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Very Good Air Cooling Cases?

10146 Views 21 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  white owl, 
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Ive been looking at the Corsair Air 540 and deem it to be aesthetically pleasing, good enough for watercooling and priced very well. However, some benchmarks put it right down for noise levels (meaning its loud for what it does).
Can anyone clarify on this?
Also, can anyone make suggestion of good air cooling cases that can fit a H100i and has a big window? No HAF X or Raven cases please
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, Dont like either of them and also, the TF02 is extremely expensive for what it is.
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Why do you want an good air cooling case if you are going to fit an H100i
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Anyway the noise of any case will depend a lot on its fans. The AF140L that come in the Air 540 are pretty good but anyone looking for good acoustics should invest in an fan controller as thous let you tune the airflow/noise ratio according to you particular.

As for other alternatives. There are a lot of cases that do well once they are fitted with the right fans.

I'm not 100% sure if all thees cases have the right screw spacing's for an H100i but it should fit.

Midi Towers
BitFenix Shinobi <--- Needs modding
Fractal Design Core 3000 Not the case I was thinking off
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This is the right one --> Fractal Design Arc Midi
BitFenix Ghost
Corsair Obsidian Series 550D
Corsair Vengeance C70

Full Towers
BitFenix Shinobi XL
NZXT H630
NZXT Switch 810

That's what I can think of the top of my head.
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For my cards?!
The benchs i saw showed the case having good CPU temps but below average GPU temps.
Ill most likely replace all the fans with AP-15's and run them off 7V. Im just concerned that the mesh that Corsair used will cause loud air sounds. Also, it seems that the case isnt very "air tight" so sounds leak out easily. Is there anything I can do to help this?

Thanks, for the suggestions, Ill check them out.
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michael-ocn
fractal arc midi r2: does what you say you want, good airflow, room for the radiator, a window, and not terribly expensive. if you want a quieter case, see the define r4

Not sure the nzxt h630 qualifies as having good airflow, but the phantom 630 certainly does (and it has a window too).
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AlphaC
Fractal Arc Midi R2 (smoked window). It definitely fits an H100i, it is filtered intake and top, comes with a bottom filtered fan mount. The Silent Series R2 FDB fans are quieter than just about every other manufacturer (maybe Nanoxia has an edge).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352031

The Fractal Design R4 is another good choice, it's more oriented towards silence than the Arc series.

You can grab a Corsair Obsidian 550D (I think it's a better option than a 650D) or 350D (microatx) if you're willing to swap fans but they're pricier. The 550D doesn't have a window however.

Otherwise, you can grab a corsair Carbide 330R if you can find it for $70. It's like a 300R with a higher top (so that you can fit a H100i). The issue is the rear fan is 120mm, so 140mm tower coolers will be a tight squeeze. I measure my 300R that this is based off of to have 171mm CPU clearance even if they claim 160mm. Also, the top isn't filtered and the side and bottom don't have fan mounts.
nevermind about the 330R, it has no window
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The NZXT H630 has no window either.

I believe the Thermaltake Urban S31 has terrible airflow judging by reviews ; the S41 is pricey for what it has.

Are you just looking for a Silverstone FT02 alternative on the cheap?

@ Bit_reaper he probably needs good airflow for GPUs, the H100i is a CPU cooler. Unless the case comes with a bottom fan mount or fan mounts in the side panel/side window then it's unlikely to be good cooling for GPUs.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlphaC View Post

Fractal Arc Midi R2 (smoked window). It definitely fits an H100i, it is filtered intake and top, comes with a bottom filtered fan mount. The Silent Series R2 FDB fans are quieter than just about every other manufacturer (maybe Nanoxia has an edge).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352031

The Fractal Design R4 is another good choice, it's more oriented towards silence than the Arc series.

You can grab a Corsair Obsidian 550D (I think it's a better option than a 650D) or 350D (microatx) if you're willing to swap fans but they're pricier. The 550D doesn't have a window however.

Otherwise, you can grab a corsair Carbide 330R if you can find it for $70. It's like a 300R with a higher top (so that you can fit a H100i). The issue is the rear fan is 120mm, so 140mm tower coolers will be a tight squeeze. I measure my 300R that this is based off of to have 171mm CPU clearance even if they claim 160mm. Also, the top isn't filtered and the side and bottom don't have fan mounts.
nevermind about the 330R, it has no window
wink.gif


The NZXT H630 has no window either.

I believe the Thermaltake Urban S31 has terrible airflow judging by reviews ; the S41 is pricey for what it has.

Are you just looking for a Silverstone FT02 alternative on the cheap?

