Geometric Future Model 5

[theglaze]

Indeed but then you are also reducing cooling, that's where high air flow cases come in they provide more effective air flow at lower rpm. In this regard the lancool 2 & 3 or Fractal Torrent are hard to beat

I only have time to look up one, but I don't understand your point:

Torrent is +3 to +10*C hotter in every Load measurement, compared to Geo Model 5.
Torrent is +7 dBA quieter than Model 5.

Test system for Torrent is significantly less power draw than Model 5.

Assuming Torrent fans are going max speed, it cannot provide competitive temperatures to Model 5.
Assuming a user sets fan curves, Model 5 fans can achieve the same dBA as Torrent.

TPU should provide a "noise normalized" test. I believe GN does it. Without that additional insight, we don't know the efficiency of design and cooling.

 

[wheresmycar]

That may be the case, but glass cases are definitely more noisy, glass also doesn't help case temps.

I've had two glass wall cases and both cooled worse and were more audible, even with the same fans in them that I then used in a high airflow mesh enclosure. Strange but true. I'm staying far away from it going forward, it is 100% form over function.

This, i agree with. In-fact, dropping glass entirely in favor of noise-dampening panels makes an even bigger difference.

After a couple of full-on RGB builds behind glass, for my most recent upgrade for my dedicated gaming rig I went with a repurposed BQ Silent Base 601. I have both the noise-insulated side panel and (recently purchased) optional glass side panel, and while some reviews suggest a small difference between the two configurations, my ears beg to differ - noise levels were considerably condensed with the noise dampening material. Those reviews were likely picking up more noise from the PSU, which tends to be the loudest component. Sadly, i ended up more aggressively tweaking fan curves but fully utilizing all fan mounts to compensate (to some degree) and surrendered to the 'classy glassy' on the 601. I guess i've developed a strangely satisfying obsession with taking modestly shy components and turning them into catwalk exhibitionists, that too with minimalistic spotlights and nowadays (lol) I find myself hunting for parts that align with some sort of cohesive theme, which at times unnecessarily invites additional cost. Its not getting any better, i've been eyeing up dual-glass units for some time and finally the preference for smaller footprint options over those large bulky dual-chamber types is possible with the following two in mind: 1. Pricey-AF "HAVN HS 420 VGPU" 2. and now, kinder on the wallet "Geometric Future Model 5". There are some other similar footprint options available but repetitively boring. Fun-fact, i'm not even looking to upgrade at the mo, just window shopping which consciously aggravates the upgrade-itch.

TPU should provide a "noise normalized" test. I believe GN does it. Without that additional insight, we don't know the efficiency of design and cooling.

Another issue to consider is that some of these cases reviewed could potentially deliver significantly better performance if additional fans were installed. As I understand, TPU tests all cases in their stock configuration, and many cases come with a limited number of pre-installed fans. This means we're not seeing the full potential of these cases, especially for those of us who prefer to populate most or all available fan mounts.

This is where, in its form factor class, the Torrent and Model 5 have an advantage in these reviews - out of the box, stocked up fan-galore!

 

[Degreco]

That may be the case, but glass cases are definitely more noisy, glass also doesn't help case temps.

I've had two glass wall cases and both cooled worse and were more audible, even with the same fans in them that I then used in a high airflow mesh enclosure. Strange but true. I'm staying far away from it going forward, it is 100% form over function.

Normally you are right, but there are exceptions. Here is one: I currently have an Antec C8 double chamber glass case. Before that i used traditional mesh cases (Fractal Design Pop Air, Endorfy ARX 700 Air Edition). Those were all not audible in idle. I use fan curves and have a semi-passive oriented Rig (e.g. an oversized PSU, so I can run it in passive mode most of the time). So mesh was all good and silent. BUT: I also have a 4090 running in semipassive mode that slowly heats up when watching YT or similar and sometimes ramps up the fans to cool down to passive mode. GPU fans are running a few minutes and they are not loud but the ramp up itself is very audible (in complete silence). This was with the mesh cases. So i gave the C8 ARGB a try because of it's good GPU temps. The C8 has two gigantic 160mm PWM fans in the bottom. Those are apparently dedicated to the GPU and work very good, see the GPU results without side intakes (just the GPU fans and one outtake) at Gamers Nexus. So, top of the class temps with 3 fans only (albeit, 2 of them 160mm). Now imagine this with 3-6 additional case fans (which heal the somewhat mediocre CPU temps in default configuration) and you have a great case.

