350D or 450D For New Build . . .

[Questtt3]

I am building a long-term system that will sit on my desk and be used as a heavy duty workstation, flight simulator and HD video editing computer running 2-3 monitors. As a workstation it will be running 17+ hours/day and sometimes for 3-5 days and longer with many programs, documents, and browsers open (research).

 

Recognizing the 450D is an ATX case, and the 350D is M-ATX, with an eye on size, heat and sound (quieter is much better as it will be sitting on my desk and used for work--writing, creating data, analysis, etc.):

 

1. If running 2 high-end GPUs in SLI or even a single GPU--which case would you choose--350D or 450D? (I am learning that some flight simulators and HD video editing software won't work in SLI--so may not add a second GPU--uncertain at the moment).

 

2. Would the 450D be "overkill" if end up using only a single GPU, or would the additional space keep the case cooler than a 350D and thus require less fan use and therefore possibly result in a quieter case (than the 350D)?

 

3. Of less importance but curious, would a single GPU in a 450D result in the appearance of a lot of empty space?

 

4. In terms of case quality, do you have a preference as a long-term case that will be the foundation for many years of upgrades?

 

Thank you very much!

[RocketPuppy]

You need to determine if you want SLI or not at first. SLI works better if you plan a system around it instead of mashing it in later.

 

If you go SLI I strongly recommend a full size ATX motherboard that has a PCIe slot between the two PCIe spaces a GPU takes up. Like this:

 

 

This is incredibly helpful for keeping the cards cool. That empty PCIe slot can be the difference between the top card running at 70C or 90C on air.

 

Without SLI the 350d will be fine, keeping 2 video cards cool will require some thought or liquid in the 350d. I'd actually advise the 550d if you want a quiet closed mid-tower for SLI.

 

The 450d will be the better case at air cooling, and be a better solution for SLI.

 

If you truly want something future proof a 750d provides incredibly flexibility for water and air cooling, but it is a HUGE case compared to both the 350d and 450d.

[Questtt3]

Thank you for your response RocketPuppy . . . it is very helpful and I very much appreciate it!!

 

I have been doing more research into flight simulator and HD video editing programs and their recommended components. I was very surprised to read that these programs do NOT appear to like SLI(!?!) . . . has anyone heard otherwise? This was especially surprising to me regarding flight simulator programs as I would have thought that they were similar to gaming programs, which of course generally "like"/perform better with 2 GPUs in SLI.

 

If this is true, that SLI would actually be counterproductive to flight simulator or HD video editing, then I guess I will only be able to run a single GPU.

 

While at first glance the 350D case and its smaller form factor may appear to make sense if only using a single GPU, I would very much appreciate hearing your thoughts:

 

1. Would the 450D, despite its more open front grill and floor, actually run quieter than the 350D because of its purported better cooling performance (if case runs cooler, would the fans run less and at lower speeds)? ;

 

2. Would the 450D case (running a single GPU card) have other benefits over over the 350D that would make you recommend the 450D over the 350D . . . and why? (Is it a better case(?), more upgradeable both in short term (components?) and long term (future mobo's and processors?), other reasons(?))?

 

3. Of very minor importance, but aesthetically curious, would the 450D look odd having only a single GPU card in the window (i.e. would it appear to have a lot of "wasted" case space . . . or not)?

 

. . . or do you recommend the 350D case afterall?

 

(Motherboards considering using . . . if ATX: ASUS Maximus 6 Extreme, if M-ATX: ASUS Maximus 6 Gene).

 

Thank you--I really appreciate your help making this decision as it is the final sticking point, and it is holding up my build!

[Questtt3]

. . . RocketPuppy . . . thanks also for your other case suggestions.

 

Both the 550D and 750D are great cases. While I appreciate the 550D's quiet sound aspect, and its size appears comparable to the 450D, I have never had a window in my case before and was looking forward to this aesthetic. Also, although not a major issue, I am one of those in the minority these days that actually use my optical drive quite frequently . . . I also have a lot of material on my desk at any given time and the hinged door would be a bit of a pain. While I could just take it off I guess, that would defeat the sound dampening purpose.

 

The 750D is also a beautiful case and great suggestion too . . . but just a bit large for my needs and desk space where I need to keep it. Thanks for the suggestions!

[gotto]

i'm in an 800D and it's 2 feet long and 2 feet high sure not a desktop pc as mine sits on the floor:o: if I am correct I think the 750D is a little smaller on the out just not sure how much smaller though:confused:. not something I would not put on my desk.

[Questtt3]

Thanks gotto for your reply!

 

Lol . . . the 800D is a beautiful case for sure!

