Completed Build, Performance, and Conclusion
Completed Build
The build turned out fairly clean with little effort. This might not be the most attractive build but there is no side panel window available with the SuperChassis S5, so that is far less important. The exterior is more attractive, and the front panel especially, so what will really matter is cooling and noise performance. One note, it does take some care to keep the back panel from bowing outward when using thicker cables behind the motherboard tray, as there isn't a lot of space for cables back there.
Now we'll see how we this performed using some high-end components.
Temperature and Noise Results
| Test Platform | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i7-4790K |
| Motherboard | ASUS MAXIMUS VII GENE (mATX Intel Z97) |
| Memory | G.Skill AEGIS 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 |
| Graphics Card | MSI Radeon R9 290X Lightning |
| Storage | Intel 730 480GB SSD |
| Cooling | Corsair H105 AIO Liquid Cooler |
| Power Supply | SilverStone Strider ST-1000P 1000W Modular PSU |
| OS | Windows 8.1 64-bit |
To measure temperatures I'm continuing with a Corsair H105 AIO liquid CPU cooler (mounted to the top fan mounts) with an Intel Core i7-4790K running at stock speed and voltage. Fans on the H105 were positioned to push, with air was directed upward and out of the case. It's also worth noting that with the GPU in this setup - MSI’s AMD R9 290X Lightning card - we should have a good test of case airflow since a lot of warm air is going to be forced into the enclosure (it is not a blower-style cooler) during benchmarking runs.
Temperatures results from the following tests were obtained using RealTemp to monitor the CPU and GPUZ to monitor GPU temps. CPU loads were generated using Prime95 with a 5-minute torture test simulating a worst-case load temperature for the H105 cooler. GPU load temps were created using the Unigine Valley benchmark with the “Extreme HD” preset, and after the card was allowed to warm up the maximum temperature was recorded during a benchmark run.
Owing partly to the very good airflow in the Supermicro case (thanks to the dual 120 mm intake fans creating positive pressure) as well as my upper placement of the Corsair H105 cooler, the SuperChassis S5 performed better than the previous two cases tested with these components. Certainly some changes could be made to the configuration of the Fractal Design cases I tested as they were optimized for silence, but either way the Supermicro case fared far better than I was expecting.
With its thin steel construction and vented side and front panel the SuperChassis didn't fare as well in noise testing, but in its defense the two other cases tested in the chart are exceptional performers in this category.
Conclusion
The Supermicro SuperChassis S5 is marketed to the enthusiast PC market, and while it offers very good performance and flexibility it is ultimately a flawed product. The case lacks the build quality one would expect from a case in the $99 range, and while the case looks very good from the front things are very generic otherwise. Were it not for the thin metal and somewhat flimsy feel I would have no problem recommending it - but it still isn't worth quite the $94.99 price tag in my opinion. The recently reviewed Fractal Design Define S sets a very high standard for overall quality and performance in a case that starts at just $79.99, and since this Supermicro enclosure offers excellent cooling performance I think its deficiencies would be easier to overlook at around that price.
Ultimately I would recommend waiting on the S5 until it is available for less, but if you can find a deal on it you will get a better than average performer with a nice look and good storage and cooling support. I liked the enclosure, and even with my hesitation on price I still think Supermicro has made good design decisions here. In my opinion the build quality simply isn't high enough to recommend the SuperChassis S5 at this price.
Looks like a computer case!
Looks like a computer case! Just wouldn’t pay $94 for it.
Did the case have the usual
Did the case have the usual non-standard Supermicro standoffs for the motherboards that they do in their server cases? I’m guessing not since I’m not seeing that mentioned as I glance over the article.
It has regular standoffs
It has regular standoffs
Believe i’d choose the
Believe i’d choose the Fractal Design Define S over this.
I don’t know why, it looks
I don’t know why, it looks like last generation case. Is it the side panel (nothing more to say, bro?) or those square 5.25″ cuts on the front. Just a glance, it’s just unappealing although close-up I admit that is a nice brush on the front panel.
Looking at the inside, wow this case has 10 hdd trays in total plus that two 5.25″ that can be converted for hdd too. I say this case is more for a media/ database server, that is tucking it away somewhere and not for show. Also, rubber grommets but no window seems pointless, a plus and nice to be tidy but nobody will visit anyway.
Nice review, Sebastian, you’re PCPer’s employee now? ;D
Cheers.
I agree on the last-gen
I agree on the last-gen looks. As far as being a PCPer employee, all I am able to say is there are ongoing negotiations with JoshTekk.
Generic case for a slightly
Generic case for a slightly expensive price? No thanks… Sebastian, how are those Naidec fans though? Those caught my interest.
Very good, actually. Moved a
Very good, actually. Moved a lot of air without much noise. If I put an ear close to the fan I could hear a slight rubbing sound in time with the revolutions, but nothing audible from a couple of feet away.
For me the red accents make
For me the red accents make it look cheap. Take that away and it would look like something from Lian Li.
Looks like it’s “inspired by”
Looks like it’s “inspired by” an H440 but with 5.25″ drives and no side window.