MSI MPG Quietude 100S Mid-Tower Case Review

The MSI MPG Quietude 100S represents MSI’s dedication to providing silent performance and modest designs. With our recent review of MSI’s MEG Coreliquid S280 AIO cooler and its slogan “Can’t Hear It Coming,” it should be obvious MSI is making a lot of silence in its product line-up. The MPG Quietude 100S is the chassis counterpart to its flagship AIO cooler. This mid-tower case features a multitude of noise-reducing technologies, minimalistic lighting, and high-speed connectivity. Often when designing a case for silence, there is a trade-off with thermal performance. In this review, we will put that to the test. How silent is the Quietude 100S, and is there any compromises?

Features and Specifications

The Quietude features three sound deadening panels, with the top and front being removable. This allows for additional cooling when needed. It comes equipped with a single MPG Silent Gale P12 120 mm rear exhaust fan and room for seven total fans. It can also house up to two 360 mm radiators for a highly custom water cooling set-up.

Versatile storage options are available with this chassis. You can install up to two 3.5″ HDDs or two 2.5″ SSDs in a removable and adjustable hard drive caddy. Additionally, two removable 2.5″ SSD trays are located behind the motherboard in fixed locations. Up to six drives can be installed, not including any M.2 modules on the motherboard.

Lighting on the Quietude is minimal, with only a thin lightbar along the side of the PSU shroud and a single downward-facing undercarriage light. MSI includes an RGB fan hub for adding additional lighting.

For user connectivity, MSI has added two high-speed USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A and one single USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C port to the top of the case. There’s a button for toggling the LED functions and a three-stage fan speed button for setting the fans to 100%, 70%, or 0% RPM.

Here is a list of the specifications per the MSI website.

Below is a list of the features sourced from MSI.

MSI MPG Quietude 100S Features
	CAN’T HEAR IT COMING For people that want a modest and more reserved setup while keeping things fun, look over. The MPG QUIETUDE 100S is our first silent gaming PC case that features a variety of noise dampening features and premium materials.
	MODEST AND DECENT The MPG QUIETUDE 100S’ front panel is magnetically attached. Once removed, it reveals the dust filter underneath.
	MEG SILENT GALE P12 The MPG QUIETUDE 100S features MSI’s MEG SILENT GALE P12 fan, capable of generating sufficient airflow for system cooling while maintaining low noise levels.
	3 STAGE FAN SPEED CONTROL The MPG QUIETUDE 100S features a fan speed control button, capable of setting the fan speed at 100%, 70%, or 0% RPM depending on your needs.
	SOUND DAMPENING FOAM The MPG QUIETUDE 100S has three panels with sound dampening foams throughout the entire system, capable of effectively shut in noise.
	BETTER TOGETHER Synergize the MPG QUIETUDE 100S with a MSI motherboard by bridging a USB Gen2x2 Type-C port with 20 Gbps for convenient access. Establish a complete MSI gaming ecosystem with a graphics card and liquid cooling.
	ARGB LIGHTING The MPG QUIETUDE 100S’ front panel projects ARGB lighting while its side features a stunning ARGB light strip.
	VGA SUPPORT BRACKET The VGA support bracket is capable of sustaining graphics cards of different weights and sizes.
	HINGED TEMPERED GLASS SWINGING WINDOW The 3mm hinged tempered glass swinging window offers the best durability and system accessibility.
	OPTIMIZED AIRFLOW The MPG QUIETUDE 100S is optimized to provide generous and effective airflow for system cooling. The MPG QUIETUDE 100S can mount up to 7 fans.

Packaging

The external packaging is the standard brown double-walled cardboard with the details printed in black. At the front and rear are isometric views of the Quietude and the model name. A specifications chart is located on one side, while the other lists a few features in multiple languages. MSI opted to use the softer foam padding with this chassis, much like they did with the MPG Velox 100R that we reviewed in December. In fact, there are several aspects of this chassis that are shared with the Velox, as you will see, but we are getting ahead of schedule. Finally, as with all MSI cases, The Quietude is wrapped in a clear plastic bag to prevent moisture from damaging the contents.

Packaging

Packaging

Packaging

Accessories

The Quietude 100S doesn’t come with a lot of accessories. MSI includes a bag of assorted screws, five mini cable ties, and a quick installation guide. The bag of screws features a variety of sizes and will be enough of each to complete nearly any build. Five cable ties are generally enough, though I prefer to use larger ties or velcro straps as these smaller ones tend to break. MSI recently announced there are going green and will no longer add paper manuals to its products. This is a responsible move that creates less waste and reduces the company’s carbon footprint. All manuals will be on the MSI website and downloadable from now on.

