Zalman S5: Cheap case with a touch of the past

Testing methodology

Many of you know Zalman as a manufacturer of cheaper computer cases. In today’s review, we have chosen the S5 from this company. It got into my hands thanks to Ľubo, who picked it for his own needs and before he uses it, I will carry out a little autopsy of it. This was also the original intention, to make a general overview and compare with the price-equivalent Chieftec Hawk or MSI Forge 100M cases, which we have already tested.

Testing methodology

As we have already said, regulation of the two 120 mm fans is not possible, so the noise level is only one. The case produces only a pleasant 35.8 dBA of noise, so I’ll try to find the most suitable location for the suction fan. From the factory location at the bottom, I’m gradually placing the fan one position higher up to the top position. This way you will see where one of the two fans will be used most effectively, before the components are installed.

Testing runs at home, where I try to get the most accurate results. During testing, the room temperature in front of the case is 23 degrees Celsius and the minimum noise that I can measure with the Voltcraft SL-100 sound level meter is 32.8 dBA. The sound level meter sensor is aligned to the center of the top of the case at a distance of 15 cm, for the best possible measurement.

The individual components were heated for 10 minutes in FurMark synthetic stress tests and in parallel with Prime95 (custom settings). This duration is long enough for all components to heat up sufficiently. There are then 15-minute cooling breaks between the tests, during which the temperatures of the components (and also the temperature of the air in the case ) return to default.

Front panel fan layout:

• 1× intake@on the bottom/1× outtake
• 1× intake@in the middle/1× outtake
• 1× intake@on the top/1× outtake

• Contents
• Nice-looking exterior
• Functional interior
• Testing methodology
• Cooling tests
• Conclusion