Test Setup and Methodology
| Test Platform | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-6600K |
| Motherboard | ASUS MAXIMUS VIII GENE (mATX Intel Z170) |
| Memory | Crucial Ballistix Sport 8 GB 2400 MHz DDR4 |
| Graphics Card | XFX AMD Radeon R9 290X Double Dissipation Edition |
| Storage | OCZ Vertex 460 120GB SSD |
| Cooling | DEEPCOOL Gabriel, Corsair H75 Liquid CPU Cooler |
| Power Supply | SilverStone Strider ST1000-P 1000 W Modular PSU |
| OS | Windows 8.1 64-bit |
Beginning with the Antec P380 review I adopted a more rigorous testing methodology, with the intent of providing a more comprehensive look at how an enclosure's performance is affected by different thermal loads.
The process I have adopted is as follows:
- CPU Temperatures
- Temps generated using both a closed-loop liquid cooler and air cooler in each enclosure, with separate results presented
- Temps now measured at idle, load, and "stress". Load temps created using the video transcoder benchmark x264, with stress results from prime95 (large FFT torture test)
- Temperatures defined as the hottest core as recorded at the 5-minute mark using RealTemp software
- A custom fan profile is used to provide linear results for both liquid and air cooling
- GPU Temperatures
- Load temps created using the Unigine Valley benchmark (Extreme HD preset), with the highest temp recorded after two successive benchmark runs
- A custom fan profile is used to provide linear results
- Noise Levels
- Measured using a digital sound pressure meter positioned 24 inches from the front of the enclosure (system fully assembled with side panels in place)
- A fixed speed for load noise will be used for consistency, based on observed average max fan speeds under load for both CPU and GPU
I employed the ASUS motherboard software to create a custom fan profile for the CPU for this mini-ITX review an EVGA Stinger Z170 motherboard was used, and a custom fan profile was created to match the ASUS board used in all other reviews. Both the Deepcool Gabriel air cooler and Corsair H75 liquid cooler used this profile for their PWM fans for all results presented here.
With the EVGA mITX board a profile was created to exactly match this ASUS fan setting
The XFX R9 290X DD graphics card was also setup with a custom fan profile using MSI's Afterburner software, with a linear rise in fan speed beginning at 20%.
The reason for the custom fan profiles is simple: default fan profiles flatten out during certain temperature ranges, which results in uneven results between tests and enclosures as a given temp will often fall below the threshold to increase fan speed. In my quest to provide consistent results I didn't like the position where a single degree often determined whether the cooler was placed into a louder, but more effective, state.
Add to this the complication of testing without complete control over ambient temperature and you can understand why noise testing was done at a fixed fan speed. Ambient temps can produce very misleading results with regard to fan noise as a colder room requires less fan speed to keep the system cool, with the opposite true for warm rooms. The adjusted delta temps are the same in either case, but for a neutral look at noise output a fixed speed was chosen for both CPU and GPU noise testing.
Will look at the completed build with the EVOLV ITX, and then see how the enclosure performed with temperature and noise results on the final page.
Looks like Phanteks is
Looks like Phanteks is gearing up for Zen and Polaris. Look at all that sexy red and black.
Make one with a sturdy built-in carry handle for portability and I’m so in. (Until that comes, I’ll probably still be building in a Corsair 380T.)
Great review this is the case
Great review this is the case I have been looking at for the past few months to do a build in.
Did you take any pictures of the completed build with the sides on?
I know you did the cooling setup to keep your testing consistent but I have been trying to come up with the best look to cooling setup.
How well do you think or could you test how it would preform with the H75 mounted on the front most mount on the top slide-out bracket?
Think the hot air would push back into the case without adding a 2nd fan to the open top mount in the rear?
I’ll have to see if I took
I'll have to see if I took any photos of the system with the side panel closed. Mounting the liquid cooler up top would look a little nicer, and I'm with you on the right side location. There's unused space there, and it would look less cluttered.
As far as cooling performance goes, there are small vents at the top along the sides, but I would recommend adding a rear exhaust fan if you're mounting the cooler to the top. There would be some hot air cycling back into the case, but I'm not sure adding a second fan to the tray would make a difference. Certainly a rear case fan would.
The case looks nice overall.
The case looks nice overall. Phanteks seems to be a solid case designer company. It was nice to see that the front dust filter is easy to access. I really think they need to address the issue with the GPU. That is a lot of sag. On the other hand, it is hard to get everything desired in small enclosure. Still, I think it might be possible for them to devise a pedestal that the GPU cards can rest on, to eliminate the sagging.
