Mid-Tower Mega Roundup
by Joshua Buss on September 8, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Benchmark Comparisons
To get as meaningful a comparison as possible between the different cases, we installed the same set of hardware into each one, our standard ATX test bed.
We have compiled the results of all the head and noise testing into a master chart. Cases with variable-speed fans were tested first on their highest setting and then on their lowest setting to get the two different audio measurements. The "Exhaust" column refers to the temperature of the air coming out of the unit's main rear exhaust vents, where if there were more than one fan, the highest temperature was used.
So, are you really getting what you pay for with these units? It certainly seems that this is the case with the P-180 and PC-V1000, as they both pull away with the best temp/noise numbers, but for nearly half the cost, the X-Cruiser puts up great temperatures as well, thanks to its CPU shroud, albeit at the cost of a bit more noise.
Interestingly, the F3323 also looks like an amazing deal from this chart, but those numbers must be taken with a grain of salt as we used a particularly high-performance fan, which although doesn't show up as a loud unit on our dBa meter, does make a rather audible metallic-sounding whine. If the type of noise isn't much of a problem, perhaps the greatest lesson to take away from this entire review is: all that a case really needs to cool rather well is one, high performance fan. For most users, however, the use of several quieter fans would be more ideal, and this is where a design such as the P-180 really comes out with a major advantage.
One other interesting point to elaborate on is the difference in dBa ratings taken from different sides of the cases. For most users, the top and front measurements should be the main ones to focus on. Notice how the V1000 is only quieter than the Antec cases when their fans are set to full-blast. This is probably due to the blower and 120mm running at their stock voltages. With the use of a fan controller, this noise could be controlled much better. In addition, it does look like using the air deflector inhibits the power supply's ability to exhaust air easily, as it has the highest PSU air temps.
To get as meaningful a comparison as possible between the different cases, we installed the same set of hardware into each one, our standard ATX test bed.
| ATX Test Bed | |
| Chaintech VNF3-250 AMD Athlon 64 3200+ OCZ PC3200 512MB DDR x 2 Zalman CNPS7000 Copper Western Digital IDE Hard Drive Sapphire 9800XT AGP8x |
 Click to enlarge. |
We have compiled the results of all the head and noise testing into a master chart. Cases with variable-speed fans were tested first on their highest setting and then on their lowest setting to get the two different audio measurements. The "Exhaust" column refers to the temperature of the air coming out of the unit's main rear exhaust vents, where if there were more than one fan, the highest temperature was used.
| Heat and Noise Comparison Chart | ||||||||
| Case | Component Temperatures (idle/full load) | Air Temperatures | dBa Measurements | |||||
| CPU | GPU | N. Bridge | PSU | Exhaust | Front | Rear | Top | |
| X-Cruiser | 45 / 54 | 64 / 71 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 42 | 55 | 58 |
| F3323 | 42 / 53 | 63 / 69 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 40 | 42 | 41 |
| Trio | 44 / 54 | 67 / 72 | 36 | 36 | 29 | 41 | 42 | 41 |
| Sonata II (low) | 45 / 59 | 67 / 72 | 34 | 34 | 30 | 41 | 40 | 39 |
| Sonata II (high) | 43 / 57 | 66 / 71 | 33 | 34 | 29 | 54 | 62 | 57 |
| Centurion | 48 / 59 | 67 / 73 | 36 | 35 | 34 | 40 | 42 | 40 |
| P-180 (low) | 47 / 58 | 66 / 71 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 38 | 39 | 39 |
| P-180 (high) | 44 / 55 | 64 / 69 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 60 | 62 | 61 |
| Eclipse | 43 / 56 | 64 / 70 | 31 | 34 | 32 | 40 | 41 | 40 |
| PC-V1000 | 42 / 55 | 64 / 72 | 38 | 36 | 32 | 44 | 58 | 40 |
So, are you really getting what you pay for with these units? It certainly seems that this is the case with the P-180 and PC-V1000, as they both pull away with the best temp/noise numbers, but for nearly half the cost, the X-Cruiser puts up great temperatures as well, thanks to its CPU shroud, albeit at the cost of a bit more noise.
