Super Flower X-Mask: Mild-Mannered or Superhero?
by Purav Sanghani on May 20, 2004 12:05 PM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Benchmarking
When benchmarking the X-Mask, we test the temperatures of key components including the actual CPU temperature, the actual temperature inside the heatsink, the temperatures of the DDR, Northbridge, Southbridge, HDD, PSU, and the ambient temperature inside the case, all during normal operation. During our testing, the PSU and CPU heatsink fans remain on to measure temperatures during normal system operations.Gigabyte GA-7VRX |
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The thermal readings for the key components and points on the motherboard during operation were as follows:
| Super Flower X-Mask | |||||||||
| System On-Time | CPU | Heatsink | HDD | DDR | Northbridge | Southbridge | Power Supply (TTGI) |
Power Supply (Atlas) |
System Ambient |
| 10 | 54.3 | 37.5 | 28.1 | 34.5 | 39.9 | 38.8 | 26.2 | 26.6 | 32.8 |
| 30 | 55.9 | 38.4 | 29.5 | 36.1 | 40.5 | 40.1 | 27.1 | 27.7 | 34.2 |
| Lian Li PC-V1000 | ||||||||
| System On-Time | CPU | Heatsink | HDD | DDR | Northbridge | Southbridge | Power Supply (TTGI) |
System Ambient |
| 10 | 50.1 | 31.2 | 24.3 | 33.2 | 35.6 | 34.5 | 25.1 | 25.4 |
| 30 | 51.3 | 33.1 | 25.1 | 35.1 | 36.8 | 35.9 | 27.5 | 26.6 |
| Opus Technologies, Inc. MT-200 | ||||||||
| System On-Time | CPU | Heatsink | HDD | DDR | Northbridge | Southbridge | Power Supply (TTGI) |
System Ambient |
| 10 | 52.5 | 37.5 | 28.8 | 34.3 | 39.1 | 39.3 | 29.3 | 29.7 |
| 30 | 53.7 | 39.0 | 29.5 | 36.8 | 40.2 | 39.9 | 31.2 | 30.4 |
The X-Mask performed at about the level of the NZXT Guardian. The temperatures were a bit higher due to the placement of the case fans. The X-Mask lacked the fans on the backside of the case, which the Guardian had, yet the X-Mask did have twin 80mm fans at the front of the chassis to cool the HDDs.
Since the X-Mask lacked the back side fans, we found that in many of the other cases where we predicted the noise levels to be much lower than the competition. We measured the noise level of the X-Mask 12" away from the closed chassis with the power supply fan turned off. Take a look at our results.
| Case | dBA |
| Super Flower X-Mask | 51 |
| Lian Li PC-V1000 | 46 |
| Opus Technologies MT-200 | 56 |
| NZXT Guardian | 49 |
| Ahanix Black Knight X195 | 50 |
As you can see, the X-Mask performed at the same level as the Guardian and the Ahanix Black Knight. This is mainly due to the number of fans in each chassis.
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21 Comments
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LoneWolf15 - Thursday, May 27, 2004 - link
Quoted from the article:"If you like a clean-looking case with features like a tool-less design and top performance as far as cooling and sound goes, the X-Mask may not be the right choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy the Spiderman theme and plenty of storage space, not to mention an included power supply, then look no further."
Hate to say it, but this is the same kind of poor summary statement that Computer Shopper started putting on their articles in the mid 90's when they sold out to their advertisers and became reluctant to use blunt words like "overpriced" "ugly" or, in this case "a silly generic case with a redesigned front obviously meant for fanboys rather than serious hardware enthusiasts". Man, when a case stinks, JUST SAY IT for Pete's sake!
Zak - Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - link
Yes, this thing is hideous. Such review is a waste of resources, frankly. Zak.Dantzig - Monday, May 24, 2004 - link
I wouldn't put that case anywhere that people could see it if I were being paid. I'm surprised that Anandtech didn't just laugh at the "opportunity" to review this thing. Anandtech is a classy site. It's expected that you would have some standards.Operandi - Monday, May 24, 2004 - link
I’ll agree that most pre-modded cases are crap (esthetically anyway) and this is fine example. I mean anything can be done tastefully, windows, neon’s, and led fans included this just isn’t an example of how to do it.The biggest problem we have here is the 5th grade inspired Spiderman theme. Maybe if I was 10 but I’m not, sorry.
segagenesis - Sunday, May 23, 2004 - link
I grow tired of pre-modded cases myself, at least its been going overboard lately with some designs. What matters most is whats *inside* the case, as no amount of lights, windows, decals, paint and stickers will improve airflow or bring in good design automatically. Despite its now plain exterior my Coolermaster ATCS case reminds me of what good case design really is, I would rather not part with this thing.timebecomes - Saturday, May 22, 2004 - link
buleyb - Saturday, May 22, 2004 - link
The SLK3700AMB is a good steal at around $60. Stick a Forton PS (any of them with 120mm fans) and you have an ultraquiet box.TrogdorJW - Friday, May 21, 2004 - link
I agree with all the previous comments. Yuck. Do people actually like premodded cases? And why the hell did they put a power supply with a 120mm fan into the system when the front of the system still includes two crappy 80mm fans?Since AT isn't reviewing anything that I would purchase, how about recommendations from others: I want relatively inexpensive computer cases with 120mm fans, with any special lights. A window is okay, but I don't really want it, and LED fans are garbage. Maybe if you want a night-light for the room, but I want my room to be DARK when I sleep (and I often leave my PC on). I like the Antec Sonata and SLK3700-BQE. Without breaking the bank (less than $125 including PSU), what are some other good, quiet cases?
Linden - Friday, May 21, 2004 - link
Simply the tackiest case I've ever seen. Really, was it designed to appeal to 11-year olds? '...it indicates some jackass marketing flack took a normal case and said "hey let's put a spider-esque print on the front, snap in a custom light and call it a spiderman case' I believe that's exactly what happened.Anandtech - you guys are much too good to be reviewing crap like this. Come one - there are so many really good cases out there that we privateers would love to see opened before us via our monitors. Leave the boy wonder stuff to lesser tech sites.
AtaStrumf - Friday, May 21, 2004 - link
Well, since you asked: I have 5 80mm fans in addition to a CPU, GPU and 2 PSU fans in my chieftec big tower. I sleep just fine thank you very much and my HDDs feel great. If you keep your fans at around 2000 - 2500 RPM and are not suffering from insomnia you should be just fine.