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Does a bigger case actually run quieter if you’re using the same number of fans?

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Bond007 said:
Not sure you will find anyone that has compared those 2 specific cases. Going to a larger case from something really small can result in better temps, but with the size of both of those cases I would not expect an improvement just from the size...it would have to be because of fan size/speed/number of fans/case layout/efficiency of any mesh/metal/plastic obstructing etc.

Are you going to be running a high end GPU in this, or just the CPU? What CPU are you planning to use?
Click to expand...
I should have added a parts list, here's a link: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/VM6GFZ

Planning to use the 9950x CPU, as well as the GeForce 5060Ti GPU.

JD said:
For either case, I'd suggest keeping the solid top on and only using the front/rear fans anyways if your main target is noise. Also buy some high quality fans.

I can't really see why the XL would be any quieter though, I would actually expect the opposite with it having more echo due to being bigger/emptier.
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Yes, my plan is to run 3 intakes and 1 exhaust, all 140mm.

Though I'm debating on whether just keeping the stock fans on the Define 7 XL (2 inlets and 1 outlet, 140mm, non-PWM) and seeing how well it works.

Not sure though how much trouble it's going to go back once the computer is already built and: install extra Noctua fans (and replace the current stock ones), and do this fan inlet mod which I hear give a significant improvement in noise levels at higher loads.

CMetaphor said:
Long time air cooling nut here.

And I'd say yes, the bigger the case, the better.

Turbulence? Its sortof a thing, when you're going ultra quiet. Similar principles to the guys that spend hours upon hours making fan grills that dont artificially make fan noise louder. A larger case with the same airflow *might* just be quieter. Fewer, less-harsh airflow direction changes inside the case might be noticeable... you know, with a decibel meter.

I've also heard weird things, sound-wise, when two similar fans are close together. Sympathetic vibrations / frequencies, can sound like a guitar phasor pedal. So more space between each fan isn't a bad thing either.

Lastly, bigger case interior volume has been better for passive / semi- passive builds in my experience. Just gives the heatsink more room to breathe before the fan turns on (if there is one).

Hope it helps 👍
Click to expand...

Thank you for that response! Really appreciate you sharing your expertise. I've saved your reply in my notes for future reference.

I've been leaning towards the XL, for those reasons, and also possibly being able to convert it to a local NAS down the line in 5-10 years, if I decide to make another build. I recently realized how useful a local NAS could be.

Question though - in your opinion, should I really do the following during the original build, vs doing it later down the line?

- Replace the 3 stock fans with Noctuas, and add an extra Noctua (So total = 3 inlet, 1 outlet 140mm's)
- Do this intake fan mod to further lower noise

I was thinking of just running the 3 x 140mm stock fans on the Define 7 XL and seeing how it goes at first, and down the line doing those two things listed above.

I'm just not sure how much of a pain in the ass it might be to go back and do those 2 things, once the PC is already built. (Like having to disassemble the whole build, unscrew a bunch of stuff, etc).

Also the stock fans aren't PWM, not sure how much of a difference that actually makes at low loads.
 
Hollowing out an old/cheap fan to use as a duct is pretty common and would likely help reduce noise as the fan wouldn't be up against the mesh filter.

I'm inclined to say the video card will remain the loudest item (when under load).

Swapping out fans shouldn't be too annoying to do after it's built though if you want to try out the included ones. Really depends how sensitive you/your equipment is to noise.

I do wonder if the Meshify 3 would be quieter though with the stock fans, as it comes with their new Momentum fans that seem to review pretty well. Also has an airguide to direct airflow up to the GPU. But being that it's all open, when the fans do speed up, it would likely be louder.
 
I'd actually disagree with @JD about the top fans. Positive pressure cases (more intake fans than exhausts) to me, seem louder than negative pressure ones. The intake fans especially seem to make more noise. A negative pressure case (more exhausts than intakes, or the exhausts and intakes number the same, but the exhausts run slightly faster) always seems quieter. And IMO, running 6x fans at very low RPM in general is quieter overall than running 4x fans a bit faster.

Noctuas are a solid call for silent build, if you can stomach the prices and looks. For a cheaper option, I often still run Arctic cooling fans. F series ones for case fans, P series for heatsinks and radiators. Can get a box of them for the price of one Noctua 😅

And yes, 110% go PWM fans as much as possible. There's a few 3 pin (non-pwm) fans out there that are fairly quiet, but to my ear many make a buzzing mechanical noise when running at minimum RPM. YMMV.

Let us know how it goes 👍
 
xentr_thread_starter
CMetaphor said:
I'd actually disagree with @JD about the top fans. Positive pressure cases (more intake fans than exhausts) to me, seem louder than negative pressure ones. The intake fans especially seem to make more noise. A negative pressure case (more exhausts than intakes, or the exhausts and intakes number the same, but the exhausts run slightly faster) always seems quieter. And IMO, running 6x fans at very low RPM in general is quieter overall than running 4x fans a bit faster.

