Choice between two cases

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 8:24 am

Hi. Since I'm quite a newbie at silence computing, I was wondering what is your opinion on this two cases I'm undecided between. I want to do little to none modifications on the case.

3R System R700 "Bad Guy"

or

Antec SLK3000B

Thanks.

Edward Ng · Post by **Edward Ng** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 8:34 am

3000; that case from 3R looks like it's trying to inhale through a coffee straw.

Tibors · Post by **Tibors** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 8:50 am

I think Ed went right to the point. Get the Antec SLK3000B.

3R makes nice cases, but almost all of them have the same flaw. A less than ideal to horrible front air intake.

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 8:50 am

Edward Ng wrote:3000; that case from 3R looks like it's trying to inhale through a coffee straw.

You saw the video or you were just guessing?

I like Antec, but the fact that it has a door is kind of a negative point for me

That and the R700 already has all fans with a fan speed controller (although rather "simple" it's better than nothing

)

P.S.: One question, the Antec side air duct has a fan?

Edward Ng · Post by **Edward Ng** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 9:17 am

Try sucking in a bath of dry ice through the 3000's intake to compare.

No fan on the 3000's chassis air guide.

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 9:19 am

Edward Ng wrote:Try sucking in a bath of dry ice through the 3000's intake to compare.

Ok! You're the expert

Edward Ng wrote:No fan on the 3000's chassis air guide.

Yeah, I don't know if it's just an air duct, or if it's to install a 80mm fan.

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 10:46 am

Hello:

I door on the 3000B is my least liked thing too, but there is no getting around this:

The other downside to the R700 is the lack of HD suspension grommets.

The most obvious alternative that has one of the best front air intake of any stock case, no door, and HD cages with suspension optional:

Granted, it is not slick looking, but it's looks will grow on you when you experience how well it works!

Another option is:

The entire front is a fine grill -- no shortage of air flow. So, you can probably dispense with the front 80mm fan...

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 11:22 am

Well, thanks for the advice but, the first one isn't available here, and the second is a bit too expensive (125€). The R700 is 52€ and I can get the Antec for 46€.

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 12:32 pm

BTW, the SLK3000B has fanslics right?

Edward Ng · Post by **Edward Ng** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 12:36 pm

What's a fanslic?

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 12:47 pm

Edward Ng wrote:What's a fanslic?

Boy,that one even confounded Google:

Google wrote: Your search - fanslic - did not match any documents.
No pages were found containing "fanslic".

nici · Post by **nici** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 12:58 pm

I would guess they are either fan-grilles or the ugly plastic-mounts. The plastic mounts actually work well on these cases, no rattling or anything with quality fans. Much, much better than on the 660AMG i used to have. If your fans vibrate like, eh, something that vibrates very much, they will probably rattle though

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 1:25 pm

Some people say "fanslics" others say "fan slics", it's thesethings. I think you call it "grommets"

nici · Post by **nici** » Sat Jan 01, 2005 2:52 pm

Ooh.. I have a bunch of those

they are cheap and work pretty well. They cost like 4€ for a set of eight..

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 10:25 am

NeilBlanchard wrote:The most obvious alternative that has one of the best front air intake of any stock case, no door, and HD cages with suspension optional:

Granted, it is not slick looking, but it's looks will grow on you when you experience how well it works!

From what I could see from the pictures the R700 has almost the same type of front air intake as the Evercase you suggested,

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 12:03 pm

Hello:

The key difference is the Evercase is open through all those slots on the sides of the front bezel! And the bottom opening is bigger on the Evercase; it would seem from the photos. There is a good reason why the Evercase is on SPCR's recommended list!

Also, there is a nicer looking version; the 4292, tnhough it gives up a little on the vents at the sides of the bezel:

...and this one is available in purple, blue, or red, in the place of the silver.

I've found that the "fingers" on the HD cage do a decent job of quieting a drive that is already reasonable (Samsung, Seagate), and you can get rubber grommets for the 'V' slots for a little more damping.

The front *fits* a 120mm (just) but if you needs a big fan in there, you would have to drill the mounting holes. It breathes so well though, that this is unlikely.

freak_in_cage · Post by **freak_in_cage** » Tue Jan 04, 2005 12:26 pm

i have just realised, the only real prob i can see with the 3000B is that, as it has a cover for the DVD drives, you cant isolate the PSU and have a front intake duct:(:(, unless you keep the cover open when the PC is on, but then that kinda defeats the point of the cover!

