The NZXT Manta mITX Case Review

Test Setup

Professional testing requires the emulation of real-world situations but with repeatable results; thus, a perfectly controllable test setup and environment are required, especially for comparable results. Testing the thermal performance of any case with a typical real-world setup technically limits the comparability of the results to this setup alone, as an active system interacts with its environment and the change of a single component would alter myriads of variables. As such, we developed synthetic loads that emulate the thermal output of real systems, which however are passive, steady and quantifiable. As such, the thermal testing now displays the thermal capabilities of the case alone, as if it would have to deal with the entire thermal load by itself, regardless of the system that would be installed inside it. Laboratory data loggers are being used to monitor the PT100 sensors and control the safety relays, which are fully accessible via our custom software. The Mini-ITX version simulates a 150 W CPU, 30 W VRM, 20 W RAM and 1 × 120 W GPU card thermal load. For low-profile card setups, we are using a 50 W dummy GPU card instead. Finally, 2.5" HDD dummy loads have also been created, converting 15 W of electrical power to thermal. As such, the thermal load can be very high and only the best of cases will be able to handle it for more than a few minutes.

For the full power test, we are using the aforementioned configuration with the full-size 120W card, plus two 2.5" loads. The low load test reduces the main system's power output down to about 42% (132 Watts total), but the disk loads remain unchanged.

Noise testing has been performed with a background noise level of 30.4dB(A). Advanced noise testing is also being performed, in order to assess the ability of the case to dampen the noise of the components installed inside it. This includes the installation of two noise-generating sources (strong fans) inside the case, one positioned approximately over the first expansion slot and one over the CPU area, which can generate ≈ 44.2 dB(A) when unobstructed. During the advanced noise test, all stock cooling options of the case are entirely disabled.

Results & Discussion

As expected from a Mini-ITX case of such proportions and three large stock cooling fans, the thermal performance of the Manta is outstanding. It can easily handle a very large thermal load, greatly outperforming smaller cases like the Cougar QBX, even though their core design is similar. Even without altering its stock cooling options and with a mainstream CPU cooler, the NZXT Manta should have no issues keeping a top tier gaming system cool enough.

The three stock cooling fans of the Manta offer sufficient airflow at relatively low noise levels. With the fans running at their maximum speed, our instrumentation recorded 38.1 dB(A) from one meter away in an environment with a background noise level of 30.4 dB(A). This is the equivalent of an audible but not bothersome humming noise, which is mostly coming from the air getting pulled in from the dense front intake mesh. At lower speeds, the stock cooling fans are virtually inaudible.

Despite the lack of “active” noise reduction measures, such as the installation of sound dampening material, the NZXT Manta has very good noise dampening capabilities. The lack of direct openings/vents at the front or top of the case significantly reduces the noise of the installed system. Our instrumentation measured a drop of 3.2 dB(A) during our advanced testing, which corresponds to a sound pressure reduction greater than 50%, a clearly discernible figure.