Xigmatek Elysium Review

Performance Analysis

Having fitted our test system into the Elysium, we were amazed at the way in which the case dwarfed our ATX hardware. Size isn’t everything, though, so we fired up our regular suit of tests to put the Elysium through its thermal paces. Under full heavy CPU and GPU load it managed a CPU delta T of 50°C - a good 8°C warmer than a leading air-cooled case such as SilverStone's FT02R-W. While the result is still above average, far cheaper cases such as Fractal Design's Arc managed lower temperatures.

The Elysium fared better at cooling the GPU, undoubtedly thanks to the side panel fan. A delta T of 40°C was much more befitting of its size and price tag, elevating the Elysium into the top ten cases we've seen for GPU cooling. It was only 4°C warmer than the Cooler Master HAF X, which currently holds the crown for GPU cooling. Throughout testing, the Elysium’s four cooling fans all remained very quiet too. Using them in addition to a water-cooling system will result in both a cool and quiet system.

Conclusion

The most pleasing fact about the Xigmatek Elysium is that it finally fills a long standing gap in the market. Finally there’s a large, sub-£200 case that's has been designed with water-cooling in mind.

The fact you can fit a triple 140mm radiator in the roof without any modding means it stands head and shoulders above cases such as the SilverStone FT02, Cooler Master ATCS 840 and NZXT Phantom. These three cases all boast water-cooling support, but they're resoundingly bettered by the Elysium, which is comfortably capable of housing the equipment for even the most ambitious water-cooling loop.

The lack of an external fan controller is a little disappointing, and there are cheaper, cooler and better featured options if you're not considering water-cooling. However, if you're not put off by the Elysium's looks and monstrous size, it has everything you need to build a monster water-cooled PC.