New computer case?

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sven450
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2005/10/07 11:14:11 (permalink)

New computer case?

I am thinking about switching to a new, quieter case. This is the cheapest and easiest way for me to bring down the noise a bit. Do I need to worry about a fresh install (of XP), or is it just a matter of unhooking all the power and drives, unscrewing the mobo and reinstalling it all in the new case?

Never done this without brand new install, so I don't know. Thanks.
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    LixiSoft
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    RE: New computer case? 2005/10/07 11:44:45 (permalink)
    Just swap everything to the new case. Just be sure to make notes about what cards go into which slots. Make sure you keep the physical setup identical between the two cases.

    LixiSoft
    #2
    ohhey
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    RE: New computer case? 2005/10/07 11:53:40 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: sven450

    I am thinking about switching to a new, quieter case. This is the cheapest and easiest way for me to bring down the noise a bit. Do I need to worry about a fresh install (of XP), or is it just a matter of unhooking all the power and drives, unscrewing the mobo and reinstalling it all in the new case?

    Never done this without brand new install, so I don't know. Thanks.


    No you don't have to re-install, just be VERY carefull and be sure to get everything hooked back up right in the new case. You may need the manual to the motherboard to double check things like the power and drive LEDs and the power on button. Document everything else as the old ones comes apart even down to what card was in what slot and how all the wires attach.

    The Antec Sonata or Sonata II is a good quiet case. Also if you can afford it the Antec Phantom 350 fanless power supply is a fantastic device and makes NO sound at all. It was the most expensive power supply I ever bought but darn well worth it.
    #3
    Duojet
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    RE: New computer case? 2005/10/07 18:40:50 (permalink)
    the antec sonata is a great case. but if you want to save a bit of money, this case is on sale at compusa by Antec and has almost the same noise performance as the sonata:

    http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=312799&pfp=srch1

    antec link

    http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=92650

    ends tomorrow.

    the sonata will run you $100-110

    i just bought this case for an athlon x2 3800 system i'm building.
    #4
    cjburch
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    RE: New computer case? 2005/10/07 18:44:22 (permalink)
    ohhey is right in that you don't have to reinstall software, but a few considerations are:
    1. What size motherboard do you have? Most newer cases handle multiple mother board sizes but some don't.
    2. Are you going to reutilize your existing power supply & fan? I suspect you'll find that most of your noise is coming from them.
    3. I liked the Sonata II, but found that it wasn't as thermally effecient (or quite as quiet) as the Nexus Breeze 400. It's tough to get one of these in that you'll have to wait but believe me I can't even tell it's on. Also the power supply fan is one of the quietest I've ever seen AND the way it's constructed, it runs cooler than any other case I've used.
    It also has an easily removable filter that you can wash out and keep the dust out of the machine (which builds up heat over time.)

    No, I don't sell em folks. Just very pleased and passing it along. Mine ran about $170 with shipping.

    Poppy

    AMD 64-X2 3800+ on K8N NEO 2 Platinum, Nexus Breeze 400, 2-1 gig DDR 3200, 2 WD-160 gb SATA HD, Audigy 2 ZS Platinum, MOTU 896HD, 4X DVD+-RW
    #5
    Duojet
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    RE: New computer case? 2005/10/07 18:59:02 (permalink)
    cjburch, does the case hide the noise of the stock amd cpu fan or did you buy a quiet cpu cooler?
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    sven450
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    RE: New computer case? 2005/10/07 19:06:10 (permalink)
    Thanks y'all. The Sonata II is what I was shooting for, but its cemented now. I'm off to play, thanks for the advice.
    #7
    cjburch
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    RE: New computer case? 2005/10/08 07:28:06 (permalink)
    Duojet:

    The Breeze 400 has it's own quiet power supply fan and is acoustically lined (the gray foam. It pulls trough a filter at the botttom of the case and helps speed up the normal hot air convection currents and exits at the top. Even the frame helps act as a heat sink.

    I'm using the stock CPU cooler. Check out http://www.nexustek.nl/breeze.htm for more details.
    post edited by cjburch - 2005/10/08 07:36:06

    Poppy

    AMD 64-X2 3800+ on K8N NEO 2 Platinum, Nexus Breeze 400, 2-1 gig DDR 3200, 2 WD-160 gb SATA HD, Audigy 2 ZS Platinum, MOTU 896HD, 4X DVD+-RW
    #8
    ohhey
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    RE: New computer case? 2005/10/08 19:35:52 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: Duojet

    cjburch, does the case hide the noise of the stock amd cpu fan or did you buy a quiet cpu cooler?


    I got a coolermaster heatpipe rig with a slow fan, that fixed the CPU fan noise. Then I got a slow rpm 120mm fan for the case. The AC vent is louder then my computer.
    #9
    losguy
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    RE: New computer case? 2005/10/09 21:46:13 (permalink)
    ORIGINAL: cjburch
    Duojet:

    The Breeze 400 has it's own quiet power supply fan and is acoustically lined (the gray foam. It pulls trough a filter at the botttom of the case and helps speed up the normal hot air convection currents and exits at the top. Even the frame helps act as a heat sink.

    I'm using the stock CPU cooler. Check out http://www.nexustek.nl/breeze.htm for more details.

    Right. You can get it here at Endpcnoise.com. I think that the Silent Wind Tunnel technology is a brilliant way to get great airflow and cooling with minimal noise. I liked the idea so much, I'm actually modding my older Nexus case (as I write) to do the same thing. (My Nexus case is the predecessor to the Silent Breeze 400).

    But if you don't mind a slightly larger form factor, I'd actually get the Antec P180. This one is the brainchild of a collaboration of Antec engineers and the editor silentpcreview.com.

    Psalm 30:12
    All pure waves converge at the Origin
    #10
    dellinqwartz
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    Re: RE: New computer case? 2011/04/18 20:55:51 (permalink)
    A computer case is the enclosure that contains most of the components of a computer. The two main types of sound reduction are to absorb the sound energy and to minimize structure borne noise. You need quiet fans and then need to try to place absorbing material effectively to minimize direct sound.
    #11
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