Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Maximum Thermal Performance – 30% fan speeds
The first set of tests are designed to appeal to those who love quietly running computers – with both system fans and the CPU fan limited to 30%, using Ocypus Gamma F12 BK ARGB fans for intake and exhaust. Of the four cases tested for today’s review, Corsair’s Frame 4000D performed the best, with 213.1W cooled while testing the CPU using Cinebench R23 multi-core benchmark.
You can consider this a measure of the case’s efficiency when set to low noise levels. Finally, remember that size matters: A smaller case like Montech’s Air 903 Max might have better results due to better airflow efficiency.
But CPU-only loads are only one way to examine thermal efficiency. How do things change when you use a CPU and GPU at the same time? We’ll look at both CPU package power and GPU results to answer that question.
Looking at the CPU’s performance here, you’ll see there’s a small variance in results. At 190.8 watts cooled, Corsair’s result is halfway between the best and worst results shown. Running a load on the GPU and the CPU causes a decrease of about 23W compared to the results of our first test. This is due to the additional heat produced by the Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super.
To evaluate how efficiently the case dissipates heat from the GPU, we’ve decided to compare the RPM speeds of the GPU’s fans instead of trying to control the fan speeds and measuring temperature. Corsair’s Frame 4000D again showed excellent performance here, with the GPUs fans only averaging 1482 RPM – the quietest result of all 4 cases tested for this review.
Maximum Thermal Load – Full fan speeds
For this next test, the fans are allowed to operate at their fastest (and loudest) speeds for those who want the best thermal performance without regard for noise levels. As before, the first test only stresses the CPU.
The results here have a small range, but Corsair’s Frame 4000D performed best, with a result of 293.5W cooled from the CPU on average.
How does that change when a GPU load is added to the equation? Let’s take a look.
In contrast to the low-speed tests where fans are limited to 30% RPM, there’s a lower drop in wattage cooled when both the CPU and GPU are stressed, thanks to the power of the fans at their full speeds. Corsair maintains its leading position, providing the best overall cooling with 278.1W cooled during this test.
How about the GPU, though?
Corsair’s Frame technically slips to second place in terms of GPU fan speeds in this test, but a difference of only 2RPM is well within any margin of error and run-to-run variance. This shows that Corsair’s Frame 4000D effectively moves heat away from the GPU for the best performance possible.
A reminder about how to improve performance
Just as a reminder: If you’re looking for stronger thermal performance than shown in the benchmarks above, there are multiple ways to achieve this. In the testing above, I used three fans side-mounted for intake and one in the rear exhaust. If you want the best possible performance, you can also add fans to the front and top of the case.
Conclusion
Corsair’s Frame 4000D provides excellent thermal performance in a lightweight package, with a reasonable price of only $94.99 USD (without fans), or as little as $5 more if you don’t want to bring your own. With both side and front intake fans supported, it can be configured in the style of your choosing.