Exterior At A Glance

The MSI MPG Quietude 100S, with its matte black paint and standard rectangular shape, provides a minimalistic appearance. There are, however, a few key features that signify that it is a middle to upper echelon case. The hinged tempered glass door and conservative RGB lighting indicate this is not a budget chassis. The noise-dampening solid front and top panels are removable if additional airflow is desired. However, there is adequate ventilation along the left side and top to intake air even with the front sound-deadening panel installed.

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A Closer Look

The exterior of the chassis provides a clean, demure look. Next, we focus on each section of the case highlighting its features.

Front

As we mentioned earlier, the front of the chassis features a removable sound-deadening panel. At the top of the panel is a black painted MSI Dragon logo. This is retained with a series of magnets and is removed by simply pulling on it. With the cover removed, we find A louvered filter. The filter is held in place with plastic tabs making removal and installation quick and easy. Removing the filter, we see that front fans are not included with this case. There is just enough clearance between the filter and fan mounting plate for up to three optional 120 mm fans. Mounting the fans in this configuration is the best method for utilizing the front filter but will not allow the front cover plate to install. Up to three 140 mm fans may also be installed in the front but require them to be installed behind the fan mounting plate as the opening in the front panel bezel is only 127 mm wide. Mounting the fans in this manner will significantly reduce the effectiveness of the front filter as air will also enter the coarser steel mesh from the top and side. Finally, removing the front bezel reveals the bottom diffused RGB lighting and contact points. There are no pesky connectors to deal with when removing the front panel assembly, and this is an excellent convenience to have.

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Left

Access to the main compartment of the chassis is as simple as swinging open the left tempered glass door. Identical to the Velox 100R, the tempered glass has a slight tint and is removed by simply lifting it from the hinge posts. We get a clean, unobstructed view of the main compartment with the door removed. The Quietude features a massive CPU cooler mounting hole, eight grommeted cable pass-through holes, and motherboard standoff locations ranging from ITX to E-ATX. Looking to the rear is the Silent Gale P12 120 mm exhaust fan and seven vented expansion slots. At the top, we find a fully ventilated roof with slots for mounting various fans and radiators. Note: the top cover was removed to help show this feature. Moving to the front of the main compartment, we get a good look at the sound-deadening foam used on the cover plate and the front fan mounting plate. At the bottom is the full-length PSU shroud. It’s fully ventilated to assist a low-mounted GPU to breathe. There are tapped holes for mounting up to three 120 mm fans on top of the shroud. At the front is a large opening that provides ample clearance for fans or a radiator. There is also an opening for displaying an installed power supply and a thin RGB strip that runs the length of the shroud. One last item to note is the GPU ant-sag bracket that is pre-installed. It has an adjustable height from the backside of the motherboard tray, and the padded finger swivels to support the GPU. Just be sure the foam padding does not contact the GPU fan. It may take you a while to find out why your GPU throws warnings at you.

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Right

Two captive thumbscrews retain the right panel and feature the same sound dampening foam as the front cover plate. We have full access to the right side with the right panel removed. Starting at the top are the I/O cables neatly bundled together with a pair of velcro straps. Left of the cables are two locations for mounting 2.5″ SSDs and small cable openings for routing the SATA data cables to the motherboard. Below the CPU cooler mounting cutout is the powered ARGB controller and fan hub. Two toolless 2.5″ SSD trays reside next to the fan hub. In total, there are 14 cable tie points for keeping things neat. Below the PSU shroud is the adjustable HDD/SDD combo caddy. There is 260 mm of clearance for the power supply and cables in the furthest front position. If it’s in its rearward position there is 230 mm of clearance. Two large rectangular foam pads provide the power supply with additional vibration resistance, further reducing noise.

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Rear

Adjacent to the motherboard I/O opening is the adjustable rear 120 mm fan mount. The adjustability is only 25 mm, but this does allow for a slight amount of fine-tuning. Notice the fan is not mounted with traditional screws. MSI has gone the extra mile to mount the fan with plastic pins and rubber grommets. This is an excellent addition we would love to see in more chassis. We highlight these a little more in-depth later in this review. There are seven vented expansion slots with a large perforated section next to them. There is no option to mount a GPU vertically in the Quietude 100S. Finally, at the bottom is the opening for the power supply. Notice the mounting holes allowing the PSU to mount with the fan at the top or bottom of the unit.

