Benchmarks: Temperature
The power-draw results were good, but the Fusion Flash can at times struggle to dispel the heat generated.
In our tests, the system's Core i5-2500K CPU crept over the 80ºC mark with all four cores stressed by Prime95. That's a little higher than we'd like, particularly on a relatively-cold November day.
Similarly, the system struggles to keep the Radeon HD 6970 GPU cool under load. After a good spell of 3D gaming, we recorded a GPU temperature of 89ºC - a figure that suggests that the Define R3's single 120mm front intake is barely enough.
Turning up the speed of the chassis' integrated fan controller helps shave a few degrees off these figures - we recorded CPU and GPU temperatures of 77ºC and 86ºC, respectively, with the chassis fans at full speed - but there's clearly room for improvement. Chillblast will offer to add a further three fans at a cost of £25, but based on these temperatures, we'd like to see a second 120mm front intake installed as standard.