Interestingly, the F3323 also looks like an amazing deal from this chart, but those numbers must be taken with a grain of salt as we used a particularly high-performance fan, which although doesn't show up as a loud unit on our dBa meter, does make a rather audible metallic-sounding whine. If the type of noise isn't much of a problem, perhaps the greatest lesson to take away from this entire review is: all that a case really needs to cool rather well is one, high performance fan. For most users, however, the use of several quieter fans would be more ideal, and this is where a design such as the P-180 really comes out with a major advantage.
One other interesting point to elaborate on is the difference in dBa ratings taken from different sides of the cases. For most users, the top and front measurements should be the main ones to focus on. Notice how the V1000 is only quieter than the Antec cases when their fans are set to full-blast. This is probably due to the blower and 120mm running at their stock voltages. With the use of a fan controller, this noise could be controlled much better. In addition, it does look like using the air deflector inhibits the power supply's ability to exhaust air easily, as it has the highest PSU air temps.
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Quanticles - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
$200 for a case really isnt that bad when you're paying $400 for a GPU, $300 or more for a CPU, $200 on memory, etc etc etc. If you're building a budget system, then of course this would be a horrible buy. But if you're building a nice system, then you might want a nice case. I have a black v1000 w/ window and it looks great, and was great to work with. As far as noise, I have 4 120mm fans in here, but the system is nearly silent with the help of a cheap sunbeam rheobus.OvErHeAtInG - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
Exactly. Check out the V1100 , it comes with sound-damping precautions. I'm a 3-year user of the PC60 (old kind before they changed it) and I still love it. Yes, a little loud, but hey. Drooling on the V1100.flatblastard - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
...to only include one fan with their best-looking case. Then the P-180 comes with 3 fans, more features/functionality and doesn't really cost that much more than the sonata. I guess the Sonata is the better value overall considering the included PSU but damn that P-180 doesn't look too shabby either. Dang ole decisions, decisions...man, i tell ya whut....man, dang ole Antec man.swtethan - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
made the right choice buying one :-)imaheadcase - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
Because half of those cases just screamed "Burn me in the nearest fire!". lolI mean seriously, why do case manufactors make these crap cases, I would rather have a plain beige case than something made with freakin lights all on the outside covered with cheap plastic peices. Not to mention looks like they had there 3 year olds draw out the designs on ourside.
I don't care care if its the best case in the world inside, if its ass on the outside im not buying it. I can get the same thing in beige..hehe
Some of those look ok though..except.
1. Aspire: Oh please tell there designers to stop asking there 3 year old kids to do there work for them. This case screams crapplastic. it would prob melt if your coffee was to close..
2. Dynapower: This one does not look half bad, the drive bays could use a all black cover or a matching grill cover.
3. Sunbeam: Pretty cool looking case. Remove the lame blue circles though, all the stuff you can do when on the PC, who is going to glance at that anyways when most are on the floor or out of the way.
4.coolmaster: What would make it cool is without the pillars of salt on the side...hehe Remove those it would look sweet.
5. Both Antec cases: Looks good to me. Antec seems to make some nice cases in the budget area.
6. ThermalRock: What in gods name is that red circle for? That ruined the front of case, without that red circle it would look good.
7. Lian Li: Ohhhh Ahhhh! me likey alot.
Bonesdad - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
Gotta agree on the Coolermaster case...I got the Centurion 5 last year...glad I didn't wait. The older Centurion 5 is a really nice looking, well made case that looks like it was made for someone with a level of maturity over 16 years old. I can see using this case for many years to come...manno - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
you're not kidding out of all those cases the only ones I would touch with a 10' foot pole were the Antech's, and the Lian Li. For the love of god stop putting side windows on your cases it's drinking beer with a straw tacky.Tamale - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
a LOT of people still look for windows on the side - it's still a fad that's 'catching on' to most people.Quanticles - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
I have a window so I can check my watercooling easier. Besides, they look cool.ElFenix - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
no, they look dorktastic.