Hello everyone I am looking for a new case for my build as the Storm Enforcer I have is loud. I would like it to be as silent as possible while retaining good looks (that is why I am leaning towards the H440) which one out of the 2 would you get? (Pros and cons please)
Specs:
CPU
i7 4770K
Motherboard
MSI Z87 GD-65 Gaming
RAM
Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB 1866Mhz
GPU
Gigabyte Reference GTX 780 ti 3GB
Case
CM Storm Enforcer
Storage
840 EVO 250GB,2TB WD Green,500GB Seagate barracuda
Define R4, as I understand it, is better for aircooling, while the H440 is better for watercooling. If just for that, I would go with the H440. Also keep in mind that the H440 has no room for an optical drive (no external 5.25" bay), while the Define R4 does.
I don't mind there being no optical as I was going to get rid of it either way and use an external one if I needed to. So you would say as I am using a liquid cooler I should go for the h440? I do plan to purchase an AIO 360mm to put in the roof if possible later on but for now all I have is the H80i.
360mm would only be if I go for the H440 as I understand the Define R4 does not support one so I would get something like a H220 instead if the R4 is picked.
Have you taken a look at the Corsair 450d( lots of liquid cooling options) and the Phanteks Enthoo pro it looks pretty sweet as well. Not to cause you any more trouble deciding but if you haven't checked them out take a peak.
I spent several hours doing reserch and went with a 450d because the Phanteks wasn't out at the time of purchase The two you listed were also in the running, but the R4 looked too plasticy and the H440 I found a bit too flashy.
R4 - pros - looks, sound dampening, fan controller dial cons - not suited for high spec wc loops
OP if your current case is too loud, buy some better fans and sort out the cooling airflow, cause just moving to another case may not fix the problem -
install your hdd's in the 5.25 bays via adapters or lowest cage,
remove both upper hdd cage completely - this inhibits airflow a great deal
watercool your 780 - install another AIO cooler (slim one) along with g10 gpu braket then have that radiator in the rear (move the h80i to the roof towards the front as it'll fit there)
replace all fans with nice and quiet noctua's, noiseblockers, scythe gt's etc
grab a better 200mm fan for the front - BitFenix Spectre Pro 200mm's are worth a look.
I've worked in a Fractal design define R4. It's a nice case and very sleek looking. I would get the Define R4 over the H440 just because of the weird color combos. I prefer a sleek all black look but hey that's very very subjective. Objectively I must admit the H440 is a more feature packed case.
Moving cases isn't the most practical solution to your noise problem. I was having noise problems with my rig (full specs on bio) , but I switched the CPU cooler from a Cm hyper 212 evo to a noctua NH D 14 and noticed a huge thermal and audible difference. Also, try investing in more high quality fans
I have had the Enforcer for almost 3 years and would like a change either way in every review I have seen they say it's loud and people have tried replacing their front fan apparently the only one that they got to work was a 200mm sickleflow I would much rather swap the case as I know that is the culprit, nothing else in the case makes as much noise.
I bet your thinking about the Enthoo Primo. If you didn't know, Phanteks released a new $99 case called the Enthoo Pro. It takes many ques from the primo yet it is loaded with features for the price. Check it out: