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Test equipment, method, and results
CPU |
|
CPU Cooler |
|
System Fans |
Pre-installed (if needed, Cooler Master Masterfan M120) |
Motherboard |
Gigabyte Z890 Aorus Elite Wifi7 Plus |
GPU |
|
PSU |
Our thermal tests are presented to give you more information about the product’s performance, but aren’t intended as the sole basis for judging the chassis. The style, price, features, and noise levels of a case should also be considered, and we all have different preferences. What I might like in a case, you might not, and that’s OK. Our goal with these reviews is to give everyone, regardless of their preferences, enough information to decide whether a case is right for them.
To get heat into the system, we stress the CPU with Cinebench R26 (multi-threaded test) and the video card with Furmark 2 (1080p). CPU and GPU tests run concurrently for 30 minutes, allowing the air-cooled system to reach saturation and stabilize over that period. We then let the system idle for 15 minutes, adjust the fans to 100%, and test again.
Noise-normalized (42dBA) Maximum thermal Performance
This set of tests is designed to appeal to those who love quiet PCs, with both system fans and the CPU fan noise normalized to 42 dBA. Consider this a measure of the case’s thermal efficiency when noise levels are set to run quietly. It is audible, but just (at least for my old ears).
One thing we have to mention before you see the results of our testing is that we had to use a different video card for this chassis. The one we normally use, the Asus TUF RTX 4080, was far too long for the Q300L V3, so we used a shorter RTX 4080 FE instead. Another difference is that the motherboard we used limited power to around 210W. It wasn’t throttling; it was set to Intel's default Performance setting like the ATX Gigabyte board, but still settled at much lower power use. With a different cooling solution and a different motherboard in this smaller build, you can't compare these results directly to the existing data from the other hardware.
That said, the case kept our CPU at around 87 degrees Celsius with a two-fan configuration after adding a Masterfan M120 ARGB fan to the top front fan location. This is obviously cooler than the other results, but again, those systems pulled around 30 more watts, which would have raised these temperatures. The video card averaged 74 degrees throughout. Ideally, you’ll have two front fans and two top fans (or an AIO) to move more air through the case, and temperatures would improve. The temps here aren't bad, but we’re only using two case fans – and the case only ships with one exhaust.
Maximum thermal performance - fans at full speed
Our noise-normalized results are designed for folks who prefer silence, but what if you don’t mind additional noise and just care about maximum performance, or maybe you have to run things at high settings to keep high-powered devices cool? This testing is for you. Obviously, when you add fans or an AIO up top, things will change a bit, but this gives you a great idea of ‘out-of-the-box’ performance, noise be damned.
Once we set all the fans to 100%, temperatures dropped significantly across the board, with the CPU averaging 81 degrees Celsius and the video card at a low 63 degrees. There’s a fair amount of headroom for cooling in this smaller chassis. I’d personally make sure all available fan slots are populated.
Maximum Noise Levels
We measure the noise levels with a sound meter from one meter away from the computer case, with the pre-installed fans running at their maximum RPM. If a case does not have enough included fans for airflow (intake and exhaust) as configured, we add a Cooler Master M120 ARGB, since we expect most users will add at least one more fan in situations like these.
When we cranked the included fan (and the Masterfan M120) to 100%, the case did get loud, sitting around 55 dBA, the highest we’ve tested so far. The OEM 140mm fan on the rear certainly made itself known at its 1,400 RPM maximum, as we know neither the Masterfan M120 nor the Thermaltake fans did that on any machine previously.
Conclusion
At a time when building a PC has become cost-prohibitive for many people, it’s nice to see companies focusing on the budget side of things. With an MSRP under $45 and a current price under $40, the Q300L V3 small form factor chassis is one of those items. The new V3 chassis improves things all around, with increased airflow potential via enlarged front-panel perforations, room for larger hardware, a stronger chassis with an upgraded motherboard tray, and reinforced fan mounts, which Cooler Master hopes will make for a refined building experience. A modern front IO with three USB ports, including one 20 Gbps Type-C, offers access to high-speed connectivity, a rarity in budget-friendly chassis.
That said, I’d like to see a front fan included, even if it pushes the MSRP a few dollars higher and the included fan gets loud at 100%. The good news is that performance was fine in our noise-normalized results at much slower speeds. I’d also like to see a couple of Velcro tie-downs to help with wire management behind the motherboard tray. But the list of complaints is small, especially given that the case is currently $39.98. In fact, we like the Q300L V3 so much that it made our Best Cases list as the Best Budget Micro ATX chassis. If you’re in the market for a budget case for a Micro ATX build, Cooler Master’s Q300L V3 should be at the top of your options list, as it’s easy to build in and has all the basics you need for a small-form-factor PC build.