To conclude: My 4090 is now a lot cooler than before in idle and light loads. It almost never spins up and the sum of the experience is that the glass case is even more silent then the mesh cases. Just for comparsion: The ARX 700 I had before had 5x Stratus 140 PWM and an additional 3x120 in the AIO 360 configured as outtake. The Airflow was really good in this, so was the noise (confirmed in various reviews) and the Antec C8 is still less audible because of my 4090 and said 2x160mm case fans directed at it. The GPU was the one thing in my rig that kept me from a good silent light load experience - and now this is under control too. As a sidenote: I also added 3x140mm fans as side intakes in the C8 to create some air around CPU, VRM and GPU backplate (as my 4090 is almost 4 slots and 353mm, it eats up most of that bottom air). Even if the C8 manual does not list 140mm for side intakes, they fit with some light well-minded force . So this may be also part of the solution.

 

[Gmr_Chick]

Average mid tower cases made of steel or alu and featuring a single side tempered glass panel typically weigh around 7-8kg. The 'Geo Model 5' weighs 8.75kg (according to kitguru) which is quite reasonable for its class and size.

I only brought up the weight because I have the Evolv X from Phanteks. Had it for a couple years now. It was always my dream case. But then I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year (day before Thanksgiving, in fact) and, well...long story short, the cancer might be gone, but I can't use my right arm as good as before (thanks to the lumpectomy and the radiation treatments), and so now I struggle to move the case around whenever I have to work on it. I'm looking for something a little bit lighter to replace it.

 

[wheresmycar]

I only brought up the weight because I have the Evolv X from Phanteks. Had it for a couple years now. It was always my dream case. But then I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year (day before Thanksgiving, in fact) and, well...long story short, the cancer might be gone, but I can't use my right arm as good as before (thanks to the lumpectomy and the radiation treatments), and so now I struggle to move the case around whenever I have to work on it. I'm looking for something a little bit lighter to replace it.

Sorry to hear about what you’ve been through.... Glad to hear cancers gone, but I can imagine how frustrating it must be dealing with the lasting effects.

Yep that case is defo heavy, uses some pretty high quality materials and possibly thick aluminium/steel with sturdiness/durability in mind. Just checked ~15KG!! That would even give me a backache.

If you end up going lightweight.... I wonder if you'd be interested in a Mini-ITX. The Deepcool CH160 weighs around 3.5KG and throws in a handle. Even better for a portable solution - if thats your thing.

 

[Vayra86]

Normally you are right, but there are exceptions. Here is one: I currently have an Antec C8 double chamber glass case. Before that i used traditional mesh cases (Fractal Design Pop Air, Endorfy ARX 700 Air Edition). Those were all not audible in idle. I use fan curves and have a semi-passive oriented Rig (e.g. an oversized PSU, so I can run it in passive mode most of the time). So mesh was all good and silent. BUT: I also have a 4090 running in semipassive mode that slowly heats up when watching YT or similar and sometimes ramps up the fans to cool down to passive mode. GPU fans are running a few minutes and they are not loud but the ramp up itself is very audible (in complete silence). This was with the mesh cases. So i gave the C8 ARGB a try because of it's good GPU temps. The C8 has two gigantic 160mm PWM fans in the bottom. Those are apparently dedicated to the GPU and work very good, see the GPU results without side intakes (just the GPU fans and one outtake) at Gamers Nexus. So, top of the class temps with 3 fans only (albeit, 2 of them 160mm). Now imagine this with 3-6 additional case fans (which heal the somewhat mediocre CPU temps in default configuration) and you have a great case.

To conclude: My 4090 is now a lot cooler than before in idle and light loads. It almost never spins up and the sum of the experience is that the glass case is even more silent then the mesh cases. Just for comparsion: The ARX 700 I had before had 5x Stratus 140 PWM and an additional 3x120 in the AIO 360 configured as outtake. The Airflow was really good in this, so was the noise (confirmed in various reviews) and the Antec C8 is still less audible because of my 4090 and said 2x160mm case fans directed at it. The GPU was the one thing in my rig that kept me from a good silent light load experience - and now this is under control too. As a sidenote: I also added 3x140mm fans as side intakes in the C8 to create some air around CPU, VRM and GPU backplate (as my 4090 is almost 4 slots and 353mm, it eats up most of that bottom air). Even if the C8 manual does not list 140mm for side intakes, they fit with some light well-minded force . So this may be also part of the solution.

One TG case is certainly not the other, most glass panels are razor thin and they do practically nothing for noise dampening, even thin steel is more effective. Glass at the point it becomes somewhat noise insulating needs to be thiccc and that makes it heavy AF, again much heavier than a similarly insulating steel panel.

 

[rrrrex]

Could you add one more test with 1000 RPM case fans and some constant value for CPU and GPU, it's not necessary to rebuild article, just add one more item with normalized fan speed.