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Benchmark Results and Conclusion
We tested the Corsair iCUE 465X RGB with our Intel Core i9-7900X test platform in two configurations: fans in default placement and with two fans mounted in the front of the chassis and one mounted in the rear exhaust location. For comparison, we brought in Corsair's own Crystal Series 680X, NZXT's H510 Elite, and the Fractal Design Define S2 Vision, to give you a solid idea of where this chassis sits versus competitors of a similar size and feature sets.
The large intake vents in the front of the case, combined with a trio of 120mm intake fans, provided more than enough airflow to keep the components in our test system cool. CPU temperatures leveled off at 57 degrees Celsius over ambient. Running the tests again with two fans in front and one in the rear made no noticeable difference in thermal performance. GPU temperatures maxed out at 49 degrees Celsius over the ambient room temperature.
As always, sound pressure level readings were taken with two off-the-shelf dB meters from two different angles. With the fan speed set at 1,400 rpm, our test system registered 29.1dBA at idle. With the test system under load, sound output reached a maximum of 31.7dBA. Although our alternative fan configuration didn't improve thermal performance, it made a noticeable difference in our audio test results with the system under load. Sound output under load dropped to 30.6dBA, the lowest of all the cases we tested against.
Cooling efficiency and noise levels are both important to enthusiasts when determining the base value of a chassis. Normally there is a trade off when swapping fans around from their default positions but, since our alternative fan configuration did not produce higher temps, those of you seeking a quiet build (and spreading the RGB across the interior of the chassis) might consider this.
Bottom Line
Corsair's iCUE 465X RGB is a great-looking case with the performance to match. With the right components and careful planning, this chassis is a solid choice for your next system build. The lack of a USB 3.1 Type-C port and odd 360mm radiator installation issue aside, the iCUE 465X RGB is a good value, a great performer, and should be at the top of your case consideration list.
Image Credits: Tom's Hardware
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