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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 |
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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).
Noise-normalized performance landed in the middle of our CPU results, averaging 94 degrees Celsius in our testing. Surprisingly, it was the hottest of our tested cases in this set of results. The video card, even with the front air guide, was also the warmest in our noise-normalized data sets. All because we lowered the fan speeds a bit to reach 42 dBA.
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.
After cranking all the fans to 100%, temperatures dropped five degrees Celsius on the CPU and a notable nine on the video card, showing the benefits of the air guide. Once you populate the top of the chassis with fans or an AIO to get more air out, results will improve. That said, these aren’t poor results, as the case keeps our high-end processor and video card running below their throttling temperatures in a worst-case scenario.
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.
The loudest this case gets in our configuration was only 51 dBA, just 9 dBA above our baseline threshold, and a middling result among our current data points. The Momentum 14 fans didn’t generate any harsh tones or vibrations, even though Fractal didn’t mention vibration-dampening. With the open front and lack of sound-dampening materials, the case ran a bit louder than the Define One, but not enough to be worrisome.
Conclusion
The Fractal Summit is a good-looking chassis, no matter which colorway you choose. The Blackout Ambience colorway we tested doesn’t stand out much looks-wise, outside of the cool front RGB feature. However, the Chalk White and Black versions that do show off the wood really give off premium case vibes that will fit in with your office decor. Like the Define One, Fractal put some real thought into making this an easy case to build in, too.
Thermally, the Summit was a bit of a mixed bag. You’d think the open-face design would improve upon the more closed-off Define One, but it ran warmer in our noise-normalized testing, as we needed to slow the fans down slightly to meet our 42 dBA threshold. It did close the gap when we increased the fan speed, though. I have no worries the Summit can handle the most powerful of components when fully populated, but it's worth knowing if thermals are a priority.
Priced at $169.99 for the non-ARGB versions and $199.99 for the Ambience Blackout, the Summit is priced fairly for what you get. It doesn’t earn a place on our best cases list, but on looks, build quality, and everyday usability, the Summit is well worth considering if you're after a premium mid-tower chassis.
