New Silverstone Fortress FT02 coming soon!

[elstado]

Well, I did a forum/thread search and the only results for the FT02 were in the Computex 2009 thread where the FT02 was on display.

This case is looking to be a cracker. I am actually really excited for it. I have been wanting to get a new case for 12 months now but have been largely unhappy with the models available and the prices being charged for the higher end cases. I discovered the Raven 02 and was considering it for a while, but certain aspects of it such as the HDD bay etc irked me a little.

However in my research on the RV02 I learnt of the Silverstone Fortress 2 (FT02), which is essentially very similar in design and size to the RV02, except it has a much nicer aluminium unibody design, sound dampening foam, more HDD bays and the HDD bays are also external facing and hot-swappable.


Issues that I have read about with the RV02 and FT02 are pretty much limited to:

• Vertical hight issues, mainly with new videocards longer than 12" (apparently the 5870x2 will be 12.1" or something).
• Not enough space for some LCS kits, especially with multiple long videocards.
• Only the outside of the case is unibody aluminium, the chassis is SECC steel (apparently to cut costs and improve rigidity).

That's about it AFAIK. All of which are non-issues for me.

It was due to be released around August, but has been delayed for multiple reasons. Apparently it is now shipping and should be arriving in the next month or two (not sure how quickly it will come to Australia). Not an issue for me as I have plenty of time to wait.

Pricing is still sketchy, it was supposed to be cheaper than the all-aluminium FT01, however due to some issues it will be around the same price or higher. A silverstone rep quoted around $220-230 USD, which means it should be selling in Aus around $250-270, depending on how much we get gouged and where you buy it from.

It comes in all black (internal and external) or silver.

The case finish is, to quote Tony (developer) from SS:

The FT02's exterior has what we called, "sand-blasted" finish with anodized coating. The drive bay covers have "brushed" finish also with anodized coating.

As a reference, sand-blasted finish is used on our TJ07/FT01 cases and are similar to what you will see on Apple's Mac Pro or MacBook Pro cases.

Brushed finish is used in many of our aluminum and HTPC cases such as TJ09/TJ10, CW03, LC17, etc... and is often found on front panels of expensive hi-fi components.

Here's some pics recently released:


Click to view full size!

(Actually, the different looking 5.25" bay covers does look a little annoying. I don't know why they chose to give the case a 'sandblast' finish, and then give the covers a 'brushed' finish. They stand out more, which is annoying, but bearable).


Click to view full size!


Click to view full size!

More info and replies from the Silverstone developer/rep about the new FT02 and RV02 here:
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1429251

[LostBenji]

I like the concept of vertical placement of the board but there is still the major issue of the case still being just too small. It has nice styling but as I said, no bloody room for anything.

[Dragonfly]

Been waiting for this case. Think the silver version doesn't have a side window though and looks a lot like an Apple case

Personally I think the window ruins the look, but that's me.

[-Cypher-]

Originally Posted by LostBenji

I like the concept of vertical placement of the board but there is still the major issue of the case still being just too small. It has nice styling but as I said, no bloody room for anything.

It has room for a motherboard....and a couple of GFX cards up to 10.5 inches....and a PSU....and some HDDs....

Most people don't need space for much else.

IMO accessibility is becoming less and less relative to size these days, quiet mid towers like this aren't designed to house heaps of large WC gear like larger, nosier full towers.

[Eradicate']

looks to plain imo, i still like the FT01 better. and it does seem too small

[elstado]

Originally Posted by Dragonfly

Been waiting for this case. Think the silver version doesn't have a side window though and looks a lot like an Apple case

Personally I think the window ruins the look, but that's me.

I agree to an extent, I wouldn't want a window in the silver version, as you said it would ruin the pseudo-Apple look, however I think it does suit the more PC style of all black.

Originally Posted by LostBenji

I like the concept of vertical placement of the board but there is still the major issue of the case still being just too small. It has nice styling but as I said, no bloody room for anything.

Umm not enough room for a full LCS kit, but that is still a minority market. As far as air cooling goes this and the RV02 are up there with the best.

