That's rough, I used to have to do that. Take heart, at some point you'll not be the entry-level help desk guy any more and you won't have to work Christmas Eve.
"With the exception of the RV04, which does not share the 90° design, the cases of the Raven series were somewhat bulky and excessively long – features that did not make them very popular among users."
The RVZ01 Raven is a mini-ITX case - perhaps you can review that one as it definitely isn't bulky or excessively long.
Bottom up cooling is a sensible way to go, however current motherboard ATX and mATX siz and shape limits things, ITX would be a better way to go but you are limited by number of graphics cards they extra cost of the MoBos themselves (why do we still pay more for less?), perhaps this is why Apple design their own MoBos and why they can do things like the the Mac Pro. SHuttle used to do thier own MoBos in their cases, I am sure they would be a market for an inovative case manufacturer or boutique PC company (or even Alienware with Dell backing) to come up with a truly unique design with a nonstandard mobo. Or a mobo manufacturer to come up with split MoBo (say CPU/RAM and PCI-x/SATA/USB) that could be used in more inovative case designs. It just needs someone with some vision and who can think out of the box.
Sadly, long-term reliability of Shuttle cases was highly suspect in my experience. I reviewed probably a dozen or so of their SFFs in the 2004-2006 time frame, and nearly every one ended up dead within two years. Which isn't to say other companies were better with those early proprietary SFFs -- I think every option basically was questionable. Biostar, MSI, Shuttle, Foxconn... they all often failed within a year or two (sometimes even less). That was the problem with CPUs using so much power, and we've improved a lot since then plus manufacturing tends to be better. What's crazy is that our modern ITX designs aren't really any less expensive than the old proprietary stuff. :'(
I'd assume our new evil corporate overlords, have decreed from their purch, that a Coke product must be in every review from here in /s. That or he was out of Bananas.
Or it's there as a size reference, as readers in the past have requested something similar. If it were a Pepsi can we'd have similar complaints. Anyway, a 12 oz. can is a well-known size that people can visually compare.
Thanks for having that Coke can next to it. Very useful as a point of reference!
I find it tough to tell how tall a case might be when the photographer does one of those "zoom-in" shots. This makes height of the case more visually apparent.
The nicest feature of the rotated motherboard design was not mentioned, the fact that everything is connected at the top! It is so nice not having to crawl behind the case to connect cables. I have been using the RV03 for a couple of years and hate the installing hard drives. But with the fans connected to a fan controller, the noisiest part of the whole machine is the water pump on the cpu! Cooling has never been an issue, even with the fans turned way down.
Ah, yes, the "aggressive" design. Corny is more the word I'd use. But, I don't pick cases based on how they look. If someone were to make a lime green and pink polka dot case with fake fur on it I'd buy it if it were a better value in terms of my functional needs. Still, of all of the "aggressive" design nonsense, I think Intel's tattooing of ssds with a skull logo takes the cake for ridiculousness.
Coke can is better than nothing but an ATX board would have been better. I guess that would have blocked the view of the case a bit too much? Nice review, ty.
I don't think making it shorter and losing 1 of the 180mm fans is a feature to brag about. I use the ft02 and i think the 02 versions of this case were the best. If you have enough room to fit this case you almost 100% are likely to have the room for the 02 version and the third 180mm fan is a big deal. Those fans do such a good job losing 1 kills me too much
Instead of the Coke Can, I'd prefer to have an actual ruler/scale in the background (or maybe foreground). You see, my country doesn't have this size or shape for a cola can. It's thin, and not as tall, and only has a volume of 200 mL. I have no idea of the dimensions of that can on the picture.
Plus, I'm sure a wooden (or those new steel ones) ruler would cost less than a cola can :P
+1 Coke can. More importantly- I echo the notion that a mobo manufacturer needs to have some vision and rethink the standards to accommodate board design and placement.
I don't understand this review. This case was designed to provide quiet, state of the art air cooling, which it does. Using water cooling doesn't even make sense. Optical drives are going the way of floppy drives. Aesthetics are in the eye of the beholder. This is the most negative review of this case I have seen.
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Blaid - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
Thanks for posting a review of a unique case on Christmas Eve. A nice read for those of us sitting at help desks nation wide.Tikcus9666 - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
+1Flunk - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
That's rough, I used to have to do that. Take heart, at some point you'll not be the entry-level help desk guy any more and you won't have to work Christmas Eve.gopher1369 - Thursday, December 25, 2014 - link
I personally can't wait until I'm 3rd line support and am on call 24/7 including Christmas Day, that will be a huge improvement!lavaheadache - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
gotta love that you used a GTX 295 in the build. An oldie but a goodieromrunning - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
"With the exception of the RV04, which does not share the 90° design, the cases of the Raven series were somewhat bulky and excessively long – features that did not make them very popular among users."The RVZ01 Raven is a mini-ITX case - perhaps you can review that one as it definitely isn't bulky or excessively long.
wiz329 - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
Glad to see a new case review, it's been awhile!lorribot - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
Bottom up cooling is a sensible way to go, however current motherboard ATX and mATX siz and shape limits things, ITX would be a better way to go but you are limited by number of graphics cards they extra cost of the MoBos themselves (why do we still pay more for less?), perhaps this is why Apple design their own MoBos and why they can do things like the the Mac Pro.SHuttle used to do thier own MoBos in their cases, I am sure they would be a market for an inovative case manufacturer or boutique PC company (or even Alienware with Dell backing) to come up with a truly unique design with a nonstandard mobo.
