Thermaltake Tsunami case - keep or replace?

[Taz]

I'm looking to build a new system and reuse a few bits of my old system. I have an old Thermaltake Tsunami case. Should I keep this or buy a newer case? If buy new, any recommendations for a good tower case at less than £100? I will probably be doing some mild overlocking so need a good balance between noise output and cooling.

[amjedm]

I believe the Tsunami has 120mm intake and exhaust fans? Cooling should be ok IMO.

I think it's still ok to use.

[Taz]

^ Yes, two 120mm fans are already in there.

[staffsMike]

Looks like a nice case to me, i'd stick with it unless you have an particualr problems with it.

If you do change it, Theres a couple of good cases in that budget. Personally I'd go with the antec 900 or antec P182 the latter being my personal preference.

There's also the akasa mirage and eclipse which are very good but the antecs for me are the best balance of cooling and silence.

[scottxxx]

I've got the Thermaltake Tsunami Dream. Its hardly quiet unless you replace the fans and get a fan controller, and even then its not as quiet as an Antec P182 with fans on low speed.

As far as temps mine is pretty good. Core2Duo 6320 1.8GHz running at just over 3.00GHz with stock intel cooling and don't think it gets above 50C when running games. The cooling performance is fine but I'd be tempted to spend a few pounds and get some quieter fans and a fan controller if you haven't already. I bought some NorthQ ones from Scan for about £5 each and they're much quieter. Certainly works out cheaper than buying an Antec.

[Taz]

^ I've got two 120mm Luxotop R120L silent case fans in the Tsunami case so it's fairly quiet. The chipset fan on the mobo and GPU make the most noise.

[amjedm]

^ I've got two 120mm Luxotop R120L silent case fans in the Tsunami case so it's fairly quiet. The chipset fan on the mobo and GPU make the most noise.

Are able to replace the chipset cooler for a Zalman? If not then trying removing the fan and see if you can put a 80mm (quieter) fan blowing air at the heatsink.

With GPUs I tend to remove the fans as well (but these are low end cards - 6600 etc.). I then mount a dead pci card underneath and plonk a fan on that blowing air at the GPU heatsink. Even better if you can cut a hole in the dead pci card as that will allow air to reach the 80mm fan.

[chuckskull]

I used to have a Tsumani, rattly ugly thing, Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK would be my recommendation, plenty of change from £100.

[Taz]

I used to have a Tsumani, rattly ugly thing, Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK would be my recommendation, plenty of change from £100.

Yes, I read the review of the Antec P182 just this morning. I'm guessing it should run quieter than the Thermaltake Tsunami. As you appear to have had both, is this the case? Are the stock fans supplied with this case very quiet or would I have to replace them with ultra-quiet 120mm ones?

I guess i'm looking more for a quiet case than one for hardcore overclocking.

[staffsMike]

I have the P182 and the stock fans have 3 settings. The highest is loud but they push a lot of air. Medium is very quiet and still pushs a lot of air.
Low is silent to me. Pushes plenty enough air to keep it running nice and cool.

[Taz]

^ Thanks for that information. The Hexus review suggests that the P182 case comes with 2 stock fans, but the Scan site suggests it comes with 3. Which is correct?

[staffsMike]

Comes with 3.

Room for 2 more at the front and one on the end of the upper hard drive cage for gfx cooling

[chuckskull]

Yes, I read the review of the Antec P182 just this morning. I'm guessing it should run quieter than the Thermaltake Tsunami. As you appear to have had both, is this the case? Are the stock fans supplied with this case very quiet or would I have to replace them with ultra-quiet 120mm ones?

I guess i'm looking more for a quiet case than one for hardcore overclocking.

I've owned the tsunami and built systems in P180/182's for mates. The stock fans are fine imo, unless you have a monstrously overclocked system you can leave them on low 24/7. If you want to swap fans or fill the two empty slots I recommend Scythe S-flex. The case is sound dampened, and you can add even more for about 20 quid if the need grabs you.

Only thing to watch out for is some combos of PSU and motherboard can get awkward(due to the bottom mounting of the PSU), once you have the spec in mind someone on here will be able to say yay or nay most likely. If not, Antec's support have always been good with me and responded promptly to questions.

[Pob255]

Well if you do consider going for the p182
video review
YouTube - Tweakz review: Antec P182
not a great one, but look at 3:45 for the sound level of the stock cooling at the 3 settings, granted addition bits and fans will change that also the room and otherfactors but this does give you an idea of the volume level.