| Test System Configuration | |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel 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 Cooler | Coolink Corator DS 120 mm Tower |
| Motherboard | Asus P9X79 Pro: LGA 2011, Intel X79 Express, Firmware 3501 (03/14/2013) O/C at 125 MHz BCLK |
| RAM | G.Skill F3-17600CL9Q-16GBXLD 16 GB (4 x 4 GB) DDR3-2200 Benchmarked at DDR3-1666 CAS 9 defaults |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GTX 580: 772 MHz GPU, GDDR5-4008 Maximum Fan for Thermal Tests, SLI |
| Hard Drives | Samsung 840 Series MZ-7PD256, 256 GB SSD |
| Sound | Integrated HD Audio |
| Network | Integrated Gigabit Networking |
| Power | Seasonic X760 SS-760KM ATX12V v2.3, EPS12V, 80 PLUS Gold |
| Software | |
| OS | Microsoft Windows 8 Pro x64 |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce 314.22 |
| Chipset | Intel 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 v25.8 | 64-bit executable, Small FFTs, 11 threads |
| 3DMark 11 | Version: 1.0.3.0, Extreme Preset: Graphics Test 1, Looped |
| Real Temp 3.40 | Average of maximum core readings at full CPU load |
| Galaxy CM-140 SPL Meter | Tested at 1/2 m, corrected to 1 m (-6 dB), dB(A) weighting |
Previous
Next
Summary
- What Does It Take For A Case To Be Elite?
- Azza Genesis 9000
- Inside The Genesis 9000
- Building With The Genesis 9000
- In Win Tòu
- Inside The Tòu
- Building With The Tòu
- Rosewill Blackhawk Ultra
- Inside The Blackhawk Ultra
- Building With The Blackhawk Ultra
- SilverStone Fortress FT04
- Inside The Fortress FT04
- Building With The Fortress FT04
- How We Test Our Four Elite Cases
- Heat, Noise, And Heat Vs. Noise
- Which Case Is Elite?
Ask a Category Expert
**go to heat and noise page and then the last page from the first page**
I really don't have the inclination to read each - and - every - page in this article based on a piece of rubbish idea. Really Tom's, what on earth possessed you to do thi...**sees the picture of the In Win Tou**
Hmmm...
**reads to the In Win Tou pages**
Wow. Ok, that case is quite the looker. Gee, that construction kinda justifies the stratospheric pricing. What a beautiful case! With some nice watercooling this case will be quiet AND cool AND cool-looking! I agree with you that this is the most elite, erm, showboat-iest case of these four!
Thanks for making your readers aware of products that they would've otherwise missed Tom's! :-)
**go to heat and noise page and then the last page from the first page**
I really don't have the inclination to read each - and - every - page in this article based on a piece of rubbish idea. Really Tom's, what on earth possessed you to do thi...**sees the picture of the In Win Tou**
Hmmm...
**reads to the In Win Tou pages**
Wow. Ok, that case is quite the looker. Gee, that construction kinda justifies the stratospheric pricing. What a beautiful case! With some nice watercooling this case will be quiet AND cool AND cool-looking! I agree with you that this is the most elite, erm, showboat-iest case of these four!
Thanks for making your readers aware of products that they would've otherwise missed Tom's! :-)
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/fkim45flf/1-dark-blade-2/
20 of the most elite
What size radiators can be fit into these cases?
With all due respect, there's a whole lot more regarding a case review, than has been covered.
However, they have almost zero bling, so I guess they might not fit this series. For me though, they're the cases I want to own right now. I don't do much showing off of my computers.
The NZXT Phantom 630 (aside from some of the angles), in my opinion, is the most practical case I've had the pleasure of working with to this point. The innards and internal case design just make sense.
'Elite' definitely doesn't mean practical.
A bit of advice ... don't feed the trolls !!
Don't bother responding to the idiots with the stupid questions, and if they follow up with more tripe then let the mods clean up for you.
You will get all worked up and then we have to come around with a bottle of Jacks and sedate you ...
A bit of advice ... don't feed the trolls !!
Don't bother responding to the idiots with the stupid questions, and if they follow up with more tripe then let the mods clean up for you.
You will get all worked up and then we have to come around with a bottle of Jacks and sedate you ...
I used to mine in the Elitist Jerks pool, until I figured out that I was too good for them...
I was scratching my head over what to call the front fan on the Win case as well ... almost like it was an afterthought.
Can't wait to see part II.
Back in the day the V1000 ... V6000 Thermaltake cases were pretty good ... huge great honking things. The 1000's were steel ... mine could have taken a 7.62 round and kept going. Reminded me of my Combi Van ... had fans everywhere. Heavy. I took to it with a bosche nibbler and improved it no end in terms of airflow.
I was wondering if they refused to participate?