Enermax Uber Chakra Case

With the new heatsink installed we were able to boot up successfully and stress test the newly formed rig.

Running in an ambient of 20-21˚C we started measuring how well the system handled when idle. With both case fans running the case temperature hovered at 21˚C and the CPU was steady at 44˚C. It didn't make a tremendous difference if the side-mounted fan was set to intake or outtake. With only the front fan running however the case temperature rose to 23˚C while the CPU remained level. Shutting the front fan off as well caused the case temperature to rise another degree to 24˚C though the CPU again remained steady.

With the idle temperatures set, we began stressing the system properly. It's at this point in a review that even the mightiest and kindest technology journalist lets out an evil laugh.

Under stress and with both fans working the in-case temperature again hovered at 23˚C, showing that the case fans were doing an OK job of maintaining the overall temperature, while the CPU temperature climbed up to 58˚C. Shutting off the side fan and running the same test for the same amount of time only increased the case temperature to 24˚C and produced no change in CPU temperature, which again peaked at 58˚C.

With neither case fans running at all the same tests let the case reach a pleasant 26˚C while the CPU stopped neatly at 60˚C which, though a tad warm, is not really system-threatening.

I'm pleased to say that noise was also a minor concern for the system and that both of the case fans span quickly and quietly, with the foam backing on the front of the case helping to dampen down any unwanted decibels. Enermax boasts that the side fan spins at 650 RPM and doesn't get a blip over 17dB, a claim we certainly can't refute.

Conclusions

The Enermax Uber Chakra isn't a fantastic case, but it certainly isn't bad. There's the usual number of pros and cons that you come to expect with almost any case these days.

On the down side there's the previously mentioned hassle with breaking the side-mounted fan cable and the problem of scratching your desktop with those plastic feet (if you foolishly choose to install the case on your desk). Granted, careful users won't have too much of a problem with these and if you aren't going to be towing your PC to LAN parties then you probably won't be affected by desktop scratches, but the type of user who buys a system-less case is generally a bit more demanding than other PC users.

Of course, this point is also entirely moot if you choose to install the case on your floor, which is where the Uber Chakra was obviously designed to sit. There aren't many people with a desk sturdy and spacious enough that they can spare room for a full tower case anyway.

While on the subject of roominess, the case is plenty large enough at 550x246x552mm so that there is no need for cramming components in. The fold-out feet steady the chassis on thick carpet and the side-mounted monster fan can even cool your feet on a hot day if you want.

In terms of prices we were only able to find one UK retailer who stocked it, and it retailed there for £85. In the US prices were a little better and sellers were a little easier to find. Either way the case was fairly competitively priced and though it is just a few bob more than we'd like to pay, it wasn't a massive wallet busting stretch at all.

All in all though, it's a simple case with a massive interior that offers decent cooling performance thanks to the included fans. It's not as cheap as we would have liked, but nothing ever is. If you're looking for a new case to house your system then you could do much worse than the Uber Chakra, but to be fair, we think Gigabyte's 3D Aurora 570 is a better buy at a similar price.