Battle of the cases! Which case?

[progex]

I'm onto building yet another rig... So among the contenders, which case should I buy?

Antec 1080AMG (side-panel fan) w/ True430W Linkified

OR

Chieftec DX-01WD (clear side-window & ALUMINUM) ( w/ TurboLink 420W Linkified

Cooling factor is a must, as well as quietness (I'll be replacing the stock fans with Panaflos). Looks do not matter...

 

[RalfHutter]

Well, all things being equal, the steel case will be quieter than the aluminum one *except* for the fan mounted on the side panel. The general consensus is that the "aluminum cases cool better because of better heat transfer" theory is bogus.

I'd go for the Antec case and block off the fan mount on the side.

 

[Neuroanatomist]

Go for the steel Antec one.

Aluminum Chieftec would be cool.. but the front face-plate is still plastic.

I think I also read somewhere that steel cases are less prone to vibration than aluminium

 

[Pardus]

i second antec

 

[progex]

Thanks for the suggestions.

If I do block the side-panel fan... Would the 2x rear fans + 1x front fan be efficient enough for air flow (also adding the fact that the P/S is dual-fan)? No OCing will be done on the rig.

 

[TheWart]

Antec rocks. yes that should be enough airflow if no O'C

 

[Pothead]

get the aluminum version. You'll thank yourself when you have to move the case around.

 

[theNEOone]

go for the cheaper one. btw, your chieftec link sends us to newegg, the dx-01wd they sell is equipped w/ a 400w ps, not 420. not a big deal, just a heads up in case you were planning on getting it from there.

 

[Ajaykay]

Exactly what do you mean by blocking off the side fan mount? Does that side fan really help cool off those hot G4 cards? I know you can probably fry an egg on my Visiontek Ti-4600.