In regards to general room apparently the case will take cards up to 12" long (5870x2, 5890 etc), all you have to do is remove the fan grill on one of the fans.

[-Cypher-]

If it's anything like the FT01 then there should be a BW,SW,B and S model (no BS model ). Unfortunately Australian distributors usually won't have all four variants though (the BW FT01 is by far the most widely available here in oz).

Personally I like the "B" model best.

*BW- Black with window
*SW- Silver with window
*B- Black without window
*S- Silver without window
*BS- Bull Shit

[elstado]

Originally Posted by -Cypher-

If it's anything like the FT01 then there should be a BW,SW,B and S model (no BS model ). Unfortunately Australian distributors usually won't have all four variants though (the BW FT01 is by far the most widely available here in oz).

That's good because I am after the BW FT02!

No one likes the window, but after having non-windowed cases for years I kinda feel like a change. However there will be zero tolerance on LED fans, and if I decide to put some cathodes in there they will be hooked up to a easy access switch so I can turn them off if I need to run it over night. Nothing worse than having a case with mesh and windows and full of LED fans and cathodes and there's no easy way to turn it all off.

One guy on Hard Forum pointed out some of the design flaws (easilly fixed/modded though):

Originally Posted by ivandurago

Four major fixes that would make this case worth it price entirely:
1. Seamless blend between case exterior and drive bays. (I would probably pay $15+ per drive bay cover so my entire case matched. Although I love brushed aluminum, I perfer to have a seamless finish across my entire chassis)
2. Sleeve all wires black. (Just sleeve the loose cables in some color, it adds sooo much trashy visual noise.)
3. Replace silver PCI covers with black ones. (Such an inexpensive change, but makes a huge difference in the overall package)
4. Remove plastic parts (i.e. CD/HDD bays - I would rather screw in my drive bays than use plastic. Either use rubber or metal imo)
*4.25 Mount your window on the interior. (Does it cost more to have them internally mounted? Again check this up to my taste for the seamless finish, but this choice just kills me. 100% smooth exterior and then a bulbous window.. why? Take a hint from Lian Li)
*4.5. Your company signature on the front of the case is far to large. (I guess I am just biased to the streamlined/minimalistic aesthetic)

You should release after market products for at least the first and modders can take care of the last three. (Sandblasted silver drive bay covers vs. brushed)
I feel these changes would barely change the cost of manufacturing and would thrust it into the elite circle of enthusiast cases.

Nearly perfect case design, but these minor changes would make it a sure buy in my book. Not the most clairvoyant post, however I am not entirely sober :P .

Again not the best post - but honestly if you changed 1, 3 and 4.25 I can assure you the will be even more of a hit. Could these minor changes really add hardly any cost to the final product?
Basically is what I am saying is, you have a case that possible tops the quality of Apple design and if you were willing to make a couple minor changes you will have a sure sell (i.e PC-X500 & 800D.)

[anlashok]

Originally Posted by elstado

Originally Posted by ivandurago View Post
Four major fixes that would make this case worth it price entirely:
1. Seamless blend between case exterior and drive bays. (I would probably pay $15+ per drive bay cover so my entire case matched. Although I love brushed aluminum, I perfer to have a seamless finish across my entire chassis)
2. Sleeve all wires black. (Just sleeve the loose cables in some color, it adds sooo much trashy visual noise.)
3. Replace silver PCI covers with black ones. (Such an inexpensive change, but makes a huge difference in the overall package)
4. Remove plastic parts (i.e. CD/HDD bays - I would rather screw in my drive bays than use plastic. Either use rubber or metal imo)
*4.25 Mount your window on the interior. (Does it cost more to have them internally mounted? Again check this up to my taste for the seamless finish, but this choice just kills me. 100% smooth exterior and then a bulbous window.. why? Take a hint from Lian Li)
*4.5. Your company signature on the front of the case is far to large. (I guess I am just biased to the streamlined/minimalistic aesthetic)

You should release after market products for at least the first and modders can take care of the last three. (Sandblasted silver drive bay covers vs. brushed)
I feel these changes would barely change the cost of manufacturing and would thrust it into the elite circle of enthusiast cases.

