Author Topic: PC cases talk  (Read 15408 times)

2019-06-22, 17:06:39

romullus

  • Global Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ****
  • Posts: 8779
  • Let's move this topic, shall we?
    • View Profile
    • My Models
BTW, the last case I got was a Be Quiet. Don't recommend it. Not quiet at all in my opinion.

Can you tell the model? I'm thinking about Be Quiet Pure Base as my next case, but if you're saying it's not good...

Edit: I've split discussion from the threadrippers topic. We can discuss about PC cases here.
« Last Edit: 2019-06-25, 21:01:02 by romullus »
I'm not Corona Team member. Everything i say, is my personal opinion only.
My Models | My Videos | My Pictures

2019-06-22, 18:48:46
Reply #1

Juraj

  • Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ***
  • Posts: 4743
    • View Profile
    • studio website
Romullus, the Pure series is a good case, but with very restricted airflow due to little overdid intakes. That was probably the intent due to accoustics, but it's little on the overdone scale.
I had once considered the 900 model, but when I saw the tests I decided against.

It depends on what sort of build you want to put inside. If you don't overclock, have single GPU and your motherboard has good VRM heatsink, the case is good to go. If you want more powerful build, the ambient inside will be pretty bad and might throttle your CPU and GPU.

Fractal Define series is better compromise in silence and airflow.
Please follow my new Instagram for latest projects, tips&tricks, short video tutorials and free models
Behance  Probably best updated portfolio of my work
lysfaere.com Please check the new stuff!

2019-06-22, 19:02:16
Reply #2

romullus

  • Global Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ****
  • Posts: 8779
  • Let's move this topic, shall we?
    • View Profile
    • My Models
Thanks Juraj for your insights. You are spot on on the build, that i'm planning - no overclock and single moderate GPU. Can't say anything about MB yet, but i'll keep in mind to pay attention to VRM heatsink. I want silence more than i want performance, so that's most important factor for me. I think Fractal cases are slightly on too expensive side for me, but i definitely will try to look at them.
I'm not Corona Team member. Everything i say, is my personal opinion only.
My Models | My Videos | My Pictures

2019-06-22, 19:10:51
Reply #3

Juraj

  • Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ***
  • Posts: 4743
    • View Profile
    • studio website
The problem with the intakes on BeQuite is the dotted mesh in intakes, it's too dense (and people cut it away with knife). So to get good airflow, fans would have to run bit faster and thus become louder.

Yes, Fractal has inflated their prices over the years from originally 100 euro cases to 150+ euro cases as they started adding glass panels and lot of tidbits. But there is very little difference between for example Define R5 and R6 and I see the R5 going for 100 euros. in many places.
You could even get smaller DefineC. Define is very silent if you keep only front fans and back fan (keep the top closed). This is mostly because it has side vents in front right before sound dampening foam. It already comes with very good fans which you can regulate down to <700 rpm and the case is the virtually silent (outside of CPU fan which depends on CPU of course).
Please follow my new Instagram for latest projects, tips&tricks, short video tutorials and free models
Behance  Probably best updated portfolio of my work
lysfaere.com Please check the new stuff!

2019-06-22, 20:24:47
Reply #4

romullus

  • Global Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ****
  • Posts: 8779
  • Let's move this topic, shall we?
    • View Profile
    • My Models
I briefly looked at define C and it's indeed looks interesting. Definitely will take it in consideration! Do you have something to say about Nanoxia Deep Silence cases?

P.S. apologies for highjacking threadripper topic.
I'm not Corona Team member. Everything i say, is my personal opinion only.
My Models | My Videos | My Pictures

2019-06-22, 21:37:25
Reply #5

Juraj

  • Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ***
  • Posts: 4743
    • View Profile
    • studio website
I briefly looked at define C and it's indeed looks interesting. Definitely will take it in consideration! Do you have something to say about Nanoxia Deep Silence cases?

P.S. apologies for highjacking threadripper topic.

Nanoxia Deep Silence and Fractal Define are so extremely similar I am not sure there are notable differences outside of that split front door :- ). They're definitely from the same factory too.
I don't know anything particular about those and never used them but...I can't imagine them being much better or worse...they're almost carbon copies.
Please follow my new Instagram for latest projects, tips&tricks, short video tutorials and free models
Behance  Probably best updated portfolio of my work
lysfaere.com Please check the new stuff!

