SilverStone Precision PS07 Case Review Redux
by Dustin Sklavos on September 20, 2013 12:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- SilverStone
- MicroATX
I'll admit I'm not especially happy with using the mini-ITX testbed for micro-ATX enclosures; the problem is that micro-ATX, despite being essentially the most logical form factor for the overwhelming majority of builds, still has tremendous difficulty gaining traction in the industry. I've heard from higher ups at a lot of different manufacturers that micro-ATX doesn't really sell as well as it ought to; enthusiasts and more mainstream builders are still leaning towards full ATX, while mini-ITX is gaining obvious traction for simpler designs.
With all that in mind, I've actually used the SilverStone PS07's senior sibling, the Temjin TJ08-E, for a more powerful build and found it to be exceptional. This thermal design has a lot to recommend it, but it's interesting to see if SilverStone's eye towards efficiency helps distinguish the PS07 from the competing cases.
Thermals are good but not great. Keep in mind that the mini-ITX testbed uses a traditional downward-directed air cooler as opposed to a tower cooler; anecdotally, my experience is that tower coolers perform tremendously well in this chassis.
It's as quiet as any of the others, though. This is batting pretty far below the PS07's class.
Install a more modest HTPC style configuration and the PS07's performance is still a bit iffy. It competes but not especially strongly.
While the original version of the PS07 isn't listed here, I can confirm independently that the newer fans in this revision are most definitely quieter. Noise levels aren't ideal, but they're at least on the low side. Note that the PS07 runs substantially cooler than the Fractal Design Define Mini while being only fractionally louder.
Switch over to a more powerful graphics card and the PS07 starts really punching its weight. It's running consistently cooler than Fractal Design's Define Mini, while the Corsair Obsidian 350D offers better thermal performance but in a larger footprint.
And there's the proof. The PS07 is ever so slightly quieter than almost all of the competing cases.
The essential takeaway from the performance results here is that the PS07 becomes increasingly competitive the more you tax it. Fractal Design's Define Mini requires too much handholding to really shine, while the Corsair Obsidian 350D is by all rights not really an air cooling case and not designed with that in mind.
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just4U - Saturday, September 21, 2013 - link
What about the Cooler Master N200?antef - Saturday, September 21, 2013 - link
The N200 looks okay but still a bit unnecessarily deep.PS07: 8.27 " W x 14.73" H x 15.75" D
Line-M: 7.29" W x 14.37" H x 15.74" D
N200: 7.95" W x 14.9" H x 17.52" D
The Line-M has the best dimensions here. The PS07 is slightly wider and taller but maintains the same short depth. The N200 is nearly 2" deeper. What's so nice about the Line-M/PS07 dimensions is that they keep it extremely compact but still have the space for a large video card and modest tower cooler if you want it.
HisDivineOrder - Saturday, September 21, 2013 - link
CLC is a fad that will die out just as soon as people realize it's ridiculous to put a water cooler on chips that increasingly cannot overclock reliably for reasons that are NOT at all about heat production and/or not about heat being reliably transferred by the heatspreader.At this point, CLC is the new "in-thing," but eventually there'll be a move back to standard heatsinks and fans. This reminds me of how "everyone" was making aluminum cases, then the market contracted down to only a couple of players. Because it was the fad for a while.
just4U - Saturday, September 21, 2013 - link
I've found that the Temjin (and I assume the PS07 since their very similar) both work well with modular Power Supplies that use cables that are ribboned rather than sleeved. That makes cable management so much easier.bobbozzo - Sunday, September 22, 2013 - link
Hi,Please also re-review the Antec P18x (p183 v3 is current, afaict) and p280 cases.
Thanks!
bobbozzo - Sunday, September 22, 2013 - link
http://images.anandtech.com/galleries/3085/Large%2...It looks like there might be a filter on the intake, but it's hard to tell for sure
Please state in all reviews if there are dust filters, and if they're removable.
thanks!
tonyou - Sunday, September 22, 2013 - link
Yeah, that pictures shows the front removable filter for the PS07. There is also another removable filter on the top of the case for PSU intake.Hrel - Monday, September 23, 2013 - link
I looked and didn't find one; but you guys REALLY need a sound meter that goes below 30db. I'm not sure where to find it, but it's gotta exist somewhere.lwatcdr - Monday, September 23, 2013 - link
You would probably not only have to find a meter that goes below 30db but also a special room to measure in. Even wind outside or the ac turning on could swamp a sub 30db signal.