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)

 

[rtech]

I doubt anyone here can answer your question without deep knowledge in computer chassis engineering.
If were you i would have focused in removing source of noise: Move the computer to other room. If you have space for such option you would just need long cables to make connection to your computer from your peripherals from other room:
- monitor
- usb interface
- usb input keyboard/mouse
- etc
Or alternatively you could just have smaller passively cooled PC with USB interface for recording in your recording room and use netjack to synchronize audio with powerful workstation in other room.

 

[louie1961]

I am going to guess and say, no, the case size alone makes no difference. Fan RPM and fan design seem to have the majority of the impact on noise in my experience.

 

[Weapon]

If anything I’d expect the smaller case to be quieter as there is less volume of air to move and so the fans could potentially spin slower. Just a guess. Real world I’d be astonished if you could tell a difference without a decibel meter.

 

[kapone]

The answer is...whatever's cheaper!

 

[fatherboard]

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

It's crucial you mentioned the objective. I also used to record sound.

If were you i would have focused in removing source of noise: Move the computer to other room.

This is the one and only real cure. I've done it. Nothing else should take one second of your time, effort or money. Moving it to the next room, 5m cables (1xlr, 1 usb, 1hdmi), done. You're on one side of the wall, computers on the other. You'll be like: Computer noise, what is that?