FT04: Improving the Formula?

Having tested the Silverstone Fortress FT04 in full, what I was expecting to find wasn't quite the case, no pun intended. The results from our hands-on testing were unexpected based on previous slap-up experiences with Silverstone cases.

For those concerned with the use of plastic, I don't see this equally a serious issue. For the nigh part the use of plastic is limited to the side rear-angled front vents and it'south hard to distinguish between them and the aluminum front doors. Then there is the issue of the steel body opposed to a lighter aluminum body. At 11.5kg the FT04 is nonetheless relatively low-cal for a big case though it'due south still 33% heavier than the original Fortress FT01.

The most obvious advantage in the Fortress FT04'south design is improved GPU cooling. One time everything was installed the case performed well. We set the fans to medium and they were almost silent. The GPU result is one of the all-time nosotros've seen to date which is a positive mark for Silverstone'due south latest chassis.

On the not so positive side, the FT04's design is very crammed which leads to a number of inconveniences you simply don't expect to bargain with when edifice in an eATX instance. Silverstone'due south biggest error was how they positioned the v-bay three.5" drive cage. Why it is oriented long ways rather than sideways is beyond u.s.a.. Rather than stick all the SATA and power cables out the left side of the case they are aimed directly at the CPU cooler and in the process cake a proficient portion of the motherboard.

This was a poor design choice that fabricated working with the FT04 frustrating, so much then that we wouldn't want to own this example. Perhaps if you are the kind of user that builds a organization and then doesn't venture back inside for 6-12 months then the inefficient means of removing hardware might not crusade as much ache.

The CPU cooling test issue was not good either, equally the full five-bay 3.five" bulldoze cage blocked much of the air-menstruum to the CPU libation. Given we test in a passive state, significant in that location is no fan attached to the heatsink, it is important that the example directs a large amount of absurd air over the CPU cooler. If you were to install the optional rear 120mm exhaust fan nosotros wait that the CPU results could exist much better, but compared to the residuum of cases nosotros test in similar conditions the FT04 underperformed.

At $230, the Fortress FT04 is non prohibitively expensive but it faces tough competition. Other quality full tower cases typically sell for around $200, the FT04 is a 'smallish' full belfry instance. The Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced costs $100 less. Meanwhile the Lian Li PC-A76WX occupies the same toll range, while consumers will simply pay slightly more for the award winning Corsair Obsidian 800D.

It'south besides evident Silverstone is placing the FT04 at a premium compared to its siblings. Their own Raven iii costs simply $150, while their latest 4th generation Raven costs $160. Granted these cases target a slightly unlike audition, however they are cheaper while offering many of the same features in a bigger package.

Overall we feel Silverstone has missed the marking with the Fortress FT04 as it simply doesn't live up to their typical standard of ingenuity. The pattern is so circuitous to the point where information technology has started to go impractical and this makes living with the FT04 feel more than similar a chore than a pleasure. While we don't doubt this blueprint is complex to produce, at its electric current toll tag there are simply many amend options bachelor.

Pros: Handsome looks, silent functioning and great GPU cooling performance.

Cons: Circuitous design makes builiding and changing components a nuisance. Horribly positioned drive cage.