The main tests of a system case, other than the aesthetic, are to do with noise, ease of installation and heat performance. Ideally we want a case that is easy to assemble a system in, is quiet and can dissipate heat quickly and easily. Obviously this isn't an ideal world though and the chance of being able to find a case to showcase all three is slim.
We test every case in the same way, so as to ensure a fair and reliable result, so for each chassis we install the following system:
CPU: Intel Pentium XE 955 (dual-core, 3.46GHz with Asus Silent Square Pro heatsink)
Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon X1600 XT Ultimate
Motherboard: Asus P5WD2-E Premium
RAM: 2x 512MB Corsair XMS2 DDR2-667
Hard-Drive: 1x 250GB Hard drive
Installation for the rig was simple and easy enough. The Zirconium uses a simple clip system to hold graphics cards and the like down into place, but the clipping system is unusual in that each bay has an individual clip which must be lifted up and out of the way in order to make way for cards to slide in.
Click to enlarge
It's simple and effective, but a bit fiddly and ultimately useless when there are screwless systems out there which are just as effective and which use a single clip.
The system was otherwise easy to install, though the cages made dropping the motherboard down onto the standoffs a bit of an issue and the motherboard was definitely snug in its resting place.
In terms of noise performance, the Zirconium held up admirably. Turning it on, we didn't even notice that it was powered up at first the fans were that quiet.
Click to enlarge
Then we realised that the case fans weren't running though and we had to take the side panels back off in order to plug the case fan cable back in. Even we make mistakes occasionally.
Starting the machine up a second time and the noise was a lot more noticeable. It wasn't what we'd call loud and it was certainly quieter than some systems we'd use, but the sound was still audible if you kept an ear out for it, so the style-unconscious customers who might consider buying the Zirconium may do well to consider putting the case under their desks or investing in some noise cancellers.
We test every case in the same way, so as to ensure a fair and reliable result, so for each chassis we install the following system:
CPU: Intel Pentium XE 955 (dual-core, 3.46GHz with Asus Silent Square Pro heatsink)
Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon X1600 XT Ultimate
Motherboard: Asus P5WD2-E Premium
RAM: 2x 512MB Corsair XMS2 DDR2-667
Hard-Drive: 1x 250GB Hard drive
Installation for the rig was simple and easy enough. The Zirconium uses a simple clip system to hold graphics cards and the like down into place, but the clipping system is unusual in that each bay has an individual clip which must be lifted up and out of the way in order to make way for cards to slide in.
Click to enlarge
It's simple and effective, but a bit fiddly and ultimately useless when there are screwless systems out there which are just as effective and which use a single clip.
The system was otherwise easy to install, though the cages made dropping the motherboard down onto the standoffs a bit of an issue and the motherboard was definitely snug in its resting place.
In terms of noise performance, the Zirconium held up admirably. Turning it on, we didn't even notice that it was powered up at first the fans were that quiet.
Click to enlarge
Then we realised that the case fans weren't running though and we had to take the side panels back off in order to plug the case fan cable back in. Even we make mistakes occasionally.
Starting the machine up a second time and the noise was a lot more noticeable. It wasn't what we'd call loud and it was certainly quieter than some systems we'd use, but the sound was still audible if you kept an ear out for it, so the style-unconscious customers who might consider buying the Zirconium may do well to consider putting the case under their desks or investing in some noise cancellers.
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