Rear

Rear Top

Rear Bottom

Top

Setting the case on its right side gives us the best view of the top of the chassis. At the front of the case, we see the venting for intaking cool air. There is a large solid cover located here too. It is magnetically held in place and surprisingly heavy due to the additional sound-deadening material. With the top cover plate removed, we see the mounting slots for up to three 120mm fans, 140 mm fans, or radiators. MSI we generous enough to include a magnetic dust filter for the top slot for those who wish to install top-mounted fans or radiators. This is the coarse mesh type and more than adequate for exhaust fans.

Focusing our attention on the I/O section, we find the large square power button near the front of the case. The fan speed button is next to it and provides the user with three possible settings of 100%, 70%, and off. Next to the fan speed button are two mini LEDs indicating when the power is on and for hard drive usage. Next up is the headphone and microphone jacks. A pair of USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports are next rated for up to 5 Gbps of data, followed by a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C port rated at 20 Gbps. Finally, the button at the back is the ARGB controller button. This toggles between the many included lighting options including off for those who despise ARGB; we know who you are.

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Bottom

Spinning our turntable 180° brings us to the bottom of the chassis. Two large metal feet with four oblong rubber pads support the case and prevent movement and vibration. A fine mesh filter is located here to prevent your power supply from being bombarded with dust. We see the mounting tabs and screws for the HDD caddy at the center. We can easily see the 30 mm of adjustment from this view. At the front of the case, we see the white rectangular ARGB diffuser.

Bottom

Bottom Filter Removed

Bottom Filter Close Up

Fans

Only one fan comes with this case. Usually, this would be a downside, but with the increasing popularity of All-In-One liquid cooling, it’s quite possible any other fans may not get used. So this needs to be a case-by-case determination. If you plan to use an AIO like the MSI MEG Coreliquid S280 or S360, there is no need for additional fans. If you plan to air cool, then you’ll want to factor in the cost of additional front intake fans.

This is the MSI MPG Silent Gale P12 120 mm fan. It is a nine-blade turbine design featuring a hydro-dynamic bearing for minimal noise and maximum longevity. To further reduce noise and vibration, the corners of the frames are covered with thick rubber pads. The fan is powered by a 4-pin PWM connector rated at 0.34 amps. MSI rates the fan speed at up to 2000 RPM, but it failed to reach this maximum speed like the P14’s from the Coreliquid S280 review. The highest speed we recorded was 1930 RPM. The last picture shows the four retaining pins and grommets. This is another noise-reducing tactic MSI has employed and has the bonus of making the fan installation tool-free and incredibly convenient.

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Storage

Below are the many possible ways to mount different storage devices. If you include the two fixed locations behind the motherboard tray, you can have up to two 3.5″ mechanical drives or up to six 2.5″ drives. Unless you run a large RAID array, this is more than enough options for virtually any build. The bottom 3.5″ hard drive is the only toolless location as all others require fasteners.

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The Builds

As with all of our reviews, we installed two mock-up builds to show the potential for this chassis. The first is a custom water-cooled mock-up build focusing on mounting and location of water cooling components. The second build is air-cooled. This second one is a complete build and the one used for thermal and acoustic testing.

Water Cooled Build

We were amazed to fit two 360 mm radiators in this build, and it is one of the first chassis of this size to accomplish this for us. It is incredibly tight, and routing the tubing would be a nightmare, but it could be possible if small diameter tubes were used and the builder was creative enough. The top radiator in this build is 30 mm thick with standard 25 mm thick fans. If this radiator were thicker, a dual 360 mm radiator would be impossible. In fact, I would recommend a 25 mm thick radiator up top if you plan on running dual 360s. The front radiator is 60 mm thick, and the fans are mounted in the front. With the fans mounted this way, the front cover plate would need to be eliminated. However, if a 35 mm radiator were used, it would all fit behind the mounting plate allowing the front cover to remain in place. If you prefer 140 mm wide fans and radiators, keep in mind the fans will not fit inside the front bezel. Your combined maximum radiator and fan thickness will be 60 mm. Finally, a big kudos to MSI for locating the HDD caddy so that it does not obstruct the front radiator or fans in the rearward location. Finally, a case manufacturer got this right. Thank you, MSI!

Air Cooled Build

For the air-cooled build, we dig out the trusty be quiet! Dark Rock 4. This is a 160 mm tall tower cooler that represents a very common height for tower coolers. With the Quietude’s 175 mm of cooler clearance, there were absolutely no issues installing it. It’s plain to see there is plenty of real estate for air-cooled builds.

Cable Routing

Cable management in the Quietude is nearly identical to the MSI Velox. There is 23 mm of clearance available, and the cable tie points are strategically placed. We had no issues loading up all the hard drive slots and cabling everything. We always use a non-modular PSU for this to demonstrate the worse possible case, and the Quietude was up to the task. The adjustable HDD caddy provided an extra 30 mm for the PSU cables.

