computer case recommendations

[VJ]

I've been reading up on video card noise levels, and found this:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-4870,1964-16.html

However, on SilentPCReview, they measured this:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article870-page5.html

Just to compare, SilentPCReview tested a 4830 (same testbed):

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article878-page4.html

(the description of the noise seems worse than the gtx260, which is much more powerful. So this basically makes me wonder about higher spec ati cards...)

Problem is that the distance differs, the gtx260 card manufacturer differs, and that spcr measures with the system inside a dampened case...
How can one possibly compare all this...


Jörg

[TransformX]

How about two of these (though 1 should be enough for most of your needs):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

Couldn't find info about the noise levels of this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102809

[VJ]

This card:

http://www.sapphiretech.com/us/products/products_overview.php?gpid=254&grp=3

is also said to be much quieter than the stock 4870...


Jörg

[VJ]

I could of course sacrifice a bit of performance, and get two passive 4850 cards:

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/VGA/Products_Overview.aspx?ProductID=2900

No noise anymore.....


Jörg

[TransformX]

This card:

http://www.sapphiretech.com/us/products/products_overview.php?gpid=254&grp=3

is also said to be much quieter than the stock 4870...


Jörg

I skipped this card in my recommendations due to the Firingsquad review.
The bottom line was that the 1GB cards were more appealing, that's why I've posted a link to a quiet 1GB card made by Sapphire.

Oh and no, 2x 4850 is by no way a compromise. These cards are beasts.

[VJ]

Well, Gigabyte has completely passive 4850 cards and passive 9600 cards. I still tend to prefer the nVidia cards. Two of those can outperform a single gtx260...

I'm have seen that the gtx260 on 55nm are imminent. Presumably, these can be more silent. So maybe worth the wait.

[SitFlyer]

I've been reluctant to reply..........I have a silverstone htpc case and it's near silent with 3 tuner cards, a gigabyte 9600gs, 2 hd on pata at800gb total, dvd drive.. ruynning sagetv...I 'm using all 'quiet' fans. I can't imagine what VJ is thinking could be louder. ( I have, including the PS fans..10 fans going and I can't even hardly hear it )
Once I turn on the tube, anything noise I can concentrate on, from the htpc, is irrelevant.

[VJ]

Well, my current system is WAY too loud (5 years old, fans: psu, 2x80mm in, 2x80mm out, 2x60 mm cpu), so maybe I am overcompensating... (before anyone else comes up with it: overcompensating given what I now of my current system, nothing else ).

But I do have very sensitive hearing, so I'm trying to get it as silent as possible.

[Mehen]

Well in a dead silent bedroom I think an Antec P182 is noisy which is apparently one of the quietest cases you can buy... If you really want DEAD silent, they say watercooling is the way to go.

[VJ]

I have considered watercooling, and there are interesting watercooling kits (e.g. Zalman Reserator XT, Koolance Exos), but I keep wondering if it is worth the hassle; after all: there is a pump and fans to help cool the radiator which both may make noise. It also requires more maintenance (draining/refilling the circuit every two-or-so years). It also moves away from more default components (a video card with waterblock implies that one HAS to use watercooling, there is no way out). Part of me wants to try it, and part of me finds its too cumbersome...

Silentmaxx offers noise isolated cases. They have prebuilt systems as well, which one can configure and for this they show the noise; this configuration:

http://www.silentmaxx.de/en/pc-systeme.html?tx_smconfig_pi1[baseConfig]=3

is said to output 19 dB(A) even with a GTX280 (when a hdd silencer is added)
So I'm still not 100% clear on the case (either the SilentMaxx, or the Lian-Li).

Jörg

[VJ]

Just noticed:
GT200 55nm to show up in retail in December

[VJ]

Well in a dead silent bedroom I think an Antec P182 is noisy which is apparently one of the quietest cases you can buy... If you really want DEAD silent, they say watercooling is the way to go.

Just to be clear on this:
Suppose I watercool the videocard(s) using some external watercooling setup. Does this imply that I can opt for a "smaller" case (e.g. desktop model)?


Jörg

[Mehen]

Yeah, seems logical.
Heh I suppose you don't even need a fan on your radiator

http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?Idx=184

[VJ]

I have thought about that, and asked Zalman about specific cooling specs. They were very helpful, and told me the passive reserators (reserator 1 plus, reserator1 V2, reserator 2) can dissipate 150 W of hea; but bfgtech says their watercooled 260 generates 186 W. So one it won't be able to cool it...
The Zalman Reserator XT can dissipate 500 W, and does get very good comments on noise (passive when possible). Seeing how the cards behave under light load, makes me think the watercooler could be completely passive when not gaming.
I am reconsidering going the watercooled route, but only for the videocards... Just seems like fun.

[SitFlyer]

Enjoy the great hearing while you can. It's only a matter of time, and other factors, before you can be like the other 50+% of peeps that hears random ringing or or heartbeats, in their heads.
Tinnitus SUXXORS. I really savor those times that are 'silent'.