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 6:37 am

I'd like to know the opinion of more people, someone could be voting for the SLK3000B just because it's from Antec

tay · Post by **tay** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 7:05 am

Im voting for the R700 badguy. It looks slick. You dont need a huge front intake if you spot cool your HDDs with a 5volted fan. Your side intakes for the vga and cpu will probably be fine for those. Worst case scenario, just mod the front bezel although I know you dont want to do this.

Neil where is the non-ugly evercase available?

nick705 · Post by **nick705** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 7:39 am

The R700 Badguy looks identical internally to the Jeantech Phong which has a much more open front air intake and also comes complete with 2x120mm adjustable fans...you can get it from PC World in the UK for just £27.75, although I don't know if they ship to Europe or how much they charge...

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 11:20 am

rpsgc wrote:I'd like to know the opinion of more people, someone could be voting for the SLK3000B just because it's from Antec

I voted for the SLK3000B because it's quite obviously a better case for building a quiet computer in.

That other case looks like nothing special at all, other than it looks kind of nice. The airflow and general design looks like that of any other $20 el cheapo case.

krooton · Post by **krooton** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 12:41 pm

freak_in_cage wrote:i have just realised, the only real prob i can see with the 3000B is that, as it has a cover for the DVD drives, you cant isolate the PSU and have a front intake duct:(:(, unless you keep the cover open when the PC is on, but then that kinda defeats the point of the cover!

I have a fresh air duct using top bay of my sonata, and I keep the door closed. Still works fine, as the door is not airtight

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 1:15 pm

Ralf Hutter wrote:I voted for the SLK3000B because it's quite obviously a better case for building a quiet computer in.

But I guess I would have to replace it's rear fan though, since its still 25dB at it's minimum setting

Would the installation of acoustic absorption foam help in noise reduction?

Bluefront · Post by **Bluefront** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 5:18 pm

3R makes some great cases, high quality IMHO. And they usually look much better than the BLAH current Antec cases.

With that 3R case you get two Yate Loon 120mm fans....very good, very quiet. You also get a nice integrated fan controller, and a useful temp read-out in bright LEDs on the front. Plus it looks like the case comes with it's own remote control.

As far as how quiet it can be....no telling. All cases need modification to perform their best.

I vote 3R......that Antec puts me to sleep.

tay · Post by **tay** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 5:35 pm

Blluefront : Where can you get the 3R cases in the US? Their where to buy link goes nowhere. You cant find any GMC cases in the US either, except as Ahanix modified ones for a while IIRC.

Bluefront · Post by **Bluefront** » Thu Jan 06, 2005 5:41 pm

Ahanix sells some 3R cases under the Ahanix name.....the Black Knight for instance, or the dBox. I've had two of each with very good luck. As I type right now I'm using a quiet Ahanix dBox computer, made by 3R.

3R in the USA.....good question.

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 9:14 am

rpsgc wrote:But I guess I would have to replace it's rear fan though, since its still 25dB at it's minimum setting
Would the installation of acoustic absorption foam help in noise reduction?

Anyone?

Post by **MikeC** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 11:38 am

rpsgc wrote:
rpsgc wrote:But I guess I would have to replace it's rear fan though, since its still 25dB at it's minimum setting
Would the installation of acoustic absorption foam help in noise reduction?
Anyone?

A bit, not much, really, depends on many factors. Fan noise tends to come straight out because they are mounted at openings in cases. Also, it's worth just trying things rather than go by numbers when it comes to acoustics. Esp. SPL numbers from manufacturers.

The 3-speed fan in the SLK3000 sounds to me at minimum to be pretty close to a Nexus 120 at 12V. And it will start at around 8.5V, at which point it is running amazingly quiet -- tho not pushing much air.

BlueCan · Post by **BlueCan** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 12:01 pm

rpsgc wrote:I'd like to know the opinion of more people, someone could be voting for the SLK3000B just because it's from Antec

I voted for the 3000B because I've already built a quiet computer that sucks air through a straw. A bigger straw than the R700.

I can still cut 8C off my CPU temps by opening the side of the case. Bummer. It's all about the airflow.

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 12:13 pm

Tis because there were 19 votes or so for the Antec and I only had the opinion of a few

It's decided then. I'll buy the Antec and later on a Papst or any other "silent" 120mm fan. Thanks all for your opinions.

Choice between two cases

Which one?

Choice between two cases

The Evercase is much more open...