SilverStone FT03 Mini Review: We'll Make You Fun Size
by Dustin Sklavos on May 22, 2012 1:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- Mini ITX
- SilverStone
Noise and Thermal Testing, IGP
Given the relatively small size of the SilverStone FT03 Mini, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect in terms of performance. It's true that an intake fan having a straight shot through all of the system's components can work wonders (see the FT02 and TJ08-E), but the FT03 Mini is more cramped and the air still has to wend its way through the cluster of power cables tucked inside. At the risk of spoiling the results, though, I was pleasantly surprised by just how well the FT03 Mini performed. Ambient temperature was ~24C at time of testing.
Without the dedicated graphics card, the FT03 Mini still put in a stronger performance than the much larger, ATX-sized GD07 (compared here due to the GD07 being tested with the Mini-ITX testbed, which was in turn tested with the Mini-ITX testbed due to having a very low heatsink clearance). The SSD ran toastier, but that's to be expected and still acceptable.
Thermal headroom in this configuration also looks to be roughly the same, if the fan speed is any indication.
The FT03 Mini doesn't just perform well, it's also pretty quiet. Without a dedicated graphics card we're looking at just three fans in the enclosure: the intake, the CPU heatsink fan, and the power supply. Given the efficient thermal design, none of them have to work terribly hard, and the result is a system that runs quietly.
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ikjadoon - Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - link
http://www.maingear.com/custom/desktops/potenza/ga...This might help...but it's just one shot. :(
terragb - Thursday, May 24, 2012 - link
They are using a CPU water cooler in that shot which makes it look like there is much more space than there is with an air cooler.terragb - Thursday, May 24, 2012 - link
Hey friends,So I know I'm a bit late to the party but I'm actually using the FT03-Mini right now with an i7-3770 and a GTX 680.
For the record, assembly with a 680 becomes a completely different situation. Yes, there is physically enough room inside the case for the 680 but actually getting it in place is very difficult. I had to follow a completely different assembly order than recommended and actually had to unscrew the front grill/port cover/mounting bracket from the GPU to squeeze it in and then screw the front grill back in place with it lodged inside the case.
I have pictures of the build that I need to find time to upload but I'll try and answer questions if anyone has any.
mcbowler - Friday, May 25, 2012 - link
So how do you like the set up? This seams ideal to me.terragb - Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - link
I'm really happy with it. I really like the unique vertical orientation of the case. I'm still seeing how hot the video card runs since its definitely a little airflow starved given the GPU intake fan is only a few millimeters from the side panel of the case.ggathagan - Saturday, May 26, 2012 - link
That's odd.Is the 680 a reference-based design or does it have a custom cooler like the MSI Twin Frozr?
I used an EVGA GTX670, which is the same size as their 680 as both are reference design. I didn't have to do anything to the GPU.
Yes, it's tight, but you can get the GPU in after everything else is installed and running.
I did some testing with the built-in graphics before installing the 670.
When I installed the card, I didn't have to do any more than take off the panel with the optical drive slot.
And it didn't take any kind of forcing.
That GPU size struck me as almost being made for the case.
terragb - Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - link
Its an allegedly reference Galaxy GTX 680. Honestly if it were only a few millimeters shorter it would have fit in without all the effort.Salem - Friday, June 15, 2012 - link
I'm about to order everything, but when it comes to CPU cooler, I just realized there doesn't appear to be any room for the radiator from the Corsair H60 on the bottom while having a 10" video card like the GTX680 or 670. Does this sound right to you? How are you cooling your CPU?I have a spare Noctua C14, but there's no way that'll work in this thing.
methudman6 - Friday, May 25, 2012 - link
Where the heck can I buy this in the US? I can find only one Canadian retailer online called Sundial Micro.ggathagan - Saturday, May 26, 2012 - link
Sundial is where my friend bought his.They're in California, not Canada.
CA as domain name is Canada. As an address, it's California
Got it quick, and the whole process was trouble-free.