Which case is better for building a quiet computer? Aluminum or Steel?

[zxczxc]

What advantages does an aluminum case have over a steel case? I'm wondering if aluminum cases are not for building a quiet computer since they generally have thinner sheets than steel cases?

 

[godmare]

AFAIK, the only practical advantage of aluminum cases is less weight. The cooling benefits are even said to be negligible.
The best way to build a quiet computer is by eliminating noise sources flat out. Meaning not fill your case with 7 Vantec Tornados and then proceeding to 7 volt mod them and insulate the case for less noise.
Just set up a few quiet case fans, like Panflo L1As, a silent power supply, like an Antec or a fan modded Sparkle, and get a good quality heatsink, like the Thermalright SK-7.
Whichever quiet fans you choose for your case may then be used on your high quality heatsink to eliminate pitch discrepancies and 'beeping'.

 

[BG4533]

Good advice Godmare. However, the thickness and quality of the case can have an affect on the noise of the computer. It all depends on how far you want to take the quiet thing. I am using quiet NMBs and a Truepower 430 and I still consider it too loud. My heavy steel case and 1" Sonex mini acoustical foam does stop a lot of the noise from leaving the case. Steel cases do tend to stop a little bit more of the noise, but one of the biggest things is the reverberation and rattling of the case. Cheap cases will tend to do this much more that quality ones. Like Godmare was saying though, if you start with quiet components, all of the case stuff doesnt really matter for most people trying to quiet their computers.

Brian

 

[mastay]

A lot of noise comes from the fan hitting the fan opening built into the case. Cut the thing out and replace it with fan grills instead and you lower your noise by a lot. This is solve reverberation and rattling of the case. I just did this to all my cases and my T-bird 1.4ghz system is using a GC68 with a modded 2000RPM generic fan and 1 1500RPM exhale fan on the back and I can hear the pitch of my harddrive with the fan noise, with load temps at around 46C. I have noticed that the SX1040 does seem to be quieter with the same fans when compared to my enlighten case, but it seems fairly marginal to me.

 

[clumsum]

All things being equal (case fans, psu & heatsink fans) the quietest un-modded cases seem to be the all plastic or plastic over steel models - examples:

Palo Alto ATCX, PA600
Fong Kai 603
Min Maw 3752