Silverstone Fortress FT01
Posted 07/20/09 at 10:00:00 PM by Nathan Edwards
Solid, competent, and classy, but not flashy
Silverstone is well-known for releasing a few solid chassis every year, usually rehashes of its Temjin full-tower line. But this year has already brought two excellent cases that mark departures from the tried-and-true: the full-tower Raven RV01 (reviewed in our March full-tower roundup) and the mid-tower Fortress FT01.
The Fortress FT01 is a solidly constructed aluminum unibody case that just screams attention-to-detail. Mid-tower cases often lack the amenities of their full-size cousins (compare Silverstone’s own Kublai line with its mighty full-tower Temjin series), but the Fortress handily escapes that trap.
After the chunky, plastic, stealth-bomber-like trappings of the RV01—which we dug, don’t get us wrong—it’s nice to see Silverstone back to the classy brushed-metal look it’s known for. The Fortress’s side panels and front bezels are black brushed aluminum, while the rest of the machine has a dusty matte-black finish, with a bit of wicked-looking mesh covering the intake fans.
Yes, intake fans, plural. Silverstone’s big idea here is filtered positive air pressure that keeps the warm air moving out and keeps dust from getting in (mostly). Two filtered 18cm fans pull cool air into the case—a fan in front pulls air over the hard drives and along the videocards, and a fan on top brings cool air over the RAM and north bridge. Warmed air leaves via the 12cm rear exhaust fan as well as through vents in the back panel and PCI slot covers.
Inside, the FT01 boasts five tool-free optical slots, with the push-button locking mechanism familiar from the Raven, as well as seven slide-in hard drive trays mounted perpendicular to the optical drives. The FT01, like the Raven and TJ10, includes just one CP05 hot-swap SATA cable; more will run you about six bucks each. The FT01’s front connectors, found in a pop-up compartment on top, are Silverstone’s usual: two USB ports, one FireWire, and audio jacks. The only LED to be found is the one that lights up the power button. Like we said, classy.
Although the FT01 is a mid-tower, we had no problem installing our test setup—and we verified that both the GeForce 8800 GTX and GeForce GTX 280 will fit. We do have a few gripes, however. First, there’s not a whole lot of room between the motherboard and the hard drive bays, and folks with side-mounted SATA ports will find plugging them in awkward, though not impossible. The black interior paint, though high-quality, was applied a little liberally; we had trouble screwing in the motherboard standoffs at first.
Although the FT01 has cutouts in the motherboard tray for cable routing, the foam padding on the inside of the side panels leaves little room for cable management without squashing some foam. For the money, Silverstone should include at least two CP05s, too. Finally, the filter for the top intake fan is hard to remove due to a clip holding the front-panel wires to the top of the case.
The Fortress FT01 is a great-looking, well-constructed case with plenty of features for the computer enthusiast. And barring a few modest complaints, there’s a lot to love about it.
Solid construction, great looks, plenty of dard drive bays. Quiet, effective thermals.
A tad expensive, a bit cramped for side-mounted SATA ports. Only one SATA hot-switch plate.
Love the FT01
Submitted by zstadt on Mon, 11/02/2009 - 7:45pm
I chose the FT01 for my new build, and I don't regret for a second. It is worth every penny. Sure, there are a few small things, mostly mentioned in the article, but other than that the case is really great.
I still think the NZXT
Submitted by LGA1156 on Tue, 09/15/2009 - 9:08am
I still think the NZXT tempest is better
Hate filters. Throw them away!
Submitted by JohnP on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 3:08pm
NO FILTERS, EVER! Throw. Filters. Away.
Working as an HP on site service tech for oodles of years made me come to HATE fan filters! Why? Fan filters are hidden and quickly clog up with dust. Unless they are cleaned religiously every 6 months or so, they can COMPLETELY cut off ALL airflow through the fan. The fan spins merrily around and just grabs the inside air and swirls it around back into the case. Nothing like having a $60,000 piece of hardware that ends up hotter than the inside of your oven.
Dust does not really affect a computer, makes it err.. dusty is all. Filters kill computers.
Ummm...
Submitted by zstadt on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 11:57am
Cleaning my PC every 6 months is considered "religiously"?? What about doing it once a week? I must be a sadist.
Plus, dust does a whole lot more than simply making the PC dusty...I guess I shouldn't worry about my dust filter situation, though, because my rig didn't cost $60,000, nor will my next one.
On a more related note, I'm definitely considering this case for my new build. It's a close contest between the FT01, the Antec P183, and the Ultra m998 (with some consideration given to the likes of the Lian Li A17B and PC-P50).
I for one am thrilled...
Submitted by fullur on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 12:24pm
that their is plenty of "dard drive bays." I just don't know what I would do without my dard drives.
Smart enough?
Submitted by ZorkArg on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 7:58am
Oedipus - it's not a matter of being smart enough, it's about being ignorant... Thanks to the reviewer for their good information!
Suprised Why?
Submitted by tkddan87 on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 4:05am
its a midtower case..theyre all cramped compared to even a decent level full tower. im only speaking from personal preference, but ive known people who buy consumer cases..and on a wim for my last build i went with a server case...ill never go back..the space is amazing being 25 in deep.. i like the hotswap sata
That's a sexy tower but I'll
Submitted by DBsantos77 on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 8:03pm
That's a sexy tower but I'll stick with Cooler Master. :)
Add prices to reviews please!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Sp00noFLif3 on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 7:31pm
Add prices to reviews please!!!!!!!!!
Silverstone is to pricy for me. Ill go with Cool Master for my next case. Good lookin case though.
You can expect to pay
Submitted by DOOMHAMMA on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 7:08pm
$220 and up for this case. Seeing as I only paid $160 for my Antec 1200, I don't know if I'd go for this case.
What's the price?
Submitted by big_montana on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 6:57pm
You mention the negative as being the price, but nowhere in the review do you mention cost. So, how about listing prices in ALL your reviews as a reference? (especially if you are going to comment on price during the review)
newegg has it as 218.99 no
Submitted by Axeion on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 10:02am
newegg has it as 218.99 no free shiping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163120
reviews about it are intresting but its not what i want for a midtower.same price range one could get
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196
99 with free shiping .an for what id want the handle on it would be um handy .
"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing." — Robert E. Howard, The Tower of the Elephant (1933)
Yeah, what's the price.
Submitted by Oedipus_Rex on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 6:36am
It's not like we're smart enough to use this internets thing that we're reading this article on. Please spoon feed us!
it's not spoon feeding
Submitted by nekollx on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 8:24am
it's not spoon feeding when they directly refererence a point but then don't provide what that referece is.
It would be like reviewing WoW and dinging night elves for having "ears that look more like jumbo jet wings" and then no pictures.
------------------------------
Coming soon to Lulu.com --Tokusatsu Heroes--
Five teenagers, one alien ghost, a robot, and the fate of the world.
you can't ding for that!
Submitted by mesiah on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 9:40pm
If you get running fast enough you dont even need a flying mount.
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