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Looking at thermal performance, here I also tested both the i3 and i5, just to show you what things would be like if you did decide to upgrade the processor. Both CPUs do actually use the same Intel stock cooler, despite the i5 having a slightly higher TDP. As expected, that means the i5 did run a little hotter, but not by much, and I have to say the stock cooler on the i3 did very well, keeping peak package temperatures below 80C, whether than was gaming or in Cinebench.
Likewise, the MSI Ventus 2X RTX 3060 is no problem at all, hitting 68C for the GPU and 79C for the hotspot, which are both very respectable results.
Noise levels also proved very innocuous, hitting 37dBa when using the i3. When switching to the i5, I did notice the stock cooler had to ramp up its fan a bit more aggressively, resulting in more noise of up to 40dBa during gaming – but even that is not too bad at all and is easily drowned out with a gaming headset.
Lastly, power draw is nice and low, hitting about 280W while gaming with the i3 installed, and this increased by 20W when we switched over to the i5. That leaves a load of headroom with the 650W InWin PSU, so there’s definitely scope for a GPU upgrade down the line as well.
