Benchmarking - Thermal

When benchmarking the Sidewinder, we test the temperatures of key components including the actual CPU temperature, the actual temperature inside the heatsink, the temperatures of the DDR, Northbridge, Southbridge, HDD, PSU, and the ambient temperature inside the case, all during normal operation. During our testing, the PSU and CPU heatsink fans remain on to measure temperatures during normal system operations.

Chaintech VNF3-250
AMD Athlon64 3200+
OCZ PC3200 DDR x 2
Zalman CNPS7000 Copper
Seagate Barracuda 120GB SATA
ATI 9800XT AGP8x
OCZ 520W PowerStream



Click to enlarge.

Since we have updated our test bed motherboard from a VIA chipset board to an nForce chipset board, the Northbridge results should be read as temperatures of the single nForce chip. Southbridge results are obviously not associated with nForce boards and are, therefore, left blank.

The thermal readings for the key components and points on the motherboard during operation were as follows:

Thermal Benchmarks - CPU

Thermal Benchmarks - Heat sink

Thermal Benchmarks - HDD

Thermal Benchmarks - DDR

Thermal Benchmarks - Northbridge(VIA)/nForce Chip(nForce)

Thermal Benchmarks - Southbridge(VIA Chipset Only)

Thermal Benchmarks - Power Supply

Thermal Benchmarks - System Ambient

From our results, we can see that the two 80mm fans on the left side panel helped in moving air into the Sidewinder. This chassis performed a few degrees cooler compared to Enermax's Sea Hawk that we benchmarked, only because of the side panel fans. The Sidewinder does have the potential to perform even better than it has this time around by adding a couple more fans to the back of the case to increase air flow through the chassis.

Installation Benchmarking - Sound
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  • ciwell - Monday, October 18, 2004 - link

    #11, then you would be working for ANTEC. :D
  • LoneWolf15 - Monday, October 18, 2004 - link

    I'm starting to think I should go into case design. All I'd have to do would be to make tasteful cases that actually cater to the people who build their own computers, as it appears few manufacturers are actually doing this, including this one. How about designing something with reasonable expansion, front mounted ports, a few mounts for large fans that move lots of air at lower noise levels, out of solid materials, with a modest look but easy to mod later? No aliens, no snakes, no naked chick truck mudflap logos...function first, with just enough basic form to be appealing.
  • ciwell - Monday, October 18, 2004 - link

    Good review...I think the last sentence in it says it all.
  • Operandi - Sunday, October 17, 2004 - link

    #8 Hmmmmm... Put a $90 PSU in a $4.99 case that seems like a likely scenario.....
  • shabby - Saturday, October 16, 2004 - link

    #7 the funny part is that they didnt even use the psu that came with the case, they used an ocz one, check page 8 lol
  • Gundamit - Saturday, October 16, 2004 - link

    #6 - What's really revolting is the 17A on the 12V rail. Get it? "Re-Volting" It like a ... oh nevermind.
  • diehlr - Saturday, October 16, 2004 - link

    Someone please give these case designers a clue. These cases with gaudy X's and tacky colored plastic are asthetically revolting.
  • stephenbrooks - Saturday, October 16, 2004 - link

    LOL @ #3

    I stared deeply into the chromed button and could only see a couple of black chairs in a white office, though, one with someone's coat hanging on it. Which page were you on?
  • Myrandex - Saturday, October 16, 2004 - link

    I am actually glad they reviewed it, because I was considering purchasing it for a computer I am gonna build soon (saw it for sale @ directron). Haven't made up my mind yet, but yea I am glad they reviewed it.
    Jason
  • Budman - Saturday, October 16, 2004 - link

    I can see a reflection of the reviewer in the chromed button. :)

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