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When we removed the other side panel we noticed the cable management system Silencio 450 offers. It is very important to make sure that all the cables fit between the side panel and the case so they won’t affect the airflow in the case, the amount of space behind the moderboard-tray could be bigger. Having said that though, if you use a modular PSU this isn´t quite as much a big issue.
Temperatures:
We tested the system temperatures with the test rig installed consisting of an AMD Phenom II X4 905e and a AMD HD 6450 videocard with the fans running in the case.
Using the software SpeenFan and Furmark we saw that we had idle system temperature within the case of around 43 Celsius, videocard idle temperatures was 46 Celcius and load system temperatures around 47 Celsius, videocard load temperatures were around 73 Celcius. All in all, the temperatures were not that good for use with such a limited CPU and videocard, but I didn´t expact much airflow from a “silent” case.
Unpacking:
[VIDEO CoolerMaster Silencio 450-unpacking]
Conclusion:
I must admit that when I first read the features of this case I was very interested because of the promised low noise, low weight, and relatively small size are attributes I value high in a computer case I want to use personally. I had high expectations for the case being very “silent”, but I was a bit let down by the thin (especially when compressed) sound dampening foams, thin plate, plastic feets (I´d prefer rubber-feets for less vibration sounds), no fan-controller, the preinstalled 120 mm front fan (as it could hold a 140 mm fan, and expecially since more airflow was needed) and no integrated rubber grommets on the drive-rails. The chassis was fairly quiet, but I feel like that is mostly at the expense of better ventilation.
Unfortunately, this case is one among very few “silent” cases on the market, so I think it´s difficult to have too high demands on a budget-case such as this.
Everyone has a different tastes and the looks of a computer case is something that is a personal opinion, and personally I think that the case looks good. To me it looks very discreet and simple, which is the way I like it. Also, the color is not glossy which is a big plus since cleaning fingerprints and dust from a glossy finish is something I don’t think is worth wasting time on.
As this case has no fan-ventilation on the side panels and the top, it is not advised to use this case for gaming or for multiple high-end graphicscards.
I don’t think that I should regard the lack of fan-ventilations as a con as this case should not really be used as a gamingcase for enthusiasts, it almost the same as HTPC´s should not get a negative rating for not being able to support gaming-enthusiasts’ needs of a computer case. I did count the lack of some sound-dampening features as something negative though, as this case is directed and its name suggests, to those consumers that are interested in a low noise case.
Cooler Master should´ve made the chassis plate slightly thicker, just so it feels sturdy and not bendable and flimsy. I think that the locking-mechanism for the tool-less installation should´ve been included for all drives that are able to use that.
The case was OK to work with as the corners in the interior were not sharp (no cuts) but bent inwards, and it´s not too cluttered. Although, as mentioned before, I personally prefer a bright color in the interior and also the screws for easier installation in a darker environment.
This case got our recommendations as a computer case for people in search for a relatively low noise, low weight and low budget case.
Pros:
- Relatively low-noise with its sound-proof foams etc.
- Dust filters and fans included
- USB 3.0
- Dampening pads for the PSU
- Tool-less mounting on one 5.25″-bay and two 3.5″-bays
- Removable 3.5″-drive cage
- SD-card reader
- Omni directional front door
Cons:
- No fan-controller
- No integrated rubber grommets on the drive-rails
- Slightly too thin chassi plates
- PCI covers aren’t re-usable, only two reattachable expansion-slot covers included
- Backside of motherboard-tray got too little space for proper cable management
- USB 3.0 via cable to back-IO panel
By: Chriz
