window vs non-window

[hektor_rah]

Can anyone direct me to a comparison of solid vs acrylic vs tempered glass side panels on noise (and thermal) performance?  I'm considering the Phanteks p400S, which has all 3 options but would like to know what the tradeoff is between the different models. If there is no resource, maybe it'd be a good choice for Luke's next "all this testing proves there is no difference" video.   

[vong]

3 minutes ago, hektor_rah said:

Can anyone direct me to a comparison of solid vs acrylic vs tempered glass side panels on noise (and thermal) performance?  I'm considering the Phanteks p400S, which has all 3 options but would like to know what the tradeoff is between the different models. If there is no resource, maybe it'd be a good choice for Luke's next "all this testing proves there is no difference" video.   

I'd say the tempered glass would be great for noise since it's thicker than solid and acrylic side panels. There'd be no thermal difference imo.

[Misinthe]

3 minutes ago, vong said:

I'd say the tempered glass would be great for noise since it's thicker than solid and acrylic side panels. There'd be no thermal difference imo.

This is supposed to be both silent AND tempered. 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811854051&ignorebbr=1&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Cases+(Computer+Cases+-+ATX+Form)-_-N82E16811854051&gclid=CjwKEAiA_p_FBRCRi_mW5Myl4S0SJAAkezZrGwsEopWW61A103vki7vEHRURqeCDqSd9IQCuCuTF1xoCrPvw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Firecheetah13]

Solid Pros: -Cheap -Durable Cons: -Aesthetic 

Acrylic Pros: -Easy to clean -Cheaper than tempered class Cons: -Can scratch easily -More expensive than solid

Tempered Glass Pros: -Does not scratch easily -Feels heavy and quality -Wont break/scratch easily Cons: -Very expensive

 

There should not be a difference in thermals (solid might be ever so slightly cooler) but most solid cases tend to have ventilation so I would say that they would be the loudest. I would say that tempered glass is the quietest because it is thicker and heavier.

[vong]

3 minutes ago, Miguel552 said:

This is supposed to be both silent AND tempered. 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811854051&ignorebbr=1&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-PC-_-pla-_-Cases+(Computer+Cases+-+ATX+Form)-_-N82E16811854051&gclid=CjwKEAiA_p_FBRCRi_mW5Myl4S0SJAAkezZrGwsEopWW61A103vki7vEHRURqeCDqSd9IQCuCuTF1xoCrPvw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I don't understand what you are trying to tell me...

[Misinthe]

Silent is better than noisy. Tempered looks much nicer than acrylic. So if there's one that has both things going for it, just get that.

 

Edit: There's no temperature difference. Tempered looks much better and doesn't scratch like acrylic. Solid if you don't want to show off your components.

[hektor_rah]

12 minutes ago, vong said:

I'd say the tempered glass would be great for noise since it's thicker than solid and acrylic side panels. There'd be no thermal difference imo.

See that sounds like a reasonable argument, but then there's the metal wall lined with dedicated sound-dampening foam, and I'd also think that a specially designed layer to reduce sound would perform better than one that has to be transparent.  I was hoping for a link to someone who has done the side-by-side comparison and could give a "X is quieter by Y decibels" answer. 

[Princess Luna]

Tempered Glass another pro is that if it ever breaks it will be those solid ball like pieces easy to remove and there never will be glass chips inside your graphics card

 

The difference between Common and Tempered:

[vong]

3 minutes ago, hektor_rah said:

See that sounds like a reasonable argument, but then there's the metal wall lined with dedicated sound-dampening foam, and I'd also think that a specially designed layer to reduce sound would perform better than one that has to be transparent.  I was hoping for a link to someone who has done the side-by-side comparison and could give a "X is quieter by Y decibels" answer. 

You can't tell how thick the metal is until you get it. You know the Fractal Define R5? The windowed and solid panel produce pretty much the same noise results due to the windowed acrylic being thick.

[hektor_rah]

2 minutes ago, vong said:

You can't tell how thick the metal is until you get it. You know the Fractal Define R5? The windowed and solid panel produce pretty much the same noise results due to the windowed acrylic being thick.

true, but you can't tell how thick anything is until you get it. My phone has a tempered glass screen protector that's about 1mm thick. If somebody already did the comparison for the R5 that'd be a great help, do you have a link?

[vong]

8 minutes ago, hektor_rah said:

true, but you can't tell how thick anything is until you get it. My phone has a tempered glass screen protector that's about 1mm thick. If somebody already did the comparison for the R5 that'd be a great help, do you have a link?

The P400S is a cheap case so I don't think the solid panels would be very thick. Even the panels on my Enthoo Primo are garbage.

 

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/628622-fractal-design-define-r5-windowno-window/

[Omon_Ra]

38 minutes ago, hektor_rah said:

Can anyone direct me to a comparison of solid vs acrylic vs tempered glass side panels on noise (and thermal) performance?  I'm considering the Phanteks p400S, which has all 3 options but would like to know what the tradeoff is between the different models. If there is no resource, maybe it'd be a good choice for Luke's next "all this testing proves there is no difference" video.   

I really think the differences would be negligible at best. The solid panel should be quietest, but I really doubt there'd be any temperature difference. The side panel window is purely for aesthetics. The bigger question as far as noise goes, is where is your tower going to be, relative to where you sit at your desk?

[hektor_rah]

20 minutes ago, vong said:

The P400S is a cheap case so I don't think the solid panels would be very thick. Even the panels on my Enthoo Primo are garbage.

 

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/628622-fractal-design-define-r5-windowno-window/

thank you that link had exactly the kind of resource I wanted.

[Zusafek]

I have both the P400S windowed version and the P400 Tempered glass edition.  As for looks....the tempered wins hands down.  As for noise its about the same.  Mind you the P400S has sound dampening material inside the case and its pretty quiet.  Not as quiet as the bequiet cases but its tolerable considering my case is literally right next to my mouse and monitor.  The P400 Tempered glass that I have does not have the sound dampening material but its still pretty quiet.  As for thickness on the windowed edition its pretty thin.  Not a thick acrylic.  

 

But an FYI as I contacted Phanteks.  If you already have a P400 and want the tempered glass you can purchase the kit separately.   The cost of the panel with hardware will be $25.99 plus Shipping and Handling.  

 

But to go with either version you won't be disappointed.  But my own personal opinion is go for the Tempered.  It is very...very nice.

Edited February 19, 2017 by Zusafek
Added pictures

[thegoogler]

if you are not good at cable management and most cases with no window, I would think they would add some sort of sound foam. but if you like to show off your premium components and you good cable management skills then a window is good for you. hope this helped.