Just need that one right case....

[pauloforte]

Hi everyone!
 
So, i'm in a bit of a pickle here. Just finished (I think) picking the components for my build, but i'm stuck on the case.
Here's the proposed build, which I'm having a shop build so nevermind the sometimes-unusual choice of components (it's limited by their own stock...):

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($233.97 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 412 Slim 58.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($89.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-PRO(Wi-Fi ac) ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston Beast 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($89.29 @ Amazon)
Storage: Crucial M500 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Toshiba  2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($84.84 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 270X 4GB DirectCU II Video Card  ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer  ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1123.04
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-17 15:33 EDT-0400

 

I'm planning to have the CPU overclocked a fair bit, to 4.2 GHz, and I want to leave the possibility for an graphics upgrade in the future quite open (adding a second one, I mean), so I'm looking for a case which provides good ventilation. However, I don't want it to be completely open like a Zalman Z11 plus, or a 690 III, since noise will be an issue. Speaking of noise, typical silent cases don't offer good ventilation, so something like a Define R4 or Silencio 652 would also not be suitable, since I prefer to sacrifice silence than burning my components away. (yeah, I read the very recent thread where someone posted that they will return their newly-bought 2nd graphics card because of overheating inside a Define R4...)

 

Another issue is looks. This build will sit in my living room, in a very visible place, so I can't even think of proposing something like a Thermaltake Overseer to my slightly OC girlfriend... SO it would have to be something with the looks of the Define R4 but with better ventilation. (yes, I realise i'm almost asking for the Holy Grail here...)

 

Yet another issue is connectivity and compatibility: I want at least 4 USB connections (2 x 3.0 and 2 x 2.0) and headphone and microphone jacks on the top of the machine, plus room for 2 5,25" bays (meaning NZXT H440 is out, sadly...)

 

Any opinions?

I say opinions because, as I mentioned, I'm pretty sure that the perfect case for this particular set of demands does no exist, but give me your thoughts on how I can approach this problem and which do you think is the most suitable case.

 

Thanks a lot guys!

Cheers

[ZetZet]

Arc midi R2.

 

to post part list copy the text from BBCode Markup

[Enderman]

If it is going to be in your living room, will this be a HTPC?

How about this:

Fractal design Node 605, great airflow and full ATX support, with a very clean look

[Nxl8]

I would not recommend the Zalman Z11 plus, it is pretty cheap, it does the job but doesn't really work. My fans are almost dead. Maybe something like a Corsair 450D (it doesn't have enough USB front ports), or maybe Bitfenix Ronin.

 

Also you have an overclocked girlfriend ? 

 

 slightly OC girlfriend

[pauloforte]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

 

If it is going to be in your living room, will this be a HTPC?

How about this:

Fractal design Node 605, great airflow and full ATX support, with a very clean look

 

No, it will live under my desk (to the left, so no window necessary). My desk is in my living room. It will be an actual gaming desktop PC, but the aesthetics have to be living-room grade.

 

 

Also you have an overclocked girlfriend ? 

Ahah I LOL'ed pretty hard. Meant, of course, Obssessive-Compulsive, for those in the back.

 

Keep posting your suggestions, guys. I'll be back in the thread a little later.

 

Cheers

[pauloforte]

Added the pcpartpicker.com's list.

 

Also, what is LTT community's opinion and hands-on experience about the NZXT Phantom 410 when it comes to noise?

And some websites tell me that I can't put my graphics card in there...

 

Thoughts?

[Seasinator]

What about this? Im gonna get  one soon for my build. 
http://www.fractal-design.com/home/product/cases/define-series/define-r4-black-pearl

[KamiKatze]

Actually the airflow in my R4 is really good for my setup. Two intake fans, one exhaust. Blower style GTX 580 PSU mounted fan down. The temps are great, my PC doesn't heat up. I plan to add another set of fans to my R4 though, so i can lower the average speed of my fans but maintain good airflow.

 

Long story short: A Define R4 won't suffacate a single GPU setup, especially not with a GPU that weak, even though it is not blower style.

 

If you still don't like it, go with a Arc Midi R2 and get some proper silent fans.

[pauloforte]

Actually the airflow in my R4 is really good for my setup. Two intake fans, one exhaust. Blower style GTX 580 PSU mounted fan down. The temps are great, my PC doesn't heat up. I plan to add another set of fans to my R4 though, so i can lower the average speed of my fans but maintain good airflow.

 

Long story short: A Define R4 won't suffacate a single GPU setup, especially not with a GPU that weak, even though it is not blower style.

