Cooler Master CSX Stacker 830 Red Flame Edition Review

Testing:

In order to figure out just where the Cooler Master CSX Stacker 830 stacks up in cooling efficiency, we must test it in "as delivered" condition. To do this, I will run a series of programs to stress test the components installed in the chassis while using temperature monitoring programs to measure the maximum temperatures reached by each component. To load the CPU and memory controller, I will use Prime 95 25.8 with a run time of 1 hour, and will average the highest temperatures recorded in Real Temp version 3.0. To stress test the video card, I will loop 3dMark06 and use Riva Tuner 2.24 as my tool to monitor the temperatures delivered. For the board components, I will use the utility supplied with the board - MSI's Overclocking utility - to measure the system and IOH temperatures, taking the highest values for each. To load the hard drive, I will run a disk defrag and monitor the temperatures with HD Tune.

Testing Setup:

• Processor: Intel i7 920 (Stock & 3.33GHz)
• Motherboard: MSI X58 Platinum
• Memory: Mushkin HP3 12800 7-7-7-20
• Video Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 260
• Power Supply: Mushkin 800w Modular Power Supply
• Hard Drive: Seagate 1TB SATA
• Optical Drive: Lite-on DVD-RW
• Case: Cooler Master CSX Stacker 830 Red Flame
• OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit
• Ambient Temperature: 24° Celsius

Comparison Cases:

• Case: Thermaltake Armor Plus
• Case: Silverstone Fortress FT01
• Case: Cooler Master ATCS 840

The configuration of the RC 830 chassis with only two 120mm, 43 CFM fans, shows what the lack of massive airflow brings to the temperature equation when the other cases are gifted with large fans. The Stacker case offers airflow potential, but does not deliver as expected. Temperatures are close across the board with the exception of the chipset temperatures. In this configuration, though, the Cooler Master CSX Red Flame Edition RC 830 chassis is dead silent - a big plus when I am done with the hardcore noise makers in my test area.