2019-06-23, 21:08:48
Reply #6

lupaz

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 951
    • View Profile
BTW, the last case I got was a Be Quiet. Don't recommend it. Not quiet at all in my opinion.

Can you tell the model? I'm thinking about Be Quiet Pure Base as my next case, but if you're saying it's not good...

Hi Romulus. The one I got 2 years ago is this one.

be quiet! Dark Base 900 Silver, Full Tower ATX, 3 Pre-Installed Silent Wings 3 Fans, BG012

It started making to types of noise. From the front cover vibrating, and the general humming noise from the rear.

2019-06-25, 21:06:27
Reply #7

romullus

  • Global Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ****
  • Posts: 8779
  • Let's move this topic, shall we?
    • View Profile
    • My Models
Thanks to Juraj recommendation, i almost made my mind to go with FD Define C. I like very much, how the case is so small, yet so spacious inside. Interestingly, its bigger brother Define S, is even cheaper in my local shop, but i have limited space under desk, so i think C will be smarter choise for me.
I'm not Corona Team member. Everything i say, is my personal opinion only.
My Models | My Videos | My Pictures

2019-06-25, 21:19:05
Reply #8

Juraj

  • Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ***
  • Posts: 4743
    • View Profile
    • studio website
Yup, Define C is very compact :- ). But it still fits the biggest Air cooler, NH-D15, there will be 5mm left, so very close shave :- ).

Define C only comes with two 12cm fans, to get better airflow and lower noise, it's good to buy 3rd fan and have 2 fans in front in push and single fan in back as pull. Stronger positive pressure will also lead to less dust in the case.
Please follow my new Instagram for latest projects, tips&tricks, short video tutorials and free models
Behance  Probably best updated portfolio of my work
lysfaere.com Please check the new stuff!

2019-06-25, 21:32:35
Reply #9

romullus

  • Global Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ****
  • Posts: 8779
  • Let's move this topic, shall we?
    • View Profile
    • My Models
Good idea about 3rd fan, i will add it to my shopping list.

NH-D15 WOW, what a behemoth that is o_O I very doubt that i need such monstrosity :] What would be recommended cooler for 3rd gen Ryzen with no overclocking in mind?
I'm not Corona Team member. Everything i say, is my personal opinion only.
My Models | My Videos | My Pictures

2019-06-25, 22:03:42
Reply #10

Juraj

  • Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ***
  • Posts: 4743
    • View Profile
    • studio website
NH-D15 every single time :- ). Bigger coolers can run much more silently, though some could object to Noctua's higher prices, the quality is absolutely worth it.

With <105W TDP chips, NH-D15 can run @500 rpm, being virtually inaudible all the time, even during turbo clocks (or when Corona hits denoising).

SilentiumPC, BeQuite, Arctic and Scythe also make great and much much cheaper coolers but I never read cooler reviews so I have no idea which one is best for the money.
I've never bought anything else than Noctua since 2012. Doesn't mean others won't be sufficient, but you might need to read up some tests to see how they compare.

Good measure in tests (I think GamerNexus does it like this often) is accoustic normalized performance, i.e how much is temperature delta @ 20 dB.
Please follow my new Instagram for latest projects, tips&tricks, short video tutorials and free models
Behance  Probably best updated portfolio of my work
lysfaere.com Please check the new stuff!

2019-06-25, 22:18:03
Reply #11

Ink Visual

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 159
    • View Profile
Hi Juraj,
From aesthetic point of view, what is the model of a case you posted on Facebook a while ago?
I just love the look the look of it, is it Corsair?
Thanks!

2019-06-25, 22:31:08
Reply #12

Juraj

  • Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ***
  • Posts: 4743
    • View Profile
    • studio website
Thermaltake 71 TG, the cheapest version of this case is 140 Euro, the more expensive ones just come with more RGB fans from Thermaltake...

I don't really love the aesthetic since I like pure boxes lot more but it grew on me when I was building it... And this is very spacious case that's not terribly tall. Very good for water cooling because the board is positioned slightly lower from the top.
Please follow my new Instagram for latest projects, tips&tricks, short video tutorials and free models
Behance  Probably best updated portfolio of my work
lysfaere.com Please check the new stuff!