 

If you still don't like it, go with a Arc Midi R2 and get some proper silent fans.

 

Thanks for that tip on the Define R4. My initial problem with it came from thinking about my system in the long run: I want to have a build that lasts me as long as possible and that gives me as much upgrading choices as possible, so a case that shortens the lifespan of my components and, on top of that, would heat up too much with more than 1 graphics card would definitely not be for me.

However, maybe I'm being unrealistic, both in how suffocating this case is and how much I actually need such a "silent case" in the first place... I mean, how noisy are non-"silent" cases anyway? Is the difference that big?...

[KamiKatze]

Thanks for that tip on the Define R4. My initial problem with it came from thinking about my system in the long run: I want to have a build that lasts me as long as possible and that gives me as much upgrading choices as possible, so a case that shortens the lifespan of my components and, on top of that, would heat up too much with more than 1 graphics card would definitely not be for me.

However, maybe I'm being unrealistic, both in how suffocating this case is and how much I actually need such a "silent case" in the first place... I mean, how noisy are non-"silent" cases anyway? Is the difference that big?...

 

The heat build up inside your case won't be dramatic. The temperature delta of the air that you draw into the case and the air that your fans put out of the case is probably around 5-10 °C. The degradation of your components by heat is neglegible. The only components that suffer from high temps are hard drives and they are in the front, where the fresh air comes in. THe rest like CPU and GPU rather get damaged by too high voltages. You just need to have a steady airflow that's adequate to the heat that your components are kicking out.

 

The sound difference between a silence optimized case and an airflow optimized case is very minimal. The sound dampening stuff helps of course, but it is better to use quiet components in the first place.

 

I wouldn't put air restriction and noise dampening on the top of your priority list, but rather design, build quality and features.

[pauloforte]

The heat build up inside your case won't be dramatic. The temperature delta of the air that you draw into the case and the air that your fans put out of the case is probably around 5-10 °C. The degradation of your components by heat is neglegible. The only components that suffer from high temps are hard drives and they are in the front, where the fresh air comes in. THe rest like CPU and GPU rather get damaged by too high voltages. You just need to have a steady airflow that's adequate to the heat that your components are kicking out.

 

The sound difference between a silence optimized case and an airflow optimized case is very minimal. The sound dampening stuff helps of course, but it is better to use quiet components in the first place.

 

Thanks for that post! It's highly enlightening and clear. It seems all that you see on the internet are absolute values but, having absolutely no experience with modern gaming rigs, high-end GPUs, latest-gen CPUs and after-market coolers, etc, it is easy to get lost on so many reviews, tests, etc., which give you so much, sometimes conflicting info on such parameters.

 

 

I wouldn't put air restriction and noise dampening on the top of your priority list, but rather design, build quality and features.

 

So, taking what you posted into account, I'm really inclined towards the R4. Or are there other cases which offer better design, build quality and features with the same aesthetics?

 

Cheers and thanks

[KamiKatze]

Thanks for that post! It's highly enlightening and clear. It seems all that you see on the internet are absolute values but, having absolutely no experience with modern gaming rigs, high-end GPUs, latest-gen CPUs and after-market coolers, etc, it is easy to get lost on so many reviews, tests, etc., which give you so much, sometimes conflicting info on such parameters.

 

 

 

So, taking what you posted into account, I'm really inclined towards the R4. Or are there other cases which offer better design, build quality and features with the same aesthetics?

 

Cheers and thanks

 

The choice is very personal as there is no benchmark performance that you can relate to with cases.

 

If i were you I'd just pick some cases that you're interested in and watch some videos/ read some articles about them and make a list of your personal PROs and CONs for each of the cases, then just choose one case. It's not an absolute desicion. You can fix stuff later on. Like for example, i am not happy with the front braket of the R4 where you can mount fans tool-lessly. It's unpleasent to use with bequiet fans, so i will just cut the plastic and drill some holes to make it better.

 

I don't know exactly what you like but i would consider the Fractal Design Cases (Arc Midi R2, Define R4), The NZXT H440, Maybe some Corsair cases. I guess Phanteks cases are good. Just look at some and find your PROs and CONs.

[pauloforte]

Based on the cases available at the place where I'm buying the PC, I had made a list which consisted of the R4, the NZX 410, the 530 and Obsidian 450D.

All of them offered their own pros and cons but i guess now it's time to re-evaluate.

 

Thanks a lot!

 

Cheers!

 

PS: if anyone wants to offer their own personal experience with each of these cases, or has other suggestions to offer, please do!: never hurts to have first-hand opinions.