Cable Management

23mm cable clearance

Lighting

The ARGB lighting included with the Quietude is minimal. The PSU shroud light bar and bottom lighting present attractive lighting without being flashy. As with many of the MSI cases we have reviewed recently, the top LED button is controlled by their Insta-loop controller. With each button press, one of 26 different colors and accents is displayed. Seven colors plus a rainbow of colors are available, along with static, fade, and rotating colors. Naturally, if you prefer to control the lighting through software, you can connect the 3-pin ARGB connector to a compatible motherboard and maintain it that way. If lighting isn’t your thing, holding the LED button will turn the lighting off.

Thermal and Acoustic Testing

In this section, we test the thermal and acoustic aspects of the Quietude 100S. The results are normalized based on an average ambient temperature and decibel reading.

Thermal Testing Procedure

Now that we’ve seen what this case can house, it’s time to test whether it gets adequate airflow. In its stock orientation and all the fans at full speed, an overclock will be applied to the CPU and GPU. The overclock will be as high as possible, maintaining stability and staying within the thermal limits of the components. To apply a load Aida64 Engineer is run stressing CPU, FPU, Cache, and GPU for a half hour. This will allow us to record the maximum internal case temperature. Next, we remove the side panel and continue the test measuring maximum temperature without the side panel. If the case is getting proper airflow, then the case temperatures will remain within a few degrees of the original result. If there is a significant temperature drop with the side panel removed, then the case is starving for fresh, cool air.

From the results chart, we can see the Quietude was able to maintain within four degrees of ambient with only a single 120 mm exhaust fan. This is rather impressive and showcases the ability of the Silent Gale fan. Once we remove the side panel, there’s about a three-degree temperature drop. Like the XPG Starker, this is an indicator that the case thermals would benefit from additional airflow. If you are building a mid to low power build in the Quietude you will likely be fine. However, if you are making a powerful system that generates a ton of heat, it would be best to add additional airflow, whether with case fans or an AIO cooler.

Acoustic Testing Procedure

Since we’re reviewing a silent chassis, it would only make sense to measure the amount of noise the system generates. We place the case in a typical placement on the desk with the front of the chassis facing forward and the decibel meter 20 inches from the chassis. An ambient noise reading is measured early in the morning while the house and surrounding area are at their quietest. We then boot the system with the CPU and case fan set to performance mode in the BIOS while the RTX 2070 fans remain off during idle testing. Finally, we reboot, setting the CPU, case fan, and GPU fans to 100% to record the maximum decibels.

Since this is the first chassis we tested in this manner, we could not provide comparative results. You’ll need to read our upcoming chassis reviews to see how the Quietude compares to others. We recorded an ambient decibel reading of 37.0 dB, idle decibels of 38.9 dB, and a maximum decibel reading of 47.4 dB. By far, the loudest component heard during the acoustical testing is the GPU. At 100% fan speed, it’s quite audible, though the chassis does a decent job of keeping the decibels at an acceptable level. With the system running idle, the fans are barely audible and would be no concern for even the most sensitive users. We can’t help but believe the chassis would be even more silent if not for the glass side panel. Glass is a very good conductor of noise and likely hurts the case’s acoustics. Future reviews may help to prove this hypothesis.

Conclusion

MSI has manufactured a quality case in the MPG Quietude 100S. This high quality is something that we have come to expect from MSI. MSI’s goals for the Quietude are quality, silence, and performance. We believe they have accomplished this without question. Versatility is also a great highlight of this case. The ability to build custom water cooling loops or use large tower coolers is always welcomed. MSI has provided ample storage capacity for either 3.5″ or 2.5″ drives. The thermal testing was adequate, with room for improvement. The single fan included with this chassis is very high quality, but additional fans may be desired if running a high-power build. It is not uncommon for silent chassis to only include one fan, so we should not judge this too harshly. The added GPU support bracket, top mesh filter, and ARGB fan hub are excellent bonuses with the Quietude 100S.

MSI lists the Quietude 100S with a $129 manufacturer suggested retail price. Currently, Amazon offers it for $146.77, while Newegg has it listed for $172.99 through its Moksham marketplace store. Availability is a problem as even our MSI representative had difficulty acquiring this review sample. We feel the MSRP of $129 is acceptable for this case though we wouldn’t pay much higher than that. If you can find the MSI MPG Quietude 100S for around the MSRP, then it is Overclockers approved.

-John Nester (Blaylock)

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