SilverStone Fortress FT02 Mid Tower Case Review

Hardware Installation – Page 2


On the flip side of the case, we can see that a lot of cabling can be hid here. Notches can be found along the bottom of the motherboard tray for zip or twist ties.


Unfortunately, the CPU cut-out didn’t quite clear the backplate on our EP35-DS4, but is a nice addition none the less.
As mentioned earlier, the opening below the PSU is ideally located for cables to extend to the front of the case.


We found that empty drive caddies make an ideal location to hide unwanted leads and excess cabling. We stuffed quite a bit into the first bay including power cables, sata cables and even fan connectors.


With the side panel reattached, we were treated with a beautiful view of our hardware.


The I/O panel and video card ports are recessed so allow for connections to be made with the top cover on. Although a matter of personal preference, those interested in increasing airflow from the top of the case can also refrain from installing the I/O shield. Care must be taken when plugging in devices without one though.


Unfortunately, not all cables will work. As you can see, a VGA-DVI adapter caused our monitor cable to protrude far beyond the confines of the top cover. There really isn’t a solution for a problem of this sort unfortunately. Buyers will simply need to take a close look at their peripheral connectors prior to buying the FT02. It would be very disappointing to pay $200 for a case only to realize that you can’t attach the top cover. Innovative solutions often come at the cost of some practicality, unfortunately.