Can't find a good case

[PeteRoy]

I still can't find a case that meets what I am looking for.

I want the following from a case:

1. Dust filters for intake fans
2. Side air duct tunnel for the CPU cooler
3. Quiet case

I have been looking through many cases and they all have only 1 of what I am looking for, some have air ducts, others have dust filters, but not all 3 together.

The number 1 thing is dust filters, I can't understand how today high quality expensive cases like Zalman didn't bother to add dust filters.

Do you have any suggestions?

 

[zerogear]

Silverstone FT01 or Temjin 07

Edit, no side duct though

 

[PeteRoy]

I looked at those 2 silverstone cases you posted, they don't even have dust filters, thanks for trying to help tho

 

[roid450]

Antec 1200 meets all those. 3 front intake fans and space for one side fan. All fans come with a speed controller. About 25dBa at low speed and the case is very quiet, 155.99 on newegg right now, just pay tax, free shpping.

edit: NVM its up to 179$ again http://www.newegg.com/Product/...043&Tpk=antec%20twelve

I got mine for 154$ shipped 6 months ago

 

[PeteRoy]

The Antec 1200 doesn't have a side air duct, which is a special tunnel for the CPU to get direct cool air.

 

[roid450]

Well then, I guess get the clsoest case that meets your needs and you can put some sort of filter on the fans, like one of those cloths you put in the dryer with the clothes or some thing kleenex type thing.

 

[zagood]

"side air duct"?

These were discontinued for the most part when larger stock and custom heatsinks became the norm.

Are you using a stock heatsink? If not, you should probably take the side air duct off the list, because you'll have to remove it to use most aftermarket coolers.

The problem you're having with dust filters is that the side duct was a mainstay of the older generations of cases which just didn't use dust filters.

If you really want to go that route you'll have to scour long and hard to find exactly what you want, or you can a) buy your own aftermarket dust filters or b) cut a hole in the side of the case and buy a duct.

-z

 

[PeteRoy]

Yes I use the stock intel cooler and right now I have a budget case with a side duct and a dust filter in the front, but the case is not good enough for me, I can't put the drive cage because my video card is too long.

I don't have the ability to make my own side duct in a good case or fit in dust filters.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I would just look for a good case with filters and get an aftermarket cooler for your cpu. It'll cool better by far than the stock cooler with a duct. I don't think I've ever seen a case with filters and a side duct so I can't help if you're insistent on that route.

 

[MarcVenice]

Ducts have been proven to be fairly useless, yet are a pain in the butt. Good airflow > duct. Good cpu-cooler > good airflow > duct. Ducts just suck

 

[PeteRoy]

You say ducting proved useless but Intel engineers disagree with you.

If you ever read any of Intel integration guides for system builders they recommend a case with a duct.

Here's a quote from Core i7 integration guide by Intel

"Most chassis designed for the Intel Core i7 processor use extra internal chassis fans to improve airflow and many include ducting to bring cool air directly to the processor fan heatsink."

They even provide a list of chassis that supports the Core i7, but I have been unable to find the cases they list

Also, if you ever opened an OEM desktop case by Dell or HP or Lenovo you will see they all have a duct that direct cool air to the CPU, just like Intel recommends, and they are all quiet and cool, just no dust filters on OEM cases

 

[Alkapwn]

You're aware that you can add filters to these case fans, right?

http://www.performance-pcs.com...59bbd689b838120d1c4e7e

http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l.../Fans-Fan_Filters.html

Since it seems you can't find the "golden egg" of computer cases, this might free up some options.

Also, some of these cases move so much air through them, I can see why you wouldn't need a side duct. If you were talking about an old as the hills beige steel chasis, I can see needing a side duct for an i7 if you're using a stock cooler...

One last comment: Heat pipes. There are so many aftermarket coolers which will help alleviate i7 heat issues, and they're often cheap enough, it seems silly to me *not* to use one. Ones such as the TRUE would make a side vent fairly useless.

Edit: also, every case I've seen by Dell, HP or Lenovo was pretty worthless for my applications, especially if I were building my own rig.

Just my $00.02 USD.

 

[zerogear]

Originally posted by: PeteRoy
I looked at those 2 silverstone cases you posted, they don't even have dust filters, thanks for trying to help tho

I own the FT01, I can tell you for a fact that it does have dust filters.

