Best Computer Cases of 2015

@johnwillyums

I don't know what you would really want.. a flashy case to show off to others or a nice basic black case that has the features you need. For me at least, I go for the basic black case since I don't need to show it off to anyone and I want to put that extra money into other parts/software.

My 2c.. good luck in your search.
Jeff

Lee said:

Can't really see buying something fancy that only I would probably find wonderful. . .a plain box works for me, besides with the new imac 5k 27" now setting on my living room desk with (windows 10 insider program in Boot Camp Mode, see no reason for a truly fancy PC Box. . . my 2cents. . .:)

Same here. I would rather spend more on heat absorption/cooling and have lots of ventilation space.

johnwillyums said:

Hi Folks
I'm not sure whether to post onto this thread, or start a new one.
I'm just in the process of a new build, I've got my components ordered, plus a new chassis to put them in, the Define R5
I'm wondering if I can create a positive pressure environment, inside the case.
Included with the case, are two Fractal 140mm fans, one as intake on the front, the other exhausting out the top rear.
This case, like others around today, is well engineered to fine tolerances, but intentionally has gaps for air getting in the case. However, it seems to have less than most, which is connected to it's silent functionality.

I have two Noctua NF-P12 120mm fans, and two Akasa Apache 120mm. I'm thinking thing that both types are high static pressure fans.
Given that, I can use either the 3, or 5 tray, drive caddy.
If I put the two Noctua's in the front vent, whichever drive bay caddy I use, the Noctua fans will push cold through the drive bays, and into the body of the case.
As there is only one of the Fractal fans exhausting, and we assume it can move less air out, than is coming from the two Noctua's at the front
If I then, just leave the Fractal at the back, block the floor at the middle, and the vent beside the card blanks, in the rear panel, then more air will be entering the case than is leaving, especially if the Fractal fan is not that effective.
Would I then have positive pressure, inside the case, air will be forced through every "hole" left in the case? Thereby keeping everything cool, and dust free. Any dust coming into the case would be repelled by the direction of the airflow.
I could even mount one of the Apaches, in the middle of the floor, this would increase airflow up to the GPU, and then across the mobo and out.
I would of course leave all the "moduvents"
I'd appreciate some input on this. What do people think of my plan?

See this review:
Quiet ATX Gamer, R5 Version | silentpcreview.com
I would follow the lead from the review: keep the two 140mm Fractal fans, but put in an extra 140mm fan at the front. Do not bother with a fan at the bottom.
I have a Fractal Design Design R5 myself, and the space at the bottom is 12mm. At 140mm diameter, this would give a geometrical flow area of 53cm2 (PixDxh) . A 140mm fan itself (without filter) would have a flow area of 140cm2 (Pi/4x(Do**2-Di**2) . So the bottom gap is very restrictive.

I got the Fractal Design R5 myself a few weeks ago, and played around with stresstesting Prime95 and measuring temperatures with HWMonitor. It is good fun, and shows what results can be achieved.
The side vents at the front are flow restricted: 2x1.4cmwidthx26cmhigh = 73cm**2. That is half the flow area of one 140mm fan. Could well be that even with two front intake fans and one outlet fan, there is no positive pressure in the case.
With two 140mm front fans and one rear 140mm fan, all at 600rpm, I have a reasonable quiet operation, and i7-6700K during Prime95/shortFFT at 58degrC. Maxing the fans to 1200rpm (with front door open) only lowered CPU temperature by 1 - 2degrC, so the cooling of the case at 600rpm with filter and front door closed is good enough. Any further improvement has to be achieved by the CPU cooler.