Power
We measure power consumption using a Kill-A-Watt device at the wall outlet. Idle indicates a measurement taken in Windows with no applications running. Max indicates the maximum power draw with the system fully loaded (running eight instances of Prime95 plus 3DMark Vantage simultaneously). We've also indicated power draw with just the CPU loaded.
Results here are good, and remember that these numbers are measured at the outlet, so power supply efficiency comes into play. The 800W power supply is clearly overkill in this system, but we will not fault this too much as it allows for expansion with headroom to spare.
Noise
We measured noise with a sound level meter, at distances of 24" and 48". For reference, ambient noise was approximately 37.5 dB(A).
Results here are very good, aided by the incredibly quiet 230mm fans in the Cooler Master case. The CPU cooler is the primary source of noise, closely followed by the video card. A water cooling solution would make this system almost silent while maintaining high airflow. We did experience intermittent noise coming from the backplate of the motherboard, however. It sounded like a zip tied cable routed behind the side panel that would rattle against the motherboard tray. This was annoying and significantly added to the noise when present (about 2.5 dB(A) increase at 2 feet).
Temperature
We utilized CoreTemp 0.99.4 to measure CPU temperatures, which has incorporated the latest TjMax values for Intel processors. We loaded each core with Prime95 and ran 3DMark Vantage in the background.
The stock Intel HSF has never been renowned for its performance with the Core i7 processor line, but it's aided immensely by the airflow of the Cooler Master 932 case. As a result, it manages to stay reasonably cool at 2.93 GHz, but there isn't much margin here to overclock. We recommend a different cooling solution, particularly with the combination of this case, to allow for better temperatures and overclocking headroom.
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Hxx - Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - link
Buying a prebuilt computer has pros and cons. U dont know what u get, for all i know they could use some refurbished components and charge u full price. Putting together a computer on your own is still the way to go. It takes the average user a couple of hours to do it. A little research will save u from doing any testing in most cases; and u end up saving a couple hundred bucks. They one and only benefit is that u get it at ur doorstep and thats about it.crimson117 - Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - link
IBUYPOWER is hardly a rich person's computer supplier... IBUYPOWER is much more like someone putting your newegg-bought parts together. I like seeing just how much (how little?) I'm saving by putting my own machine together.http://www.falcon-nw.com">Falcon Northwest... now THAT'S a luxury supplier.
gwolfman - Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - link
Was nero InCD installed or any type of packet burning software? I've seen that cause errors just like you ran into. Die packet writing software, die!!!Matt Campbell - Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - link
Thanks for the input, I'll take a look at that.gwolfman - Thursday, April 16, 2009 - link
Any news on whether this was installed (or similar software) or not?Matt Campbell - Sunday, April 19, 2009 - link
Nothing of this nature - in fact, the only 3rd party application installed was Cyberlink PowerDVD.gwolfman - Monday, April 20, 2009 - link
Ouch. Thanks for the update! :)Gunbuster - Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - link
You bash because it has windows update turned on but then turn around and say they don't do enough hand holding for prospective buyers?Yeah...
crimson117 - Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - link
They say they don't do enough hand holding compared to other high-end system suppliers. When you're paying someone to build you a $2000 machine, you don't want some impersonal warehouse-feeling website.
Windows Update alerting you there are updates isn't bad, but most gamers prefer to choose when to download and apply them so they don't interrupt their gaming plans.
vol7ron - Tuesday, April 14, 2009 - link
while i agree with you about the windows update, i also disagree with you. when buying a prebuilt computer, many times they're already loaded/configured and just sitting in a lot with one or two plug and play needed to be added... then things like the blasterworm come along.having windows update already turned on for the initial load is actually a good thing. it will help identify new drivers that might not have been installed when the system was configured... and then the user can turn it off.