Construction

When we worked with the TJ03 Nimiz model from SilverStone's line, we noticed its 100% aluminum construction and we loved it. Since the TJ03 was all aluminum, its edges were clean cut and it was extremely lightweight for its size. SilverStone decided to travel the steel path thereafter, beginning with the TJ04 Gloria. SilverStone used an aluminum bezel for the chassis while moving to steel for the rest of the construction.

Though steel is a much cheaper alternative and would save money both to SilverStone and, in the end, its customers, we still believe that an entirely steel (or entirely aluminum) chassis would have appealed more to the masses.

The TJ05 is based on the same construction as the TJ04 Gloria. The entire front bezel is made of a thick, 2mm brushed aluminum while the rest of the chassis is constructed of 0.8mm steel, including the side panels. The side and top panels have a glossy paint applied to create a similar look of the silver aluminum (the black model also has a shiny black paint to match its black aluminum bezel). SilverStone has done a great job in making the TJ05 look its best, even though it has chosen to go with a combination of the two metals.




Click to enlarge.




Click to enlarge.


When it comes to security features, the TJ05 stops short. The main security feature that we see in most cases is either a key lock or side loops to apply our own locks. The TJ05 has a key lock, but we felt that it was in the wrong place, protecting the wrong components. The key lock is placed at the front to lock the bezel. This provides no real security since all of the components can still be accessed by removing the side panel.




Click to enlarge.


The side panel is protected only by the electronic intrusion protection system, if your motherboard supports it. All of the components are, however, left open to anyone who has fingers, as the panels are attached to the case by the sliding locks, which can easily be unlocked, even by children. And if that does not stop prying fingers, the thumbscrews will definitely not hold up against anyone willing to use a counter-clockwise twisting motion with their hands to unscrew them.

Case Fans Motherboard Tray
Comments Locked

32 Comments

View All Comments

  • masher - Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - link

    Why does the reviewer call a concave door "convex"?
  • JustAnAverageGuy - Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - link

    [i] "The TJ03 Nimiz was a monstrous product that had great features, such as a sliding removable motherboard tray, a seemingly endless potential for expandability,"[/i]

    [i] "The Bad
    - No removable motherboard tray
    "[/i]

    ?
  • Modal - Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - link

    Wow, that's a really nice looking case. Great review, and thanks for picking a non-ugly case to review this time. :)

    Almost makes me wish I had waited until now to build my machine... I like that case a lot better than my current one.
  • ciwell - Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - link

    Finally a case that does not burn out your retinas by looking at it. Great review.



    P.S. Is there a Thermaltake Tsunami Case Review in our near future? :D
  • Spacecomber - Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - link

    I appreciate the inclusion of more pictures showing the case with the components installed. For example, seeing a full size motherboard installed gives me a better feel for the actual dimensions of the case, and I can see how easy it would be to work inside of it. The highlighting of the space between the bottom of the power supply and the motherboard is also important to me, since you sometimes have to worry about CPU heatsinks overhanging the edge of the board, depending on how close to the motherboard edge the socket is placed.

    Thanks for the review.

    Space
  • skunkbuster - Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - link

    at least it looks better than the last one that was reviewed here.

  • oupei - Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - link

    page 11, chart units should be "decibels"
  • Operandi - Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - link

    Agreed with #1...
  • Deinonych - Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - link

    Looks like the author edited the sentence, so n/m.
  • Deinonych - Wednesday, August 25, 2004 - link

    #2
    I agree. In context, it seems like the author meant to say "an entirely ALUMINUM chassis would have appealed more..."

Log in

Don't have an account? Sign up now