Benchmarks: Temperature and Noise
Hot-running components present a challenge in a chassis as slim as the Node 202. The Arctic Freezer cooler manages to cope with the stock-clocked Intel CPU, but the graphics card does reach 80ºC and eventually lifts its foot off the gas. Perusing our log files reveals that GPU core speed would occasionally drop from 1,392MHz to 1,316MHz in order to keep temperature in check.
Keeping the chassis' vents free from obstruction is a good idea, however there's no easy fix for noise levels. The 3XS ST15 registered a quiet 33.7dB on our sound meter when idle, but that figure rises to 45.4dB when gaming, at which point the system's various fans become quite loud and clearly audible.