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Test Results - Configuration #2 (HD 4870)
Case with test system installed (2 x HD 4870 in CrossFireX). |
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System Measurements (HD 4870)
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System State
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Idle
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CPU + GPU Load
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Active Fans
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none
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front, rear & side @12V
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front & rear @12V
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none
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SPL@1m
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18~19 dBA
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26~27 dBA
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28~29 dBA
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32 dBA
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CPU Temp
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37°C
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48°C
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54°C
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68°C
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SB Temp
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49°C
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45°C
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57°C
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64°C
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HD Temp
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40°C
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34°C
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36°C
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40°C
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GPU Temp
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79°C
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84°C
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87°C
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91°C
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GPU Fan
Speed
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960 RPM
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1710 RPM
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1950 RPM
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2330 RPM
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CPU fan set to 100% speed.
Ambient temperature: 22°C.
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Aside from a large spike in Southbridge temperature, adding a
HD 4870 had little impact on our test system when idle. The CPU heated up by
about 6°C and the overall noise level increased by less than 1 dBA. On load,
we tested with all the fans off, with the front and rear fans at 12V, and with
the front, rear, and side 140 mm fans at 12V.
As the graphics card fan was the main source of noise and reacted
to temperature, the noise level was lowest when all the fans were on. The side
fan was by far the noisiest of the three, but it made the most impact, improving
temperatures across the board. It caused the Southbridge to cool down tremendously
and allowed the GPU fan to spin 240 RPM slower. The system was fairly loud with
the GPU fan spinning at about 1700 RPM, and all the system fans blowing at full
speed, the acoustic profile was smooth without any irritable characteristics.
Without the extra airflow from the side intake fan, the two low
speed stock fans were not very effective in keeping the system cool. They were
very quiet, but for a machine with a powerful graphics card, they are insufficient.
The system measured 26~27 dBA@1m at full load with all fans @12V. |
Comparisons
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HD 4870 Configuration Comparison (Load)
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Case
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Antec 1200*
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Define R2
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Antec 902
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Active Fans
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top, rears @low
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rear, front & side @12V
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rear, front @low
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SPL@1m
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25~26 dBA
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26~27 dBA
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27~28 dBA
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CPU Temp
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46°C
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48°C
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49°C
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SB Temp
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49°C
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45°C
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50°C
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HD Temp
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31°C
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34°C
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31°C
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GPU Temp
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85°C
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84°C
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81°C
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GPU Fan
Speed
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1760 RPM
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1710 RPM
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1860 RPM
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CPU fan set to 100% speed
All temperature results adjusted to 22°C ambient.
*Antec 1200 tested with Antec CP-850.
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Compared to more open airflow cases, the Define R2 put up surprisingly stiff
competition. From a thermal standpoint, it is on par with the larger
Antec 1200, though the 1200 managed to do the same job while generating
1 dBA less noise. The R2 in turn, puts up a similar victory over the Antec
902. The results are perhaps closer than they should have been given
that both Antec cases were tested without a side fan.
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