@ Bit_reaper he probably needs good airflow for GPUs, the H100i is a CPU cooler. Unless the case comes with a bottom fan mount or fan mounts in the side panel/side window then it's unlikely to be good cooling for GPUs.
Click to expand...
Yeah got it already. I was just confused as usually when people talk about "air cooling cases" they mean a case where there is good airflow over the CPU socket
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AlphaC View Post

Fractal Arc Midi R2 (smoked window). It definitely fits an H100i, it is filtered intake and top, comes with a bottom filtered fan mount. The Silent Series R2 FDB fans are quieter than just about every other manufacturer (maybe Nanoxia has an edge).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811352031

The Fractal Design R4 is another good choice, it's more oriented towards silence than the Arc series.

You can grab a Corsair Obsidian 550D (I think it's a better option than a 650D) or 350D (microatx) if you're willing to swap fans but they're pricier. The 550D doesn't have a window however.

Otherwise, you can grab a corsair Carbide 330R if you can find it for $70. It's like a 300R with a higher top (so that you can fit a H100i). The issue is the rear fan is 120mm, so 140mm tower coolers will be a tight squeeze. I measure my 300R that this is based off of to have 171mm CPU clearance even if they claim 160mm. Also, the top isn't filtered and the side and bottom don't have fan mounts.
nevermind about the 330R, it has no window
wink.gif


The NZXT H630 has no window either.

I believe the Thermaltake Urban S31 has terrible airflow judging by reviews ; the S41 is pricey for what it has.

Are you just looking for a Silverstone FT02 alternative on the cheap?

@ Bit_reaper he probably needs good airflow for GPUs, the H100i is a CPU cooler. Unless the case comes with a bottom fan mount or fan mounts in the side panel/side window then it's unlikely to be good cooling for GPUs.
Click to expand...
Thanks, ill definitely take a look at the Fractal Arc Mini R2

Not necessarily a FT02 alternative, just a case that is good at air cooling. I hear the FT02 is the king of air cooling.

And yes, I would like good air flow for my cards, primarily to stop them ramping up. When cool, they run at 30% fan speed which is dead silent, but in my case, with terrible air flow, they have to ramp up at load so trying to keep as many degrees down would be good.
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michael-ocn
I think you can get decent airflow out of the coolermaster n600, and you can mount a 240rad in there, option for a window or a panel with extra fan mounts. If the corsair 540 caught your eye, i'm guessing "size matters" to your sense of aesthetics. I'm keeping an eye out for midsize cases that could handle sli'd gpus and noticed the n600 came out a few months back. There are reviews available to look thru now. This might be a decent alternative to the arcmidi r2.

http://www.coolermaster.com/product/Detail/case/mid-tower/n600.html
http://www.overclockers.com/cooler-master-n600-case-review/
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/coolermaster_n600/6.htm

I'm more interested in the solid side panel with the 2 extra 120 fan mounts. I can't imagine there being a cooling problem that couldn't be solved with the fan options on this case (front,back, left, right, top, bottom).
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AlphaC
P.S. The Corsair Vengeance C70 that Bit_reaper suggested may also be a good option if you can stand the military theme

I don't think it's worth the added cost (and noise) over the Arc Midi R2 however, especially when you factor in swapping the fans (and the fact that you're limited to 120mm ones on the C70, which happened to be installed in pull on the HDD cage).


^ N600 GPU temps http://www.tweak.dk/review/Cooler_Master_N600_kabinet/1636/5/1

Do note that the front fan mount point is kind of dumb because the fans have metal hex mesh in front for some reason , behind it's already filtered / plastic meshed front. The side panel doesn't have this issue but the filter's metal hex mesh is overkill when there's already thin metal slots on the actual panel. It can only lead to more fan noise /restriction.
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Hmm, on that chart, it lists the air 540 as being very high? Am I reading it correctly?
Im really unsure as to why, but after looking at all the cases, I see the 540 looking the best. Probably because its not the standard tower ive been accustomed to seeing.
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michael-ocn
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WuMyster View Post

Hmm, on that chart, it lists the air 540 as being very high? Am I reading it correctly?
Im really unsure as to why, but after looking at all the cases, I see the 540 looking the best. Probably because its not the standard tower ive been accustomed to seeing.
Click to expand...
The different form factor is real appealing about the air 540. It just looks neat
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I think that case would work fine for a LC cpu + 2x air cooled gpus. Get 3 noiseblocker eloops pushing a wall of air from from to back with good static pressure, it's be quiet and effective. Personally, i wish they made one in metal obsidian trim instead of the plastic carbide trim.

You have to be careful when looking at case reviews, they often seem to review the cases with only the components (fans) that come with the case. But that's often not how their actually used by cooling minded consumers. The advantages of extra configurations and fan mounting options can be overlooked, and if the case comes with not so great stock fans, that can muddy the waters too. For example in the linked articule about the n600, looks like they did not remove the middle drive cage and actually put a drive in it. Nobody with 2 gpus will set it up that way for real.



