In Win 805i CPU Temperature

Looking at CPU temperatures first, we’re seeing the In Win 805 Infinity running the CPU at its maximum temperature – 99 to 100C on the 6700K with a 10% overclock to 4.4GHz. Delta T over ambient, that puts us at around 75C load. Even the NZXT S340 Elite, a case where we criticized airflow, is significantly outperforming the 805 Infinity.

And this is a big deal, too. Folks don’t pay enough attention when we talk thermals, generally. We talk about temperatures with CPUs and GPUs, and everyone skips to the FPS benchmarks – this stuff matters.

With this high of a temperature, we saw our CPU fluctuate its clock-rate to a point that it was losing 200MHz at times, and it wasn’t stable in its delivery of that reduced 4.2GHz clock.

In Win 805i GPU Temperatures

As for GPUs, we’re pushing the limits of what the Twin Frozr cooler can handle without exceeding a 55% fan RPM. The card is hitting 58C delta T over ambient, or upwards of 80C when accounting for room ambient. This means higher fan RPMs, which means higher noise. It’s also an indicator that no one should put a reference card from either vendor in this case.

Finally, case ambient puts us around 40 to 45C with a room ambient of 19.5C. If you’re in a hotter environment, that means the interior is going to scale with it – and that means higher CPU and GPU temperatures, which can result in further throttling or fan speed increases

Just remember: Absolutely no multi-GPU. Do not set this case up with multiple GPUs that are air-cooled, because they will suffocate. Even with that extra bottom intake, if you fight to get access to it, you’re still limited. The bottom GPU will largely block the warmer top GPU.

In Win 805i Noise Levels

The noise isn’t that bad, since it’s basically just system-level noise. There’s only one fan in this case, and it spins at a slow 930RPM; it’s really not going to be louder than your component fans.

In Win 805 Infinity Review Conclusion

As for what the 805 Infinity does well, it’s really just that infinity mirror. The LEDs could be better – perhaps using a lightpipe instead of exposed strips with uneven adhesive – but it’s still good overall. The included additional RGB strip is a nice idea, but largely useless. Even In Win routes it over the internal fan in their marketing photos, so it’s clearly too long. Considering the length, the thing might as well just be pre-applied.

The infinity effect does well. The case also uses 2mm thick aluminum (+ paint) for its core structure, which is high-quality, sturdy material. But it’s also money spent in an area where it really doesn’t matter. The case could be cheaper and would not sacrifice any meaningful quality by using thinner steel instead.

And just to prove that this price is absolutely crazy, let’s look at the Thermaltake Tower 900. This case is the same price, $250, and you get a lot more for the money. There’s more material put to use here, three glass panels, way better cable management, and it costs the same.

The point isn’t to say that you should buy this case instead, because they’re clearly very different in design, but to show that the 805 Infinity is overvaluing itself. If a larger case with better cabling design, superior cooling design, and more materials overall can run the same price, In Win must be making good margins on the Infinity.

Even Be Quiet!’s Dark Base 900 is the same price, and that case is way more complex than this one. It’s got the rotating board trays and customizable internal layout – that’s not cheap to do.

At this point, it’d just be better if In Win took its infinity panel and slapped it onto a better case. More airflow is a must. The front panel can’t have airflow, clearly, but shipping a case that at least includes a pre-installed bottom fan would be a good start. Even top intake would work. When the cost is already $250, it’s almost insulting that a user should have to go out and buy a fan to fix this whacky configuration. Even still, with the current layout, bottom intake isn’t really enough. We’d still like to see more effort in meshing in the top or elsewhere. Bigger radiator support in the rear would be a plus, and would resolve CPU cooling concerns. That leaves only the GPU, which could be cooled from bottom intake.

Editorial: Steve “Lelldorianx” Burke
Video: Andrew “ColossalCake” Coleman