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Benchmark Results and Conclusion
We tested the Enso Mesh with our Intel Core i9-7900X test platform. For comparison, we brought in the Cougar Panzer EVO RGB, the NZXT H700i, the be quiet! Dark Base 700 and the Cooler Master MasterCase H500M to give you a solid idea of where this case stacks up against competitors with similar sizes and feature sets.
The Enso Mesh's thermal performance lagged behind all the other cases we used for comparison purposes. This is no doubt due to the fact that, even though it's equipped with a mesh front panel, the chassis' single 120mm intake-fan and 120mm exhaust-fan combination isn't able to provide the airflow needed for adequate cooling.
Determining acoustic efficiency, also referred to as "cooling-to-noise ratio," is a matter of averaging all five of our tests to determine a base value.
By now, most people are aware that tempered-glass side panels tend to reflect sound back into the chassis. That, and the inclusion of only two 120mm fans, leaves you with a chassis that is relatively quiet at idle. Unfortunately, glass panels also lead to higher system temperatures. This can be remedied by the addition of one or more intake fans, but that would almost certainly negatively impact these acoustic results. Once the system was under load, sound levels peaked at 34.5 dBA. Though not by much, the Enso Mesh was louder than all the cases tested against it here, even the cases with dual and triple intake fans.
Bottom Line
Most people who buy this chassis will undoubtedly want to add at least one or more intake fans to the system build. Unfortunately, that would add to the overall cost of the case. Also, even though the added fans will enhance cooling performance, that would introduce even more system noise, negatively impacting its acoustic-efficiency rating.
The competing Cooler Master MasterBox MB500 TUF Edition costs $20 (15.23 £) less than the Enso Mesh, while performing better and delivering more features for that lesser cost. If you like the looks of the Enso Mesh and aren't put off by its shortcomings, you might want to shop around a bit or wait for this case to go on sale.
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