Performance & Wrap Up

For testing we used the Core i7-6700K which was cooled by the Silverstone Argon Series AR06 low-contour air-libation. The graphics menu of choice was the Gainward GTX 980 Ti which when stressed on an open up testbed reaches 74 degrees.

The results were taken with an ambient room temperature of 21 degrees. For the stress exam nosotros left 3DMark's 'Sky Diver' test on loop for twenty minutes. Nosotros and so waited some other five minutes and recoreded the lowest temperature equally the idle temp.

CPU GPU
Idle 33 34
3DMark 61 76

At idle the system ran cool at a picayune over 30 degrees for the CPU and GPU. Nether load temperatures naturally climbed quite dramatically, though they stayed well within adequate limits. The Gainward GTX 980 Ti remained quiet nether load and only ran a few degrees hotter than the test bed result. The AR06 did an excellent job of keeping the Core i7-6700K cool as information technology never exceeded 61 degrees.

Beautifully Designed, Like shooting fish in a barrel to Use

Silverstone has without question produced some of the marketplace's best Mini-ITX designs, including last year's RVZ01 which we heralded as the best Mini-ITX case for gaming rigs at the time. The ultra-affordable Sugo SG13 became another favorite of mine when I reviewed it early on this twelvemonth.

Equally good equally those previous examples are, they have been outdone by the new Raven RVZ02, a case that we feel is superior in almost every manner.

The SG13 might exist half a liter smaller, but it features a completely different profile pattern, so with such a minor size difference yous tin't actually compare the ii in that way. The SG13 can likewise handle a 120mm radiator and while it does support high-end hardware, getting information technology all inside is considerably more difficult.

This is what we dear most about the RVZ02: how well thought-out it is. Any 1 hardware component can be chop-chop removed from the RVZ02 without having to remove some other component first, something few Mini-ITX cases can claim.

In fact, the RVZ02 is no more than difficult to work with than a standard mid-tower, and this is something that less experienced builders are really going to appreciate.

Operation-wise the RVZ02 is every bit expert as whatsoever Mini-ITX instance nosotros've tested and eliminating case cooling turned out to exist another one of Silverstone's innovative ideas. Non only does this make the instance more compact and cheaper to produce, just it came at no real disadvantage. Due to the way the RVZ02 has been designed, the graphics card and CPU are completely separate and tin depict in enough of cool air from what is essentially an open up-chassis blueprint.

The only potential issue with Silverstone's execution hither, which is bound to upset many of you, is the complete lack of filters. While airflow is of import in an open-air chassis, dust build up on core components could go a trouble, so that'due south something to be enlightened of.

There is a solid black version of the case without the vented windows and nosotros've been told this version has filters. The solid version will also be slightly cheaper at $seventy, while the windowed version that we tested will cost $fourscore -- an incredibly expert value regardless.

Apart from grit beingness a potential issue, we couldn't actually find annihilation else to criticize. We're impressed with the RVZ02's ease of installation, hardware back up and cooling operation, particularly for a compact slim tower.

Shopping shortcuts:

  • Silverstone Raven RVZ02 on Amazon
  • Silverstone Raven RVZ02 on Newegg

The SX500-LG is also a nifty little power supply and perfect for apply with the RVZ02, and then cheers to Silverstone for providing it. Also a large thanks to Asrock for providing the Fatal1ty Z170 Gaming-ITX/air-conditioning motherboard as we really appreciated having that rear Thousand.2 slot handy.

Pros: It's every bit easy on the eyes every bit information technology is to work with. Surprisingly affordable. Smaller than its predecessor simply can withal handle GPUs upwardly to 13" long. No case cooling? No problem! Smart pattern that uses component fans for airflow.

Cons: Grit could exist a business concern on the filterless windowed model (a solid panel version with filters is $10 cheaper). Not actually a con, just we wouldn't mind seeing another variant that eliminates the optical bulldoze bay, if only for aesthetics.