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TEST RESULTS
For testing we slowed the Nexus fan mounted on the Zalman CNPS7700 cooler to
80% (according to SpeedFan) resulting in a fan speed of approximately 930 RPM.
The system fan, a Nexus 80mm model was set to 8V (1020 RPM) — enough to
make it run at a reasonable speed without a major impact on the overall system
noise.
The noise level with our test configuration was impressive. The Nexus power
supply and WD Green Power drives are two of the best models in their class in
terms of acoustics. The only truly audible noise sources, the Nexus fans, run
smoothly and sound innocuous even at higher fan speeds. Silence is not inherent
in the case's design — the fan and power supply vents are more or less
flush with the fans and there is no soft-mounting option for the hard drive.
However, if the selected components are quiet enough, these limitations simply
aren't an an issue.
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System Measurements
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State
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Idle
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Load
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Idle
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Load
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Fan Speeds
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CPU: 930 RPM
SYS: Off
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CPU: 930 RPM
SYS: 1020 RPM
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Noise Level
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17 dBA
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20 dBA
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CPU Temp
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22°C
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55°C
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19°C
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53°C
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SB Temp
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45°C
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46°C
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39°C
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46°C
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HD Temp
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34°C
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36°C
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30°C
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33°C
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Ambient temperature: 22°C
Ambient noise level: 11 dBA
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Our system measured 17 dBA@1m with only the CPU fan running and 20 dBA@1m with
the system fan turned on as well. Users typically sit at a distance of 8 feet
or more from their home theater equipment and have a good level of sound pumping
out of their speakers so this particular system should be completely inaudible
in your average media room whether the system fan is turned on or not.
Thermal performance was also fairly good with the CPU temperature topping out
at only 55°C at full load with the system fan off. An Intel 45nm dual core
chip is easily cooled even with an outdated heatsink like the Zalman CNPS7700.
The addition of the system fan did improve temperatures, cooling the CPU and
hard drive by an additional 2-3°C and the southbridge by an extra 6°C
when idle.
REMOTE / iMON SOFTWARE
The included remote is capable of performing a variety of tasks, it's range
is superb — it continued to function even from a distance of 45 feet in our
lab. Also, as the receiver is internal, there is no USB dongle protruding from
the case. The remote is powered by 2 x AAA batteries.
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