6 Best Quiet PC Cases You Should Know About — Turn the Stealth Mode On!
A few days ago, that buzzing CPU fan created chaos in my life. So with a troubled mind, I thought about buying a silent PC case.
At that time, I learned there’s a lot to these cases — thermal performance, add ons, cable management, etc.
So from here, we’re first going to have a look at these 6 shortlisted quiet PC cases. After that, we will know what factors we should consider before buying one.
6 Best Quiet PC Cases — An Overview!
6 Best Quiet PC Cases for All Kinds of Silent PC Builds!
This case is a rockstar in terms of overall value. Ideally, people buy1 it for a fantastic cooling system and great functionality.
There are more than enough ports for all of your devices and a total of 9 fans.
Compared to the other PC cases on this list, this one’s out-of-box thermal performance is off the charts.
Features of Fractal Design Define 7
- Insulation pads to absorb the fan noise
- A door on the front chassis for better airflow
- Filters on all entrances for easy cleaning
- Audio I/O, reset, and power buttons
- Replaceable top cover
- Modern USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C connector
- Easily removable panels
Specifications of Fractal Design Define 7
Pros & Cons of Fractal Design Define 7
Pros
- High airflow nylon filters stop the dust from entering the case
- The cable management is handy
- Drive brackets are highly adjustable in 14 different positions
- The operations are dead silent and the cooling system works fantastically
- Good amount of ports and in-built fans
Cons
- No RGB lighting available
- No hard drive activity lights
Overall, the Fractal Design Define 7 case is a solid package with tons of utility and functionality.
Although the lack of RGB lighting may be a deal-breaker for some, this case can undoubtedly handle all the heavy tasks silently!
2. Corsair 100R Silent Edition — Best Budget Quiet PC Case Option
100R is the go-to quiet PC case for budget builders. This works exceptionally well for offices because the design looks simple and doesn’t have any bells or whistles.
All in all, Corsair has built a great case that gives you the most bang for your buck.
Features of Corsair 100R Silent Edition
- A stable design with thin metal sheets
- Co-mounted reset and power buttons
- Mesh-free front for easy cleaning and maintenance
- Great assembly to reduce inter-component rattling
- Good sound insulation for quiet operation
- A three-speed switch to change the performance from silent to violent.
Specifications of Corsair 100R Silent Edition
Pros & Cons of Corsair 100R Silent Edition
Pros
- Pre-installed fans minimize additional costs
- An affordable price-tag
- Dual USB 3.0 front panel ports
- 4 highly adjustable drive bays
Cons
- No ATX power supply included
- The thin and lightweight side panel is easily bendable
Although a few things like RGB lighting, additional fans, etc, are missing, it fits the tiniest budgets and gives a lot of value for money.
If price is your factor of consideration, pick this one without a second thought.
3. Cooler Master Masterclass SL600M — Best Premium Quiet PC Case Option
We can call SL600M a premium quiet PC case. Even though it’s the highest priced on this list, its nice cooling system, superb chassis quality, and tons of other features make it reasonable.
Features of Cooler Master Masterclass SL600M
- Enormous low-RPM fans
- Vertical chimney-based design with vertical ventilation from bottom to top
- Rotatable PCI bracket plate
- Front panel PSU shroud
- Anodized aluminum and steel design with tempered glass for great sound insulation
- High ground clearance for air intake from the bottom
- Plenty of cable mounts for cable management
- Adjustable fan slide
- A decent amount of USB ports
Specifications of Cooler Master Masterclass SL600M
Pros & Cons of Cooler Master Masterclass SL600M
Pros
- Unique ventilation design gives natural airflow from bottom to top
- Silent performance under heavy loads
- Great in-built 200mm fans
- Durable & spacious design
- Rich I/O panel
Cons
- Complex enough build for beginners
- Pricey
4. Fractal Design Define Mini C — Best Quiet Micro-ATX PC Case Option
Want a silent micro ATX PC case? Go with this one because its smaller design not only make it small, it also gives a stable structure.
Although materials used to make the Mini C have increased the cost a little bit, you get a great durable case with minimal inter-component rattling.
Features of Fractal Design Define Mini C
- Light-weight and stable structure with good materials used
- PSU shroud maintains the airflow and reduces noise
- Dust filters on top, front, and bottom
- Pre-installed cable ties for great cable management
- A cool black & white theme for the case
- Decent airflow to keep temperatures low
Specifications of Fractal Design Define Mini C
Pros & Cons of Fractal Design Define Mini C
Pros
- Dedicated SSD plates
- 5 PCI expansion slots
- Great airflow and quiet performance
- Stable structure
Cons
- Low distance between 3.5” drives cause them to heat up faster
- Slightly on the expensive side
5. Fractal Design Define Nano S — Best Quiet Mini-ITX PC Case Option
Nano S is the smallest quiet PC case on our list. We picked this case for those who don’t have much space on their table.
