Buying Guide
The Best Quiet PC Cases
Three PC cases compared, from the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) to the Define 7, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
Sound-dampened panels cut fan noise. Every pick names dampening or insulation, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for fans included and front USB-C; where a maker leaves out front USB-C, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
Phanteks XT Pro SilentThe cheapest way into this group, below the Silent Base 802.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Silent Base 802.
Check price for Phanteks XT Pro Silent on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
be quiet! Silent Base 802Extra-thick noise insulation mats.
Best for: Buyers who want extra-thick noise insulation mats.
Check price for be quiet! Silent Base 802 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Fractal Design Define 7The top of this price range, adding industrial high-density sound damping.
Best for: Spending more than the Silent Base 802 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for Fractal Design Define 7 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The cheapest way into this group, below the Silent Base 802. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Silent Base 802. | Check price for Phanteks XT Pro Silent on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Extra-thick noise insulation mats. | Buyers who want extra-thick noise insulation mats. | Check price for be quiet! Silent Base 802 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding industrial high-density sound damping. | Spending more than the Silent Base 802 costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for Fractal Design Define 7 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
Phanteks XT Pro Silent
The XT Pro Silent adds sound-dampening foam to the front and side panels of Phanteks' budget mid-tower.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Silent Base 802.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It includes three fans, a front USB-C port and support for rear-connector motherboards. It fits the largest graphics cards and takes a 360mm radiator at the top without restrictions. Confirm GPU length for the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) with its maker.
The XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. You also get this: 3 fans included. It makes the most sense for buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Silent Base 802, since it offers the cheapest way into this group, below the Silent Base 802. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Silent Base 802 was closest.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Fans included
- 3
- Front USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 3 fans included
- A front USB-C port
- Sound-dampening foam on the front and side panels
Also Consider2 of 3
be quiet! Silent Base 802
The Silent Base 802 uses extra-thick insulation mats and swappable top and front panels, so you can choose airflow or silence.
Best for
- Buyers who want extra-thick noise insulation mats.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks), which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It adds a fan controller and a front USB-C port. The decoupled motherboard tray allows an inverted layout, and the front USB-C port runs at 10Gbps. Three pre-installed fans cover airflow out of the box, and the fan controller adjusts their speed from the front panel.
Swappable top and front panels switch between maximum airflow and quiet running. The front I/O adds a fan controller and USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, and thick insulation mats damp noise. Confirm GPU length for the Silent Base 802 with its maker. Its price falls between the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) and the Define 7, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Fans included
- 3
- Front USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- 3 fans included
- A front USB-C port
- Extra-thick noise insulation mats
- Interchangeable top and front panels for airflow or silence
Cons
- Costs more than the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
Fractal Design Define 7
The Define 7 lines its solid panels with high-density sound damping and ships with three 140mm fans.
Best for
- Spending more than the Silent Base 802 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks), which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It converts to a storage layout for up to 14 hard drives, which suits a studio or archive PC. A multi-bracket turns any unused fan position into a drive or pump mount. It converts to a storage layout for up to 14 HDDs and four SSDs, and three GP-14 fans come installed with room for nine.
Confirm GPU length for the Define 7 with its maker. Worth noting: 3 fans included. You also get this: dark tempered glass side.
Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) at the time of writing. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Silent Base 802.
Key specs
- Fans included
- 3
- Motherboards
- E-ATX, ATX, mATX, ITX
- Glass
- Dark tempered glass side
Pros
- 3 fans included
- Dark tempered glass side
- Industrial high-density sound damping
- Room for up to 14 HDDs in its storage layout
Cons
- Costs more than the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) at the time of writing
How We Chose These Quiet PC Cases
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We set side by side three cases on fans included and front USB-C from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and front USB-C is missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) to the Define 7, state fans included.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Define 7 gives no front USB-C.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) ($50 to $100) to the Define 7 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Quiet PC Case
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Setup checks
Confirm GPU length for the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) with its maker. Confirm GPU length for the Silent Base 802 with its maker. Confirm GPU length for the Define 7 with its maker.
Features beyond the spec table
The XT Pro Silent (Phanteks): support for rear-connector motherboards. The Silent Base 802: interchangeable top and front panels for airflow or silence. The Define 7: room for up to 14 HDDs in its storage layout.
An open case with the motherboard installed and the side panel off How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks); $150 to $250 buys the Silent Base 802 and the Define 7 at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Silent Base 802: the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks). Spending more than the Silent Base 802 costs for the fullest feature set in this group: the Define 7.
A glass-panel PC case with lit fans on a desk Confirm the power supply format
Most mid-towers take ATX power supplies, often with a length limit. Small cases may need SFX or SFX-L units, which cost more at the same wattage.
How to Choose a Quiet PC Case
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Silent Base 802 | XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) | The cheapest way into this group, below the Silent Base 802 |
| Buyers who want extra-thick noise insulation mats | Silent Base 802 | Extra-thick noise insulation mats |
| Spending more than the Silent Base 802 costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Define 7 | The top of this price range, adding industrial high-density sound damping |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The XT Pro Silent (Phanteks), the Silent Base 802 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Case | Fans included | Front USB-C |
|---|---|---|
| XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) | 3 | Yes |
| Silent Base 802 | 3 | Yes |
| Define 7 | 3 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks), sat in the $50 to $100 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Define 7 at $150 to $250; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cases |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) |
| About $150 to $250 | Silent Base 802, Define 7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on the cheapest way into this group, below the Silent Base 802. It is aimed at anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Silent Base 802.
Which of these cases have front USB-C?
The XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) and the Silent Base 802 have it. The maker of the Define 7 doesn't state front USB-C, so 2 of 3 picks are covered here.
What should I check before buying the Silent Base 802?
Confirm GPU length for the Silent Base 802 with its maker. In this guide it ranks second of 3.
Beyond the specs, what sets the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) and the Silent Base 802 apart?
The XT Pro Silent (Phanteks): sound-dampening foam on the front and side panels. The Silent Base 802: extra-thick noise insulation mats. The Define 7: industrial high-density sound damping.
Should I pick the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) or the Define 7?
The XT Pro Silent (Phanteks) suits buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Silent Base 802; the Define 7 suits spending more than the Silent Base 802 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the XT Pro Silent (Phanteks), chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the Silent Base 802. Look at the Silent Base 802 for extra-thick noise insulation mats and the Define 7 for the top of this price range, adding industrial high-density sound damping if those matter more to you.
Pair it with low-RPM fans.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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