Corsair 400R or 550D? Dust and temperature concerns.

[Morgoth]

My new system will have a 4670 processor and an nvidia 660 GPU. I'm currently stuck deciding between these two cases.

I'm happy with everything I've read about the 400R, with one exception- it apparently doesn't have a dust filter on the top or the side vent. Given that my previous PC system had no top vent and STILL managed to accumulate enough dust that it started overheating, this is a concern. I don't want to have to clean out my system often and I love the thought of a computer that isn't a dust magnet. Anyone here who has a 400R- how dusty does it get?

Unfortunately, the dust filters you can buy for the 400R are rather expensive in the UK. In fact, to get a 400R and put a dust filter on it brings it up to the price of the 550D.

With the 550D, I'm happy with everything apart from a niggling, likely paranoid concern about the cooling. Most of the time, I can't imagine that my system will be particularly taxed by what I do with it. It's only apparently a few degrees higher than the 400R- but could persistent higher temperatures (with the stock fans) be a problem for longevity? Mind you, I can imagine that not letting so much dust into the case would also aid the longevity (and temperature performance) of the computer.

[pastymuncher]

You could ghetto mod it and cut up a pair of tights for filters. I have done that a few times and it works a treat. Got a ear bashing from the wife though for ruining her tights!!

[Noxvayl]

The 550D has good cooling potential. The standard config is fine for most setups and won't let in too much dust, I'd still recommend cleaning the front filter monthly and the inside of the case once a year.

I've modded mine to be used without the HDD cages which improves airflow into the case but you need to add fans as exhaust at the top otherwise it becomes a hotbox with all the extra air inside warming up and not getting out quick enough. I use an Enermax T.B. Silence 140mm fan at the top which works great. I get good temps with the extra 2 exhaust fans at the top and with the HDD cages removed so you can get good performance out of the case with a few additions and tweaks.

In order to use the case without HDD cages I've bought mounting brackets to put my HDDs in the 5.25" bays: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0001UZQWG/

[Morgoth]

Thanks! I think I am leaning towards the 550D despite the extra expense. Using tights as a dust filter is an.. interesting idea though, thanks, and certainly better value than those £35 filters! If I get the 550D I'm going to be probably leaving the cage for the drives in because I do have a lot of drives I want to use with it. If I do have problems with the temperatures though I will look into adding extra fans. There's always, I suppose, the option to remove some of the sound dampening panels if needed, which is a nice thing about the case vs some of the other quiet cases.

[herulach]

I have a bottom vent in my case, which you can imagine is a recipe for dust. Its filled with air filter foam (sold for motorbikes at about £5/sheet) which is effective, but restrictive, for a slightly less filtery but less restrictive alternative thin pond filter foam works (and is basically what most filters are made of anyway)

[pastymuncher]

That's what i use to filter the outside air on my rad box. Dirt cheap on ebay too!!

[minicale]

550D the 400r looks nasty with the embossed side panels and the 550D just looks so nice and has sound dampening material.