Benchmarks: Noise
The 3XS Performance GTX has impressed in the power consumption and temperature tests, but the results are less favourable in our noise benchmarks.
While the Carbide Series 300R chassis has shown that it can cool well, it features large mesh vents that allow noise to escape a little too easily. As a consequence, the 3XS Performance GTX is far from the loudest PC we've ever heard, but it's also a long way from being the quietest.
Cranking up the heat on the CPU raises noise levels further as the 120mm fan sandwiched in the Cogage Arrow cooler ramps up in speed. The noise increase isn't huge, but it is noticeable.
The GPU is usually one of the biggest culprits in system noise, but not in this case. The GeForce GTX 680 doesn't get particularly loud, and it allows the 3XS Performance GTX to remain in the top half of the chart.
Knowing that the CPU and GPU are able to keep noise levels down to a minimum, it'd be interesting to experience the 3XS Performance GTX specification in a soundproofed chassis such as Corsair's Obsidian Series 550D. The change would add roughly £60 to the build cost, but it's one that could transform the entire PC from clearly audible to almost silent.
