Page 2 - Physical Look - Outside
Even after writing with APH Networks for quite some time now, I still do not fully understand the love of pink from our Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Kwan. However, the rose gold option is the SilverStone SETA A1 we received. It looks like SilverStone has channeled their inner Apple, as the three colors here are the same as some of the older model lines of iPhones. Even so, the rose gold and white combination is a nice looking combination. In some different lighting, the case can look bronze-like. It is not something we have seen before from other cases, as it mixes the pink color quite tastefully with a more standard white shell. However, SilverStone has made pink cases in the past, so it should not be too surprising. The front panel shows a diagonal wave that protrudes out. There is a notable gap between the rose gold aluminum and the white metal frame behind it to allow air to pass through at the front. This is important for intake, as we will see later on. One thing we should mention is the large white paper sticker from SilverStone to show how to remove the front panel. It is sort of annoying they used a sticker that is hard to remove, as it left quite a bit of sticky residue after removing this sticker. Moving on, the left tempered glass panel is tinted gray to slightly hide internal components, though most of your internal components will still be easily seen through the glass. Another sticker is placed on the side glass, but this is on top of the large plastic wrap that can be removed without leaving anything behind.
In terms of material choices, we have the standard steel and tempered glass for a solid and well-built feel. The front protrusion is aluminum as we already mentioned, which is brushed for a nice look. In terms of mass, these materials contribute to the SilverStone SETA A1's 8.48kg specification, which is fairly heavy. As for dimensions, the SETA A1 is relatively small at 432mm in depth, 225mm in width, and 470mm in height. This is quite a bit smaller than the last mid-tower case I reviewed, the Antec P120 Crystal, and closer to compact ATX mid-towers we have reviewed like the NZXT H510 Elite.
Taking a look from this top angle, you can see how the aluminum panel curves around the front panel and creates about a slim gap at the top and bottom. The rest of the front panel curves down at the top to the front. Moving slightly back, we have all of the front-facing I/O here. From left to right, we have the power button, reset button, single 3.5mm combination audio and microphone jack, two USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, one USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C, and a single LED light for drive activity. I find it a bit strange to see the rise of the single audio and microphone jack at the front, especially on desktop computers, but this is becoming the norm on more recent cases. Finally, behind the inputs and outputs, we have a large opening for exhausting air out the top. From the outside, we have a full white mesh cover held on with magnetic strips. I am happy to see they used the same white color as the rest of the exterior, when they could have slapped on a black mesh. Otherwise, the magnet strips on the mesh secure well to the case while making the mesh easily removed for cleaning.
Moving to the back, we have a pretty typical layout from the SilverStone SETA A1. Starting at the top, we have the motherboard opening on the left side, with rails for an exhaust fan on the back. SilverStone does have a single 120mm fan mounted here. Underneath, we have the seven openings for the PCI Express slots and two more on the right side for vertical slots. It is a bit strange to see that the horizontal ones are the punch out type that do not just mounted in place. After some communication with SilverStone, it seems like we got a bad sample of the SETA A1, as it should actually come with removable expansion slots. At the bottom, we have an opening for an ATX power supply. As for the right side panel, we have a solid steel panel, held on with standard thumbscrews.
Flipping the case over, we have a better look at the base of the SilverStone SETA A1. In each corner, we have a plastic foot with rubber padding on the bottom to hold the case in place while reducing vibrations between the case and the surface it sits upon. In between the feet, we have a large plastic bracket with a mesh lining here. This prevents dust from entering at the bottom of the case and makes cleaning easier since the bracket is easily removable from the back. Under the mesh filter, you can see there are holes in a honeycomb pattern to allow air to enter or exit.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. Physical Look - Outside
3. Physical Look - Inside
4. Installation and Conclusion
