The following system configuration will be used to test the NZXT Switch 810′s cooling capabilities:

• ASUS P5WD2
  
• Intel Pentium D 925 OC’d @ 3.4GHz w/ Evercool Transformer 3 HSF
  
• 4x1024MB @ 667MHZ
  
• Enermax 485w
  
• ATI Radeon 3850
  
• Western Digital 3.5″ 2TB Caviar Green
  
• Windows 7 Home Premium

For the test, I will have the entire system idle for two hours. After the two hours are done, I will load up Everest Ultimate Edition, and record the temperatures of the ambient temperature, CPU, graphics card, and hard drive. Then, I will run the Everest System Stability test for two more hours alongside ATI Tool, and record the temperature again.

The ambient room temperature is 23 degrees Celsius.

Here are the results:

When idling, the ambient temperature within is just over five degrees Celsius higher than outside room temperature. The CPU rests at a comfortable degree just below 33, the ATI Radeon 3850 just below 35, and the 2TB hard drive just below 31 degrees Celsius – all within a range that can be considered acceptable. Let’s fire up the stability tests.

With the system running at nearly 100% load, the ambient temperatures climb up only four degrees – the multitude of air vents and 140mm fans can be given the kudos for that. The toasty, over clocked Pentium D 925 jumps up to 47 degrees Celsius – a completely justified, 14 degree increase. The graphics card is bumped up just less than 10 degrees, thanks to the HDD-cage-mounted 140mm fan blowing semi-cool air directly into it. The single 2TB drive is heated up to a gentle 35 degrees.

While all the included fans have PWM connections, the included PWM power hub (on the backside of the motherboard tray, in case you forgot) does not have a built in speed controller, resulting in all fans running at maximum speed. While this is evidently great for airflow, the noise levels were admittedly abysmal, even with the top airflow slats closed.

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