How much difference does a case make to cooling?

[DELTAprime]

I'm looking at the NZXT H440 and the NZXT Noctis 450. Getting some reliable like for like numbers on these two cases is problematic. As far as the frame and internals go they are the same case, they just have different exterior styling. However the exterior styling of the H440 (the one I prefer) restricts the intake of air somewhat compared to the Noctis 450. What type of temperature delta can one expect for the CPU (with AIO cooler) and GPU in a case with slightly restricted are flow vs a more open air flow design?

[fjdhdhcyfhf]

the front intake doesn't look too restricting. i dont think you will notice a difference. I have the Phanteks P400S which has much smaller filters. I have 2X140mm fans on the front. When I take the front panel off it doesn't get cooler because its already as cool as it can get.

Thats with a AMD FX 8120 overclocked on a passive heatsink

[Gonio]

They are very close together in normal cooling performance. The Noctis has slightly lower temps +/- 2 degree C, while the 440 is more silent. So for your CPU/GPU it doesn't really matter. So go with your 440.

 

Note here that how things look like, might not always be a actual indication it would perform less. The 2 degree difference is well within a acceptable margin of error, so the visual restriction it might have over the other might not even be hindering it, as it doesn't with these cases.

[it_dont_work]

Well today I just moved my entire system from an old thermaltake v9 into a silent base 800. Idle temps went up a couple of degrees on cpu and about 5c on the gpu, load has cpu up 4ish from before and my gpu now hits 73c at max, which is up about 8 degrees c.

 

So yes cases can make a difference. Still that's with everything overclocked, and still pretty good temp wise. So my conclusion in this scenario, no difference to really care about.

[DELTAprime]

I can live with 2 degrees C. Thanks.

[typographie]

The H440 has "poor airflow" when compared to other $90–120 ATX mid-towers. Which is to say, still way more than enough to keep your components safely cooled.

 

My H80i is set up to pull in air from outside the case, and therefore I don't think my H440's design is harming my CPU temperatures very much at all. If I were relying on the case's internal air to keep my CPU cool (either via reversing my AIO fans or using an air cooler), it might be marginally warmer in the H440 than in some other case. I think my air-cooled GTX 1070 drops a few degrees if I take the side panel off, but it still only hits 70°C at worst.