Nearly perfect case design, but these minor changes would make it a sure buy in my book. Not the most clairvoyant post, however I am not entirely sober :P .

Again not the best post - but honestly if you changed 1, 3 and 4.25 I can assure you the will be even more of a hit. Could these minor changes really add hardly any cost to the final product?
Basically is what I am saying is, you have a case that possible tops the quality of Apple design and if you were willing to make a couple minor changes you will have a sure sell (i.e PC-X500 & 800D.)

Exactly, this guy is right on the money.

Its has a nice atheistic to it, but in its current form I wouldn't buy one. Changes need to be made, and for the height of that case really they could have added a inch so you could put a RAD at the bottom. A two tone or backlit laser cut smaller simple logo would have been great. The inside mounted window and sleeved wires hell yes! other guys have done this please follow.


More Pics
http://silverstone-usa.com/images/RV...compatible.jpg
http://forum.hardware.fr/hfr/Hardwar...t_846711_1.htm

[elstado]

Originally Posted by anlashok

Exactly, this guy is right on the money.

Its has a nice atheistic to it, but in its current form I wouldn't buy one. Changes need to be made, and for the height of that case really they could have added a inch so you could put a RAD at the bottom. A two tone or backlit laser cut smaller simple logo would have been great. The inside mounted window and sleeved wires hell yes! other guys have done this please follow.

I agree.

Consistent finish on all surfaces, more subtle logo, inside mounted window, sleeved (or at least all black) fan cables and an inch higher would make this pretty much the perfect case. It's still perfect for my circumstances, but I can see the dimensions being annoying for people who want to WC and are picky about design.

[$3@N]

as the proud owner of a black FT01 i find the FT02 design very unusual to say the least.

I think its build quality looks lower and as you can see from the rivets the case is not modular like the FT01.

Also i find the top facing i/o and power buttons not very user friendly, who wants to look down at the top of their case to see a mess of cables, granted the cooling advantage is huge but the anesthetic's take a big chuck out of a weird overall design.

I do like the look of the front bezel, but my sympathy with the rest of the design stops there.

Ill stick to my good old FT01 which i payed $300AU for thankyou very much SilverStone.

Next time please make a FT03 which is based on the FT01, not a case lying on its face!

[elstado]

Originally Posted by $3@N

Also i find the top facing i/o and power buttons not very user friendly, who wants to look down at the top of their case to see a mess of cables, granted the cooling advantage is huge but the anesthetic's take a big chuck out of a weird overall design.

'anesthetic's'.. lol.

The cables on the top I/O are covered, so no mess.

[Potatos_69]

its all rather nice but imo Raven01 for the win

[elstado]

Originally Posted by Potatos_69

its all rather nice but imo Raven01 for the win

Meh, the RV01 looks kinda cool but there's too much plastic for me, and too many general design flaws too.

Nice and big though.

[elstado]

Bad new for those who wanted one by the end of the month:

FT02 will likely be available in Australia in December or January depending on our distributor's schedule. As for the price in Australia, this will also be determined by our distributor as well. I am sorry that I cannot provide anymore detailed information for you!

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?...post1034862363

And this addresses some of the critiques:

The steel used for RV02/FT02 is the same 0.8mm thickness. This is usually the standard thickness for mid to full towers. 1mm steel is mostly used for server cases while lower cost models will tend to use 0.6mm. From my experience, aluminum cases need to be at least around 2mm to feel as strong as 0.8mm thick steel cases.

The tool-less 5.25" drive bay buttons on the RV02/FT02 can be removed if you want, mounting holes for screws are available if you like to use them to secure 5.25" devices or drives.

The 5.25" drive bays for RV02 and FT02 are shallower than normal cases so some of the drive bay adapters may not be suitable. We are planning on releasing the RV02 drive cage for sale separately to those wanting to add hard drive space for their case.