JWB
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Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
Hi,
My three SATA drives are warmer than I anticipated and they really need a front or top mounted fan (in addition to a rear fan) to cool them. Problem is, this might be noisier than want. Does anyone have a suggestion for a dual-fan case that's relatively quiet?
Thanks
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coldsteal2
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 01, 07 10:09 PM
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This is what i have and its very quiet, dont let the size fool you its really quiet ANTEC 900 Computer Case  This is looking down, the big fan is on the top 
post edited by coldsteal2 - July 01, 07 10:29 PM
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JWB
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 02, 07 11:34 AM
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Wow nice case! Four fans even... and a cup holder!
Thanks for the info. I have an Antec Sonata II right now. I wish the build quality was better. I already broke the flimsy front panel off. This looks solid though.
I assume you're keeping the fans on low to medium speed? I'll check it out... thanks again!
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lazarous
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 02, 07 12:14 AM
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ORIGINAL: JWB
Hi,
My three SATA drives are warmer than I anticipated and they really need a front or top mounted fan (in addition to a rear fan) to cool them. Problem is, this might be noisier than want. Does anyone have a suggestion for a dual-fan case that's relatively quiet?
Thanks
I have two of these: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1552&page=1 They are extremely quiet, good looking boxes. SUPER easy to work on, and stay very cool. Good luck! Corey
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losguy
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 02, 07 8:31 PM
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ORIGINAL: JWB
My three SATA drives are warmer than I anticipated and they really need a front or top mounted fan (in addition to a rear fan) to cool them. Problem is, this might be noisier than want. Does anyone have a suggestion for a dual-fan case that's relatively quiet?
The first place to look for the definitive word on hardware that's quiet is http://www.silentpcreview.com Here is a review on the Antec P182 case. It's probably the ultimate in quiet, thermally efficient design for an air-cooled case. Product Link 
post edited by losguy - July 03, 07 9:19 AM
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left_of_the_dial
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 03, 07 5:57 AM
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I just replaced a Antec Sonata II with the Antec 900 listed above. The thing lowered the computer/cpu temps by fifteen degrees and is very quiet when the fans are turned down.
Great case!
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cryophonik
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 03, 07 10:56 AM
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Another Antec 900 case owner here. Excellent case, very quiet, nice little space for holding a spare USB cable or whatever (however, I wouldn't put a drink there, JWB!), and very conveniently placed USB, firewire, headphone, etc. jacks. It also looks very cool with all the blue lights and see-through side panel. If you click on my signature below it will take you to my website. Go to Studio page and look at photos #1, #6, and esp. #9 to see it lit up in all its glory!
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Roflcopter
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 03, 07 12:52 AM
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I'm a perfectionist, and perfect is a skinned knee.
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JWB
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 03, 07 5:43 PM
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Update...
I decided to buy the Antec Nine Hundred. I ordered it last night from Circuit City after doing a search on Pricegrabber. Well guess what?... I was expecting a new Safe Sound preamp to arrive today. Instead when the doorbell rang, I opened the door and there sitting at my doorstep is the ANTEC CASE!!!... 16 hours after I ordered it online! I don't think Newegg could've beaten that!
The case is really nice looking. I wish I had time today to set it up. Thanks for originally suggesting it Coldsteal... I think my SATA drives and fanless video card are gonna be real happy now!
Best regards,
Jon
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MarlboroMan23
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 05, 07 2:08 AM
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I really don't see how the Antec 900 can compare to the P182 as far as quiet goes. I know I'm contributing a little late but there is now way a gamer case with a completely perforated front panel is gonna be anywhere near silent. If it doesn't work out you should really look at the links provided for the P182.
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coldsteal2
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 05, 07 4:53 AM
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ORIGINAL: JWB
Update...
I decided to buy the Antec Nine Hundred. I ordered it last night from Circuit City after doing a search on Pricegrabber. Well guess what?... I was expecting a new Safe Sound preamp to arrive today. Instead when the doorbell rang, I opened the door and there sitting at my doorstep is the ANTEC CASE!!!... 16 hours after I ordered it online! I don't think Newegg could've beaten that!
The case is really nice looking. I wish I had time today to set it up. Thanks for originally suggesting it Coldsteal... I think my SATA drives and fanless video card are gonna be real happy now!
