In our first test we observe the max. CPU/GPU temperatures of the system while allowing Unigine Heaven 4.0 to run on a 30-minute loop with default system fan profile. Idle temperatures were read 10 minutes later, indicating how well the system exhausted latent heat. To report back on the temperatures we used Ryzen Master CPU package temperature readings and GPU-Z.
The MSI RTX 3060 GAMING X was able to maintain the card’s 60C target temperature thanks to the oversized dual-fan cooler, a design that is easily capable of handling the card’s rated 170W TDP. Just as significantly, a 2100MHz boost frequency was maintained for the entirety of its run.
The peak temp reached by the i7-10700KF was similarly low on the grand scheme of things, but this very much comes with a caveat. The default “balanced” iCUE fan profile for the H100i is *extremely* aggressive out of the box, ramping the fans to over 1900RPM even at temperatures which we would consider relatively low (55C). The ‘Quiet’ fan profile is much more gentle in its fan ramp, at the cost modestly higher temperatures. More broadly, relatively poor air intake would be a concern for longer gaming sessions or periods of heavy CPU workload unless the room itself was well ventilated.
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System power draw readings at the wall were taken using a digital power meter during long idle and gaming load, allowing us to broadly assess overall power draw and PSU suitability. Lighting was disabled during these tests.
* We should also note that average power draw during gaming was ~265W.
80 PLUS Bronze Efficient PSUs are at the top of their rated efficiency curve at ~50% power draw, which for the Corsair CX650M is ~325W. There is therefore some additional headroom in this system for a faster CPU, GPU or overclock should the cooling be adequate. It may also be worth mentioning that the idle power draw is considerably lower than that of the 5800X/3060 Ti system reviewed in December.
If the ICUE Infinity was to form the basis of a system that will be upgraded over time then a higher rated PSU may not be necessary unless the user was graduating to a significantly more power-hungry GPU (such as the RTX 3080 and above). A similarly rated but modular PSU would make the act of installation a little easier however.
Windows 10 Boot Time
Intel once again has boot time licked, easily beating the AMD Ryzen system’s we’ve recorded thus far with a super quick 13.22 seconds. Mature BIOSes are a wonderful thing.
The MSI RTX 3060 GAMING X was able to maintain the card’s 60C target temperature thanks to the oversized dual-fan cooler, a design that is easily capable of handling the card’s rated 170W TDP. Just as significantly, a 2100MHz boost frequency was maintained for the entirety of its run.
The peak temp reached by the i7-10700KF was similarly low on the grand scheme of things, but this very much comes with a caveat. The default “balanced” iCUE fan profile for the H100i is *extremely* aggressive out of the box, ramping the fans to over 1900RPM even at temperatures which we would consider relatively low (55C). The ‘Quiet’ fan profile is much more gentle in its fan ramp, at the cost modestly higher temperatures. More broadly, relatively poor air intake would be a concern for longer gaming sessions or periods of heavy CPU workload unless the room itself was well ventilated.
--
System power draw readings at the wall were taken using a digital power meter during long idle and gaming load, allowing us to broadly assess overall power draw and PSU suitability. Lighting was disabled during these tests.
* We should also note that average power draw during gaming was ~265W.
80 PLUS Bronze Efficient PSUs are at the top of their rated efficiency curve at ~50% power draw, which for the Corsair CX650M is ~325W. There is therefore some additional headroom in this system for a faster CPU, GPU or overclock should the cooling be adequate. It may also be worth mentioning that the idle power draw is considerably lower than that of the 5800X/3060 Ti system reviewed in December.
If the ICUE Infinity was to form the basis of a system that will be upgraded over time then a higher rated PSU may not be necessary unless the user was graduating to a significantly more power-hungry GPU (such as the RTX 3080 and above). A similarly rated but modular PSU would make the act of installation a little easier however.
Windows 10 Boot Time
Intel once again has boot time licked, easily beating the AMD Ryzen system’s we’ve recorded thus far with a super quick 13.22 seconds. Mature BIOSes are a wonderful thing.
