The Silverstone Fortress FTZ01 Gaming mITX Case

[MacClipper]

Assembly
Start with getting the CPU/HSF/mobo/RAM ready... do remember the back i/o plate too.

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[hlots123]

Assembly
Start with getting the CPU/HSF/mobo/RAM ready... do remember the back i/o plate too.

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when casing is stood vertical with gpu section on top, cpu section at bottom...
the cooler's heatpipes will be in an unfavorable orientation (u-shape part facing up, heatpipe end tips pointing down)
altho i imagine the cooler will still perform ok with stock i3/i5, my ocd won't allow me always nagging at back of my mind...

 

[wwenze]

when casing is stood vertical with gpu section on top, cpu section at bottom...
the cooler's heatpipes will be in an unfavorable orientation (u-shape part facing up, heatpipe end tips pointing down)
altho i imagine the cooler will still perform ok with stock i3/i5, my ocd won't allow me always nagging at back of my mind...

Heatpipes work via capillary action, not convection

Else no matter which way the u-shape point it will get stuck

 

[hlots123]

Heatpipes work via capillary action, not convection

Else no matter which way the u-shape point it will get stuck

yes capillary action, i kno. u-shape at top with heatpipe ends pointing down is still unfavorable imho...

 

[MacClipper]

For a dualcore i3 build like this, it probably doesn't matter too much especially running at purely stock speeds.

Maybe if you start pushing vcore to overclock...

 

[hlots123]

For a dualcore i3 build like this, it probably doesn't matter too much especially running at purely stock speeds.

Maybe if you start pushing vcore to overclock...

yeah agreed, i imagined the same as posted earlier

 

[MacClipper]

Sadly, mainstream Intel users has been thermally bottlenecked by the cursed IHS gap/grease issue ever since Ivy Bridge...

 

[MacClipper]

Prep and mount the PSU onto the bracket but for more finger room, do not anchor to the case till the mobo is secured.

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You can now attach the main ATX and 12V cables along with the case front panel wires, before anchoring down the PSU to the case. Last fix up the ATX cables to the PSU proper.

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[MacClipper]

Decidedly for demo-ing the video card handling and cooling capability of this case presently, handpicked the longest video card I have, the 30cm long Sapphire R9 270X epeen Toxic Edition. In the longer run, the rig will probably just make do with the iGPU or another card for HTPC usage...

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And yes, it just takes the whole card straight in without complaint...gosh, nice! Last in is the SSD.

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[MacClipper]

Now we can play a little peekaboo with the case air intakes, to see how each hot component is exposed to fresh ventilation which turns out to be outstanding. Note that the bundled dust meshes were not installed to preserve good visibility.

This is also where the contrasting colours of the different components come in very useful. Wow, the intake grilles are evidently very well thought out and positioned by the Silverstone designers.


Video card - all 3 video card fans visible, good exposure!

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[wwenze]

RVZ02 got bundle free dust filter, this one don't have?

 

[deadravel]

RVZ02 got bundle free dust filter, this one don't have?

Bundled Accessories
as shown, includes 3 x magnetic dust meshes, case stands etc...

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this one got also. but i like rvz02 better, it fit like part of the case design

 

[greyhail]

so if i had to choose between rvz01/rvz02/ftz01 to fit a 1070 inside, which should i go for?

 

[MacClipper]

RVZ02 got bundle free dust filter, this one don't have?

this one got also. but i like rvz02 better, it fit like part of the case design

Yes, 3 discrete meshes are bundled.

The reason for not being installed as stated earlier.

Note that the bundled dust meshes were not installed to preserve good visibility...

so if i had to choose between rvz01/rvz02/ftz01 to fit a 1070 inside, which should i go for?

Probably depends on your budget and whether you are more a gamer or a HTPC user. Perhaps wait a little longer for my upcoming RVZ02 article to be posted so you can compare for yourself.

 

[MacClipper]

PSU - nearly the full intake fan is visible, good exposure!

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[icheb]

so if i had to choose between rvz01/rvz02/ftz01 to fit a 1070 inside, which should i go for?

I think if I am not wrong the RVZ02 can fit a full sized graphics card at the expense of adding a 3.5inch HDD. If you have a smaller card, you can fit the HDD in the same compartment as the graphics card.

For FTZ01, you have a dedicated space for adding 1x 3.5inch HDD.

Also the CPU cooler clearance is higher for FTZ01 (85mm) vs RVZ02 (58mm)

So it really depends on what kind of components you want to add. for such mini itx HTPC cases, space is a premium, so you kinda need to do a little more homework on what what you want to add, and whether it can fit all into the chassis. You also need to consider potential thermal issues for such a small enclosure. Not that is terrible, but a little bit of planning goes a long way.

I was planning to build a HTPC with a GTX1070 card using the RVZ02. In the end I held my purchase until the gigabyte GTX 1070 mini ITX is released so that I can fit a 3.5inch HDD.

Now that I have seen FTZ01, I might consider it as my chassis of choice and go with a full sized GTX 1070 card. But I am in no hurry.

Hope that helps!

 

[wwenze]

Nah, RVZ02 can't fit 3.5" in the VGA compartment, unless you drill holes yourself. 2.5" works with 2 screw holes.

It can fit 3.5" in the CD ROM area by breaking one of the mounting point

 

[MacClipper]

Wonder how many storage devices do most users actually install in compact cases like this?

 

[wwenze]

1 SSD and 1 HDD?

 

[MacClipper]

Guess if use 2.5" HDD then no problem...

imo, they should just get rid of the ODD altogether esp. on such small cases and free up the space for more updated purposes like a card reader, hot plug storage etc