That drive would go in the bottom cage and the middle cage would be not be there at all in a real gaming rig. That and there'd probably be a fan in that bottom fan mount in a real gaming rig with 2 gpus.

The silliest thing about the n600 case is that the pci slot covers are not vented, mesh gallore on all sides... yet they negect to provide vented slot covers
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Quote:
Originally Posted by michael-ocn View Post

The different form factor is real appealing about the air 540. It just looks neat
smile.gif
I think that case would work fine for a LC cpu + 2x air cooled gpus. Get 3 noiseblocker eloops pushing a wall of air from from to back with good static pressure, it's be quiet and effective. Personally, i wish they made one in metal obsidian trim instead of the plastic carbide trim.

You have to be careful when looking at case reviews, they often seem to review the cases with only the components (fans) that come with the case. But that's often not how their actually used by cooling minded consumers. The advantages of extra configurations and fan mounting options can be overlooked, and if the case comes with not so great stock fans, that can muddy the waters too. For example in the linked articule about the n600, looks like they did not remove the middle drive cage and actually put a drive in it. Nobody with 2 gpus will set it up that way for real.



That drive would go in the bottom cage and the middle cage would be not be there at all in a real gaming rig. That and there'd probably be a fan in that bottom fan mount in a real gaming rig with 2 gpus.

The silliest thing about the n600 case is that the pci slot covers are not vented, mesh gallore on all sides... yet they negect to provide vented slot covers
wink.gif
Click to expand...
I'm pretty sure I'll be going with the 540. I'll replace the front fans with gentle typhoon ap-15's running at 7Vs and see how that goes.

I actually didn't bare that in mind, that the benchmarks would have been done with stocks fans. Though the fans may be loud, most people think that the noise is just standard but it leaks out badly from the 540.

Either way, some people are reporting a silent pc, some are reporting a loud PC. I'm sure I'll be able to make it quieter.
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AlphaC
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PCIE slots are an easy fix.
http://www.moddiy.com/products/High-Quality-Vented-Black-Expansion-Slot-Cover.html
http://www.corsair.com/en/parts/case-parts/carbide-400r-case-pci-slot-covers-pack-of-8-vented-black.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999224
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/11683/cpa-506/Silverstone_Aero_Slots_Vented_Expansion_Slot_Covers_-_4-Pack_-_Black_SST-AEROSLOTS-B.html?tl=g1c157s897&id=7L2bkPJ9
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=24383

etc

edit: if you go for the Carbide 540, make sure you put drives on the bottom or at least fill the slots

http://www.legitreviews.com/corsair-carbide-air-540-atx-cube-case-review_2230/4


http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Corsair/Carbide_Air_540/4.html


http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/corsair_carbide_air_540_review,4.html
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Oh are the pcie vented slots supposed to help dampen the noise? Prevent it from leaking out as much?

Yeah, I plan to run at least 4 drives in the case so I'll have to work something out.
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michael-ocn
Quote:
Originally Posted by WuMyster View Post

Oh are the pcie vented slots supposed to help dampen the noise? Prevent it from leaking out as much?

Yeah, I plan to run at least 4 drives in the case so I'll have to work something out.
Click to expand...
Vented slots are for better case airflow, especially with a positive pressure setup (more intake than exhaust). Hmmm... thats a lot of drives, HDD bays is something the air540 does not have a lot of. Just those 2 floor mounts (not counting the SDD cage in the psu side of the house).

If you're working with lots of drives and multiple gpus... might want to look at fullsize cases.
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Surely, if I wanted a high positive pressure, id want to cover the pcie slots up instead of having them vented? Air going out in a smaller gap would lead to a high pressure if i am correct?

Ill remove the SSD bay and find an alternative or ghetto mod it. The case is fine with multiple GPUs, just ticked off with the amount of 3.5" hdds that you can natively mount. The club has a few people who stack their drives ontop of the PSU or next to it so it should be fine.
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jhaze84
"Positive pressure" in air cooling terms just means more air is being brought in by fans than being exhausted by fans. That way you have complete control on where the air enters your case (i.e. through dust filters). The actual air pressure doesn't change. The PCI vents are good for positive pressure because the extra air can escape out of them. If you block them you will only heat the case up.
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michael-ocn
fyi: Just noticed an owners thread for the air54 ...
http://www.overclock.net/t/1404897/corsair-carbide-air-540-owners-club-gallery
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contay
You might just want to check Coolermaster Haf XB too!

http://www.overclock.net/t/1329750/official-cooler-master-haf-xb-club/10020#post_24149385

http://www.coolermaster.com/case/lan-box-haf-series/haf-xb-evo/
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white owl
Zombie thread
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