2020-01-08, 12:47:36
Reply #13

Juraj

  • Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ***
  • Posts: 4743
    • View Profile
    • studio website
Bump: Let's talk about cases here :- )
Please follow my new Instagram for latest projects, tips&tricks, short video tutorials and free models
Behance  Probably best updated portfolio of my work
lysfaere.com Please check the new stuff!

2020-01-08, 15:47:25
Reply #14

Michael Arch-Viz

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 76
    • View Profile
Yo Guys
ordered today this one.

For improving cool performance, the case supports up to eight 120mm or 140mm fans as well as liquid-cooling solutions. In addition, a water cooling bracket is included for mounting a reservoir.

Looks Fantastic, will arrive today or tomorrow :)



https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1277055-REG/evga_100_e1_1014_k0_dg_86_gaming_gunmetal_grey.html

2020-01-08, 15:57:55
Reply #15

Juraj

  • Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ***
  • Posts: 4743
    • View Profile
    • studio website
You know what, that's pretty funky case :- ). Not aesthetics I would like on first sight, but it gives off that old IBM server cases which is kind of cool.

BUT, fantastic cooling, esp. the fact it has two rear exhaust fans positioned behind that tray. That's genial thing.
Please follow my new Instagram for latest projects, tips&tricks, short video tutorials and free models
Behance  Probably best updated portfolio of my work
lysfaere.com Please check the new stuff!

2020-01-08, 16:18:42
Reply #16

Michael Arch-Viz

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 76
    • View Profile
Look how fantastic is a back of this case

from time 5:05

About design, in my opinion, looks like cyberpunk style )))

2020-01-08, 17:41:44
Reply #17

twoheads

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 261
    • View Profile
Juraj,

Continuing cases here.

Fractal Design Meshify S2 price point is ok'ish so to speak. Is it comparable case to Be Quiet Dark Base Pro 900 in terms of ventilation or is it clearly inferior? Besides this one limits Mobo choice to Gigabyte TRX40 AORUS MASTER. As far as I can tell  ASUS ROG STRIX TRX40‑E GAMING is ATX right?






2020-01-08, 17:51:46
Reply #18

Michael Arch-Viz

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 76
    • View Profile
Juraj,

Continuing cases here.

Fractal Design Meshify S2 price point is ok'ish so to speak. Is it comparable case to Be Quiet Dark Base Pro 900 in terms of ventilation or is it clearly inferior? Besides this one limits Mobo choice to Gigabyte TRX40 AORUS MASTER. As far as I can tell  ASUS ROG STRIX TRX40‑E GAMING is ATX right?

yep E Gaming is ATX, the main reason why I did not buy this board is that small fans ACTIVE VRM HEATSINK

2020-01-08, 17:52:04
Reply #19

Juraj

  • Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ***
  • Posts: 4743
    • View Profile
    • studio website
Meshify is one of the best airflow cases on market, if not the best. Dark Base Pro 900 is one of the worst, but that doesn't mean it's terrible.

Aorus Master is E-ATX (30.5cm tall, 27cm wide), Asus Strix is smaller ATX (30.5cm tall, 24.5cm wide).

Almost every case fits both. E-ATX is just slightly wider format, it's not big by any means.
Please follow my new Instagram for latest projects, tips&tricks, short video tutorials and free models
Behance  Probably best updated portfolio of my work
lysfaere.com Please check the new stuff!

2020-01-08, 18:00:54
Reply #20

twoheads

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 261
    • View Profile
Meshify is one of the best airflow cases on market, if not the best. Dark Base Pro 900 is one of the worst, but that doesn't mean it's terrible.

Aorus Master is E-ATX (30.5cm tall, 27cm wide), Asus Strix is smaller ATX (30.5cm tall, 24.5cm wide).

Almost every case fits both. E-ATX is just slightly wider format, it's not big by any means.

Dark base is one of the worst you say? Or should you say "not great, not terrible"? ;)

I will seriously consider meshify.

2020-01-08, 18:03:35
Reply #21

Juraj

  • Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ***
  • Posts: 4743
    • View Profile
    • studio website
Compared only in air-flow. DarkBase is very restrictive, with recirculating air-channel issues (the front fans will draw hot air from top of the case because it's easier than pushing against static pressure of the mesh filters on side.
Please follow my new Instagram for latest projects, tips&tricks, short video tutorials and free models
Behance  Probably best updated portfolio of my work
lysfaere.com Please check the new stuff!

