Test Setup and Methodology
| Test Platform | |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-6600K |
| Motherboard | MSI B150A Gaming Pro (ATX) |
| 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 | Corsair H75 Liquid CPU Cooler |
| Power Supply | SilverStone Strider ST1000-P 1000 W Modular PSU |
| OS | Windows 8.1 64-bit |
The testing process I have adopted is as follows:
- CPU Temperatures
- Temps generated using a closed-loop liquid cooler (Corsair H75) in each enclosure
- Temps 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 HWMonitor software
- A custom fan profile is used to provide linear results for both liquid and air cooling
- GPU Temperatures
- Load temps (XFX Radeon R9 290X) 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 MSI motherboard settings to create a custom fan profile for the CPU, and both the Deepcool Gabriel air cooler and Corsair H75 liquid cooler used this profile for their PWM fans.
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.
Next we will look at temperature and noise results.
Gold award? Are you F’ing
Gold award? Are you F’ing kidding me?!!!
– Can’t fit any kind of dual fan radiator in the top of the case
– You have to unscrew the front panel to be able to properly clean it
Those two points there are major issues and make it pretty much a no-buy for a large number of people. If you’re planning on doing a air only build you can find better options at lower price points.
agreed
this Hardwarecanucks
agreed
this Hardwarecanucks review that explain such issues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO_7wKw8jlM
You certainly can fit a
You certainly can fit a dual-fan liquid cooler up top, but it is very odd there isn't an opening up there to route fan cables down from the upper chamber. It seems perfect for the fans in a pull configuration. As is any slimmer AIO system (not necessarily one of the slim models SilverStone sells like the TD02-SLIM , though that would obviously work). RAM was the only clearance issue in my setup.
Regardless, I updated the review after revisiting the top mount with my sample here and finding some clearance issues, depending on AIO cooler. I still feel the case overall is worth our gold award, but the little things like this keep it from our highest award level (editor's choice). I can see the argument against the gold award level, but given the excellent temps and added value from the integrated lighting, it stands as reviewed.
SilverStone is hit or miss. I
SilverStone is hit or miss. I feel like this case is a big miss for them. The gimmicky plastic front and top need to go. They should have gone for a nice clean, sleek look to be competitive IMHO. My Phanteks Enthoo Pro is a much better value than this, and a much better case for so many reasons. There are also many other cases out there that are better. SilverStone makes some nice products, but I just don’t think they got this right.
fugly../.
fugly../.
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Great post! I am actually getting ready to across this information, is very helpful my friend. May 2018 Calendar
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