Actually Good Function-First Cases: Silverstone Alta D1, RM600, Alta F2, & RM52
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Date: 2023-06-01
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Comments and reviews: 15
Sushi
Connectors on the back of the motherboard seem like the perfect example of form over function to me. Add space and complexity just to make the main compartment look clean . What is even happening? First we make clear panels to showcase the electronics inside (also taking up the space that was used for fans). Then the market decides that electronics are not pretty and everything gets a useless plastic shroud to hide the electronics (obviously with the exception of shrouds that actually direct the airflow but I don't think these need to be the shape of a gun). Now they're even hiding the cables (if it was just about routing I think there are better solutions already implemented). Why not just hang a picture on the side of the PC instead?
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Connectors on the back of the motherboard seem like the perfect example of form over function to me. Add space and complexity just to make the main compartment look clean . What is even happening? First we make clear panels to showcase the electronics inside (also taking up the space that was used for fans). Then the market decides that electronics are not pretty and everything gets a useless plastic shroud to hide the electronics (obviously with the exception of shrouds that actually direct the airflow but I don't think these need to be the shape of a gun). Now they're even hiding the cables (if it was just about routing I think there are better solutions already implemented). Why not just hang a picture on the side of the PC instead?
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fatalicus
In regards to back facing connectors, that is definitly something the can and should start with case manufacturers.
Why not design new cases with both forward and backward connectors in mind (because they don't have to be one or the other)? It isn't like it takes very much to get that support: a bit more space on the back for the cables that need to stick out, and holes around the edges where the connectors will be. Hell, they usually allready have holes for cable passthrough near where such holes will be allready, so just expand them and put in a slider to cover one half or the other, depening on wether the user has front or back facing.
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In regards to back facing connectors, that is definitly something the can and should start with case manufacturers.
Why not design new cases with both forward and backward connectors in mind (because they don't have to be one or the other)? It isn't like it takes very much to get that support: a bit more space on the back for the cables that need to stick out, and holes around the edges where the connectors will be. Hell, they usually allready have holes for cable passthrough near where such holes will be allready, so just expand them and put in a slider to cover one half or the other, depening on wether the user has front or back facing.
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Richyy!
I would like to see a more serious entry from Silverstone for ITX-desktop cases. I know they have some, but I'm more interested in something like the NR200P.
Ngl it's about time we shift a little bit away from huge ATX cases, since at least many consumers actually have no need for that. Not like it's gonna be abandoned anyway. Saving desk space with more space efficient PC's should be the focus, as SFF stuff is gaining popularity.
Of course there's also still demand, no need to remind me.
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I would like to see a more serious entry from Silverstone for ITX-desktop cases. I know they have some, but I'm more interested in something like the NR200P.
Ngl it's about time we shift a little bit away from huge ATX cases, since at least many consumers actually have no need for that. Not like it's gonna be abandoned anyway. Saving desk space with more space efficient PC's should be the focus, as SFF stuff is gaining popularity.
Of course there's also still demand, no need to remind me.
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ChaosRifle
I can honestly say I have NEVER had issues with PC cases being too deep (wide?), even in the case of things like the O11D with a back second compartment. Length from front to back(io panel) I have had issues with some older cases like HAF, but never in the depth/width. Adding a bit more to completely hide cables is totally acceptable, and preferred. In some cases, like the O11D, that space already exists, the only thing missing would be the cutaway to use said space for rear mounted cables.
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I can honestly say I have NEVER had issues with PC cases being too deep (wide?), even in the case of things like the O11D with a back second compartment. Length from front to back(io panel) I have had issues with some older cases like HAF, but never in the depth/width. Adding a bit more to completely hide cables is totally acceptable, and preferred. In some cases, like the O11D, that space already exists, the only thing missing would be the cutaway to use said space for rear mounted cables.
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Bluestreak
Liking the backside cabling ideas. I do want to see a standardized layout however - Not interested in fighting board/case/etc compatibility problems. I'm a fan of cases like Silverstone's with more drive bays. I use ordinary tower shells to house 8+ drive server machines for reasons other than 'borrowing' content. I don't need pricey truly server-grade shells nor am I set up to deal with 1U/2U racking and its associated costly cases/PSUs.
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Liking the backside cabling ideas. I do want to see a standardized layout however - Not interested in fighting board/case/etc compatibility problems. I'm a fan of cases like Silverstone's with more drive bays. I use ordinary tower shells to house 8+ drive server machines for reasons other than 'borrowing' content. I don't need pricey truly server-grade shells nor am I set up to deal with 1U/2U racking and its associated costly cases/PSUs.
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Peppi
I would be nice to have a standard like ATX for the backfacing connectors because it is a really good idea, but if you can only choose one possible combination of mother and case it will nether go off. Also Asus's GPU power through the mainboard is a really good idea but it also needs to be a standard.
Make everyhting like this a standard with good documentation and i think the chicken and egg problem will solve itself over a bit of time.
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I would be nice to have a standard like ATX for the backfacing connectors because it is a really good idea, but if you can only choose one possible combination of mother and case it will nether go off. Also Asus's GPU power through the mainboard is a really good idea but it also needs to be a standard.
Make everyhting like this a standard with good documentation and i think the chicken and egg problem will solve itself over a bit of time.
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Raydeus
I don't know about the industry as a whole, but I've always wished pc cases were at least 10-20cm wider.
I've resorted to just remove the side panels just to be able to place everything (specially cables) at the most optimal position, and couldn't care any less about how it looks . I just want a system that is easy to setup, clean and maintain without all the unnecessary functionless bs like RGB, glass panels and narrow profiles.
