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For our tests we will be using a Noctua NH-L12 CPU cooler to cool the Intel Core i7-2700K. Our test system also features an AMD Radeon HD 6670 graphics card.
Test System:
Processor: Intel Core i7-2700K
Motherboard: Biostar TZ77XE4
Cooler: Noctua NH-L12
Thermal Paste: Arctic Cooling MX-3
Memory: 4GB (2x 2GB) Crucial Ballistix 1600 MHz
Graphics Card: AMD Radeon HD 6670
Power Supply: Thermaltake Toughpower 750W
System Drive: Crucial M4 256 GB
Monitor: Viewsonic VX2260WM
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Software:
CPUID Hardware Monitor
Prime95 64-bit
Furmark V1.9.2
To test the thermal performance of the case we loaded our test system for 10 minutes using Prime95 and Furmark and recorded the maximum temperatures reached using CPUID Hardware Monitor. We then restarted the system and left it for 10 minutes before recording idle temperatures. Room temperature was maintained at 17 degrees C for the duration of our tests. For the overclocked tests, we bumped the voltage up to 1.35V and used a frequency of 4.7 GHz.
The temperatures we recorded are about what we would expect at stock settings. When overclocked, there were slight increases in RAM and GPU temperatures which weren't overclocked. We expect that this could be a result of having no exhaust fans getting rid of the hot air from the system.
To test the noise performance of the case we placed our digital dBA meter 1m from the front of the case and replaced the Radeon HD 6670 with a HD 5550 Silence. We also momentarily detached our CPU cooler's fans so we were only taking the noise into account from the case fans. The noise level generated by these fans was below the 30 dBA minimum sensitivity level of our noise level meter.
While the GD07 isn't the most noisy case we've ever tested, we feel it is significantly louder than an HTPC case should be. We would like to see Silverstone adding a fan controller to the included bundle in the future so the fan noise can be reduced.
That’s one monster HTPC case. I don’t much get the need for full ATX for an HTPC, but it was interesting to learn about it.
Its a lovely looking design and ideal for someone who wants this in a ‘hi-fi’ style rack, but its still quite a physical footprint due to the boxy shape.
Yes its large, but, the great option on this is the ability to hold lots of drives. With an ATX board you can roll the HPTC NAS box functions into one case….
I just bought this case, im installing a ASUS Z9PE-D8 WS MOBO with two e5-2665’s i would like to fit the be quiet shadow rock top flows in, however i doubt this will be possible and will have to use Noctua NH-L12’s. Which ever i use i know ill be cutting the removable drive bay holder as one cooler will clash with it. will be nice though as it will be quite compact