small and quiet?

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zCypher

zCypher

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2002
6,115
171
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Hi there,

Currently have CM690II which is fine, no complaints with it. However, it's a normal-big-ish sized case housing a small MSI MB and I'm kind of space-restrained, living in a really small place now and likely for some time to come. I wouldn't mind having a really nice small and quiet case.

I like thumbscrews, slide out motherboard trays and good cable management. I DO have a GTX 460 so I'm not sure, maybe some of the smaller cases might not be an option. I also have 1 SSD + 2 HDD.

What do you recommend? Do you figure I can go quite a bit smaller or should I just stick with what I've got? It is a bit on the noisy side.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
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How much money do you have to spend? What CPU are you using?
 
zCypher

zCypher

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2002
6,115
171
116
Hi Zap,

It's an E5200 with MSI G31M3-L V2, 4GB Corsair, 1x Vertex2 60GB and 2x WD Black 1TB. All stock, no aftermarket fans or anything and no overclocking. I'd like to keep the case under $200, I know that leaves open a lot of options though and I'm not really all that familiar with what's out there.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
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That a micro ATX motherboard? You can probably get by with just about any mATX mini tower.

How quiet do you want it to be? If just reasonably quiet, go for a cheap Cooler Master Elite 341 case for around $45 and call it a day.

If you want quieter, then get a Fractal Design Define Mini for $100.

With either case, you may need to undervolt the 120mm case fans a touch to get your desired quietness.

Both cases are a decent bit smaller than the CM690II.
 
zCypher

zCypher

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2002
6,115
171
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How much of a noise difference are we looking at between the CM690II and Elite 341?
Of course my system did get louder since I added the GTX460 however it wasn't quiet to begin with. I'm still using the stock HSF that came with E5200. Any good recommendations on that front? I hear a lot about hyper 212 on new builds, is this something I could use on mine? Or would that even provide any reduction in noise over stock?

The mini looks pretty nice actually.
 
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Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
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81
zCypher said:
How much of a noise difference are we looking at between the CM690II and Elite 341?
Click to expand...

There are fewer fans in the Elite 341. In fact it comes with one, though I'd recommend adding one to the front. If you keep the fans under 1000RPM (aim for 800RPM) you should be able to keep your stock clocked components cool while keeping the overall system quiet.

zCypher said:
Of course my system did get louder since I added the GTX460 however it wasn't quiet to begin with. I'm still using the stock HSF that came with E5200. Any good recommendations on that front? I hear a lot about hyper 212 on new builds, is this something I could use on mine? Or would that even provide any reduction in noise over stock?
Click to expand...

Have you tried enabling a fan profile for the CPU cooler? The Hyper 212+ is decent. People love it because it is frequently on sale and for a $20-30 heatsink does a fairly good job. It isn't particularly quiet because the fins are really close together, which requires a higher fan speed to be effective. That being said, it isn't noisy either.
 
zCypher

zCypher

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2002
6,115
171
116
I'm looking at the dragon slayer now, thanks for the suggestion.
Zap, how do I enable a fan profile? Is this something in the BIOS?
 
aigomorla

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
21,077
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The best smalll case i have EVER worked with...

Xlan DaBox Blackheart....

It can take almost ANY air sink u want to add, can fit almost any video card, and is as small as a mini cubes go.

http://www.lan-gear.eu/langear-microATX-DaBox100

DaBox100-Build-User10.jpg
 
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Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
zCypher said:
Zap, how do I enable a fan profile? Is this something in the BIOS?
Click to expand...

Yes. Most motherboards default to disabled. When enabled, the BIOS will adjust fan speeds as needed, so the CPU fan is not running 100% all the time. Some motherboards (usually more expensive ones) also has such settings for case fans plugged into it. Note that most boards are only able to adjust PWM fans.
 
Meghan54

Meghan54

Lifer
Oct 18, 2009
11,684
5,228
136
aigomorla said:
The best smalll case i have EVER worked with...

Xlan DaBox Blackheart....

It can take almost ANY air sink u want to add, can fit almost any video card, and is as small as a mini cubes go.

http://www.lan-gear.eu/langear-microATX-DaBox100

DaBox100-Build-User10.jpg
Click to expand...



Thanks for that, Aigo! I've been looking for a box like that for the wife's computer. Hers, right now, is an OC'd i5 750 with a Hyper 212+ cooler, a 6950 video card and a Corsair HX620 ps. So far, the closest to what I would accept for the case is one of the Silverstone Sugos, but this one is much more of what I am looking for to get her out of a mid-tower.

Merci!


Of course, the problem now is to find one that can be bought and delivered to Mass.
 
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zCypher

zCypher

Diamond Member
Aug 18, 2002
6,115
171
116
Thanks Zap, I'll have to check that as I'm pretty sure mine is running 100% all the time.
And that lan gear case actually looks pretty cool.
 
lehtv

lehtv

Elite Member
Dec 8, 2010
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