Performance
Our Core i5-3570K is overclocked to 4.4GHz and forced to get hot under the collar via a Prime95 stress test. This is a demanding test, but the chip appears to be liking the 90-degree rotation, with the RV05 delivering the lowest delta temperature we've seen to date.
Good CPU cooling performance isn't always translated to ample GPU airflow, but once again the Raven passes the test with flying colours. Our dual Radeon HD 7950 OC cards are kept well within their limits - even on a hot summer's day - and while the rotated layout may be unorthodox, it evidently works. It's worth noting, also, that our tests were conducted with the fan controllers set to low, and switching on up to medium or high does shave a further few degrees off CPU/GPU temps.
It's all good news, folks, as the RV05's high-end cooling capabilities are provided by two large fans that run nice and quiet. You can barely hear them when idle, and under load it's the graphics configuration that's creating all the fuss. If it's strong performance and relatively low noise you're after, the new Raven is a good proposition.