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Sonata vs SLK3700-BQE

J

JustAnAverageGuy

Diamond Member
Looking to quiet down the computer.

Sonata

SLK3700-BQE

I've read the reviews and it seems like the SLK3700 is just about as quiet as a sonata, and doesn't get dirty as easily. Probably going to recase this rig.. Was wanting to use the Zalman 7000A-AlCu and the Zalman ZM80C-HP. 🙂

3 HDDs, 2 opticals.

Opinions?
 
Both are excellent cases, but for cooling and dust prevention I'd have to give the nod to the SLK3700-BQE, the Sonata is deffinitly more quiet if you run the fans off the power supplies fan only connectors, but it does collect quite a bit more dust due to the Antec logo punched out in holes on both sides of the case. Hope this helps...
 
I went from a 3700AMB to a Sonata. The Sonata is a higher quality case overall, very quiet. I upgraded cuz I needed the front I/O stuff on the Sonata and I liked the look. The AMB is a good case, can be just as quiet I imagine, with the right fans. I was dissapointed with the finish on the front bezel, the paint job, and the latch mechanism on the AMB though. The AMB and BQE are identical cases with a slightly different psu I believe.

Anyway, I like the Antec holes in the Sonata, I just installed a blue cathod inside the case and now the ANTEC glows blue 🙂.
 
My neighbor has a sonata and it gets so dusty (on the outside). He wishes now that he went with the bronze vs the black. He did put an intake fan in the front with a filter to manage inside dust
 
I don't really need the ports on the front. Got a headphone jack on my speaker volume control. Works great 🙂

Have no extra places to plug stuff in on the A7N8X deluxe due to using the USB and firewire backplates, etc.

I don't use a microphone, and use firewire on one of my other computers. So front side access isn't really a major determining factor for me.
 
I have both and like the SLK3700 better.

Noise is the same.

Sonata looks better imo.

Space and airflow go to the SLK.

I recommend the Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer over the ZM80C anyday. I've had both and the Silencer does a much better job at cooling, its cheaper, and silent.

 
This one?

Somehow it looks a little cheap in the pictures, but it seems to be getting good reviews. If it is cheaper, better, and quieter I don't see why you would pay for more expensive unit. $15 off the bill so far 🙂

Recommendation noted.
 
The Acousticase 6607

It's quieter than the 3700 BQE or the Sonata. It doesn't include a power supply or any fans, but you can pick up a 120mm Acoustifan for $25. It includes a special Acoustimatt cut for the case, that sticks into place all over the inside. This is the stuff that everyone raves about at Silent PC Review, as the only foam that really helps.

Anyways, quietpcusa.com just got the 6607 in stock, it's introductory for $175, plus $25 for the fan. Combined w/ my Zalman 7000Cu, my Zalman 400w PS and my VGA silencer, I should be looking at one of the quietest PC possible.

One thing to note, the 6607 still uses the standard rubber mounting grommets, which do a pretty poor job of isolating vibration. I recommend ordering some Sorbothane, a special extremely dense gel pad type stuff that is excellent at isolating things. I've been running my HDs on strips of it for a while now... it's great. You can get a 4x4x.5 inch sheet for $8 or so. This stuff is also lauded at SPCR.
 
Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy
If I'm spending 200+ for a case and cooling, I may as well get water. 😛
Click to expand...

Except water can never be as quiet as air... The Pump man, the pump!
 
I haven't used or seen the Sonata in person, but I'll give the thumbs up to the BQE nonetheless. Very quiet case. Very clean look as well.

I use the included 120mm Antec fan for outtake, a 120mm Vantec Stealth for front intake, and a Silent Boost K8 on the A64 CPU. Even with the case door open, it is still quieter than my old case, (with door closed.)

It was so much quieter I felt like I had to turn the TV on to make more noise pollution. 🙂
 
The Sonata looks nicer and comes with the quiet version of the TruePower 380w power supply. Those are the only two reasons I can recommend for going with the Sonata and I own one right now. But since the Sonata is only $12 more, I'd still buy it just for the better power supply.
 
I like my BQE, I have two Enermax 120mm Adjustable Speed fans running and it's terribly quiet. Using the Arctic Cooler for my 9800 Pro, and CNPS7000-Cu for my A64, the only thing I hear is my hard drive!
 
Based solely on the pictures, appearance wise I'm leaning slightly towards the BQE.

Don't think I could get newegg to ship a BQE with a True380S Power supply do ya? 😛

I would think a 350W Antec would be more than enough for what I'm going to be using it for though.

Thanks for the opinions 🙂
 
Originally posted by: JustAnAverageGuy
Don't think I could get newegg to ship a BQE with a True380S Power supply do ya? 😛
Click to expand...

The True 380S is only sold inside of the Sonata itself, to get one you'd have to pull it out of a Sonata.

If you really want to get a 3700BQE and don't want to use the stock SL350S PSU there's a couple of ways you can do it:

1) Order the case from Directron who have a PSU configurator that will let you replace the stock PSU with one from their list, or

2) Do what I did, sell the PSU that comes with the BQE and buy the replacement PSU of your choice. Antec PSU's sell fast. I think I got about $40 for mine.
 
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