computer case recommendations

[VJ]

Seeing how hard it is to do it quietly, I'm beginning to wonder myself...
I'd like it to be well suited for games...

Easiest solution I see now is to get a nVidia mainboard with the new 9400 onboard GPU and a GTX260. The onboard GPU is CUDA compatible and can serve as PhysX processor, while the GTX260 can then be used for the graphics. The reason for going for the GTX260 would be as they seem to be quite quiet (as I read from reviews), as opposed to the GTX280. I have read the 270 and 290 are just around the corner (die shrink of repsectively 260 and 280). At present, hybridPower (feature which turns an external GPU completely off when its power is not needed) is not supported on this chipset, but this could still change.
It would allow me much more choice in cases, and much less hassle. I was just trying to see how I could maximise the system (game) potential (what is possible and what isn't)...


Jörg

[Mehen]

If you're going with one video card then you could fit a big beefy after market it cooler on it. Then it should be really quiet.

Soon to be released thermalright GTX:

http://www.thermalright.com/new_a_page/product_page/vga/hr-03_gtx/product_vga_cooler_hr03gtx.html

[VJ]

Yes, I came across it. It does require a 12mm fan (for the GTX260/280), which makes it take up 4 PCI slots (faq 4)... Granted, an SLI setup also loses 4 PCI slots...
(I'm also a bit weary of removing a stock cooler )

The stock cooler on the ASUS GTX260 is said to be very silent (according to silentpcreview), so putting this in a well isolated case might still remain silent during movie playback.

FWIW, I would not put harddisks in it, just a single SSD drive (to avoid both noise and heat from it). Additional storage would be via network or external.

I'm still torn between a nice desktop-shape htpc case, or a tower. The former is easier to place and may look better, but more difficult to get quiet with the compononents I'd like; the latter is easier to silence, but more difficult to position...

Jörg

[VJ]

I'm still having problems with understanding and estimating cooling performance. What about this situation:

Consider the Antec Fusion Remote Max. It is possible to remove the center drive cage, to create space for long video cards. In the bottom, there is room for a 12mm fan. Looking at the case, this means that there is 1 12mm intake fan near the front, 1 12mm output fans near the cpu and one intake 14mm intake fan near the cpu. And this is said to be sufficient for sli/crossfire (according to silentpcreview).

Now consider the Zalman HD160xt. The left-front drive cage can be removed, which creates room for long videocards. On the side, there is an 92 mm intake fan. Near the cpu, there are 2x 80mm output fans and various other vent holes (next to pci slots, above cpu, ...).

Would this be such a difference in cooling?


edit: I have come across a silent tower which does seem interesting: Silentmaxx st-11.


Jörg

[Mehen]

Well the Antec has a fan blow almost directly across the video cards, and they are all 120mm. The antec is pretty much identical to my diagram on the first page. 120mm are usually quieter while moving more air. Even if its only a couple of degree difference, if you're using SLI GTX's you're looking at some pretty high temperatures. I'd feel much more comfortable with 85C as opposed to 90C.

[VJ]

Yes, it is difficult for me to grasp that (my last videocard is a Parhelia... ).
It is all in the details... The difference don't seem to be that big to me, but they may be big enough...


I have been looking at the Lian Li PC-B25, and I think it might not be deep enough to hold the longer videocards.
The other tower (the Lian Li X500) also matches your diagram

and holds cards up to 30cm in lentgh, so I take it it will also suffice for SLI...?

Jörg

[Mehen]

I have wet dreams about the X500. Buy it. Actually buy 2 and send me one

I love the airflow diagrams:

http://www.lian-li.com/v2/en/flashpage/x500/

[VJ]

Hehe... I have another Lian-Li case and the build quality is addictive. Makes it hard to like another make...

All reviews of the x500 look positive, apart from the one at Custompcs; but no Lian-Li case is high rated there (negative bias?). I do believe that the hdd cooling is sub-optimal but I don't plan to put many disks.

Jörg

[Mehen]

If I had the money all my cases would be Lian Li or Silverstone (I don't like the internal designs as much, but I've heard the build quality is even higher than that of Lian Li).

[Mehen]

Check out this thread, bunch of pics of the X500.

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1311156

[VJ]

Quite an old thread.

Well, this thread has helped of make up my mind. All I need now is for the mainboard chipset I want to become available. It'll be a long wait.

[TransformX]

If you love fans and want something that acts like a jet's afterburner, try one of these:

http://www.antec.com/ec/pro_en_GamerCases.php

If you can afford it, get a single Radeon 4870 X2 and I believe it's an overkill of all your gaming needs.
Check the reviews if you're not convinced:

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/amd_ati_radeon_4870_x2_performance_review/

[Chucky Cheese]

i am intriqued by that open air case...the skeleton by antec!

cc

[Marshmallowman]

Anandtech did a (pre) review of the antec skeleton case.

I do wonder how much RF interference it would cause.

[VJ]

If you love fans and want something that acts like a jet's afterburner, try one of these:

http://www.antec.com/ec/pro_en_GamerCases.php

I don't love fans, but they are necessary when sticking with air cooling...

If you can afford it, get a single Radeon 4870 X2 and I believe it's an overkill of all your gaming needs.
Check the reviews if you're not convinced:
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/...rmance_review/

Yes, but the from a generated noise point of view, two GTX260 in SLI may be more silent.
(I have tend to prefer nVidia, personal opinion, no real rational reasons apart from liking their cuda approach)

Anandtech did a (pre) review of the antec skeleton case.
I do wonder how much RF interference it would cause.

Yes, I'm surprised it is allowed as a case... Other cases are all about EMI shielding etc. and this just keeps it all open...


Jörg