2020-01-08, 18:20:23
Reply #22

Michael Arch-Viz

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 76
    • View Profile
my dog likes a new case :D  probably he thinks that this is his new dog house

2020-01-08, 18:28:50
Reply #23

Juraj

  • Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ***
  • Posts: 4743
    • View Profile
    • studio website
Bit too small for him :- ).

My Husky loves to sleep next to render farm, which is very funny for an arctic dog. It's probably the humming noise.
Please follow my new Instagram for latest projects, tips&tricks, short video tutorials and free models
Behance  Probably best updated portfolio of my work
lysfaere.com Please check the new stuff!

2020-01-09, 01:25:58
Reply #24

danio1011

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 361
    • View Profile
My Define S2 got delayed (lost?!?) but UPS shipping.  I'm also concerned it's just not going to fit the XL-ATX form factor of the TRX40 Aorus eXtreme.  The Fractal XL R2 just looks like an outdated design I'm just not that excited about.  I don't need those drive bays at all.  The Lian Li O11 Rog looks great but doesn't fit the 3970x's best air cooling option (Noctua.)

I'm starting to look at 'cube' designs with dual comopartments but those things are beasts.  I will be almost entirely NVME, if anything an SSD and no watercooling so all these full towers\cubes are a bit overkill.  But I'd be up for any good suggestions at this point...

Edit:  The be quiet Dark Base Pro 900 rev. 2 is XL ATX compatible.  It sounds like maybe Rev 2 is slightly better for airflow?  I’m starting to think this is my best option thus far...

Edit 2:  Juraj, do you think your Thermaltake View 71 would fit an XL-ATX board?  Unlike the BeQuiet it does not explicitly list XL-ATX but I note it has 8 pci slots so my guess would be yes.  Any sense of how it would compare to the BeQuiet Pro 900 R2?  The BeQuiet actually seems like a pretty nice case, if a little overly-modular.  The View 71 seems like it might collect dust inside due to all the gaps?
« Last Edit: 2020-01-09, 08:46:12 by danio1011 »

2020-01-09, 15:39:03
Reply #25

lupaz

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 951
    • View Profile
Meshify is one of the best airflow cases on market

Just curious and not that I doubt about you. How do you know these things? Personal experience or reading somewhere?

2020-01-09, 15:54:05
Reply #26

Juraj

  • Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ***
  • Posts: 4743
    • View Profile
    • studio website
There are benchmarks done in all the case reviews on internet :- ). Steve/GamerNexus does case testing a lot.

But in case of Fractal Meshify...it's already in the name of the case "Mesh". It doesn't have closed front like Define Series.
Here is comparative video between Meshify and Define-C:
Mind you, I still build my 3950X + SingleGPU into Define-C because I like silence and the cleaner accoustics.

TL:DR from the video in 1 sentence: 6 Degrees 'C. (Or you open the front panel in Define to get the same).
Please follow my new Instagram for latest projects, tips&tricks, short video tutorials and free models
Behance  Probably best updated portfolio of my work
lysfaere.com Please check the new stuff!

2020-01-09, 17:39:14
Reply #27

steyin

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 375
  • BALLS
    • View Profile
    • Instagram Page
I've only used Cooler Master cases for the last 10 years, don't find others much better for the price point. Also don't care for anything fancy like lights or glass side panel, just give me a sturdy case with good airflow and such.
Eventually will have to look at what's available when the new Threadripper is out for my future build.

2020-01-09, 17:41:53
Reply #28

danio1011

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 361
    • View Profile
I ended up rush ordering the Be Quiet! Pro 900 R2 this morning.  Should be here tomorrow.  I could see reducing some of their noise dampening material to increase airflow, we'll see.

2020-02-11, 12:53:41
Reply #29

Radim Razzak

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 23
    • View Profile
Hi there.

Which case (as much compact as possible) would you recommend for a 33cm wide E-ATX motherboard? No need for optical drives. I've had several Deepcool cases, which are very compact yet allow installing these wide E-ATX motherboards, but unfortunately, they don't have any dust filters and also, I'd like to fit in three 3.5" hard drives (the Deepcool cases I've had can take only two HDDs). I like very much the Fractal Design Meshify case, but the specs say that only 28 cm (or less) wide motherboards are supported.

