Performance
Test System Configuration |
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|---|---|---|
| Motherboard | ASUS Sabertooth Z77 | |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-3570K @ 4.4GHz | |
| CPU Cooler | Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 | |
| Memory | G.Skill Ripjaws-X 8GB (F3-12800CL7D-8GBXH) | |
| Memory Speed and Timings | 1,600MHz, 7-8-7-24-2N | |
| Graphics Cards | 2x Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 OC in CrossFireX | |
| Storage | 120GB SanDisk Extreme SSD | |
| Optical Drive | Pioneer DVR-S19LBK DVD Writer | |
| Power Supply | Corsair HX1050W | |
Our new Z77 test platform consists of an ASUS Sabertooth motherboard, an Intel Core i5-3570K processor overclocked to a modest 4.4GHz and cooled by an Arctic Cooling Freezer 13 cooler, 8GB of high-performance G.Skill Ripjaws-X memory and two factory-overclocked Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 OC graphics cards in a CrossFireX configuration.
To find out how well the chassis can cool this particular setup, we record the CPU temperature after a 15-minute stint of the intensive Prime95 stress test is applied to all cores. To get an idea of GPU cooling performance, we record GPU temperature after 15 minutes of running Aliens vs. Predator. Last but not least, we also record chassis noise by using a PCE-318 noise meter to take readings when idle and while running Aliens vs. Predator.
All chassis are tested only with the standard manufacturer-supplied fans (any/all of which are set to 'silent' in the ASUS BIOS or low-speed using a fan controller if present), and to take into account the fluctuating ambient temperature, our graphs depict both actual and delta temperature - the latter is the actual CPU/GPU temperature minus the ambient. For the record, room temperature while testing the Fractal Design Define R4 was recorded as 19.8ºC.
Quiet enclosures have a tendency to deliver higher-than-average temperatures, but the Define R4 is showing little sign of compromise. These readings are taken with the chassis' fan controller set to quiet mode, but even then, CPU temperature remains comfortable under extreme load.
GPU cooling performance is good, too. The ability to remove the hard-disk cages seems to be helping, and an under-load temperature of 75ºC for a couple of overclocked Radeon HD 7950 OCs in CrossFire is really rather good.
Here's where the Define R4 really shines and the relatively-low noise readings are thanks in part to the chassis' cooling capabilities. By keeping the GPUs running at under 75ºC, fan speeds are kept to moderate levels and noise is kept in check. Of course, the Define R4 performs even better when idle; it's very, very quiet.