Aerocool XPredator X1 Evil Black Edition Case Review

Testing:

Testing the Aerocool XPredator X1 required pushing my hardware to heat things up! Testing involved recording temperatures for the CPU, GPU, chipset, hard drives, and overall system during idle and load phases. Recently OCC has upgraded to the ForceGT 240GB SSD from Corsair and has removed the HDD temps from case reviews. HDTune is no longer a part of the case benchmarking process.

Load was simulated by running Prime95’s small FFTs along with 3Dmark Vantage looping for one hour. The maximum temperatures were recorded using HW Monitor. It is important to note that each case is tested from its factory setup, including location of fans, unless otherwise noted.

Testing Setup:

• Processor: Core i7 2600K @ 4.4 GHz 100 x 44
• CPU Cooling: Noctua NH-U12P SE 1366
• Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z68AP-D3
• Memory: Mushkin 991996 Redline PC3-17000 9-11-10-28 8 GB
• Video Card: XFX HD 7970
• PSU: Antec TruePower New TP-750
• Hard Drive: Corsair ForceGT 240GB
• Optical Drive: N/A
• OS: Windows 7 Pro 64-Bit SP1

Comparison Cases:

• Corsair 600T
• Corsair 650D
• Thermaltake Overseer RX-I
• COUGAR Evolution
• COUGAR Solution
• Thermaltake Commander MS-I
• Bitfenix Raider
• Corsair 300R
• Corsair 550D
• Enermax Fulmo GT
• Cooler Master HAF XM
• Corsair C70
• XION XON-980

Results:

Despite the agressive marketing and styling the Aerocool XPredator X1 Evil Black Edition performed pretty tamely. Even with the top vents fully open the CPU and GPU temperatures were up among the highest tested recently and the only real standout is the relatively average chipset temperatures under load. All in all this is a fairly poor showing for a case that promises great cooling. Perhaps with less powerful hardware it would fare better but with the OCC test rig this little case just can't keep up with the big dogs.