Benchmarks - Thermal

Describing the cooling equipment that comes with a case just doesn't cut it for us. We need to see how it actually performs, to determine if it is actually as effective as what the manufacturer's claim. We have hand-picked a full system that we believe to model the current system setup for the average user.

PC Mid-Tower Test Bed

Chaintech VNF3-250
AMD Athlon64 3200+
OCZ PC3200 DDR x 2
Zalman CNPS7000 Copper
Seagate Barracuda 120GB SATA
ATI 9800XT
OCZ 520W PowerStream


Click to enlarge.

The thermal readings for the key components and points on the motherboard during operation were as follows. The numbers in each square represent the temperature of that particular section of the case in degrees Celsius:


Click to enlarge.

We added an extra 120mm fan in the front of the case to level the field with the other cases that we have looked at. The fan is rated at the same speed and sound output as the one included with the P160. Our results show the average temperature of the system's ambient air to be between 29-30 degrees.

Take a look at the temperature readings of each critical component in our test rig.


Click to enlarge.

We didn't expect the P160 to perform different from the PC-V1000 from Lian Li. Since adding that second fan would pretty much give the P160 the same cooling setup as the V1000, and the only difference was the slight variation in the layout of the hardware, we expected the very same average temperatures. Since our look at the V1000, our thermal benchmarking methodology has changed, but we still measure the temperatures of each critical component. The P160 performed well, cooling each individual component with the two 120mm fans.


The Installation Process Benchmarks - Sound
Comments Locked

53 Comments

View All Comments

  • Filibuster - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    I really love my P160, no regrets about getting it at all. I looked at the other brands and they either had a lousy layout or less features, or just looked stupid.
    I don't feel it is cheap or flimsy at all and frankly I'm glad it doesn't come with a psu so I could pick one I wanted instead of what would probably be a mid-level Antec unit.
  • vanionBB - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    You missed a few key things in this review.

    1. The drive bays with the rubber gromets reduce sound emissions by acting as shock absorbers for the hard drives. They do reduce sound of drive accessing by quite a bit. Also, the trays protect the exposed electric components on the bottom of most hard drives.

    2. The "wasted space" under the 4 drive bays is necessary for cabling, especially if rounded cables are used.

    3. He didn't even mention the removable, washable air filter in the front of the case.

    This case rules, I want one!
  • Zebo - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    #8 no joke about psu. IMO Antec 1040esque tanks were thier last good ones. They still make them, even an AMB model(s) with true powers inside which are cheaper than this one is powersupplyless.
  • Zebo - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    I disagree with author...This case is kinda cheap and flimsy. I seriously recommend Siverstone or lian li if you like aluminum. Has some lame plastic rotator port module that feel cheap too. Does'nt close right and does'nt blend.

    I used both and prefer my Lian Li PC-73SLB but an order of magnitude. Check out cooler masters if low priced aluminum is what you want.
  • bupkus - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    I got this on a real good sale at CompUSA a couple months ago. I returned it as I just didn't like the style of the front bezel. Also, at even that price I thought it should contain an Antec PS.
  • Michael D - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    Ahh, this is the type of case review I was looking for; an article of something nice and sleek without some silly, bulbous alien theme. :)

    Does anyone know how the P160 compares to the Lian Li PC6077 (the other aluminum chassis I'm looking at)?
  • Locut0s - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    Thanks for reviewing real enthusiast cases again!
  • cnq - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    Yeah this case has been out a while, but better a late review than never. I've got the one with a window frame; newegg has em at good prices usually.
  • Avalon - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    Good looking case. The price is out of my range, though, but not overly expensive.
  • jensend - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    Wasn't this case introduced in 4Q2003?

Log in

Don't have an account? Sign up now