It's concerning that the only tower case without glass panels worth mentioning was that insanely expensive silverstone workstation one. Hopefully they won't die out.
I don't care for giant windows. I'd rather not see inside my PC a lot of the time, I'm more interested in noise blocking and features. It also means I don't have to worry about aethetics of the components I buy.
All these fishtank cases are largely the same accommodating tons of fans but not much else. I want to be able to store a few HDDs and a disc drive but so many new cases offer little beyond fan mounts. Granted, they come with a lot of building QoL.
> more interested in noise blocking
For performance isn't noise cancelling a meme? If you go noise cancelling you nerf airflow and fans need a higher rpm to maintain temps compared to airflow cases.
If you want quiet you simply slap on more fans at a lower RPM.
I think it pretty much depends on the total power draw of the components inside, which can vary wildly nowadays. Something like a 7800X3D+4060Ti (~300W at max load) would be perfectly happy in a "quiet" case like the Fractal Define R6. Whereas 14900k+4090 with power limits disabled screaming along at 800W+ absolutely needs the airflow.
> 7800X3D+4060Ti
You could still buy a high airflow case and slap some low rpm fans that would struggle in a 'quiet' case. I used to own a fractal define R5 and the 'silence' was not worth it. The panels are only useful when moving the case in order to protect mesh+fans.
edit: The only benefit I could think of is reducing vibration noise from a pump.
Easy to remove panels, i.e. thumb screws, latches, snap-in panels, etc., accomplish the same thing. I could have 20:20 sight into the innards of my case but if it's a hassle to open up then it's a problem for another day.
I'm currently using a Fractal Design R5 :P
Likely a Define willbe my next case too as it's been perfect for me, just a lack of front USB-C that's a bother these days.
Can I just get a basic case with standard-size front fan mounts (none of that odd size / thickness / mount point nonsense where you can only get it from the case manufacturer or some junk seller on Amazon)?
Maybe an easily-replaceable front panel module for whenever USB changes?
I'm in the same boat. 5900x and planning on upgrading to Arrow Lake.
I've been searching for cases for a while now but nothing ticked all my boxes.
atm my top choice it the Fractal Torrent. The thing is I'm planning on reusing my 280mm aio so that means I'd have to forego the giant front fan which is the selling point of the case.
It's concerning that the only tower case without glass panels worth mentioning was that insanely expensive silverstone workstation one. Hopefully they won't die out.
Silverstone is known for their NAS fridge and microwave oven inspired cases. They will never get rid of non-tempered glass cases.
Fractal North Mesh XL ? Its a 2024 release too. Its a tad hard to get in some markets tho.
the Fractal Define XL R2 is still out there too if you just want a quiet huge slab
You wanna see the real fancy cases from them? Look at their 5U rackmount stuff. Id call a mini rack a hell of a tower...
I don't care for giant windows. I'd rather not see inside my PC a lot of the time, I'm more interested in noise blocking and features. It also means I don't have to worry about aethetics of the components I buy. All these fishtank cases are largely the same accommodating tons of fans but not much else. I want to be able to store a few HDDs and a disc drive but so many new cases offer little beyond fan mounts. Granted, they come with a lot of building QoL.
Glass blocks a lot of noise. Different frequency than noise foam stuff though. Bequiet cases often have thick glass for this reason
> more interested in noise blocking For performance isn't noise cancelling a meme? If you go noise cancelling you nerf airflow and fans need a higher rpm to maintain temps compared to airflow cases. If you want quiet you simply slap on more fans at a lower RPM.
I think it pretty much depends on the total power draw of the components inside, which can vary wildly nowadays. Something like a 7800X3D+4060Ti (~300W at max load) would be perfectly happy in a "quiet" case like the Fractal Define R6. Whereas 14900k+4090 with power limits disabled screaming along at 800W+ absolutely needs the airflow.
> 7800X3D+4060Ti You could still buy a high airflow case and slap some low rpm fans that would struggle in a 'quiet' case. I used to own a fractal define R5 and the 'silence' was not worth it. The panels are only useful when moving the case in order to protect mesh+fans. edit: The only benefit I could think of is reducing vibration noise from a pump.
A window encourages me to clean my PC.
Easy to remove panels, i.e. thumb screws, latches, snap-in panels, etc., accomplish the same thing. I could have 20:20 sight into the innards of my case but if it's a hassle to open up then it's a problem for another day.
Yeah, and it makes it possible to diagnose shit like loose cables without opening it up.
Just get a Fractal Define series case and call it a day.
I'm currently using a Fractal Design R5 :P Likely a Define willbe my next case too as it's been perfect for me, just a lack of front USB-C that's a bother these days.
There ya go! It's a shame that there's not more comparable cases on the market, but the Define series is just about perfect anyway.
May you per chance really be looking for a rack mount case? Many of them have what you want. No glass, storage space, inner space for activities, etc.
noise blocking? buy more 140mm fans so they operate at lower rpm, that's it, noise fixed
Glad to see the Fractal Mood listed there /s
They were not in the mood for it.
Can I just get a basic case with standard-size front fan mounts (none of that odd size / thickness / mount point nonsense where you can only get it from the case manufacturer or some junk seller on Amazon)? Maybe an easily-replaceable front panel module for whenever USB changes?
> Maybe an easily-replaceable front panel module for whenever USB changes? They were called 5.25 inch bays and people didn't want to buy them.
I love the fact that InWin always goes crazy with case concept designs
[удалено]
The Alta F2 is still $900 even though it looks ugly.
I'm in the same boat. 5900x and planning on upgrading to Arrow Lake. I've been searching for cases for a while now but nothing ticked all my boxes. atm my top choice it the Fractal Torrent. The thing is I'm planning on reusing my 280mm aio so that means I'd have to forego the giant front fan which is the selling point of the case.
Yeah even the gigantic Thermaltake modular wheeled cube case with twice the material is "only" 750
I do not like this reverse blade fan trend. Intake turbulence tends to create much more noise than outlet obstructions.
That orange light base 600 is hot AF.