**Due to this being our first Mini-ITX case review we are fairly limited in terms of comparisons. This page will be updated though pending future reviews.**

Inside FT03-Mini there is just one pre-installed cooling fan positioned at bottom of the case, configured as an intake fan this 140mm Air Penetrator will drive airflow up and out through the top of the case singlehandedly so it’s important that it is up to the job. This fan operates at 1200RPM.

To discover the thermal performance of the FT03-Mini I will record idle temperatures after 20 minutes from a cold boot. I will then stress the system and temperatures will again be monitored after 30 minutes have elapsed.

For the purpose of accurate analysis the idle and load temperatures for CPU and motherboard will be recorded and the range between idle and load will be calculated to determine how efficient cooling is.

NOTE: Ambient temperature is 20C

System Components



Noise

Due to the limitations that engineering such a compact case brings there isn’t much space for air cooling, SilverStone have opted for a single cooling fan and have placed it in the best possible spot for maximum cooling potential. The problem of having just one cooling fan is that this fan needs to spin fast in order to push heat out of the case - 800RPM will not suffice. The Air Penetrator spins at 1200RPM+ and as a result is noticeable.

The icing on the cake would have been to have a simple fan controller for this fan allowing for 700-800RPM on low setting and then 1200RPM+ for high setting – having the low setting would then bring down noise levels when the system is only performing menial tasks and high setting when generating more heat. Some food for thought – and of course you can add in your own fan controller.