Page 4 - Installation and Conclusion
As I have mentioned on the previous page, I have used the Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 1000W, which has a length of 180mm. I have also installed two Western Digital Black 4TB drives in the 3.5" drive rack without any issues, all while keeping a pretty clean look in terms of cable management, thanks to the many openings and good interior layout. Of course, the drive rack was the last thing I installed, but let us start from the beginning.
First and foremost, I installed my power supply, routing all necessary power and connector cables to the appropriate areas. Having no optical drives, I used that particular area as a tool for managing my cables on the back side. For those that intend to use a closed loop water cooling unit such like me, that would come in next. For your reference, I managed to stick in the Cooler Master Nepton 280L. This will probably be the biggest unit any end user will want to use in the Fortress FT05, especially if you consider making use of the 3.5" hard drive rack, as there is minimal gap between the radiator and the rack. Last but not least, the video card and the hard drive rack will be installed. Those who have a longer video card will be forced to use only two fans on a slim radiator, as there is almost no clearance room for such configurations, unless the video card is shorter.
On the other side, the CPU backplate opening is more than enough space to accommodate aftermarket heatsinks with backplates of different generations. It is nice to work with all the openings around the motherboard, as it gives you space to move your cables around with little hindrance. Zip tie attachment points are also strategically placed around the back of the motherboard tray to further aid in clean cable management. Closing up the side panel was a bit tight, but it was still manageable. The finished interior layout can be seen above.
After plugging everything in, your system should be ready to roll, and should be similar to what you see above. Hitting the rectangle power button will bring your computer to life, and the SilverStone logo and company name will glow with a hint of white on the front reflective strip found near the bottom. In my opinion, adding a LED light strip will showcase the interior nicely, especially for those that have the windowed version of the Fortress FT05. The clean looks of the Fortress FT05 in conjunction with appealing LED lights will make any build very attractive and elegant, in my opinion.
On a scale from 0.0 to 10.0 where 0.0 is silent and 10.0 is the loudest, the two fans come in at 4.0/10 subjective sound rating at full blast. They are not loud, but not necessarily quiet either, although you can always turn them down during normal loads. Like many others around here at APH Networks, I am quite sensitive to perceived sound volume. I believe the Fortress FT05 can use a bit of adjustment in terms of fans used, as using the fans on low can still be heard, even though there is some sound dampening material on most panels of the case.
-----------------------------------------
For those that have been around APH Networks for some time, or have been following some of the trends in the computer world, computer chassis design have not changed drastically over the years in terms of basic functionality and design. However, what makes each chassis different from each other are creative features each manufacturer slaps onto them. For SilverStone's Fortress FT05, besides the classic SilverStone feature of a rotated motherboard tray, the design still looks slick as ever with clean lines and a conservative, elegant appeal. It also features a decently sized window to showcase your clean cabling and elite hardware, while providing enough room to fit everything in. With all that hardware packed inside, its rotated motherboard design and compact interior along with the dual 180mm bottom mounted fans provides excellent airflow, allowing warm air to be released quickly through the top. Sure, you will lose out on 5.25" drive bays, but in most modern builds, this really not a big deal for most of us. Furthermore, SilverStone has provided a phenomenal amount of amount of attention in creating such a beautiful chassis, as the build quality of the case is very solid. All major panels are made out of aluminum with nicely cut edges and corners, so users do not need to worry about injuries, while others are made out of steel and plastic to strike a balance between solidity and weight. The layout and design of the interior is just as awesome, as all necessary openings and other standard case features are where they should be, which makes the installation process very easy. On the flip side, however, there are a couple of very minor issues I would like to address. Firstly, settling dust is noticeable, especially after a period of time around the areas with open gaps. It was easy enough for me to clean, and it does not bother me personally, but this may not be the case for everyone. Secondly, hardcore quiet PC enthusiasts may find the 180mm AP181 fans to be a bit loud, even on low settings with sound dampening material all around. Lastly, a bit more space behind the motherboard tray will ease the installation process further, but given the amount of space, it is still manageable, so this is only a minor concern. With all the pros and cons laid out, for about $185 USD at press time, SilverStone's Fortress FT05 is an awesome high end chassis.
SilverStone provided this product to APH Networks for the purpose of evaluation.
APH:Renewal Award | APH Review Focus Summary:
8/10 means Definitely a very good product with drawbacks that aren't likely going to matter to the end user.
7/10 means Great product with many advantages and certain insignificant drawbacks; but should be considered before purchasing.
-- Final APH Numeric Rating is 7.9/10
Please note that the APH Numeric Rating system is based off our proprietary guidelines in the Review Focus, and should not be compared to other sites.
The SilverStone Fortress FT05 is by far the best chassis to date in the Fortress line with elegant looks, compact design, and great cooling performance to boot.
Do you have any comments or questions about the SilverStone Fortress FT05? Drop by our Forums. Registration is free, and it only takes a minute!
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Outside
3. Physical Look - Inside
4. Installation and Conclusion
