Performance
Test System Configuration |
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|---|---|---|
| Motherboard | ASUS Sabertooth Z77 | |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-3570K @ 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 Z77 test platform consists of an ASUS Sabertooth motherboard, an Intel Core i5-3570K processor overclocked to a modest 4.4GHz, 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 today's chassis was recorded as 20.6ºC.
There's absolutely no issue as far as CPU cooling performance is concerned. With our Core i5-3570K processor overclocked to 4.4GHz, the Define XL R2 manages to keep the chip running at 70ºC under extreme load - that's slightly better than the smaller Define R4.
Similarly, the chassis is more than up to the task of cooling our dual Radeon HD 7950 OC graphics cards. We've removed the upper drive cage in our test build, creating a clear path for front-to-back airflow, and it's working particularly well.
Out-the-box cooling performance is good on both the CPU and GPU fronts, but where Fractal's chassis continue to shine is system noise.
We had the Define XL R2's fans set to the low 5V profile for the idle reading, and the maximum 12V profile for the under-load reading, providing a best- and worst-case scenario. As with every Fractal Design chassis we've ever tested, the XL R2 does really well to keep noise levels in check; stick to the lowest fan profile and you'll barely hear it.