Video games are becoming more and more realistic, their software is more and more demanding, graphics cards are more and more powerful to support higher and higher screen resolutions, and they require more and more powerful computers to run properly.
What are PC gamers looking for? They need the best quality, powerful, efficient, fast hardware with significant storage capabilities.
Depending on one’s needs, the criteria for choosing a computer case can vary greatly from one gamer to another: available space in the case, quality of materials, design, components, etc.
Here are the best-selling PC cases this year
However, the cooling system is a necessary element for all. It must be sufficiently effective to protect the housing from any associated wear and tear increase in temperature is not controlled.
Like many players, perhaps Have you ever asked yourself the question of an open or closed case to ensure the best performance? in this topic;
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each option based on 4 important points:
- The effectiveness of ventilation for temperature regulation,
- The noise issue
- Maintenance of case, fans and accessories
- The risk of an accident
1. The effectiveness of ventilation for temperature regulation
For some players, an open case will have the advantage of offering more airflow and better ventilation and therefore help reduce temperatures.
For others, on the contrary, an open case does not help regulate the internal temperature, “breaking the air flow”.
We can imagine that the temperature could be higher in closed enclosures, but this really depends on the enclosures and their characteristics.
If you want an open or closed computer tower, We recommend a case with tempered glass for easy assembly and disassembly in case of problem!
The newly sealed boxes are designed to optimize airflow management thanks to:
- In the localization and to fan size
- Ouch placement of air inlets and outlets. Warm air being lighter than cool air, the air intake should be at the front, at the bottom, and the exhaust that recovers the warm air will be more efficient at the top at the back.
- In the component layout and more generally in the internal structure of the case, which can promote an air circulation corridor allowing it to be extracted or, on the contrary, increase the risks of overheating sensitive components.
- In the quality of finish and assembly. These are also very important elements, they remain necessary to optimize the air flow.
Summarizing, Closed enclosures are designed to promote good ventilation of the system and components, with variable performance depending on their power. Some users notice that the temperature of their case rises so much that they prefer to open it to help bring the temperature down. But a well-designed case should be fully effective closed.
2. The issue of noise
There are many components that can create noise in a computer case and noise can become a real problem… It can be caused by fansthey are the ones we immediately think of when the problem arises (the bigger the fans, the less noise they make).
More there are also other sources of noise such as air circulation between components and cables, optical drives, spinning drives, vibration of components …
An open enclosure is generally noisier.
If the issue of noise is important to you, a closed computer case will therefore have advantages. It is even possible to turn to soundproof boxes. Indeed, if you are looking for one quiet computer casethere are ranges of enclosures equipped with noise reduction devices thanks to acoustic insulation panels that allow better sound insulation, vibration dampers or even the use of silent fans.
We recommend the Be quiet brand if you want a fully soundproof computer case!
3. Maintenance of case, fans and accessories
When it comes to maintaining your computer, there are 2 points to consider when inquiring about an open or closed case:
- The issue of accessibility
- The issue of exposure to dust, pet hair and other ventilation debris.
In an open case, components such as fans are more exposed
In the dust and other debris. However, an open case also allows better accessibility, which for some users is a definite plus, as it allows for more regular maintenance of fans and components.
Depending on assembly and quality of materials, a closed case makes maintenance more difficult, with the internal structure less accessible. So think about the ideal size of your computer tower. There are ATX cases wide and tall but also more compact and small models called Mini ITX.
More a closed housing also better protects components from debris, the incoming air is still somewhat “filtered”. However, maintenance remains important because the air inlet always lets dust through. The issue of accessibility can therefore be important.
This point should definitely be considered depending on each individual’s situation. The question does not arise in the same way in a house with or without animals, for example.
4. The issue of accident risk:
Who hasn’t already had their coffee (or even their meal) in front of their computer? If you don’t keep your computer locked, it’s more often than not accessible to other residents of your home, with all the risks that entails.
An open case clearly increases the risk of an accident. Whether it’s the presence of a child or an animal interested in the interior of the case, the risk of a foreign object hitting the computer tower or spilled liquid, the walls of a closed case represent additional physical protection capable of saving your computer from an ordinary everyday accident.
in conclusion
The power required to support increasingly high-performance games makes the issue of your PC’s cooling system and airflow management critical. The choice of an open or closed case depends on many factors and opinions differ on the matter.
What should you choose to protect your computer from the main risk it is exposed to: the risk of overheating?
In some cases, when the case temperature tends to rise too much, an open case can help. However, it is certain that a well-designed case, with ventilation adapted to the PC’s power and well-managed airflow, will perform optimally in a closed case.