What is the best case for thermal performance?

[BarackOBatman]

Hello

 

What would you consider to be the best stock computer case from a thermal performance standpoint And ignoring factors such as aesthetics/RGB LEDs and noise?

I'm looking at the Silverstone RL06 as it nearly tops Gamers Nexus' thermal performance charts. I'm putting an emphasis on GPU thermal performance since this is the single most important component in a gaming PC and every degree counts for Nvidia GPU boost.

Note that this PC will be used exclusively for gaming.

I see that (according to Gamers Nexus standardized testing) the cooler master HAF X and SL600M beat this case in GPU thermals, but the HAF is nearly impossible to find and the SL600M has poor CPU thermal results by comparison. The RL06 has it all.

 

Thoughts?

 

My System will be:

Nvidia RTX 2080 ti (Gigabyte Gaming OC)

Intel i7 8700k (5.1 GHZ binned and de-lidded by silicon lottery)

Dark Rock Pro 4

Z390 Aorus Master

2x8 GB G.Skill Trident Z RGB @ 3200 MHz CL16

2 x 500 GB Samsung 970 EVO SLI

EVGA SUPERNOVA 650W G3

[Lorant]

GN does good work, so you already have your answer(s).

 

I agree with their results.

[BarackOBatman]

1 minute ago, Lorant said:

GN does good work, so you already have your answer(s).

 

I agree with their results.

Agreed

The only other considerations I really had are cases which have not been tested by GN.

Thanks

[Jurrunio]

Thermaltake P3 since it's just a test bench with an extra piece of glass. Tbh most mesh front cases can match the RL06 if you fill them up with fans, they just don't come from the factory as so.

[BarackOBatman]

1 minute ago, Jurrunio said:

Thermaltake P3 since it's just a test bench with an extra piece of glass. Tbh most mesh front cases can match the RL06 if you fill them up with fans, they just don't come from the factory as so.

Interestingly, the thermaltake P3, performs worse from a thermal standpoint versus the RL06 according to GamersNexus Testing.

https://www.gamersnexus.net/hwreviews/2921-thermaltake-core-p3-review-quality-test-bench-alternative

[Lorant]

Just now, BarackOBatman said:

Interestingly, the thermaltake P3, performs worse from a thermal standpoint versus the RL06 according to GamersNexus Testing.

https://www.gamersnexus.net/hwreviews/2921-thermaltake-core-p3-review-quality-test-bench-alternative

Because moving air is better than static air for cooling.

[Bombastinator]

Are we only including fans that come with the case?

[BarackOBatman]

5 minutes ago, Bombastinator said:

Are we only including fans that come with the case?

Yes, per the OP, the question is pertaining to the stock configuration.

 

Edit: if you can think of a noteworthy aftermarket combo, i'd definitely entertain the idea!

I already figure that any case would be improved if i replaced the stock fans with Noctua a12x25 fans or Corsair ML120s.

[Lorant]

Stock with use of an AIO makes the R6 quiet AND good cooling.  Addition of the AIO adds 3 fans and you can always grab 1 or 2 more.

[Bombastinator]

32 minutes ago, BarackOBatman said:

Yes, per the OP, the question is pertaining to the stock configuration.

 

Edit: if you can think of a noteworthy aftermarket combo, i'd definitely entertain the idea!

I already figure that any case would be improved if i replaced the stock fans with Noctua a12x25 fans or Corsair ML120s.

in that case any horizontal test bench.  They’re only arguably cases though.  My personal favorite is a piece of half inch scrap plywood for $0

 

IMHO cases are mostly about looks and conveniences such as movabilitu, dust protection, and hardware mounting.  I simply do not understand why people pay more than $40 including fans unless they’re looking for something like sound dampening.  
That should probably go in the “unpopular tech opinions thread”.  I may yet put it there.
 

Why I think this:

As long as the fans are vertically mounted very cheap sleeve bearing fans work ok.  So adding like $10 worth of cheap sleeve case fans will make any badly performing case better than the best performing case with no fans.  A case designed not to use fans or that has, say, only one pre mounted, may work better with that number of fans but may not work as well as a case designed to use more once more are added.  Fan mounting holes do not denote design.  There are some cases out there with 2x140 in front that were never designed to use 140s but rather 120s, and consequently don’t work well with them even if they have the holes.

  The noctuas are modified rifle bearing.  Specifically FDB so they work in both horizontal positions (top,bottom) as well as side to side.  A cheapo sleeve fan won’t last quite as long of course even vertical.  Surprisingly close though.  It’s the horizontal configurations where they croak really fast.  AIO coolers would be sort of a cheat in this case because they’re effectively also case fans.  Something “designed for watercooling” often mean simply that it’s airflow  requires fans in its “watercooling” slot 

[Whiro]

2 hours ago, BarackOBatman said:

Yes, per the OP, the question is pertaining to the stock configuration.

 

Edit: if you can think of a noteworthy aftermarket combo, i'd definitely entertain the idea!

I already figure that any case would be improved if i replaced the stock fans with Noctua a12x25 fans or Corsair ML120s.

Phanteks P400A have great airflow as well. I have currently P400S , still waiting for stock of mesh pannels in one store in here (UK) , as soon as they have it back I’m ordering it.