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Test setup:
Processor: i5 2500k.
Motherboard: Asus Maximus Extreme IV.
Memory: 8GB Mushkin Ridgeback 2133Mhz.
Storage: 120GB Corsair Force 3 SSD.
2TB Western Digital Green.
2TB Seagate Barracuda Green.
Graphics Card: 1GB PNY GTX 460.
Power Supply: 1200W Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold.
Operating System: Windows 7 x64 Ultimate Edition.
In order to judge the cooling performance of the case, we pushed the CPU to a relatively common overclock speed of 4.4Ghz and plugged all of the provided case fans into the 12v connections of the motherboard and ran several tests using the following methodology;
CPU stress tests will contain a 10 minute run of Prime95 (blend) 4.4Ghz at 1.36 volts.
GPU results will be recorded after a 5 minute run of Furmark.
Running the tests for this length of time is sufficient enough for the temperatures to plateau and has a low risk of damaging hardware should an issue arise.
The thermal performance of the case is relatively good, especially when we factor in the low noise levels.
Today to test this chassis we have set our Digital Sound Level Noise Decibel Meter Style 2 one meter away from the case. We then removed the discrete graphics card and replaced with a Sapphire passively cooled card.
As this can be a little confusing for people, here are various dBa ratings in with real world situations to help describe the various levels.
KitGuru noise guide
10dBA – Normal Breathing/Rustling Leaves
20-25dBA – Whisper
30dBA – High Quality Computer fan
40dBA – A Bubbling Brook, or a Refrigerator
50dBA – Normal Conversation
60dBA – Laughter
70dBA – Vacuum Cleaner or Hairdryer
80dBA – City Traffic or a Garbage Disposal
90dBA – Motorcycle or Lawnmower
100dBA – MP3 player at maximum output
110dBA – Orchestra
120dBA – Front row rock concert/Jet Engine
130dBA – Threshold of Pain
140dBA – Military Jet takeoff/Gunshot (close range)
160dBA – Instant Perforation of eardrum
Acoustic performance is excellent, with only a low murmur of noise audible when very close to the chassis. The sound proofing really helps reduce annoying fan noise.