You forgot to mention the
You forgot to mention the build quality, or lack thereof – many other reviewers noted the extreme thinness of the chassis’ steel structure, allowing it to bend at the slightest pressure, and that the PSU cover is made from a low grade of recycled beer cans, which dimples in at the slightest touch. I understand that you guys need your sponsors and advertisers, but nobody respects a bought and paid for reviewer. THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE! Don’t say you didn’t notice these things, that would only mean you are incompetent as a reviewer…
I’m only responding to this
I'm only responding to this comment as you've chosen to accuse me authoring a 'paid' review. By the way, have you noticed all the Phanteks advertising on the site? There isn't any? Odd. Manufacturers send review units to websites, we review them. That's how the industry works. If they don't like a review, I suppose they could choose to stop sending cases. It's not up to me. I have no financial interest in the matter. I like enclosures, and I'm usually the one reviewing them.
For the record, though I covered this point in the review, this doesn't have thin construction. I was impressed with the build quality – which is why I said I was impressed by the build quality in the review. The only thing I didn't like was the limited space around the GPU, which caused my GPU to run warmer and with a higher fan speed, and I mentioned that.
It's easy to make accusations against a stranger's character online, David. It's not easy to comprehensively review an enclosure and write an impartial review. Your remarks – "the PSU cover is made from a low grade of recycled beer cans, which dimples in at the slightest touch" – indicate a fundamental lack of objectivity. If I had such an objection to an enclosure, it would be my duty to point it out in the review – or else the entire point of publishing the review would be lost.
Reviews aren't ads. They are reviews. Sadly, the internet is full of sites on various topics that have taken money to publish articles written by and for advertisers. They are required to disclose this, and if you look into it you'll find these disclosures. Read WebMD's disclosure sometime if you're bored.
Sebastian is much more polite
Sebastian is much more polite than I am. Kudos to him for that – and for his very well thought-out, honest, impartial reviews that I always seem to enjoy reading.
You, however, should just go away. You’re almost as bad as the anonymous shill running around spamming the AT article about Carrizo gimping all over the comments of articles that have nothing to do with computers at all. If you don’t like the reviews here, go read the other sites that you DO like. No one will miss you.
Better yet, why don’t you go and start your own review site so that you can show us all how it’s SUPPOSED to be done? I mean, you obviously know better than the people who run this very-well-regarded and very-successful website. Surely you can do better, right? Why don’t you?
Of course, you’re less interested in reading reviews you actually like, and more interested in trying to show the world that you’re better than someone. There is absolutely zero purpose to this comment other than to say, “Hey look everybody! Sebastian is an idiot and I’m waaaaaay smarter than him! Why aren’t you worshipping me yet?”
You don’t like the reviews here? Then go the fuck away and stop smearing your shit all over the comment threads in your effort to ruin the enjoyment that rational, intelligent people find in reading this site.
Sebastian your response to
Sebastian your response to class A troll was perfect.
I admit to have a real liking for the case but a few thoughts occur to me:
1. A number of the motherboards have the M2 adapter on the rear of the board (ASRock style) – bit worried about the compatibility of this with the case
2. How thick a 240mm radiator could you fit up top?
3. Not a big fan of the bottom red enclosure does removing it have any impact on noise levels as it looks as though it breaks up airflow from front fan
4 Drooping graphics card – despite last point, it looks to me that it would be easy to fix something to bottom red enclosure to prop up the graphics card, even a small piece of cork would do it
hMMM Nice enuff .. but Im not
hMMM Nice enuff .. but Im not sure that exact shade of red, which looks washed out is great. I reckon a good racing green would be better. Also I have no real interest in water cooling anyway so maybe this is not for me.. I do like the front.
This case is cool
This case is cool
Thanks for the review. It
Thanks for the review. It helped me decide to buy one.
I love almost everything about this case. The one thing that drives me nuts though is the sliding upper rad mount. The specs say a 280mm radiator fits but the rails that support the mount make it about 2mm too short for my rad. Without the sliding function, it would be fine.
To answer Justin150’s questions,
1. I have a Asus Z170i motherboard with a rear M.2 port that is perfectly accessible from the back.
2. Any thickness should work as far as I can tell. I can’t say for sure since I have a 280mm.
3. The bottom red enclosure is riveted in place. They could be drilled out to remove it though.
4. Not a question, but that is exactly what I did. Stuffed a small piece of eraser in the space.
Very well-done review
Very well-done review Sebastian! I appreciate the careful process you follow to help us make informed decisions on the parts that we consider purchasing. I found your review very thorough and professionally done. It has helped me significantly in making my choice for an enclosure. Thank you and keep up the great work!