CM Storm Scout 2 Case Review

Testing:

Testing the CM Storm Scout 2 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 upgraded to the ForceGT 240GB SSD from Corsair and has removed the HDD temps from case reviews. Thus, 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:

The temperatures were about average within the large listing of tested cases, which I always find as a positive. Too high on the chart and I'll complain; otherwise, things aren't on fire, so that's good. The rear fan really seems to help push air through the CPU cooler and really keeps the temperatures low under load. The CPU load graph was one of the most impressive in the ranks. I'm really pleased with this. Several more fans in this case and you'll be good to go. Considering the savings on the cost of the case, you ought to have enough left in the budget for a couple.