What case is the quietest?

[Riekopo]

I currently have an Obsidian 500D case that I bought in 2012. I'm considering getting a new case if there is one that is quieter. Does anyone know if the any of the new cases are quieter than the 550D?

[Toasted]

Corsair has announced the 100R and 330R Silent Mid tower case at CES 2015.

 

100R

http://www.corsair.com/carbide-series-100r-silent-edition-mid-tower-case

330R Titanium Edition

http://www.corsair.com/carbide-series-330r-titanium-edition-silent-mid-tower-case

330R Blackout Edition

http://www.corsair.com/carbide-series-330r-blackout-edition-ultra-silent-mid-tower-case

 

It would be best to wait for a review from silentpcreview before considering a switch.

 

http://www.silentpcreview.com/

[Corsair Dustin]

Silence also really depends on your component selection. A silent case isn't going to make loud components more tolerable, but it will make moderate to quiet components essentially vanish.

 

The 330R Titanium or Blackout Edition might be what you're looking for, though. They're not as high end as the 550D, but they're newer and a bit more refined, and cooling performance should be better.

[Riekopo]

Silence also really depends on your component selection. A silent case isn't going to make loud components more tolerable, but it will make moderate to quiet components essentially vanish.

 

The 330R Titanium or Blackout Edition might be what you're looking for, though. They're not as high end as the 550D, but they're newer and a bit more refined, and cooling performance should be better.

 

If I put my hardware in Case A and then put my hardware in Case B there will be a difference in the noise I can hear coming from the case. Hasn't Corsair done any comparisons on noise levels between the 550D and the new quiet cases?

 

I like how the 330R Blackout Edition looks. I'm considering replacing my 550D with it. My only concern with the 330R is that the rear fan is only 120mm. I find it really weird that it can hold two 140mm fans in the front, but only a 120mm in the rear.

[c-attack]

There are two ways to attack the noise issue.

 

1) You get the biggest, heaviest case you can find which has the fewest number of openings (no mesh, no see through doors). Thicker materials preferred with noise insulating materials on the inside, not just a steel frame. You can also add aftermarket noise isolating sheets to the side of the panels. You turn the case into a bank vault. The downside to this is with minimal openings, you will also retain heat, which means you need to run a higher number of internal fans that may need to run at higher speeds to address that issue, which make noise. Also, premium heavy materials will certainly carry a premium price.

 

2) The other method is to set up a passively ventilated case. Maximum amount of mesh and openings. A small number of fans that turn at very low speeds and provide a constant gentle flow through the case. I am running this kind of set-up now on with an Air 540. It's ridiculously quiet at 3ft at ear level. However, it does require you to be picky about your fans and this type of set up won't work as well if you need to drop your case in a dusty corner.

 

Both methods work. One or the other likely offers you advantages based on your room environment and what the PC will be used for. As for the rear exhaust, one 120 or 140mm opening in the rear is the standard in cases. I can't think of any case of the top of my head that has dual rear panel fans. Most cases are designed to draw air in from the front and exhaust it from the rear and the top, with eye toward the most common case placement --- on the floor pushed back against a wall.