 

The measurements I have are (inches):

 

D x W x H

350D: 17.7 x 8.3 x 17.3

450D: 19.5 x 8.3 x 19.6

550D: 20.9 x 8.7 x 19.5

650D: 21.5 x 9 x 20.5

750D: 21.5 x 9.25 x 22

760T: 22.2 x 9.7 x 22.36

 

The 750D is also a really beautiful case, though I agree--unfortunately, just a bit too big for my desk . . . thus my 350D vs 450D conundrum.

[gotto]

I like the 450d

[RocketPuppy]

Neither the 350d or 450d are going to look "empty" with a Single GPU. You would need to go 650d or larger before that became an issue. The 350d would actually look extremely crowded with SLI.

 

SLI is only for gaming, and sadly most non-gaming programs that could benefit from a powerful GPU don't utilize it well (I'm looking at you Adobe!).

 

Either case will be fine, pick the one you like the looks of most. The loudest thing on either is going to be the GPU fan or the 120mm exhaust fan. (Actually it will be your optical drive when it spins up).

 

The stock Corsair case fans are quiet and work well. You can make any case quiet, or any case loud, it just depends upon what fans you put in it. If you aren't going to buy aftermarket fans you shouldn't have to worry about noise. If you load the case up with fans you might want to grab a fan controller, or get some 12v to 7v conversion cables for the fans to cut down on noise. A case fully loaded with fans really doesn't need the fans to run at 12v even at full load, there are extremely diminishing returns on how much airflow cools after a certain point.

[Questtt3]

RocketPuppy--your insights and advice about not looking like an empty case, and sound concerns are very much appreciated, thank you! Lol . . . regarding SLI and Adobe . . . agreed!

 

RocketPuppy and others who own or are familiar with the 350D . . . knowing what you know now of the 350D and its characteristics/performance, if you had it to do over again and/or were purchasing a case today . . . would you choose the 350D or the recently released 450D?

 

 

Also, can anyone address what type of single NVidia GTX 780 GPU card would work best in terms of sound and heat in either a 350D or 450D case--a single reference blower fan type (like for example the GTX780 . . . 2781-KR) or one of the 2 fan ACX Cooler cards (like for example, the . . . 3783-KR or . . . 3784-KR).

 

Thank you very much, I really appreciate the help.

[RocketPuppy]

More cooling will never hurt a GPU, and more fans = quieter as you don't need to run them as fast.

 

http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=06G-P4-3787-KR

 

If you never plan on SLI, might as well get an mATX motherboard and the 350d since it will be sitting on your desk.

[dewbak75]

I just got a 450D to move my gamebox into, along with a new motherboard, cpu and H100i. The 450D is a breeze to work in, and by not loading up the front of the case with more drive bays than I'll ever use, it presents a nice clear path for the front fans to keep the video card cool. With the 2x140mm fans in the front for intake, the 120mm and the H100i on the top exhausting air, I'm pretty sure the system should do a pretty good job of staying cool. The 350D looks like it should function pretty much the same. The solid front panel will likely be a bit quieter, but airflow might be stifled a tad. Both cases can handle 2x140mm fans & coolers on top, but the 450D can handle a 3rd 120mm fan if you're willing to give up one of the 5.25" bays(honestly, who uses both of them anymore?). The 350D put the dedicated 2.5" bays under the 5.25" bays instead of on the back of the motherboard tray like the 450D did. This might block a bit of intake air, but not much. And I actually found the placement on the back of the tray wasn't all that convenient cabling-wise for my rig. Your mileage may vary, of course. If you're concerned about the 450D looking "empty" with only one graphics card, don't be. If you're running a single high-end card, it's better off having some breathing room anyway.

 

I gave serious thought to the 350D, but in the end the full-ATX motherboard out of the ones I was looking at had the right set of features for me, so that made the decision for me. If I had found a microATX board that met all my needs and was within my price range, there's a very good chance I would've picked the 350D instead. My gut says you'll be fine with either choice. The cases aren't dead silent, if silence is that critical you'll want to look at the 550D, but you sacrifice cooling performance to get it.

 

As for quiet video cards, if you're looking at getting a GeForce, the cooling setup on MSI's "Gaming" models appears to be quite good from the reviews I've read. It keeps the cards very cool, and runs very quiet. Probably a good place to start. They make Radeons under that line too, if you decide you want an AMD card instead. Definitely don't get one with the reference blower, most of the 3rd-party designs from major manufacturers are going to be better options.

[snapper69]

I have a 750D case and it is massive, but it does have plenty of room for any GPU and also plenty of space behind the tray for cables. I have a Gigabyte 770GTX Windforce, with 3 fans and it's very quiet. At the moment the case is on my desk (about 9 inches from my right ear and with the case off) and I can barely hear it.