Power
We measure power consumption using a Kill-A-Watt device at the wall outlet. Idle indicates a measurement taken in Windows with no applications running. Max indicates the maximum power draw with the system fully loaded (running two instances of Prime95 plus 3DMark Vantage simultaneously). Note that power supply inefficiencies come into play, but we want to know the requirements for the system as a whole so that's okay.
In what seems to be a running theme in today's system builds, we see a huge margin on the power supply versus what the system actually draws (minus PSU efficiency losses). However, this does provide ample (very ample) room for expansion, particularly with the 3-way SLI board, though Triple SLI is not a solution we recommend. It's also worth noting that typical maximum efficiency for PSUs comes at 30-50% load, so using a larger PSU than is strictly required isn't a serious problem - provided it's not too large.
Noise
We measured noise with an SPL (Sound Pressure Level) meter, at distances of 24" and 48". The case fans and video cards dominate the noise produced. For reference, ambient noise is approximately 37.5 dB(A).
We see the F131 just about in the middle of the other systems we've tested. Subjectively, the system is reasonably quiet, particularly with the water cooling option, and most of the noise generated comes from the video card. However, we did observe an odd noise throughout testing that sounded like a popping noise coming from the water cooler. The noise was intermittent and unpredictable, and sounded like a sudden surge of liquid passing through the reservoir or the radiator. It did not affect stability, but would be annoying on a long-term basis.
Temperature
We utilized CoreTemp 0.99.3 to measure CPU temperatures, which incorporates the latest TjMax values for Intel processors. We loaded each core with Prime95 and ran 3DMark Vantage in the background.
These temperatures are very reasonable, and the CPU never broke 60C even under maximum sustained load. The water cooler is doing its job well here, but we wonder how well it would work with two more cores underneath it.
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CEO Ballmer - Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - link
I run two of these towers, tricked out!These things are the very definition of cool!
http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com">http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com
pervisanathema - Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - link
In the past 3 years, I have ordered over 400 Dell PCs, about 3 dozen laptops, and about 2 dozen servers. I have yet to see a piece of equipment that failed to boot on arrival.Praising a manufacturer for having a PC that boots on arrival is like praising a car dealer for having a new car that starts up when you test drive it.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - link
See above: it's the large GPUs, HSFs, and cooling that cause problems. I remember getting a review system a couple years back that had a giant styrofoam insert inside the case, just to help protect things during shipping. It helped secure the cables and cooling devices, but it was rather over-the-top.yyrkoon - Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - link
I think some of the Dell XPS's did at one time, or still do ship with a Styrofoam insert. And I remember the review of that system you're talking about, or at least remember you guys talking about the insert.With FedEx, and UPS in different areas tossing boxes around like they're garbage, it is no wonder. I have had a 21" CRT show up at our shop with the plastic front bezel completely ripped off because of some unscrupulous FedEX person . . .
3DoubleD - Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - link
"As a third point, while the Silverstone case is elegant and functional, it lacks the glitz and glamour that some people might look for in a gaming system. The ability to choose a couple case alternatives would help. Customization options are available for most components, but they are more limited than other vendors and the price premiums are higher than average."Please don't encourage them. That is a GREAT looking case. I think just about everyone is sick of the tacky "Gamer" case look. The Silverstone is very minimalistic in appearance (which is a good thing) while being functional. In fact, I think I'd consider buying one, although I've never seen one for sale. Anyway, in my opinion, case manufacturers and pre-built assemblers need to move away from the tacky "gamer" case design that should have died in the earlier part of this decade. Also, they won't offer a case option because it makes the assembly process less standard and you get different quality cases (and perhaps features). I would suggest they stick with one case and design around that case as they have done here.
Griswold - Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - link
Words of wisdom. This bling-bling bullshit with a window and strobes is seriously getting on my nerves. Maybe its the age...JarredWalton - Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - link
To each his own; there are plenty of other nice cases out there that don't have tons of bling but can compete with Silverstone. Using a single case helps with assembly and parts ordering for sure, but many other companies offer Silverstone cases as well as about 15 other options. Personally, I think choice is good and that users should be able to get what they want. But then they can: if you don't want Silverstone, you can shop elsewhere. :)Tormeh - Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - link
I would like to see the time it takes to calculate a turn in Civ4...Really, back in the days of Civ3 I remember that the time it took from ending a turn until the game responded again could be several minutes. Well, at least in the later stages of the game with the maximum number of AI players and the biggest map you could get, anyway.
surt - Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - link
Which really was quite ludicrously bad programming. Even an n^3 algorithm over the number of units or map positions has no excuse for taking minutes to run on a modern processor.Tormeh - Thursday, November 13, 2008 - link
Well, "back in the days of Civ 3" means that the relevant processor was also "back in the days." :) A high-end Pentium 4, if memory serves.