Benchmarks
We've loaded up the Precision Series PS07 chassis with a mid-range test system that includes an Intel Core i5-2500 processor and a discrete, factory-overclocked Inno 3D GeForce GTX 550 Ti graphics card.
To see how well the chassis can cool these integral system components, we record CPU temperature firstly when the system is idle, and secondly following a 15-minute stint of the Prime95 stress test. Similarly, GPU temperature is also recorded when idle and after 15 minutes of GPU-busting Furmark.
The high load of the respective stress tests represents a worst-case scenario, and gives us an idea of the chassis' maximum cooling capacity. During testing, each chassis is configured only with its standard manufacturer-supplied fans, and all fans are set to operate at their default speed. In order to take into account the fluctuating ambient temperature, our graphs depict the delta temperature - that's actual CPU/GPU temperature minus the ambient - and, just so we're clear, room temperature at the start of testing was recorded for each chassis as follows:
SilverStone Precision PS07 - 19.2ºC
SilverStone Fortress FT03 - 23.6ºC
Corsair Carbide Series 400R - 21.4ºC
Here's a detailed breakdown of the chassis tested, as well as a complete list of our test system components:
Comparison Chassis |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| SilverStone Precision PS07 | SilverStone Fortress FT03 | Corsair Carbide Series 400R | |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 210mm x 374mm x 400mm | 235mm x 487mm x 284mm | 206mm x 503mm x 521mm |
| Weight | 5.2kg | 6.7kg | 7.0kg |
| Available colours | Black | Black or Silver | Black |
| Base material | Steel structure with plastic front panel | Steel structure with aluminium outer shell | Steel structure with molded plastic accents |
| Motherboard support | Micro-ATX, DTX, Mini-ITX | Micro-ATX, Mini-DTX, Mini-ITX | Micro-ATX, ATX |
| 5.25in drive bays | 2x external | 1x external (slimline) | 4x external |
| 3.5in / 2.5in drive bays | 5x internal 3.5in 1x internal 2.5in |
2x internal 3.5in |
6x internal 3.5in/2.5in |
| I/O panel | USB 3.0 x2 Audio x1 Mic x1 |
USB 3.0 x2 Audio x1 Mic x1 |
USB 3.0 x2 FireWire x1 Audio x1 Mic x1 |
| Expansion slots | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Supplied fans | 2 x 120mm (front) | 2 x 120mm (bottom) 1 x 120mm (top) |
2 x 120mm (front) 1 x 120mm (rear) |
| Power supply | ATX (not supplied) | ATX (not supplied) | ATX (not supplied) |
System Configuration |
||
|---|---|---|
| Motherboard | Intel DH67BL | |
| CPU | Intel Core-i5 2500 | |
| CPU heatsink/fan | Intel reference (E97378-001) | |
| Memory | 8GB (2 x 4GB) Corsair Vengeance DDR3 | |
| Graphics card | Inno3D GeForce GTX 550 Ti OC | |
| Power supply | Corsair Builder Series CX430 | |
| Storage | Corsair Force Series 3 SSD | |
Thermal performance
Even with Intel's low-profile reference cooler, the 3.3GHz Core i5-2500 processor doesn't get too hot under extreme load. As far as CPU cooling is concerned, there's hardly anything separating the three unique enclosures.
There's a clear difference in GPU cooling capability, though. In this test, our Inno3D GTX 550 Ti OC graphics card gets noticeably warmer in the two micro-ATX chassis.
The under-load temperatures are no cause for alarm, but if you are planning on installing a high-end GPU in this chassis, we'd recommend a graphics card that exhausts hot air out the back and the addition of a 120mm exhaust fan.
Noise
To find out how loud the Fortress FT03 can get we're using a PCE-318 noise meter placed at the front of each chassis to take decibel readings while the system is idle.
Having the two front 120mm intakes behind a plastic door helps dampen some of the noise, and it's enough to make the PS07 one of the quieter chassis available.