Or a mobo manufacturer to come up with split MoBo (say CPU/RAM and PCI-x/SATA/USB) that could be used in more inovative case designs.
It just needs someone with some vision and who can think out of the box.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
Sadly, long-term reliability of Shuttle cases was highly suspect in my experience. I reviewed probably a dozen or so of their SFFs in the 2004-2006 time frame, and nearly every one ended up dead within two years. Which isn't to say other companies were better with those early proprietary SFFs -- I think every option basically was questionable. Biostar, MSI, Shuttle, Foxconn... they all often failed within a year or two (sometimes even less). That was the problem with CPUs using so much power, and we've improved a lot since then plus manufacturing tends to be better. What's crazy is that our modern ITX designs aren't really any less expensive than the old proprietary stuff. :'(Zimeon - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
What the hell is that coca-cola can doing in the picture? *sigh* But nice case review none the less.Horza - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
I'd assume our new evil corporate overlords, have decreed from their purch, that a Coke product must be in every review from here in /s. That or he was out of Bananas.JarredWalton - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
Or it's there as a size reference, as readers in the past have requested something similar. If it were a Pepsi can we'd have similar complaints. Anyway, a 12 oz. can is a well-known size that people can visually compare.Horza - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
Yeah, I got it hence the Banana comment. Just failing at humour.SpartyOn - Tuesday, December 30, 2014 - link
Coke is better than Pepsi, especially the pure sugar cane stuff out of Mexico. Don't degrade your high standards.(And everyone should know that image is for scale reference, nothing more.)
romrunning - Monday, January 5, 2015 - link
Thanks for having that Coke can next to it. Very useful as a point of reference!I find it tough to tell how tall a case might be when the photographer does one of those "zoom-in" shots. This makes height of the case more visually apparent.
wrkingclass_hero - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
Scale.Shiitaki - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
The nicest feature of the rotated motherboard design was not mentioned, the fact that everything is connected at the top! It is so nice not having to crawl behind the case to connect cables. I have been using the RV03 for a couple of years and hate the installing hard drives. But with the fans connected to a fan controller, the noisiest part of the whole machine is the water pump on the cpu! Cooling has never been an issue, even with the fans turned way down.at80eighty - Wednesday, December 24, 2014 - link
funny. big slowdown in articles lately, and then holiday season, BAM 3 in a row. go chill now :)Oxford Guy - Thursday, December 25, 2014 - link
Ah, yes, the "aggressive" design. Corny is more the word I'd use. But, I don't pick cases based on how they look. If someone were to make a lime green and pink polka dot case with fake fur on it I'd buy it if it were a better value in terms of my functional needs. Still, of all of the "aggressive" design nonsense, I think Intel's tattooing of ssds with a skull logo takes the cake for ridiculousness.PC Perv - Thursday, December 25, 2014 - link
Coke can is better than nothing but an ATX board would have been better. I guess that would have blocked the view of the case a bit too much? Nice review, ty.JohnMD1022 - Friday, December 26, 2014 - link
It's ugly with a capital UGHHHHH..Laststop311 - Saturday, December 27, 2014 - link
I don't think making it shorter and losing 1 of the 180mm fans is a feature to brag about. I use the ft02 and i think the 02 versions of this case were the best. If you have enough room to fit this case you almost 100% are likely to have the room for the 02 version and the third 180mm fan is a big deal. Those fans do such a good job losing 1 kills me too muchR3MF - Saturday, December 27, 2014 - link
speaking as a person who already owns a Fortress 02, and just built a new rig with the 05:this is a nicely made case, i appreciate the extra space, and remain unfazed by the lack of bays.
dumpsterj - Sunday, December 28, 2014 - link
Ive had the RV02 since it came out. Its huge , but it has awesome thermal properties and im probably sticking with it forever lol.SeleniumGlow - Sunday, December 28, 2014 - link
Instead of the Coke Can, I'd prefer to have an actual ruler/scale in the background (or maybe foreground). You see, my country doesn't have this size or shape for a cola can. It's thin, and not as tall, and only has a volume of 200 mL. I have no idea of the dimensions of that can on the picture.Plus, I'm sure a wooden (or those new steel ones) ruler would cost less than a cola can :P
codylee - Saturday, January 3, 2015 - link
+1 Coke can.More importantly- I echo the notion that a mobo manufacturer needs to have some vision and rethink the standards to accommodate board design and placement.
Maltz - Friday, January 9, 2015 - link
+2 if it'd been Dr Pepper. :)romrunning - Monday, January 5, 2015 - link
But then we would have the complaints about metric versus US/Imperial measurements...trynberg - Friday, January 9, 2015 - link
I don't understand this review. This case was designed to provide quiet, state of the art air cooling, which it does. Using water cooling doesn't even make sense. Optical drives are going the way of floppy drives. Aesthetics are in the eye of the beholder. This is the most negative review of this case I have seen.