Computer cases

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Originally Posted by dm_td5

I'd kind of worked that out. I notice Intel even state that the cooling fan provided with the chip must be used or else the warranty is void.

I'm starting to look at the Antec P180 case but there are a number of others I've still got to pull up specs on. www.silentpcreview.com has some great information (thanks EchiDna) and I'm going to get in touch with AusPCMarket when they open again next week.

I have noticed there are a number of water cooling systems which are just heat exchanges. So whilst you have no fan you have a very hot metal object somewhere with an electric pump (noise) in it. There are also a number of (very expensive and very heavy) thermally conductive heat sink cases too that would have the same draw back.

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happy to help with the link...
the P180 will no doubt serve you well - in my Antec Sonata (very similar internals, different external) in stock form the loudest bit by miles is the power supply. I bought some sound deadening (foil backed high density foam) made for car audio http://www.dynamat.com/index.html 1 2ftx2ft sheet cost about $30 but is enough for 2 cases. This made a huge difference, but as the power supply vents to the outside of the case directly, I ended up changing all the internal fans (including that inside the power supply) for Nexus ultra quiet models http://www.nexustek.nl - highly recommended!

lastly, those passive coolers like the 'reserator' have a certain heat exchange capacity which once reached, cease to be as effective - your ambient temperature plays a big part in this.... If you are considering this route, you better think about how to silence the power supply and the hard drives as these will be still quite loud even if the processor and video card are no longer a source of noise.

The Sonata case would be my second option. I just like the P180 better and given the price difference and the fact in the Sonata I would need to replace P/S and fans I think it might be a better buy. For a power supply I am actually thinking of lashing out $$$'s and getting the Antec Phantom500 which has a thermal fan but (if it the cables are long enough) I also think the Tagen Dual Engine is a good unit and its a lot cheaper. The Nexus fans seem to be the go like you said. Anyway now I just have to wait until I can actually talk to the sellers of the gear as they all seem to have been closed over Christmas.

the P180 is definitely better!
it didn't exist when I bought my sonata :)

unfortunately the best spec power supplies have the worst noise levels... I bought an OCZ powerstream 550 watt unit - fantastic unit, but noisy in stock form. Change the fan and it's a whole new ball game....

That's what I like about the Phantom500 it's fan is only thermally activated so it shouldn't need to run as often. The Tagen's have a low noise fan and seem to be given a good report too.

Thanks again too as that SPCR site has both a lot of information and some good links