Using the GPU to render raised GPU temperature to 21 degrees Celsius over ambient, the lowest result on the chart so far, ahead even of cases with direct GPU cooling like the SL600M. The P400A was two degrees warmer in this test; the CPU temperature here was also cooler than the P400A’s, although the TD500 Mesh has them both beaten in that category. Firestrike v71 said:Just read it now in 2020 - I am a bit cautious to compare the CPU&GPU temps when using two different coolers, even in the same P400A case (the Noctua12A and a 240mm AIO). Sure, it's also a comparative between the three cases in the same conditions, not only a comparative between fan placement and coolers. Still, I had an impression that an Asetek 240 AIO and Noctua 12a though not too far away from each other in terms of general performance, might still be in favor of the AIO by 2-4 degrees C (that's we're talking about in a review like that). Hence the comparison btwn a 240 AIO and Noctua12a might not be so representative for the CPU in the first place. Standardized fans are next. Before you read too far into this chart, please remember that standardized fan testing is inherently flawed, albeit still useful, in several ways. If you don’t actually know what our reasons are and you’re only guessing at them, please open a new tab with the link in the description about our standardized fan testing methodology for cases. CPU dT with the standardized set of fans was 46 degrees dT, close to the dT that resulted from installing two extra fans in a similar configuration. That ties the Pure Base 500DX as one of the best CPU temperature results on the standardized fan chart so far, although our pool of results for this test remains far lower than the others. The P400A scored a little better at 44C dT, but both of these are really excellent results compared to a more “normal” case layout with a closed front panel, like the Define 7 at 56 degrees Celsius dT. Given appropriate cooling, this case can really shine. Obviously the 500DX and 4000D are both strong competitors here as winners of the previous category, but the overall winner for noise-normalized testing is the Phanteks P500A Digital. Two of Lian Li’s cases scored better in CPU temperature, especially the Lancool 215 with an exceptionally good average, but the P500A had the best balance of CPU and GPU temperatures without exceeding 36dBA at 20”. The Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2 also came close, with the lowest GPU temperature we’ve seen thus far in this test thanks to its height, fans, and the amount of open space in the bottom of the case. Radiator compatibility at the front of the case is claimed to be 280mm with clearance up to 315mm, but that’s generous--315mm is the total space between the top of the PSU shroud and the bottom of the front I/O. 315mm in total height is actually unusually short for a 280mm rad, and even ones that are that short will have zero wiggle room and may not line up with the mounting holes, like the Kraken x62. We recommend using a 240mm or smaller radiator for this case. Outside of that, mounting is fairly straightforward. Since nothing can be mounted below the level of the PSU shroud, there’s no caveat about only being able to install 360mm radiators tubes-up, which is more common than it should be. Please don’t install radiators tubes-up, by the way. Clearance between the mesh of the front panel and the fan mounts is 3cm, so fans could be installed on the front of the chassis inside the front panel if necessary. Clearance from the top fan mount to the top edge of the motherboard is also about 3cm, and the fan mount isn’t offset away from the board, so radiators won’t fit here and Phanteks doesn’t claim that they will.

Also, a panel acts sort of as a dust filter. Well, smaller particles will pass through, but it’s good enough having in mind you will get lots of fresh air.

Top 5 Gaming PC Cases

Prior to load testing, we collect idle temperature results for ten minutes to determine the unloaded cooling performance of a case's fans and air channels. Thermal benchmarking is conducted for 1400 seconds (23 minutes), a period we've determined sufficient for achieving equilibrium. The over-time data is aggregated and will occasionally be compiled into charts, if interesting or relevant. The equilibrium performance is averaged to create the below charts. With the same configuration but medium fan speed, CPU temp dropped by three degrees and a GPU by two degrees celsius. Small form factor cases are a pain. Either they’re so small that building in them requires assembling and disassembling the system ten times, or they’re so large that there’s hardly any difference from a mid tower. The NR200P fits firmly into the first camp, but it’s also a cool case with some interesting features.

