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How We Tested The Elite ATX Cases

Best Of The Best, Part 2: Who Makes The Most Elite PC Case?
By
Test System Configuration
CPUIntel Core i7-3960X (Sandy Bridge-E): 3.30 GHz, Six Cores
O/C to 4.25 GHz (34 x 125 MHz) at 1.35 V Core
CPU CoolerCoolink Corator DS 120 mm Tower
MotherboardAsus P9X79 Pro: LGA 2011, Intel X79 Express, Firmware 3501 (03/14/2013)
O/C at 125 MHz BCLK
RAMG.Skill F3-17600CL9Q-16GBXLD 16 GB (4 x 4 GB) DDR3-2200
Benchmarked at DDR3-1666 CAS 9 defaults
GraphicsNvidia GeForce GTX 580: 772 MHz GPU, GDDR5-4008
Maximum Fan for Thermal Tests, SLI
Hard DrivesSamsung 840 Series MZ-7PD256, 256 GB SSD 
SoundIntegrated HD Audio
NetworkIntegrated Gigabit Networking
PowerSeasonic X760 SS-760KM
ATX12V v2.3, EPS12V, 80 PLUS Gold
Software
OSMicrosoft Windows 8 Pro x64
GraphicsNvidia GeForce 314.22
ChipsetIntel INF 9.2.3.1020

We’ve retained the same hardware through several generations of case testing, allowing you to compare the thermal results from several round-ups. Case technology doesn’t change much, and neither does the heating capabilities of an overclocked Sandy Bridge-E processor.

We’re counting on that overclocked hexa-core CPU to flood each case with heat, and Coolink’s Corator DS is being used to similarly saturate the enclosures with noise as it transfers thermal energy away from the processor.

Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 580 is a great noise maker in its own right, its blower-style cooler spinning at a few thousand RPM at full speed. This reference card idles down to 40%, and we use full and idle speed settings for our load and idle tests.

Benchmark Configuration
Prime95 v25.864-bit executable, Small FFTs, 11 threads
3DMark 11Version: 1.0.3.0, Extreme Preset: Graphics Test 1, Looped
Real Temp 3.40Average of maximum core readings at full CPU load
Galaxy CM-140 SPL MeterTested at 1/2 m, corrected to 1 m (-6 dB), dB(A) weighting

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  • -3 Hide
    blackmagnum , July 22, 2014 12:12 AM
    Answer (YMMV): Thermaltake Level 10 GT.
  • 1 Hide
    Crashman , July 22, 2014 12:32 AM
    Quote:
    Answer (YMMV): Thermaltake Level 10 GT.

    You know the original Level 10 was probably "more elite"

    http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/level-10-fortress-2,2594-5.html
  • 3 Hide
    vertexx , July 22, 2014 4:16 AM
    Hope the Phanteks Enthoo Primo is part of the final - will we have to wait another 2 months for that?
  • 0 Hide
    ykki , July 22, 2014 4:48 AM
    I wish that they would use the new powercolor devil 13 290x (their version of the 295X2) for their tests
  • 1 Hide
    amk-aka-Phantom , July 22, 2014 5:48 AM
    Who makes the most elite cases? Corsair and NZXT, no need for investigation :)  Still, a nice roundup.
  • 0 Hide
    Drejeck , July 22, 2014 6:12 AM
    There are some cases CNC made, you should talk about this indipendent manufacturers. On SweClockers I saw the best mini ITX computer ever made, with 2 ssds, 2 fans, a picopsu and a discrete graphic card with riser card.
  • 0 Hide
    Drejeck , July 22, 2014 6:24 AM
    Anyway my guess was Lian-Li and Silverstone
  • 3 Hide
    eklipz330 , July 22, 2014 6:42 AM
    isn't this a purely subjective article? how can this be quantified?
  • 0 Hide
    Neve12ende12 , July 22, 2014 7:28 AM
    I don't know much about cases, but I have an Azza Hurrican 2000 and I think it is pretty badass
  • 0 Hide
    firefoxx04 , July 22, 2014 8:19 AM
    Phanteks Primo plz
  • 2 Hide
    firefoxx04 , July 22, 2014 8:22 AM
    ID like to see these cases fitted with large radiators.. that is what the case labs is geared for after all.
  • 1 Hide
    xenol , July 22, 2014 8:26 AM
    CaseLabs is just one of those companies I don't get. Sure they give you a ton of customization options but I don't know, for $300 on a case like that?

    At least the $210 I spent on a Silverstone FT02 was worth it.
  • 0 Hide
    beoza , July 22, 2014 9:34 AM
    For the price of that CaseLabs case I'd rather get the CM Cosmos II, and save about $60. Sure it's an older design but it just looks so much better to me. The only downside with the Cosmos II is it's big and bulky weighing at just over 47lbs empty.
  • 0 Hide
    whiteodian , July 22, 2014 10:00 AM
    Quote:
    There are some cases CNC made, you should talk about this indipendent manufacturers. On SweClockers I saw the best mini ITX computer ever made, with 2 ssds, 2 fans, a picopsu and a discrete graphic card with riser card.
    Links please : D

    Here is a link to something similar I won at a LAN party. Comes in a badass briefcase. http://nfc-systems.com/mini/
  • 1 Hide
    Electromikey , July 22, 2014 10:18 AM
    Without having used any of the other cases, I can say that I had the pleasure of building a system in the 760T recently (a friend had me build him a monster rig), and it was one of my favorite builds I've ever done. The case looks freakin' gorgeous under his desk, too.
  • -1 Hide
    TheMentalist , July 22, 2014 10:58 AM
    Every time i see articles like this one, it kinda bugs me that the Vengeance C70 is so underrated, damn love that case, even though it's old. Not saying that these cases aren't good.
  • 0 Hide
    redgarl , July 22, 2014 2:20 PM
    Fractal Design R2 XL... best Full Tower case for 100$. Nothing came close.
  • 0 Hide
    redgarl , July 22, 2014 2:21 PM
    Phantek Enthoo Luxe, Pro and Primo should be part of your next article.
  • 0 Hide
    Karsten75 , July 22, 2014 2:41 PM
    the TL;DR - we have an unrealistic benchmark, got some sub-par cases and non should be worthy of an award? Next time do't specify a price as cut-off.
  • 0 Hide
    Phillip Wager , July 23, 2014 3:51 AM
    out of these the thermaltake would take my money but i think phanteks has the best "elite" case on the market right now.
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