Cooling Performance

Pentium D 840EE, ASUS P5WD2, 2GB Corsair XMS2, 500GB Seagate 7200.9, ASUS EAX1900 XTX, Enermax 600W PSU, asetek VapoChill Micro.

We'll be comparing the cooling performance to the Lian Li V1000 and Silverstone Temjin TJ07. Both of these comparison cases are geared towards the same enthusiast sector that the Stacker 830 is aimed at, though understand that the Lian Li is a year old design-wise. Since time was limited with the Temjin TJ07, we opted for air cooling since we could move it around quickly.

Our usual heatsink setup (ambient temperature, thermal paste, etc.) was used. All of the cases were tested in a "closed" environment, meaning that all the side panels were installed. We stuck with the stock cooling for each case, though we will include numbers of various Stacker fan configurations.

Stock configuration

	CPU	System	Video
Cooler Master Stacker 830	54	37	59*
Silverstone Temjin TJ07	56	38	58
Lian Li V1000	58	45	63

The Stacker's CPU and system performance leads the way here, though the trail slightly behind the Temjin for the video card cooling. The motherboard was installed in an upside down configuration though, and we've pointed it out in other reviews that the North Bridge heat does raise the temperature of the video card in this setup. This also explains the poor showing by the V1000. When we setup the motherboard in a traditional setup, as the Temjin, the video card's cooling performance dropped by 1°C.

We can also attribute some of the system cooling performance to the fact that the Stacker puts the power supply at the top of the case. Depending on the PSU, if you have a fan on the bottom of the PSU, it does make a difference in system cooling with it on.

Stock configuration with top fan installed

	CPU	System	Video
Stacker 830 Exhaust	54	35	59
Stacker 830 Intake	54	36	59

There was no change in temperature for the CPU and video card with a Panaflo 30dba L1A fan in place, but there was a change in system heat with the top fan installed. The system temperature was lower with the fan configured to exhaust rather than drawing in.

Fully Loaded Configuration (7 Fans)

	CPU	System	Video
Stacker 830 Exhaust	51	32	57
Stacker 830 Intake	49	29	54

We installed 5 additional Panaflo 30dba L1A fans capable of moving 68.9cfm each. Due to the proximity of the side fan module, we can see huge improvements with this setup. Performance was actually better in this case with the fans setup to draw air into the case. You do pay for it though as the setup, even with "quiet" fans is quite noisy.

Installation Notes and Final Words

While not completely tool-less, the Stacker 830 is a joy to work with. Motherboard installation would have been easy without a motherboard tray, but the tray makes it much easier.

Optical drive installation is quite easy. First thing to do is to pop open a thin inner door to expose the front panel clips. Undo the clip to open up a drive bay. Next, slide the drive or other device into the slot and lock it with the rails. That's it. Well, you will need to lock it on both sides, but that's no big deal.

The PSU installation is partially tool-free. On each side of the PSU opening on the rear of the case, there is a clip to unlock. Once they are unlocked, you can slide the plate off the back. Using 4 screws, you attach the plate to the PSU and reinsert it into the PSU cavity. Lock the clips and you're all done.

In our final installation, you can see we went with the upside down ATX method. I chose this installation path since the PC is on the left side of my desk and I wanted easy access. The thing to point out here is that the Stacker 830 easily the most customizable case we've worked with here at VL.

Other than the hard drive installation and motherboard, everything else is tool-free. We would have liked to have seen drive rails similar as to those found in the Centurion series for the hard drives as well as throwing in an additional system fan, but we're just nitpicking here.

Cooling performance is good with the stock fans, but phenomenal with the full 7 fans laid out in the case. The problem here though is noise. With the two stock fans on, the Stacker was audible from another room with the door open. Due to the fact that the Stacker uses the mesh throughout, a lot of noise escapes from the case. Things are compounded when you fill the unit with fans though, so if you go this route, some ear plugs may not be a bad idea.

That being said, there are silent fans you can pick up, and unless you're fanatical about cooling, we don't feel more than three case fans are required for optimal performance. If you do require all seven, or even nine fans to be used, chances are noise is the least of your issues.

The original Stacker was a fairly expensive case when it first landed on the market, and the Cooler Master Stacker 830 is sure to raise some eyebrows as well. With a sticker price of $226 USD, that's a lot of coin to drop on a case. It's not the most expensive case we've seen, but it's certainly not something you'll find housing an eMachine. We do think there is very good value here given the numerous configuration options and excellent cooling and expansion potential. It's also well built with quality materials and easy to work with. Personally, I'm a big fan of the overall look of the case and it does draw attention when visitors see it on the desk.

We know a lot of people will grumble about how there are plenty of cases that have good features at more than half the cost. We're not going to disagree as we've worked with other manufacturers that offer good products at lower prices, including Cooler Master's own Centurion series. Then again, I do not need an Acura MDX either when a Dodge Caravan will do the job I require. Now, we can sit here and try to justify it, but Cooler Master did not really design this case for the average Joe who just wants a basic enclosure. Whoever is going to look into the Stacker 830 probably has money to burn and in this price range we think the Stacker 830 is the best choice out there.