Noise and Thermal Testing, Overclocked

Our stock test results with the In-Win GRone were generally quite and demonstrated a healthy amount of thermal headroom for the case that should hopefully be reflected in the test results from our overclocked testbed, but they're still strangely underwhelming. With all of those fans running at full bore, the GRone should've decimated the charts instead of simply ranking. We'll see how things fare when greater thermal stress placed on the enclosure.

CPU Temperatures, Overclocked

GPU Temperatures, Overclocked

SSD Temperatures, Overclocked

Test results in the "Turbo" fan mode are generally quite good and on par with the freak of nature that is the Antec Eleven Hundred, but the "Silence" mode performance is underwhelming. These thermals are certainly competitive, but "competitive" isn't what we're looking for at $160. You really want results closer to the AZZA Genesis 9000 at least, and certainly not below inexpensive cases like the Corsair Carbide 300R with less than half the sticker price.

CPU Fan Speed, Overclocked

GPU Fan Speed, Overclocked

With all that said, if acoustics be damned, the GRone will definitely give you some room to play. The GPU in particular is already pushing the limits of the chip itself, but if you have something hotter that you want to flex a bit, you'll be able to do it here.

Noise Levels, Overclocked

Unfortunately we're still caught between two horrible options with the fan speed controller. "Silence" mode doesn't move enough air to keep the fans from working too hard (and thermals down as a result), but "Turbo" mode is punishingly loud. We really needed a middle setting here and we didn't get it.

Noise and Thermal Testing, Stock Conclusion: When Competitive Isn't Competitive
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  • colinstu - Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - link

    Happy with my Antec P280.

    Good cases do exist out there, just gotta look at the right companies (cheapies like In-Win isn't one of them).

    Corsair 650D was looking like a nice option too, but the side window was a turnoff (I'm not into them these days) and it cost more money so I ultimately went with the Antec.

    The Fractal Design Core 3000 I'd go with if I wanted to cheapen it up some more, and the NZXT Source 210 if I wanted to really cheapen it up. I used this NZXT in a friend's build recently too and I was quite happy with it (and so is he).

    There's dozens more nice cases out there... but these 4 are my top easy picks (4 different price points) with getting a well featured case that doesn't look fugly.
  • peterfares - Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - link

    I too have an Antec P280 which I bought for the same reasons. When I was 14 I loved cases like this one with windows and lights. My next build really toned it down and my latest case finally did away with all the useless and annoying lights and windows. I can't stand any lights or noise now, I even put electrical tape over the bright blue power and HDD LEDs on the case. I may just unplug them next time I open it up.
  • Belard - Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - link

    I've built a system with a P280... great case.

    I would LOVE to see a mini-version... designed to hold a single 5.25 drive, 4x 3.5/2.5 drives...

    I'm still on my Antec P120, which is a smaller and doorless version of the P180. The P280 blows away the P180. Its not as ENGINEERED as the P180 with its air-chambers, drive cages, etc.
    But its (A) Lighter (B) Cheaper (C) Easier to work on (D) USB 3.0.

    My son has lights in his case (blue and red), also lets me know easily that his PC is on. I do like a little blue to glow from real air-vents, but nothing that lights up the room.
  • colinstu - Wednesday, September 19, 2012 - link

    Hey, on the topic of "mini" P280s... would a "Fractal Design Define Mini" be up your alley?

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

    Looks like an awesome option.
  • ssj4Gogeta - Wednesday, September 19, 2012 - link

    "I can't stand any lights or noise now, I even put electrical tape over the bright blue power and HDD LEDs on the case. I may just unplug them next time I open it up."

    Haha, for some reason I pictured you as a robot running around saying "Kill all lights... kill all lights".
  • ypsylon - Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - link

    That people still are interested in cases like this one. Steel and plastic. Brrrr... I know that aluminum is usually more expensive, but easily you can find good alu case around same kind of money. Try alu once and you will never go back. Simple as that.
  • Dustin Sklavos - Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - link

    What, like Lian Li or Cubitek?

    Aluminum is HIGHLY overrated.
  • Flying Goat - Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - link

    Who in their right mind calls a case "GRone"? Did anyone even try to read that phonetically?
  • randinspace - Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - link

    Larry the cable guy came to mind.
  • sesante2000 - Tuesday, September 18, 2012 - link

    I could understand if this case had something unique or special to offer, But no, It's just ugly.
    Finding a good case that suites ones style and function is just as hard as finding the right motherboard to match.
    Cases like these perpetuate the nonsense that "gamer" cases have become.

    If I walked into someones house and saw this I would think they just didn't know any better.
    But they should, as they are building their own PC.

    But who am I to judge?
    I mean, This is the lowest common denominator in custom PC cases.

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