Swiftech H220 with push GTs mounted at the top. It's a bit louder now, but with the fans turned down to about 3/4s it's still almost inaudible.

The main thing about the case I disliked was the green LED around the power button, so I bought a black with blue LED vandal switch button to replace. It took a bit of dremeling on the plastic to get it to fit, but it looks amazing now.

The front fan filters work really well too. I have four dogs and the front fan filters needs to be cleaned about once a week, but there's barely any dust and no dog hair inside the case itself.

All that said, I had a huge hardon for the case and was willing to spend the money on it. In an objective sense, there's no way it's worth two and a half times the cost of the R4.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

I just got a Define XL R2 and must say that it's a significant improvement over the Define R3 I had before. I got mine for $87.

Worth considering if you have the room for a bigger case. Cable management is a lot easier, and my temps have gone down significantly, even when running the fans at 7v.

 

[smitbret]

Am I the only one that will take the R4 (or XL R2) over the DS1 because I simply can't get over the goofy/gimmicky "chimney" and the pop up panel for USB, etc.?

 

[smitbret]

Am I the only one that will take the R4 (or XL R2) over the DS1 because I simply can't get over the goofy/gimmicky "chimney" and the pop up panel for USB, etc.?

 

[Vectronic]

I like the idea of the "chimney" if it was done properly... ie: a tiny servo (like the ones in a CD player/drive that control the laser) that raises/lowers the "chimney" along with the fan speed... turn the PC off, it automatically closes, etc.

But otherwise I agree, the R4 is way better (permanent open/closed top vents), also much better front vent system, better internal layout options... doesn't look like a fridge.

The pop-up USB/headphone thing is what really turns me off... I have one of those on an ancient Acer Veriton case... useless.

 

[zod96]

What about the corsair 550D?

 

[Vectronic]

It's nice, probably the quietest case of the bunch, and likely the best built... but not $50 better than the R4 (to me).

 

[tential]

Any tips/Guides for building in the R4? I haven't built in a case in 8 years and it was a screwless build for the most part.

It comes with very little documentation so I know I have to install the SSD to the back but not sure exactly how. Do I just use the rubber pads first then put it in? Also there are these things marked ODD screws not sure what those were for.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

Any tips/Guides for building in the R4? I haven't built in a case in 8 years and it was a screwless build for the most part.

It comes with very little documentation so I know I have to install the SSD to the back but not sure exactly how. Do I just use the rubber pads first then put it in? Also there are these things marked ODD screws not sure what those were for.

You can just screw an SSD into any of the drive sleds and slide it in.

ODD = optical disk drive.

 

[tential]

You can just screw an SSD into any of the drive sleds and slide it in.

ODD = optical disk drive.

Thanks, however I tried to mount it to the back of the motherboard tray like advertised. Very successful with this. But... now I can't get a power cable to go inside. VERY FRUSTRATING. I literally have to break one of my power cables to get this to work now.

How are you supposed to connect a power cable to the SSD when the area is so tiny to connect one too it?