For today's test we have built a performance oriented rig, with a high end CPU and mainstream graphics … ideal as an everyday, quiet workhorse build.
Processor: AMD Phenom II X6 1100T
Motherboard: ASRock 890GX Extreme 4 motherboard
Cooler: Antec Kuhler 620 Liquid Cooler
Memory: Kingston T1 8GB 1600mhz DDR3
Storage: Crucial SSD
Graphics: VTX3D HD6670
Power Supply: Chill Innovation 520W power supply
Windows 7 Enterprise Edition 64bit
Thermal Diodes
Raytek Laser Temp Gun 3i LSRC/MT4 Mini Temp
Digital Sound Level Noise Decibel Meter Style 2
Firstly let us have a look at the chassis design and airflow, as it comes ‘out of the box’.
The airflow of this case is very simple. Cool air is sucked in from the front then passed over the components and circulated out the rear of the case. As we are using a self enclosed water cooler, the fan on the Kuhler 620 has replaced the Cooler Master silent fan mounted at the rear as an exhaust system.
We have placed thermal diodes in 5 internal positions to measure the ambient case temperatures. Ambient room temperatures were maintained at 23c throughout. We overclocked the AMD Phenom II X6 1100T to 4.2ghz. Temperatures below are the maximum we recorded over an hour long stress test.
Even with only a few fans in operation, the system remained well within safe parameters, thanks in part to the excellent Antec Kuhler 620, which is both quiet and very efficient.