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I don't know about the industry as a whole, but I've always wished pc cases were at least 10-20cm wider.
I've resorted to just remove the side panels just to be able to place everything (specially cables) at the most optimal position, and couldn't care any less about how it looks . I just want a system that is easy to setup, clean and maintain without all the unnecessary functionless bs like RGB, glass panels and narrow profiles.
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fnorgen
You know, sometimes I wish I could buy a good consumer motherboard with a plain green PCB, basic aluminium finstack heatsinks, a post code readout, good overclocking features, and no RGB or fancy styling whatsoever. Same with memory and graphics cards. I'm so tired of the maximalist, rainbow barf, gamer aesthetic that hides the actual components under layers of cheap styling which makes everything look like a toy to my eyes.
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You know, sometimes I wish I could buy a good consumer motherboard with a plain green PCB, basic aluminium finstack heatsinks, a post code readout, good overclocking features, and no RGB or fancy styling whatsoever. Same with memory and graphics cards. I'm so tired of the maximalist, rainbow barf, gamer aesthetic that hides the actual components under layers of cheap styling which makes everything look like a toy to my eyes.
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Klaes
If this becomes an open standard with the cables on the backside of the motherboard I would be very happy. Given that graphic cards and cpu coolers are so large these days; even changing some cable in the case is now such a hassle; if I could access most peripherals via the back of the motherboard it would solve a lot of those issues. Also it will probably improve cable management and by extension the airflow.
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If this becomes an open standard with the cables on the backside of the motherboard I would be very happy. Given that graphic cards and cpu coolers are so large these days; even changing some cable in the case is now such a hassle; if I could access most peripherals via the back of the motherboard it would solve a lot of those issues. Also it will probably improve cable management and by extension the airflow.
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Chad
Love the D1 and the RM600
Would love to see some 5.25 bays in other cases, they are great for trayless hot swap bays and you could probably make a screen you could mount in them and put sensors and decorative stuff on
Extra point to anyone who makes/puts analog gauges in a 5.25 bay form factor, just think of the thing you can make and mount into 5.25 bays, you could put a ARGB thing in it if you wanted
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Love the D1 and the RM600
Would love to see some 5.25 bays in other cases, they are great for trayless hot swap bays and you could probably make a screen you could mount in them and put sensors and decorative stuff on
Extra point to anyone who makes/puts analog gauges in a 5.25 bay form factor, just think of the thing you can make and mount into 5.25 bays, you could put a ARGB thing in it if you wanted
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ShyAwkward
The back-cable support seems totally useless for someone like me, who does not care for the visual aspect of a PC build. IMO, It should either be a modular support kind of thing, where you can put taller stands into the motherboard or something to choose if u want more space in the front, for CPU coolers, GPU, etc. Or more space in the back for more SSDs and back support.
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The back-cable support seems totally useless for someone like me, who does not care for the visual aspect of a PC build. IMO, It should either be a modular support kind of thing, where you can put taller stands into the motherboard or something to choose if u want more space in the front, for CPU coolers, GPU, etc. Or more space in the back for more SSDs and back support.
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CheapSushi
That Silverstone server cases are amazing. I love that 5U and RM600! Silverstone always comes up with something unique but grounded at the same time. Great company. I know it's counter to what they're going for but if they offered an acrylic window panel on some of them, that would be amazing too. I love seeing some blinkenlights on my board.
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That Silverstone server cases are amazing. I love that 5U and RM600! Silverstone always comes up with something unique but grounded at the same time. Great company. I know it's counter to what they're going for but if they offered an acrylic window panel on some of them, that would be amazing too. I love seeing some blinkenlights on my board.
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Peter
We need Nvme-slots on the backside of the motherboard. Forget aesthetics, I don't care! I just want the graphics card and towercooler not be in the way of the Nvme-SSD's, 1 because of heat, 2 because I don't like having to remove and insert the graphics card just to add a Nvme-SSD or fix if it is not well seated (no screw for one slot).
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We need Nvme-slots on the backside of the motherboard. Forget aesthetics, I don't care! I just want the graphics card and towercooler not be in the way of the Nvme-SSD's, 1 because of heat, 2 because I don't like having to remove and insert the graphics card just to add a Nvme-SSD or fix if it is not well seated (no screw for one slot).
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Derek
The Advent of back facing connectors is a good case for motherboard trays. Where you can remove the motherboard plate and replace it with one that fits for your motherboard. That way the rest of the case works. Something I didn't really think about before. If the placement eventually standardized then good, but you'd already be set.
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The Advent of back facing connectors is a good case for motherboard trays. Where you can remove the motherboard plate and replace it with one that fits for your motherboard. That way the rest of the case works. Something I didn't really think about before. If the placement eventually standardized then good, but you'd already be set.
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Michaels
That d1, yes. Fans in the door, brilliant. Those extra back slots? You could add one of those pcie-> pci adapters to a full atx board. Make it all aluminium, sold. And that white desktop? Freaking sweet retro matx build. Or even modern. Have those front keyboard panel looking squares hidden front usb for keyboard/mouse hookups.
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That d1, yes. Fans in the door, brilliant. Those extra back slots? You could add one of those pcie-> pci adapters to a full atx board. Make it all aluminium, sold. And that white desktop? Freaking sweet retro matx build. Or even modern. Have those front keyboard panel looking squares hidden front usb for keyboard/mouse hookups.
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