Noctuas are a solid call for silent build, if you can stomach the prices and looks. For a cheaper option, I often still run Arctic cooling fans. F series ones for case fans, P series for heatsinks and radiators. Can get a box of them for the price of one Noctua 😅

And yes, 110% go PWM fans as much as possible. There's a few 3 pin (non-pwm) fans out there that are fairly quiet, but to my ear many make a buzzing mechanical noise when running at minimum RPM. YMMV.

Let us know how it goes 👍
Click to expand...

Thanks CM - will do.

Regarding negative pressure - to prevent dust getting sucked in through the back (through the mesh holes at the PCIe slots, etc)... could I tape those over? Or would that increase noise or hurt thermals?

I could install 3 exhaust fans on the Noctua (1 rear, 2 top) and only have 2 inlet fans, and tape over extra mesh holes in the back to prevent dust from coming in. Dust would get filtered out from the filtered inlets @ front and bottom.
 
CMetaphor said:
I'd actually disagree with @JD about the top fans.
Click to expand...
Depends where your case is I guess, mine are typically on the floor as these "XL" cases simply do not make sense on a desk. I'm inclined to say I hear my top fans the most because of the proximity to my ears (Meshify 2 XL currently).

The easiest solution to having a quiet recording studio I'd say is to simply move the computer further away from any microphones. :)
 
QuestionAsker said:
Thanks CM - will do.

Regarding negative pressure - to prevent dust getting sucked in through the back (through the mesh holes at the PCIe slots, etc)... could I tape those over? Or would that increase noise or hurt thermals?

I could install 3 exhaust fans on the Noctua (1 rear, 2 top) and only have 2 inlet fans, and tape over extra mesh holes in the back to prevent dust from coming in. Dust would get filtered out from the filtered inlets @ front and bottom.
Click to expand...
I'd try to have a fan in every spot, for spots that dont have solid panels to cover them like some cases do. Aka, I'd rather have a fan in every spot running suuuper low RPM than leave a fan spot open to mess up airflow patterns (again, only if you can't put a panel to block that spot). But once you've got a negative pressure case, yes some dust might get in through excessive grills everywhere (seriously, who ever added such silly things to cases and why have we had to suffer with them ever since? Dumb. Every intake should be filtered, and there should be no other way for air to get in! /rant) so you can block them as you like. Tape works, albeit not the heat for long term. And someday I myself am going to 3D print panels to block such silly grills.
JD said:
Depends where your case is I guess, mine are typically on the floor as these "XL" cases simply do not make sense on a desk. I'm inclined to say I hear my top fans the most because of the proximity to my ears (Meshify 2 XL currently).

The easiest solution to having a quiet recording studio I'd say is to simply move the computer further away from any microphones. :)
Click to expand...
Proximity is definitely a factor, but also: once there are tops fans instead of a panel to block those spots, you can hear Every sound from inside the case more, just because the sound is more directly aimed at your ears 🤷‍♂️. But does it make the Whole case louder to have those extra topsl fana? Dont think so, but that's like, just my opinion hah

Minor case in point: finished my family member's PC the other day (sorry I couldn't do a log with photos, not enough time and WAY too much pain). They were a bit worried when I told them I was putting in 8x fans into an mATX case. Lian Li A3-mATX with 6x Corsair LL120 RBG fans and 2x Arctic F12 fans, all PWM. The loudest thing in the entire PC (at idle obviously, its a gaming PC and a tightly packed one at that, so grain of salt here)... is the Corsair H100i Capellix's water pump. 8x Fans, and that's the "loudest" part (config was 2x LL120 pushing intake through 240mm Rad, 2x Arctic F12s intaking from the bottom, and 4x LL120s (3x top, 1x back) as exhaust fans).

👍

Edit: oh I actually do have a couple photos, I'll update the post about that build later, if anyone's interested.
 
WRT PWM vs DC.....

One of the biggest differences I can remember from when PWM started to become the norm was that in general PWM fans could run much slower at the lower end of the profile. IIRC, at the time DC fans typically couldn't run lower than 600 RPM, while PWM fans could run as low as 300 RPM. Is that not still the case?
 
sswilson said:
WRT PWM vs DC.....

One of the biggest differences I can remember from when PWM started to become the norm was that in general PWM fans could run much slower at the lower end of the profile. IIRC, at the time DC fans typically couldn't run lower than 600 RPM, while PWM fans could run as low as 300 RPM. Is that not still the case?
Click to expand...
probably still the same...or better now. but I think they're still wanting a good level of performance...so slowest / quietest may not provide that.
 
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