CM Storm Stryker Case Review

Testing:

Testing the CM Storm Stryker full tower case 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.

Load was simulated by running Prime95’s small FFTs while also running 3Dmark Vantage 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
• Corsair Vengeance C70
• XION XON-980
• AZZA Genesis 9000

Results:

So the Stryker did well with its size in cooling as expected. Anytime I get a big case in, I tend to expect it to cool better than a tiny one with all my hardware packed closely; more open space means more room for airflow. The CPU and chipset were about average, sitting just at the lower end of the pack. The GPU temps were what really impressed me; the temperatures were some of the lowest I've seen yet. I'm guessing the fans pushing air through the case and through the HDD cages are the cause of this. This blows the air across the end of the card getting rid of any heat it can at the end of the card there. The fact is, that it does an AWESOME job cooling and that is what matters.