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Thermaltake Cases Are Suitable For Everyone’s Budget (Part 7)

6/3/2013 11:31:24 AM

Testing result

We haven’t deviated from our standard testing method for this test session (except for installing 1 more fan into Commander MS-III, this one is similar in design compared to Commander MS-II which we have tested at its default configuration), so we can turn to the test results instantly.

We will discuss about the computer cases in the order as we have described them.

Thermaltake MS-I

Thermaltake MS-I

Commander MS-I doesn’t have anything special in terms of ventilation. CPU, chipset of the motherboard and GPU seem to be hotter than usual, but the numbers are still far away from the warning level.

It’s the HDDs’ temperature that is a true catastrophe. There’s only one out of 4 HDDs that is cooler than 500C at idle mode! At high load level, each hard drive (except for bottom most) is always hotter than 600C! Though we used to get the same hot-level results at the WD Raptor hard drives fitted in the slots with no gap, these numbers are actually bad. We don’t advise you using this computer without installing at least 1 extra fan on the front.

Thermaltake MS-II

Thermaltake MS-II

It seems to be the same as MS-I, Commander MS-II is a much better surprise considering the ventilation aspect. It overwhelms MS-I for several degrees C at each temperature level. There’re only 2 hard drives that are hotter than 50°C at idle mode and one of which is hotter than 60°C at high load level.

There’re 2 factors contributing here: slightly higher speed of the fan (700 compared to 630 RPM) and the larger interior space of the chassis thanks to the dedicated cable compartment.

Anyhow, the hard drive is still too hot for regular computer cases, though the rest of the components are reasonably cooled.

Thermaltake MS-III

Thermaltake MS-III

Commander MS-III is also similar to MS-II but we install an extra fan opposite to the HDD rack. These 2 products only have difference in the way of designing the front face of the product, so they look the same in ventilation system.

Our installing an extra fan on the front doesn’t affect the temperature much, which saves for the hard drives. Some temperature points are even higher, maybe because of the stronger hot air flows from the hard drive.

The textured rubber dust filter anyhow weakens the air flows, so the fans on the front only lower the temperature of the hard drive of about 5-7°C, depending on the position and the load level of the specific drive. Therefore, all of our hard drives are only 40°C hot and the hottest one among them is 50°C under all load level.

Of course, many economical drives (may be placed apart from each other) will have such safer temperature, not over 40°C even at heavy load, but we have seen another cheap computer case having better result in terms of cooling HDD’s bays.

Thermaltake Level 10 GTS

Thermaltake Level 10 GTS

We use 4 Easy Swap slots for Level 10 GTS, remaining the inconvenient slots inside.

This computer is comparable to the Commander MS-III which is installed an extra fan: CPU and the HDDs are somewhat cooler (and can be much cooler if the hard drive bays are better designed) while GPU and chipset are partially hotter.

So, Level 10 GTS doesn’t have anything special regarding the ventilation aspect, so it attractive point locates somewhere else, at the design and usability.

Thermaltake Armor Revo (low fan speed)

Thermaltake Armor Revo (low fan speed)

Armor Revo has been tested in both of its high fan speeds.

The components have much better results compared to the previous computer cases even at low speed of 200mm fan. Despite having the same fan on the front of the HDD bay as on Level 10 GPS, the HDDs isn’t hotter than 41°C and both of our Raptors even cooler than 40°C under all load level!

Thermaltake Armor Revo (high fan speed)

Thermaltake Armor Revo (high fan speed)

Turning the fans to high mode reduces the temperatures of about 1-3°C, but the fans start making noise. That’s the reason why we recommend setting the fan at low speed, which also guarantees the excellent cooling efficiency.

He following graphs help you compare the tested computer cases in terms of cooling:

At idle mode

At idle mode

With IOmeter

With IOmeter

With Linpack

With Linpack

With MSI Kombustor

With MSI Kombustor

The Armor Revo is a real masterpiece. It is useful, providing good cooling efficiency outside the box with full protection against dust, offering a docking station for HDDs. Together with the old Armor design, this model will make a perfect case for a high-end gaming station. We recommend the more aesthetic black version.

Conclusion

The affordable products of the Commander MS family are the balanced computer cases offering quite excellent features against their prices. Especially, MS-II and MS-III support USB 3.0, which has the reusable splints and ensure the better ability of exhausting air than MS-I. The latter models have the more modern component layout with a dedicated cable compartment, so it looks neater when assembling, but MS-II and MS-III surpass at other parameters and they’re also easier to install. These product models looks appealing for the price they are offered, but we recommend you to install an extra fan to cool the disk racks.

Level 10 GTS doesn’t have any unique feature but the exterior appearance is stunning. It’s easy to install a computer inside, provides good dust-resistant ability and allows approaching he slots from the outside. However, its cooling capability is not quite impressive, especially when taking hard drive into account. But if you don’t have special requests about cooling (if you don’t gom into overclocking, for instance), Level 10 GTS may be suitable for you. Its price is reasonable enough for its functions.

Armor Revo is a true masterpiece. It’s useful, provides good out-case cooling ability along with the perfect dust-resistant capability and provides a station for the hard drive. In a combination with the old design of Armor, this model will be a perfect computer case for the advanced gamers. We recommend choosing the black version, which will be more aesthetic.

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