Arctic Cooling Silentium T5

Testing

Methodology

Testing cases is another one of those odd ones, as the main test of any case, is what features it has, and whether its cooling options are quiet. The features are detailed in the look at the case itself, but individual ones will be looked into during the testing to highlight any problems or particularly innovations we liked.

We also have a rather unique test termed the case "strength" test. This involves yours truly standing on said case, and checking how it reacts in terms of flexing. This test is detailed more here.

Results

Strength

The Silentium T5 actually coped very well with this test without showing much in way of stress or bending. That said, the plastic front bezel doesn’t seem to be that strong so care is needed to ensure it doesn’t bump into anything causing it to crack or dent.

Cooling

The designed airflow patterns are very different from any other case I have seen and I’m not totally convinced. With only a single 120mm and two rear 80mm the lack of fans, especially larger ones, is a worry and I would definitely have liked to see the ability to mount extra fans to the top and side panel even if they weren’t included with the case.

Similarly the only vents are at the bottom and back of the case and a vent at the top and side panels would aid cooling that much more whereas at the moment I don’t see all the hot air being fully extracted.

Noise

With only three fans, the case is obviously not going to be very noisy and little touches such as the HD muffler help to keep the noise levels down; a definate plus.

Cable Management

This is another area that I was really not satisfied with due to not being able to remove the side panel behind the motherboard tray, cables cannot be routed behind it meaning that they are all congested inside the main chamber with little space to tuck them away; save for empty drive bays which they aren’t many with only two 5.25” and three 3.5” bays.

The power supply cables too have no sort of braiding and just small cable ties at short intervals holding them together. Thus with the larger cables, like the 24-pin motherboard connection, the individual cables tangle very easily.

Cost

At a shade under £100, the Arctic Cooling Silentium T5 is a lot of money and if truth be told there are many cheaper and better alternatives out there even with the included power supply.

Cases