Thermaltake Core G3 Review

Performance Analysis

The Core G3 was just unable to house our usual small form factor test gear which includes a Noctua NH-U9s cooler, which we've used in cases such as Fractal Design's Core 500, but equally it had more room for the CPU than SilverStone's Raven RVZ02, and in cases like that we use our super low-profile gear. For the Core G3, we've gone for the option in between, which uses a slightly beefier NH-L9x65i - still a top-down cooler but slightly more potent than our super low-profile kit. As the case can easily house a high end GPU, we've used a GTX 980. As there is no benefit in terms of ventilation or cooling using desktop mode, we've only tested in the upright configuration.


The only other case to fit this slightly oddball configuration is SilverStone's Fortress FTZ01, so that's the only case we have for comparison so far cooling wise. Even so it proved an interesting comparison, with the Fortress outdoing the Core G3 with the CPU thanks to the former's intake fan being pointed directly at the CPU cooler - something the Thermaltake case lacks.

On the flip side, the Core G3 outperformed the Fortress in cooling the GPU, albeit by a small amount, probably due to the fact it's much better ventilated and has two 120mm intake fans. Regardless, it's clear that whether it's air-cooled with a decent CPU cooler, or you use some sort of liquid-cooling, the Core G3 can easily handle a high-end overclocked system.

Conclusion

While it's somewhat basic, the Thermaltake Core G3 is an interesting case for a number of reasons. It uses a PCI-E riser cable to twist the graphics card through 90 degrees so you get a better view of it through the side panel, especially if you water-cool it. Then there's the use of an SFX PSU which means that it's one of the slimmest cases we've seen that can house an ATX motherboard. Finally, it's very much able to house a basic liquid cooling system.

With PCI-E riser cables retailing for a good £20 or so, the price tag of £70 seems fairly reasonable too - there are cheaper options out there in terms of small mini-ITX liquid-cooling capable cases, but given Thermaltake's fairly unique design and requirement for SFX PSUs it's going to be fairly niche and demand a small premium as a result.

There are one or two niggles such as a lack of cable routing or indeed anywhere to hide the cables. There's no fan control, and only two storage bays, which can only be accessed by removing the front panel. However, given normal circumstances, these aren't major issues given the typical system that would be housed inside - i.e. an SSD and hard disk plus a single GPU.

The need for an SFX PSU is possibly a bit off-putting too, if only for the fact you probably don't have one to transplant from an old system, but these can be had for less than £80 for 450W models - if the space savings on offer with the Core G3 are beneficial that's probably worth paying. It's not without its flaws, but overall we like the Core G3 as it's exactly what case manufacturers should be doing now that SFX PSUs are readily available. Thankfully, while it's blazing a trail, it's also a good case in its own right.