Does a bigger case actually run quieter if you’re using the same number of fans?

[QuestionAsker]

For my silent-focused, air-cooled music production PC I'm building:

I’m debating between two cases — the Fractal Define 7 and the Define 7 XL — and I keep seeing claims that the XL is quieter. But here’s where I’m confused…

If I’m using 140mm fans (which both cases support), the total number of fans I can install is the same in both. So wouldn’t the smaller Define 7 actually have better airflow (higher air pressure per volume), and therefore potentially run cooler and quieter at the same fan speeds?

Or is there something about the XL's larger internal space — more room for sound to dissipate, lower turbulence, etc. — that actually makes it quieter, even with the same fans?

Curious what others have experienced or measured here. Anyone done noise or thermal comparisons between the two with identical fan setups?

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SPECS / NOTE:

(air-cooled, trying to get it as quiet as possible at idle and light-usage. I don't mind higher noise / temps if I'm gaming or doing higher-intensive tasks... just need it as quiet as possible when recording with microphones and light usage)

[BertKoor]

You are aware the MacBookPro is as powerful (if not more) , consumes a fraction of the energy and never turns on its fans?
[unless you make it very angry by torture]

[QuestionAsker]

You are aware the MacBookPro is as powerful (if not more) , consumes a fraction of the energy and never turns on its fans?
[unless you make it very angry by torture]

Yes but I need a PC for my work and other various tools :*-(

Otherwise Mac is simplest and best choice, I agree

[lfm]

Two years ago I got Fractal Design Pop Silent Solid to a new pc.
- if size case matters, some comments below
- cpu cooler and fans is more prominent IMO

My cpu i7-12700F came with a 65W cooler, but I went for a 210W cooler meaning it does not need to go up in speed so soon.
- specs at cpubenchmark.net says max 180W so cooler can take that

And configured curves of case fans in bios much lower than it became default. So I don't even hear any fans if possibly below 30 dB or something.
- mb go for safety as default and more noise than needed looking at temps

Make cpu fan cooler really take much more, handling the turbo speed heat if so. And configure bios for case fans so temperature does not go up too early watching temperatures of various chip parts on mb.

[ghettosynth]

Fans are something that I don't scrimp on. I buy the quiet rubberized Noctua fans or similar and a good cooler, it makes a huge difference. With a big case you can use bigger fans which are quieter because they turn more slowly.

[QuestionAsker]

Two years ago I got Fractal Design Pop Silent Solid to a new pc.
- if size case matters, some comments below
- cpu cooler and fans is more prominent IMO

My cpu i7-12700F came with a 65W cooler, but I went for a 210W cooler meaning it does not need to go up in speed so soon.
- specs at cpubenchmark.net says max 180W so cooler can take that

And configured curves of case fans in bios much lower than it became default. So I don't even hear any fans if possibly below 30 dB or something.
- mb go for safety as default and more noise than needed looking at temps

Make cpu fan cooler really take much more, handling the turbo speed heat if so. And configure bios for case fans so temperature does not go up too early watching temperatures of various chip parts on mb.

Thanks lfm - I'm going with a SeaSonic GX-1000W, even though my PC only needs about 590W, based on what PC Part Picker is saying - for that same reason

[QuestionAsker]

Fans are something that I don't scrimp on. I buy the quiet rubberized Noctua fans or similar and a good cooler, it makes a huge difference. With a big case you can use bigger fans which are quieter because they turn more slowly.

You might be the right person to ask for my current dilemma, on whether to drop $200 on 4 Noctua 140mm fans now (to replace stock), or build the PC with the default fans that come with the case (Fractal Define 7 XL), and (add fans / replace stock fans) with the Noctua's later?

I was doing it to save some money for now, or spend it on a Streamdeck (to be more productive), and see how bad the noise bothers me with the stock fans first.

Though I'm wondering... how much of a pain will it be to add / replace those fans in the future, on that case? (versus just doing it when first building the PC).

[uOpt]

To get less noise with the same cooling performance you need to push more air but slower. So bigger fans are a key, and of course rpm control.

Do not underestimate the importance of specific brands and products of fans. The differences are huge even for same airflow and speed. Companies like Noctua have whole departments for aerodynamic research to get the noise down.

[lfm]

I figure the reason I felt to noisy and I needed to adjust fan curves in bios was that all three fans of case were connected by default, and I kept that.
- meaning that one connector on mb control 3 fans, not each one
- in my case voltage controlled, so no pwm with rpm feedback on case fans, only cpu fan

If you find too noisy it might be due to this, and just go and adjust in bios.

As it were I found software to adjust this in windows, both asus and gigabyte, were so buggy and found it only useful for monitoring. To get a setting that stays I had to go into bios and save there.