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Benchmarks & Conclusion
| Test Configuration | |
| Cooling | Cooler Master Hyper T4 |
| CPU | Core i5-7500 @ 3.8GHz (38x 100MHz w/ 1.2V Core) |
| Graphics | Radeon RX 580 @ Max Fan Speed w/ AMD Radeon Crimson ReLive 17.9.1 |
| Memory | Patriot Viper DDR4 3000MHz (16GB) @ 16-17-17-36 |
| Motherboard | Z270 Gaming M5 w/ Firmware 7A78v17 (07/03/2017) & Intel INF 10.1.1.42 |
| PSU | Sparkle Magna Platinum (650W) |
| Software | Windows 10 Pro |
| Storage | Agility 4 (128GB) |
| Thermal Paste | MX-4 |
Comparison Products
[Note: This is a different test platform from the one used in our other ATX case reviews, so we re-tested the BitFenix Nova to keep the comparison fair. This is indicated by the "test #2." Readers who are good with numbers should be able to make comparisons between the cases tested here and those tested at our other lab.]
Under full load, temperatures on our budget quad-core i5-7500 processor running at 3.8 GHz never rose more than 41°C over the ambient temperature of 25°C. GPU temperatures ramped up extremely quick, but we believe this is a side effect of the airflow being diverted by the PSU tunnel, because temperatures eventually leveled off at 51°C over ambient. Overall, both CPU and GPU temps were the lowest of the cases in this comparison set.
Acoustics were decent at idle, registering just 31dBA. But the sound level increased significantly once the system was under full load. At 38.6dBA, the Ostrog Lite was the loudest of the three chassis. However, it wasn’t so much the noise produced by the fully assembled system that bothered us, it was the noise produced by chassis vibrations and rattling that were the most distracting.
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.
Although the chart above, based on a $60 MSRP, shows a 6% below average value, the street price for this chassis currently sits at $50. Based on that, along with the Ostrog Lite's thermal performance, it's a good value. At MSRP, the value falls a bit.
Although the "look" of a case is subjective and will vary from person to person, we believe most people will find the minimalist design of the Enermax Ostrog Lite handsome. And we believe the universal good looks will appeal to budget conscious enthusiasts and gamers alike. The Enermax Ostrog Lite, thanks in most part to its budget-friendly street price, is a solid choice for those looking for value.
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