Thermals & Conclusion

To ensure accurate thermal results, we installed the same hardware in each instance in virtually the same mode. Components included the Asrock Fatal1ty 990FX Professional person, Phenom II X6 1100T, Prolimatech Megahalems in passive manner (i.east. no fan actively dispelling heat), Inno3D GeForce GTX 580 OC, half a dozen Western Digital Scorpio Bluish 500GB difficult drives, and OCZ's ZX 1000w power supply.

Big fans, extreme ventilation and no obstacles for airflow seems to be the key to the Core X9'due south excellent thermal functioning. Under total load we reported our lowest CPU temperature still, while the GPU as well ran quite absurd at 72 degrees.

These temperatures will no dubiousness be reduced farther by adding a second 200mm intake fan at the front of the case.

Final Thoughts

Digital power supplies are all the rage now and the Thermaltake DPS G 750w is one of the more affordable options available at $140. For example, Corsair's HX750i costs a chip more than at $150, though it'south also 80 Plus Platinum certified whereas the DPS G range is Gilt certified.

Aesthetically, nosotros weren't overwhelmed by the DPS G 750w. Its curved edges look okay simply aren't that practical as custom screws are required and the gilt fan grill isn't that tasteful in our opinion.

Autonomously from the price we likewise liked the DPS One thousand App2.0 Smart Software. It's pretty basic every bit yous might await for power supply software but it does provide enough of interesting statistics. The fully modular design is likewise a nice touch and volition make the DPS K suitable for meaty systems that don't have room for cable clutter.

The Core X9 is a case modder's dream, affording endless opportunities for expansion and modification. If you're not interested in modding or building a crazy liquid-cooling setup and then the Cadre X9's full potential will never be realized.

Saving infinite is non one of this enclosure'south objectives and it makes no endeavor to hide the fact. With our standard exam rig installed into the Core X9 there was plenty empty infinite to fit a few compact gaming systems inside, cases and all.

If you lot can't envision and afford a labyrinth of cooling pipes, radiators and reservoirs, and so the Core X9 volition probably experience like information technology was congenital big for the sake of being large.

There are areas of the case that seem like they volition be difficult to fill and this is where nosotros retrieve Thermaltake dropped the ball. Its modular system could have been then much more had the company provided a range of different parts to purchase. Information technology's a criminal offence that you can only install a maximum of vii iii.5" drives in this case.

There'due south no reason Thermaltake couldn't accept fit three times that amount of drives in the Core X9 and that's only in the smaller lower department of the case. Without additional storage options, nosotros don't see this equally an platonic file server, 122L capacity or not.

Performance-wise, the Core X9 was equally adept as any case we've tested and that's only with the two pre-installed fans. The enclosure has tons of ventilation and although it isn't a particularly loud case, you can hear fan dissonance quite easily, so go on that in heed if you programme to employ all seventeen 120mm fan locations.

The Core X9'due south looks are the only other thing worth discussing. What nosotros take hither is a large rectangular steel box with a behemothic Perspex window in the side, manifestly and elementary. Personally, I don't heed the bland design and there's arguably more going on here than with Lian Li's D8000, which is a instance I really like.

Thermaltake's Core X9 is a serious amount of case for the money and it doesn't feel like information technology was built to a strict upkeep. The swappable side panels and I/O panel are a nice touch, the massive fan and radiator support is keen, the tool-free bulldoze bays work well and and then practise the magnetic dust filters.

Shopping shortcuts:

  • Thermaltake Core X9 on Amazon, Newegg
  • Thermaltake DPS Thousand PSU on Amazon, Newegg

The but disappointment to me is the Core X9's modular pattern, which I feel is a missed opportunity that could have been amazing with a range of options for mounting more than hardware in what is likely going to exist wasted space in many setups.

Pros: The Core X9 touts a mammoth 122L capacity, a modular design, space cooling options and impressive thermal results out of the box for $170.

Cons: The modular system could have allowed for more diversity, specially storage. A chassis this size should support more than than 7 hard drives.