COUGAR Challenger Case Review

Testing:

Testing the COUGAR Challenger 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:

• AZZA Genesis 9000W
• CM Scout 2
• CM Stryker
• Corsair 300R
• Corsair 550D
• Corsair 600T
• Corsair 650D
• Corsair C70
• COUGAR Evolution
• COUGAR Solution
• Game Tiger Mage Mi-3
• Game TIger Tiger As-19
• Game TIger T-Rex Fr-16
• Cooler Master HAF XM
• Raidmax Orion
• Antec Three Hundred Two

Results:

On average the COUGAR Challenger performed quite well under load. The CPU temperatures, GPU temperatures, and chipset temperatures were all fairly good and left nothing wanting. The stock fans are relatively quiet given how much air they seem to move and won't leave noise purists with headaches… all I heard during testing was the screaming of the GPU as it was tortured by the OCC suite of tests. Overall, a good performance from a fairly cheap case!