Tag Archives: Cases

rying to figure out how you want to build a mining machine, there aren't many options to choose from concerning its skeleton. One option is to build or buy an open rig frame, another is to mockup some metal shelving and hang some gear from it with zip ties, and the last option is to purchase a professionally made, well-manufactured mining case. While Rosewill may not be that well known in the cryptocurrency space, they have made a name for themselves in the server market by manufacturing and designing quality components at a price point that most people can afford. With that kind of pedigree, Rosewill introduced the RSV-L4000B and, subsequently, the RSV-L4000BC; a 4U 6/8 GPU Rack-mountable Mining chassis.

There had been a long period where I was looking at making everything small. NAS were the primary means of storage, and miniITX platforms had started to make themselves available throughout my home. Unfortunately, I started to realize that instead of a small number of small systems in and around my home, I had a large number of small systems. That includes NAS and storage devices as well as playback devices. With that, I instead started on a journey to build a single big storage platform. When SilverStone caught wind of this, they thought they had the perfect case for my big storage needs. Enter the RM420.

I get very excited when I get a new case in the lab for review. I get even more excited when the case comes from BitFenix. BitFenix has been quietly making some of the best computer cases out there. Their signature SofTouch Surface Treatment is simply amazing. Having gained popularity with their Colossus case, BitFenix has decided to bring all that style and pizzazz to the Mini ITX platform, and dubbed it the Colossus Mini-ITX.

If you are a case designer or manufacturer, you must be asking what can you do to differentiate yourself from the rest of the herd? After all, there are a ton of cases out there, but what will make yours stand out? Some may use fancy graphics, some will do it with price, and others will go right back to the drawing board. Computer cases have fundamentally stayed the same over the years. Outside of some minor changes like the PSU being moved from the top to the bottom, there isn't much to guess about. Well, SilverStone has some ideas that may be able to change the way you look at your computer case.

My days of large full tower cases are slowly coming to an end. Although I love the behemoths of yesteryear, I see myself starting to look upon Mini-ITX motherboards and cases with more enthusiasm every day. I can get everything I want and need in a compact platform without sacrificing CPU and video card power. This transition seems to have been born from the latest round of case reviews that have been featured here lately. We have featured SilverStone, Fractal Design, Lian-Li and iStarUSA cases on the site but one company wasn't feeling any love and promised me they could sway me from the others with their latest Mini-ITX case. I have to admit, the competition is rough, but Antec feels as though their ISK600 is the case that steals the thunder.

There is seldom a time when I get more excited than when someone ships me a case designed specifically for storage. SliverStone told me they would be producing something that would get my fingers twitching in anticipation, and for the last couple of months it sat in a dark corner waiting for the day when I could break it open. Lonely and afraid, the SilverStone DS380 SFF NAS chassis waited, waited for its chance to woo me.

From what I hear, not all the best cases are made from Aluminum. However, I can't think of the last case I used for my primary workstation that wasn't. Fractal Design has set out to change all that with the Define R4. This case is sleek, sturdy, and may just be the one to displace my aluminum tradition.

My computing world is simple, I don't like things that are too over the top. In other words, I like certain things to be simple... especially my computer cases. The calmer the appearance, the more I like it. If you have some change in your pocket, Lian Li and SilverStone are the ones I look to first. If I need a budget case, the BitFenix Merc Alpha or the CoolerMaster Centurion fits the bill. Today, RAIDMAX thinks they have a budget chassis that can find a place amongst our short list of go to cases.

When it comes to PC cases, SilverStone is a name that comes to mind quickly. During their reign, they have produced some of the most sought after enthusiast cases. With the evolution of the Temjin Series, SilverStone has resurrected the TJ04 and made some enhancements that are well worth looking at.