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 with the Crystal 570X.
Case looks nice, blah blah
Case looks nice, blah blah blah blah, but two gripes which are not aimed at this case specifically, but in cases in general:
1. lack of support for an optical drive.
2. PSU filter that comes out hte side instead of the back.
I get it, this case has that glass panel, so an optical drive is impractical, but what if the panel swung on a pivot so you could open that optical drive? Or if the glass panel had the option to be shorter to accomodate an optical drive?
Also, I probably have one of the very few cases that has the psu filter that slides out the side – the Antec 1100
Optical drives are clearly
Optical drives are clearly considered on the way out. I have one in my computer, can’t remember the last time I used it.
+1
I don’t know when I used
+1
I don’t know when I used my last either…
My current build is based on
My current build is based on NZXT440, no optical drive. I was concerned that it would be a hindrance, bit in the last six months, I haven’t had the need to use an optical drive. Long live broadband!
I know it is for airflow, but
I know it is for airflow, but the grill area on top of the pcie slots and the grill like slot covers really make the back of the case look ugly to me when looking through the side panel.
This is the first PC case
This is the first PC case I’ve seen in a while that visually impressed me. Would be a great case for someone who wants to show off a high end build (wherever people actually do that). Those noise levels are pretty high though.
PSU shroud is too short, has
PSU shroud is too short, has no holes in it for wires and there is no fans speed controller like I have on my Corsair 600. It is nice to have the RGB controller on the top IO, animation speed, color and mode are available. However fan speed and illumination brightness have been ignored. These are not PWM fans!
Just saying.
Hey Sebastian,
How about the
Hey Sebastian,
How about the Raijintek Paean Dual-Compartment Chassis with Tempered Glass next? It is glass and aluminium and is relatively inexpensive, and from the pics it looks awesome. They mention both test bench applications and aluminium, so it is really up my alley.
Thanks
I didn’t think Raijintek was
I didn't think Raijintek was distributed in the U.S., but I see they are sold by Newegg. I'll see if they are interested in sending out any samples.
Awesome. Thanks so much for
Awesome. Thanks so much for trying.
A great case that I cannot
A great case that I cannot use. I live in a motorhome and travel much of the time. Glass is a no-no!