Rubber plugs are NOT easy to install, but they will last just as long as regular screws do. They do make a difference when used to mount high RPM fans, but you're better off getting yourself a higher quality fan or fan controller than trying to reduce the sound production of your current one with su...

I have two Slipstream 800s and 1 Gentle Typhoon EDIT: 800 hooked up to the hardware fan controller of the Fractal R3. It's a great combination and ideal for me, as I use SYSFAN1 (3-pin) for controlling my heatsink's pull-fan and SYSFAN2 (3-pin) for controlling my GELID Icy Vision. Those are the only...

Is rigidity and hdd decoupling at all improved with this new case, compared to its older sibling? I can't compare it to the R2, but the case is pretty rigid, thanks to the noise-deadening panels inside. HDD decoupling is pretty bad, but better than the average case. A bit off topic but still on. Is...

your better off getting the Factual Design R3. You're kidding me, right? Do you even have a R3? I do, and the HDD decoupling is horrible. The HDD cages aren't flexible either, so I had to suspend my hard drive in the optical drive bay. The R3 needs as much adjustment as any other case to become tru...

My own R3 just came in. It's beautiful. Definitely one of the better-looking cases I've had the pleasure of working with. It wasn't damaged during shipping either, but I'm European and it might take more of a beating on it's way to America. Some of the fan-screws are slightly stripped, but they're s...

Why would you want to passively cool an i7 in such a case? You would have to underclock and undervolt it for it to run stable, which would make it a waste of cash as an i5 would suffice at that point. Besides, the Silver Arrow has a rather dense fin stack and might not be suitable for succesful pas...

Yes, but to pick figures out from your comparison reference: Load noise levels 6950 50.5 560 46.7 The MSI Twin Frozr II is usually the better option to get, but not in this case (pun not intended): It's only barely less audible than the reference HD 6950 cooler. Take a look at the VGA coolers I've ...

I just had to create account this time around, as your build is very similar to mine. >Mobo: MSI P67A-C45 >PSU: OCZ MODXSTREAM 600W PRO >Hard drive: Samsung HD103SJ (Spinpoint F3 1TB) >GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD6950 (2GB - old production unlockable model) >CPU: Intel® Core™ i5-2500K >Cooling: NZXT Sent...