Performance
Test System Configuration |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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 In Win H-Frame was recorded as 21.6ºC.
Intel's Ivy Bridge processors are known to get a little hot under the collar, but our Core i5-3570K keeps adequately cool - despite being ramped up to 4.4GHz. An actual temperature of 72ºC after 15 minutes of Prime95 is a very healthy return, and the chip appears to enjoy functioning in an open-air environment.
The GPUs, meanwhile, run a touch warmer at 74ºC, but these figures are well within the limits and despite having no dedicated fans, the H-Frame proves that an open-air configuration can help keep components running cool under load.
But if there's a catch, it's noise. The PC contained within the H-Frame is actually nice and quiet when it's at idle - a by-product of having no chassis fans - but apply some load and it quickly gets noisy. The amount of noise will of course depend on your internal components - you may even go for a completely-passive configuration - but high-end hardware, like our dual Radeon HD 7950s, will make a fair amount of noise and, as expected, the H-Frame does very little to keep unwanted noise at bay.
