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
Testing Methodology
For testing Mini-ITX cases, we use the following standardized testbed in stock and overclocked configurations to get a feel for how well the case handles heat and noise. Again, note that while the GD07 can technically fit a full-size ATX motherboard, it's not tall enough to allow for our testbed's tower cooler. Because of the discrepancies that would make for in testing, plus the fact that media center cases are often mini-ITX designs, we have chosen to use our mini-ITX testbed rather than going with a specialized (e.g. not something you can compare directly to our other cases) ATX build.
Mini-ITX Test Configuration | |
CPU |
Intel Core i3-2120 (65W TDP) |
Motherboard | Zotac Z68ITX-A-E |
Graphics Card |
Intel HD 2000 IGP Zotac GeForce GTS 450 Eco (dedicated) |
Memory | 2x2GB Crucial Ballistix Smart Tracer DDR3-1600 |
Drives |
Kingston SSDNow V+ 100 64GB SSD Samsung 5.25" BD-ROM/DVDRW Drive |
Accessories | Corsair Link |
CPU Cooler | SilverStone NT07-1156 with Cooler Master ThermalFusion 400 |
Power Supply | SilverStone SFX ST45F 450W |
Each case is tested with just the Core i3's integrated graphics as well as with a discrete graphics card. The system is powered on and left idle for fifteen minutes, the thermal and acoustic results recorded, and then stressed by running four threads in Prime95 (in-place large FFTs) on the CPU, and OC Scanner (maximum load) is run when the dedicated GPU is installed. At the end of fiteen minutes, thermal and acoustic results are recorded. If the enclosure has a fan controller, these tests are repeated for each setting. Ambient temperature is also measured after the fifteen idle minutes but before the stress test and used to calculate the final reported results.
We try to maintain an ambient testing temperature of between 22C and 24C. Non-thermal test results aren't going to be directly comparable to the finest decimal point, but should be roughly comparable and give a broader idea of how the enclosure performs.
Thank You!
Before moving on, we'd like to thank the following vendors for providing us with the hardware used in our testbed.
- Thank you to Puget Systems for providing us with the Intel Core i3-2120.
- Thank you to Zotac for providing us with the Z68ITX-A-E motherboard and GeForce GTS 450 Eco.
- Thank you to Crucial for providing us with the Ballistix Smart Tracer memory.
- Thank you to Corsair for providing us with the Corsair Link kit.
- Thank you to Kingston for providing us with the SSDNow V+ 100 SSD.
- Thank you to CyberPower for providing us with the Samsung BD-ROM/DVD+/-RW drive.
- And thank you to SilverStone for providing us with the power supply and NT07-1156 heatsink/fan combo.
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dalenchm0b - Saturday, May 26, 2012 - link
Newegg has it.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...
terragb - Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - link
I got mine from Performance-PCs.comThey are in Florida but mine was drop shipped directly from Silverstone in California.
mcbowler - Friday, May 25, 2012 - link
I always wanted someone to build a case around the graphics card... check out the perfect fit on silverstone web site... http://www.silverstonetek.com/product.php?pid=333I wish more companies did things like this. 1 HD and 2 SSD is all I need. A 450w power supply should be good enough for an Nvidia 680 and a stock voltage 3770. If not, I will be melting something.
terragb - Tuesday, May 29, 2012 - link
Yup. Mine runs fine on the SilverStone 450w PSU. Reference GTX 680 and stock voltage 3770.Death666Angel - Thursday, May 31, 2012 - link
Hey!You write:
"There are five points to screw in the PSU, but there were only enough screws available to do the four corners."
All PSU I have laying around and the few I looked at online only have 4 screw holes, however, most cases I owned had 5 holes. In those cases this was so that the PSUs could be installed with either the fan up or down. Not sure if this is the case here, but it might be. :-)
Interesting case, for sure. :D
caycep - Saturday, June 9, 2012 - link
1) How have the FT03-mini's been in terms of rattling? SilentPCReview didn't like the full size FT03 at all, but the mini seems to be substantially revamped. Is the build quality better?
2) How does this compare w/ the lian li PC-Q11A?
3) will a 350 or 450W sfx psu be enough to run a nvidia gtx 670 class gnu?
s7r83dg3 - Sunday, October 28, 2012 - link
1) Please move the buttons 180° so all the cables can be shorter and in the right position justabove those pins !
2) Make all cables sleeved & short & soft !!!
3) Make the legs 2 cm shorter and the case 2 cm taller so my gfx card will fit.
4) Use a standard FOUR PIN fan so it can be replaced, which is currently not possible.
5) Change your company logo =)
6) Make silent sfx PSU with good modular cables (like superflower psu)