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 20.2ºC.
One interesting observation about the 800D was that it didn't always perform particularly well in its stock air-cooled configuration. Corsair isn't making the same mistake again, and if you're still saving for all those liquid-cooling upgrades, the four pre-installed fans will serve you well in the meantime. The 900D has more mesh vents than its predecessor, and the improved airflow means there's no problem cooling our overclocked Core i5-3570K chip.
It's a similar story on the graphics front, where our dual Radeon HD 7950 OC graphics cards seem to appreciate having three dedicated intakes up front and plenty of mesh panelling round back. Of course, most 900D owners will adopt far more elaborate cooling configurations, but it's handy to know that the default setup works well enough.
The 900D doesn't class silent running as a high priority, and as a consequence fan noise is obvious during everyday use. Corsair's AF-series fans aren't the most obtrusive - they create a constant hum as opposed to a loud whirr - but more could be done to soundproof the chassis when idle.