By the way, it’s also specifically designed for the mini ITX motherboards.
It doesn’t just fit the form factor and compatibility criteria but also does everything else you may like.
For example, the operations are dead silent and the airflow is great with cutouts on both ends of the front panel.
Features of Fractal Design Define Nano S
- A good amount of sound dampening wherever it’s possible
- Top-notch build quality
- Small chassis for tight spaces
- HDD activity LED light
Specifications of Fractal Design Define Nano S
Pros & Cons of Fractal Design Define Nano S
Pros
- Made of durable quality material
- Flexible storage options
- Great cable management
- HDD lights gives a great analysis of a bad hard drive
- No sharp edges ensure safety
Cons
- No dust filter on top of the case
6. Corsair Carbide Series 275Q — Minimalistic & Compact Design Quiet PC Case Option
This one is ideal for those who don’t prefer complex designs.
Although there’s nothing much to talk about this case, its no BS simple system makes it unique and suitable for first time builders.
Features of Corsair Carbide Series 275Q
- Fully steel-paneled case build
- Almost completely sealed design
- Plenty of sound dampening with small ventilation slits along the front
- Removable top panel for more airflow
- A decent amount of interior space
Specifications of Corsair Carbide Series 275Q
Pros & Cons of Corsair Carbide Series 275Q
Pros
- Clean & minimalist design
- Compact & lightweight build
- Two pre-installed silent fans
- Quiet operations
- Great for rookie builders
- Affordable price
Cons
- Not good for performance builds
- No RGB lighting
Factors You Should Know Before Buying a Quiet PC Case
Cooling & Thermal Performance
A good PC case always keeps the components cool. To do that, these can either use the pre-installed fans or you can install better fans after-market.
These fans create a nice airflow that ventilates the case to keep the components cool.
There’s also liquid cooling which is a bit more expensive but works better with higher-end builds. And guess what? It’s also much quieter than the fans.
Nonetheless, many buyers look for a pre-installed solution for the fans.
In such a case, the Fractal Design Define 7 with its 9 pre-installed fans is a no-brainer for anyone who wants a decent thermal performance without any new additions.
Form Factor
Motherboards come in several different sizes and specifications. That’s why there are different form factors for PC cases to suit all of those motherboards.
A general rule of thumb is to always check the compatible motherboards before buying a PC case.
You also need a decent-sized PC case with good GPU clearance to fit the most powerful GPUs.
It’s always important to note that a larger case won’t be a problem for smaller motherboards.
In fact, a slightly larger chassis may also be a better solution for good airflow throughout the case as it makes the installation process a little easier for novice builders.
In case you aim for a mini ITX motherboard, a case like the Fractal Design Define Nano S would be best.
Pricing & Additional Costs
Great quiet PC cases exist but everything begins with budget.
Whenever you buy, analyze the case to find the ideal price point and other additional costs involved.
Don’t pay just for the sake of brand or it looks cool, make sure you check out the performance well enough.
And if I see it from a budget view-point, the Corsair 100R would be a great choice to minimize any additional costs for budget builders or first-time PC owners.
Materials & Build Quality
Before building a PC, most buyers look for a long-term solution. Having a durable PC case will add to that and stay with you for years to come.
Even after you plan to upgrade the PC specs or the motherboard, there is a good chance that you may not need to change your PC case at all.
Stronger materials also give a premium touch to the case that feels and looks fantastic.
On the other hand, low-quality materials can cause the panels to flex and can cause damage to the hardware inside the case.
After-Market Add-Ons
Some of the cases we listed have almost everything pre-installed. However, some may not have what you need.
For instance, there may be additional slots for more fans to be installed for better airflow.
You need to decide what things need to be added to the PC case to make it a more complete design.
Cable Management
Keeping the PC clean and tidy is crucial. After all, the maintenance aspect of having a PC may not come to you at first but will trouble you in the long run.
Having a nice cable management solution will keep the internal components organized and remove the cable obstructions for the airflow.
The Bottom Line
Among these, Fractal Design Define 7 is best from all aspects.
Although the Cooler Master Masterclass SL600M is a better alternative, the price factor really makes the Define 7 stand out.
If budget is not a concern, you can make a safe decision to go with the SL600M as it has all kinds of cool features and effective cooling method!