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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Abecedaria - Sunday, September 11, 2005 - link
What was the criteria for choosing these cases? Most of them look nasty-plasticy and even the Antec P-180, although it looks good, has a veery plasticy feel.Where was Silverstone in your review? They have some of the best cases available:
http://www.silverstonetek.com/product-case.htm">http://www.silverstonetek.com/product-case.htm
and from their new subsidiary:
http://www.tuniq.com.tw/Chassis/chassis.htm">http://www.tuniq.com.tw/Chassis/chassis.htm
These things rock.
abc
unclebud - Monday, September 12, 2005 - link
please consider reviewing the performance 640 next time?it currently includes a smartpower v2 400w, for $129
thanks in advance
Rudee - Saturday, September 10, 2005 - link
There is an error in the article. The Sonata II does indeed have a removable air filter in the front of the case, thus should not be given a score of "0" for this catagory.Tamale - Saturday, September 10, 2005 - link
The filter is removable from the bottom of the case only.. while this certainly is 'removable', it is nowhere near as accessible as the other cases which I gave this point to. I struggled with the idea of giving the case .5 for this category, but it wouldn't have made a difference in the end, and I really don't feel that most users would go through the trouble of tipping the case over just to clean the filter, so no points were awarded.Thanks for pointing out the detail though.
Rudee - Saturday, September 10, 2005 - link
The Sonata II case is great. I was able to overclock a AMD 64 3700 to 2700mhz using the stock AMD heatsink and fan with one Panaflo 92mm fan in the duct over the CPU. Temps are great and I ended up returning my Zalman 7700 as I didn't need it.dgkulzer - Friday, September 9, 2005 - link
After 1 month of use I am very happy with my P180. Assembly does take a bit longer than a standard case if you are trying to hide your cables but that isnt much of an issue to me. I put a Phantom 500 PSU in it and because its longer than most other PSU's I had to replace the lower fan with a thinner model (Nexus 120). I have 4 hard drives in the lower chamber and the Nexus at 5 volts keeps them very cool - I havent had the Phantom fan kick on yet either.This is one case that looks better in person than it does in pictures, the pictures make it look like a little fridge or something but it looks pretty sweet on your desk :)
mschira - Friday, September 9, 2005 - link
I guess the two compartment design is great for watercooling. You could put the pump reservoir etc in the lower compartment. If something leaks, the electronic is save.I think that's great thing...
M.
P.S. onla trouble is where to put the power suply...
Griswold - Friday, September 9, 2005 - link
Kids, having a flashy computer under your desk doesnt make the chicks like you more. Say no to stupid side windows!Tamale - Friday, September 9, 2005 - link
you seem to forget that most kids who think it would look cool to have the window in the first place probably don't care about girls anyway ;)p.s. - most people (girls included) seem to think my all-acrylic case is pretty cool
Griswold - Sunday, September 11, 2005 - link
Besides the total lack of EM shielding (which is enough reason to not do what you did, not only because it's not allowed in many countries (I know, I know, US is different, there, the cops wont stop you if your car has only 3 wheels..)), a full acrylic case is a nice show thingie. I just find side windows embarrassing, especially when the rest of the case looks like Optimus Prime's chest armor.