Compared to the other cases, 48C is excellent, beating the P400A slightly and landing among the best GPU thermals we’ve measured in this test, tied with the likes of the RV02. Competition is tight here, with the TD500 only a couple degrees warmer at 50C dT, but the P500A is ahead. Noise + Noise Normalized Noise-normalized results are up now: The speed reduction resulted in a CPU dT of 50.5 degrees over ambient, impressively close to the baseline temperature. That’s handily the best noise-normalized result on our limited, new chart so far, with the NR600 in second place at 54.7C dT. Two more 3.5 or 2.5-inch drives can be installed to a drive bay. 3.5-inch drive can be mounted super easy and no tools are required. As for 2.5-inch drive, you will need to use screws. There are some cable management cutouts at the top, bottom and the ones in the midsection are covered with rubber grommets. And on the other side, we have a few hook and loop straps that make a sort of a cable routing channel and some zip tie points.Changing ALDreactionchambers can takea whole daydue to the need for them tocool down, but the P400A cuts this down to minutes. Its design allows the operator to simply pull out the reaction chamberand otherparts thatrequirecleaning. We loved the tempered glass side panel, so you can see everything going on inside, turning this into a bit of a statement piece. Although, it’s not all looks. The roomy interior allows for 280-360mm radiator up front, and vertical GPU mounting. Not to mention room for up to an EATX motherboard also available. At the bottom, underneath a PSU, we have a dust filter. I like this bottom filter as it has some plastic housing so it’s quite easily removable and you will have no probs when cleaning. Find our noise normalized & fan normalized testing methodology here: https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/3477-case-fan-standardization-tests-noise-normalized-thermals Thermals & Noise

At the end of the day, chosing your case for your new RTC 4070 is a case-by-case decision (pun intended). Each person has different priorities and different budgets. If you’re looking for more of a showpiece we would recomment the Hyte Y60. If you’re looking on a budget though, the Phanteks Eclipse is probably the better choice. Frequently Asked Questions We requested the old P400 panel as well because that’s the real benchmark for the P400A: how much better it performs than its sealed-off predecessor. We couldn’t simply seal off the vent holes in a P400A front panel because the P400 actually has filtered ventilation strips at the top and bottom that aren’t present in the P400A, so that air will be directed through the front panel instead of behind the top and bottom of the panel as it was in the older case. The P400A has no filters at all, and we like to see this on cases with fine mesh fronts--plenty of dust gets caught in the external grille, and adding another layer of filtration behind it only serves to kill airflow and defeat the purpose. The old P400 has bad airflow, and the new front panel design of the P400A is the reason we chose to review it in the first place.Up next is Best Noise-Normalized Thermals. For this one, we’re giving it to the Phanteks P500A Digital. Noise-normalized performance is different from our purely thermal category, because now we’re setting all cases to equate the same volume, then testing to see who has the most efficient cooling at a given volume. This takes away the ability for a case to brute-force the cooling performance, and instead puts focus on design efficiency. Just read it now in 2020 - I am a bit cautious to compare the CPU&GPU temps when using two different coolers, even in the same P400A case (the Noctua12A and a 240mm AIO). Sure, it's also a comparative between the three cases in the same conditions, not only a comparative between fan placement and coolers. Still, I had an impression that an Asetek 240 AIO and Noctua 12a though not too far away from each other in terms of general performance, might still be in favor of the AIO by 2-4 degrees C (that's we're talking about in a review like that). Hence the comparison btwn a 240 AIO and Noctua12a might not be so representative for the CPU in the first place. As for the form factor support, the usual statement about so-called “EATX” cases applies: this case will support motherboards that line-up with the CEB form factor, but not SSI-EEB, so it’s not really appropriate to say it supports “E-ATX,” since that’s a made-up form factor that doesn’t mean anything. SSI-CEB is the motherboard support.