Need some opinion of Silverstone Raven 02 case

[nyker96]

I'm planning a case for next build most likely i7, currently fixed on haf 932 but came across this interesting case. Silverstone Raven 02 case - wonder anyone with experience can comment on air flow and usability.

The main thing I like to know is does this really cool better than something like haf 932? I mean this 90 degree rotation a gimmick or is actually functional?

 

[Fallen Kell]

It isn't a gimmick. Heat naturally rises, so why not have the case airflow go from bottom to top just like the hot air's own convection does in the first place. If you look at the latest developments in major IT datacenters, the current air cooling state of the art is the same 90 degree rotation for bottom to top airflow of all the systems in a server rack. Cool air enters the bottom of the rack, and the hot air is exhausted out the top, preferably into exhaust vents or air return vents in the ceiling of the datacenter.

The case seems like it is the real deal. There are several reviews out there already, here is one:
http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,692124/Silverstone-Raven-2-reviewed/Reviews/

CPU was the lowest they have had for any case they have tested. GPU, only 1 degree higher then the lowest they have ever seen. Sound levels are very good. It even has good placement for water cooling radiators if you wish to do that... All in all, looks like it is a very good case.

Also, you might want to look at the Fortress 2. It is pretty much the same internal design except for the hard drive placement (which personally I think is for the better).

 

[NYHoustonman]

Here's another good review:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1002-page1.html

Seconded on the Fortress FT-02. If it had come out earlier I'd have gone with that (and without a window), but I built my current rig in the RV-02, and I have nothing bad to report save for an awkwardly placed power button.

The end result for me has been an extremely clean build (case wiring was easy), and the quitest PC I've owned (coming from an Antec P180) - This with an i7-860 overclocked to 3.67GHz and an HD5870. Even the looks have grown on me... There's not a whole lot of bad about the case.

 

[Rubycon]

The power and reset buttons could not be in a worse location! I could not tell you how many times I've reset or powered down the box just by leaning over the top to plug something in. (since all connectivity is on the top!)

Also if you have analog monitors your DVI-VGA adapters will be too long. You will need a dongle cable. (or run without the top cover on)

 

[NYHoustonman]

Review of the FT-02, although they skip most of the quantitative stuff... Should be similar to the RV-02 cooling-wise anyway. Looks like Silverstone fixed most of the 'problems' with the Raven.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1015-page1.html