Thanks

2020-03-19, 18:45:51
Reply #30

twoheads

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 261
    • View Profile
What do you think about vertical GPU installation? Any other reason than aesthetics to use this riser with meshify s2 + non blower GPU?



2020-03-20, 09:49:41
Reply #31

Juraj

  • Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ***
  • Posts: 4743
    • View Profile
    • studio website
Worse in every way, mainly temperatures (easily 10+ C) but also prevents flexible access to behind pci slots.

I'd like to order extra fans for meshify s2,   
3x top, 2x bottom, 1x front

which one would be the best choice?

NF-A15 PWM
NF-A14 PWM
NF-A14 ULN

S2 comes with Dynamic X2 GP-14's, is there any reason to change them at the beginning?

Thanks
TH

X2 are decent fans, if the noise and sound profile sounds good to you, you can keep them.

A15 is A14 version with 120mm mounting, it was made for heatsinks.

PWM is 1500 rpm fan with 4-pin connection (4th pin for PWM modulation). Comes with ULN connector that caps the speed at 1200.
ULN is 1000 RPM fan with 3-pin connection. (Motherboard modulates the speed with voltage). Comes with ULN connecter that caps the speed at 800rpm.

It's not 140mm fan, but NF-A12x25 120mm is the best fan in the world right now. Incredible sound profile (very pleasant compared to A14 series), and for some loudness, it has same performance as 140mm fan (noise-normalized test).

I don't know how to in fact move posts, so I deleted yours in TR thread to keep the topics separate.

I would google a little bit about air-flow. Populating the top 3 ports in fact worsens the CPU cooling (because the front intake will go out before it even reaches the CPU). So it's best to only populate the other two, or just the last one, and close the other two slots with something). Or you can just run massive positive pressure with lot of intake fans only. No problem with any setup.
« Last Edit: 2020-03-20, 20:45:26 by Juraj Talcik »
Please follow my new Instagram for latest projects, tips&tricks, short video tutorials and free models
Behance  Probably best updated portfolio of my work
lysfaere.com Please check the new stuff!

2023-02-15, 22:11:04
Reply #32

romullus

  • Global Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ****
  • Posts: 8779
  • Let's move this topic, shall we?
    • View Profile
    • My Models
Is it normal for plastic PC case to give loud cracking sounds when it's expanding and contracting? My apartment has quite cool ambient temperature and its not very consistent, since heating is from AC. On top of that i'm turning off PC for the night, so it's also has it's own thermal cycle. That constant temperature fluctuation makes my case to produce frequent and often loud cracking sounds. It's slowly growing on my nerves. Before that i had all metal case, which wasn't great in any sense, but at least it didn't give much sounds, except for occasional rattle from spinning HDDs. The case in question is Fractal Design Torrent compact, i expected pretty good quality from it. Or maybe quality is too good in a sense that parts are so tight that they can't travel freely on thermal expansion? Maybe i should lubricate it? :D
I'm not Corona Team member. Everything i say, is my personal opinion only.
My Models | My Videos | My Pictures

2023-02-15, 22:57:51
Reply #33

lupaz

  • Active Users
  • **
  • Posts: 951
    • View Profile
My two cents: I have a Fractal Torrent (not compact) and do not hear any sounds like that.
The temp here in my office also varies; from about 60F to about 72F.

I remember hearing sounds like that with a different case, and always thought it could be the MB contracting and expanding.

2023-02-16, 10:57:54
Reply #34

Juraj

  • Moderator
  • Active Users
  • ***
  • Posts: 4743
    • View Profile
    • studio website
I have metal/glass window case, extremely rigid, but when I open window and -5C air comes into my 23C ambient room, I hear all sounds of loud cracking for like 2-3 minutes :- ).
I think it's rather the hardware than the "case" in my case.

I can see lot of Fractal Cases cracking though, they are mostly tool-less these days so there is plenty of space to expand.
Please follow my new Instagram for latest projects, tips&tricks, short video tutorials and free models
Behance  Probably best updated portfolio of my work
lysfaere.com Please check the new stuff!