Opinions on Silverstone Raven RV01

[nitromullet]

I don't usually look for second opinions on things, but I'm kind of torn here. I have the option to pick up a brand new RV01 for $75. I'm not too crazy about the styling and what I consider Silverstone's excessive use of plastic, but I do think Silverstone's 90 degree motherboard plus 180mm fans is a great idea.

$75 is by far the cheapest I've seen anything from Silverstone, and the Yates in my Rocketfish need to be replaced. The fans are securely mounted (I checked), they just make a lot of rattling noises now. I was warned to stay away from Jab-tech Yates, but I didn't listen. I have nine 120mm fans in there, so it would cost me around ~$120 to replace them all with Scythe S-Flex E fans and even more for GTs. I might just be better off replacing the whole case for less.

Anyone have any experience with the RV01? Should I do it?

 

[nitromullet]

Well, I guess I'll respond to my own thread. I decided to pick up the RV01. It cost me $69.27 after tax, so I figured I couldn't lose. I picked it up at Fry's btw, in case anyone wants to see if their local Fry's has them for cheap also. I found mine back on the "stocking aisle" where they have boxes of stuff (mostly cases) just stacked up warehouse style, not on their PC cases display aisle. I got the last one at Fry's in Seattle (Renton), so I guess they are trying to get rid of them.

I actually had to get them to check the price based on the Fry's stock number from the sticker on the box. When I asked them to look up the RV01 the guy told me they only sold the RV02 (which is on display with the other cases). This was after I had already seen the box, so I knew they had it.

Anyway, so I like the case alright. After owning exclusively Lian Li cases for the last 5 years, a steel/plastic case is a bit of a departure. Getting over the initial, "this thing looks like a big plastic penguin" shock I took at closer look and realized that although it is all plastic somehow it doesn't look or feel cheap like I was worried it would. It feels very solid for the most part. The front door thing and the top panel are kinda cheapy feeling, but the rest is solid.

The build itself took a while. Cable management options aren't bad, but running the HD SATA cables took some planning and effort. PATA ribbon or floppy cables would be a serious pain to route neatly, thankfully I don't have either. Overall, it's not terribly difficult to make the cable routing look fairly clean, but it does take some planning. There is plenty of room behind the motherboard tray to cram all your extra wires, which helps a lot though.

As far as the finished build goes and my impression of the case overall: My temps are about the same as my nine fan Rocketfish, but this case is a lot quieter. I really like the 90 degree motherboard too. Routing the cables out the top and back is a little weird, but I like the fact that I have a big 180mm fan blowing right on the cards. At the price I paid for this case, I have no complaints whatsoever.

 

[Minerva]

LOL PATA/floppy cables? Seriously? WHO is using THOSE now!??!

Sounds like a good deal/build. 🙂

How heavy is it fully loaded?

I have a Chenbro server case full of SCA (scsi) drives and it's like picking up an air conditioner. LOL

 

[Zargon]

pics?

 

[Petey!]

RV01 for MSRP = no thanks
RV01 for $70 = hell yeah why not.

 

[nitromullet]

LOL PATA/floppy cables? Seriously? WHO is using THOSE now!??!

Totally agreed, but worth mentioning that this case is not PATA/floppy cable friendly.

How heavy is it fully loaded?

I have a Chenbro server case full of SCA (scsi) drives and it's like picking up an air conditioner. LOL

It's heavy that's for sure. Mainly though, I really wish it had some type if casters. Sliding it under my desk on a carpeted floor isn't the optimal situation.

pics?

This guy has done an awesome job of that. I actually used his idea for routing the SATA cables. The only difference between the current model and his is that the interior is painted black, and mine has a window.

http://www.themodbrothers.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=307

RV01 for MSRP = no thanks
RV01 for $70 = hell yeah why not.

Yep, my thoughts exactly. I'm generally not that good at finding bargains, but I've gotten lucky with my last two cases. I paid $47 for the Rocketfish/Lian Li, and $70 for this RV01.

 

[Zap]

the Yates in my Rocketfish need to be replaced. The fans are securely mounted (I checked), they just make a lot of rattling noises now. I was warned to stay away from Jab-tech Yates, but I didn't listen.

That can happen even if you buy from Petra's. Yates are sleeve bearing. Gotta get some better bearings for longevity.

 

[nitromullet]

That can happen even if you buy from Petra's. Yates are sleeve bearing. Gotta get some better bearings for longevity.

True. The Yates actually replaced Scythe S-Flex F (1600rpm), which were too loud for my tastes. I sold the almost brand new Scythe fans on the FS/FT forum for a pretty significant loss, so I wanted cheap replacements.

The fan in my Corsair PSU is also a Yate, and it's still quiet after a few years, so I'm thinking there might be different levels of quality amongst Yate fans. Most of the nine case fans are noisy as hell after only a few months, which is pretty irregular IMO. I've had all sorts of fans (good and bad) over the years, but I've never had as many go bad on me this quickly as this batch of Yates.

edit: I have no problems with jab-tech btw. I ordered $3 fans in a market dominated by $13-20 fans, I guess I got what I paid for. Had I opted to buy the S-Flex E fans, I probably would have bought them from jab-tech.