 

[TC91]

Whatever you do, just PLEASE DO NOT BUY the coolermaster cosmos 1000.

 

[Von Ribbentrop]

Here's one for ya. Has an air duct and filters. Don't know how quiet it is. It was in the running for my new build, but I didn't want the duct. Not sure if your aware but if you're building an I7 rig, the duct will not line up with the heatsink because they shifted the 1366 socket lower on the board.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811233016

 

[CurseTheSky]

Originally posted by: PeteRoy
You say ducting proved useless but Intel engineers disagree with you.

If you ever read any of Intel integration guides for system builders they recommend a case with a duct.

Here's a quote from Core i7 integration guide by Intel

"Most chassis designed for the Intel Core i7 processor use extra internal chassis fans to improve airflow and many include ducting to bring cool air directly to the processor fan heatsink."

They even provide a list of chassis that supports the Core i7, but I have been unable to find the cases they list

Also, if you ever opened an OEM desktop case by Dell or HP or Lenovo you will see they all have a duct that direct cool air to the CPU, just like Intel recommends, and they are all quiet and cool, just no dust filters on OEM cases

As others have said, if you really want decent cooling performance, just ditch the idea of a duct and spend $30-40 on a better heatsink / fan. Most of the tower heatpipe designs are MUCH better than the stock Intel cooler, especially under load.

Keep in mind that most OEM desktop computers aren't designed to be pushed to the limits like most of us do with our hardware here. I'd bet if you touched any of the clocks or voltages in the OEM systems (when possible), many of the systems that have cases with poor airflow would throttle or even shut off under heavy load.

If you're still bent on getting a case with a duct, you'll probably need to look into lower-end cases. Most of the stuff on the high end either has a solid side panel, side panel window, or ductless fan where the duct would go. A few places do sell cheap duct "kits," which may be an option as well.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

ducts are stupid (get a tower cpu cooler. they cool better, and are quieter)
filters aren't required (get your own from a link above or make your own with some tape and women's stockings)
any case can be quiet (get your own cheap 120mm fans that are around 1000rpm, i guarantee you they will be quiet)

stop wasting your time searching for these small and mostly useless features and get a case that you like and meets your budget.

or you can focus your searching on more important things in a case (imo) like cable management and quality construction

 

[faxon]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
ducts are stupid (get a tower cpu cooler. they cool better, and are quieter)
filters aren't required (get your own from a link above or make your own with some tape and women's stockings)
any case can be quiet (get your own cheap 120mm fans that are around 1000rpm, i guarantee you they will be quiet)

stop wasting your time searching for these small and mostly useless features and get a case that you like and meets your budget.

or you can focus your searching on more important things in a case (imo) like cable management and quality construction

it's been said enough time's im only going to bother quoting it. do what this guy (and others) have said. focus your efforts on what's good, not what you can add in yourself or what's useless

 

[PeteRoy]

thanks for the help, ill check that gigabyte case

 

[homercles337]

Originally posted by: TC91
Whatever you do, just PLEASE DO NOT BUY the coolermaster cosmos 1000.

Why? What about the Cosmos RC-1100?

That being said, im also looking at the ATCS 840 (among others--i hate deciding on a new case). My new hardware took a couple days to settle on, but the case is tough--always.

 

[ahenkel]

I like my cosmos 1000, its easy to work with, is quiet, and roomy as all hell. my only complaint its heavy, luckily I bought a laptop for portability or i'd need a hand truck to take this thing places.

 

[homercles337]

Originally posted by: ahenkel
I like my cosmos 1000, its easy to work with, is quiet, and roomy as all hell. my only complaint its heavy, luckily I bought a laptop for portability or i'd need a hand truck to take this thing places.

I currently have the SS Temjin 5 (http://www.silverstonetek.com/...php?pno=tj05&area=usa). And that thing is 40+ pounds when empty. I like all the room, but i never move the thing though. I like the idea of all aluminum, but if i never move the thing...

 

[ahenkel]

I like the look of the acts 840 more than the cosmos. If they had an 840 at the time I built I would have went with that. Its the cleaner look, the removable mobo tray and the hole where a backplate would go that appeals to me.

 

[PeteRoy]

I bought the Gigabyte 3D mars, it doesnt have an air guide but it is a good case, I bought it based on the tip I got in my newer thread

 

[videogames101]

I'd want to point out, ducting doesn't help much at all...