Best regards,
Jon
I love mine! im glad you picked one up and there are other owners of it here to! ITs the best case ive ever had i hav my fans turned on low, can hardly hear anything as a mater of fact i hear my refigerator from all the way across the house louder than the case. Also looks great, a plus i wasnt even expecting. 
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losguy
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 05, 07 9:53 AM
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ORIGINAL: MarlboroMan23
I really don't see how the Antec 900 can compare to the P182 as far as quiet goes. I know I'm contributing a little late but there is now way a gamer case with a completely perforated front panel is gonna be anywhere near silent. If it doesn't work out you should really look at the links provided for the P182.
True... but it's hard to compete with huge LED fans  I suppose that if the fans are turned down, it's could be quiet enough for a lot of people, but you're right, there's really no way it would stand up to an A/B test with the P182. Anyway, the info and links are here for anybody searching around in the future.
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Hard2Hear
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 05, 07 10:51 AM
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You're right, its not. We bought one of those 900's and pretty much laughed it out of the shop. The fans aren't too loud, but theres so much open space to the outside that you can hear anything going on inside the computer, almost the same as if it wasn't in a case at all. The P180 series is still one of my personal favorites (its what I use myself). The only drawback that its easily damaged in shipping because of the door design.
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mlockett
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 05, 07 11:40 AM
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ORIGINAL: JWB
Wow nice case! Four fans even... and a cup holder!
With my computer, I press a button, and the cup holder slides right out; press the button again and the cup holder retracks, then I hear some spinning noise for a few seconds. :-)
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coldsteal2
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 05, 07 12:25 AM
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all right now, im sitting here next to my computer, the thing is as quiet as a laptop.
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losguy
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 05, 07 1:03 PM
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ORIGINAL: Hard2Hear
You're right, its not. We bought one of those 900's and pretty much laughed it out of the shop. The fans aren't too loud, but theres so much open space to the outside that you can hear anything going on inside the computer, almost the same as if it wasn't in a case at all. Hey Mike. Thanks for backing me up with a word from the trenches. Right back at-ya good ol' boy. (I grew up in TN, BTW.) The P180 series is still one of my personal favorites (its what I use myself). The only drawback that its easily damaged in shipping because of the door design.
You might like to know that they mention updating the door design from the P180 to the P182 (on page 3 of the P182 review). It deals with warping of the door due to temperature changes, but they beefed it up regardless, which could help in general mechanically: There was the issue of the warping front door in the original P180, which many users complained about. The original P180 front door was a 2-ply panel, aluminum on the outside and plastic on the inside. Big temperature changes sometimes caused the door to warp due to different expansion/contraction rates in the two materials. When the temperaure stabilized, the door could sometimes be bent back straight and straighten by itself. It was never a problem encountered with SPCR's samples. At some point in 2006 or late 2005, Antec replaced the door with a 3-ply aluminum-plastic-aluminum version with differently placed magnets. That pretty much stopped the warping complaints. The P182SE has a 3-ply door; warping should not be an issue.
post edited by losguy - July 05, 07 1:10 PM
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jacktheexcynic
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 05, 07 5:48 PM
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ORIGINAL: coldsteal2
all right now, im sitting here next to my computer, the thing is as quiet as a laptop. that'll depend on the laptop. mine has a dying fan and sounds like a jackhammer...  seriously though, how loud is it under load? how quiet is your room to begin with? there's quiet and then there's quiet. when i'm not using my dell precision workstation, its quiet. under load, not so much.
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JWB
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 05, 07 11:05 PM
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all right now, im sitting here next to my computer, the thing is as quiet as a laptop.
I agree that it's very quiet... a lot quieter than my Sonata II with its single fan on high speed. Very happy so far. One question... where are the HD and Power LEDs? I plugged them in and powered up with the top power button. However, I can't come across anything that lights up besides the fan LEDs. Thanks, Jon
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JWB
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 07, 07 1:25 AM
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Correction... came with HD LED only. It worked when I switched the connectors.
Awesome case! It's not dead quiet but pretty close. Would highly recommend.
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coldsteal2
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RE: Computer Case That's Quiet? (fan type)
July 07, 07 4:57 AM
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ORIGINAL: JWB
Correction... came with HD LED only. It worked when I switched the connectors.
Awesome case! It's not dead quiet but pretty close. Would highly recommend.
absolutely, and i have built over 11 personal computers since 99, the best one ive ever owned.
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