It's called the Silverstone FT02, as you referenced to in your weight analysis. This Cubitek company completely stole the design schematics and made it out of pure aluminum (the Silverstone unibody is steel, panels are aluminum.)
So now that we're on the same page, how is the build quality compared to the FT02? Did they manage to copy that? If so, it's quite a compelling alternative when cost is considered.
Interior design is different, materials are different, and build quality is different, hence it's not just a clone of the GT02. Unfortunately, it's also worse in almost every respect.
Calling something a clone because it's a big case with rounded corners is a bit much, considering everything inside looks different. And we're talking cases, so there's not a whole lot you can do -- especially with conservative styling -- that would be "different". Big, black, rounded corners. Yup. But again, FT01/FT02 generally seem like better cases and cost a lot less.
If I had just spent $359 on anything in the world of computing, and it was put together as poorly as this I would be absolutely horrified. Not one single panel is flush with another and the shut lines are all over the place. I'm probably overreacting, but to me this looks like a photo of a $50 piece of junk
1. Looks like there is room for a thin 240 radiator at the top
2. Drop the drive cages, based on your review is not a loss!, and put a 200x200 radiator up front there is still plenty of space at bottom to resite the hard drives
But at $359 I would not bother, silverstone does it far better
You can't install a 240mm radiator in the top. The way the two 140mm fan grills are spaced, I think you'd wind up having to modify the case a little to get it into place.
Lian-Li doesn't need steel reinforcement so it is possible to make a good all aluminum case. This just isn't it, and the price is almost 3x what an equivalent Lian-Li would cost.
This is a big assumption to make, but the price and quality of this case makes it seem like the company went way over budget on development and manufacturing costs and is struggling to stay afloat by hoping for inexperienced builders to jump on high price tags.
I've seen Cubiteks on SundialMicro for at least a year and the lack of build quality is visible in the stock images. The cases are literally Lian Li and Silverstone knock offs at higher prices. Believe me, I mean no disrespect to the engineers and designers, but this is just the general effect these products give. Cubitek is a pretty new company (started 2010?) and I think it started off too ambitious without a realistic plan.
At this price you're almost into the territory of CaseLabs where you'll get some very well designed cases with some unique features and support for real enthusiast builds. When will anandtech look at them?
So, out of curiosity I searched for the miniITX version and came across this. http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1922/1/ Normally wouldn't link to an outside site, but it was just a fun idea. The small version is actually a decent looking case.
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20 Comments
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Samus - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
I've owned this case for nearly four years.It's called the Silverstone FT02, as you referenced to in your weight analysis. This Cubitek company completely stole the design schematics and made it out of pure aluminum (the Silverstone unibody is steel, panels are aluminum.)
So now that we're on the same page, how is the build quality compared to the FT02? Did they manage to copy that? If so, it's quite a compelling alternative when cost is considered.
Samus - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
Wait, it's $359? Fail.JarredWalton - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
Interior design is different, materials are different, and build quality is different, hence it's not just a clone of the GT02. Unfortunately, it's also worse in almost every respect.randinspace - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
LOL You just spoiled the restraint Dustin was trying to show by saying exactly what he seemed to be thinking. But GT02? Long day?JarredWalton - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
Meh, fat fingered it. That's what happens early in the morning after being sick all week. :-pImSpartacus - Saturday, May 12, 2012 - link
I know! Mr. Sklavos wrote the nicest negative review ever.Sunburn74 - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
Its an FT01 clone, not FT02. And using the word clone is somewhat of an understatement when you look at the 2 side by side...JarredWalton - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
As I said before, internals matter. Here are three shots showing the interiors.HPTC ICE: http://images.anandtech.com/doci/5816/Small%20(8%2...
FT01: http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/cases/2008/sil...
FT02: http://images.anandtech.com/doci/4620/internals.jp...
Calling something a clone because it's a big case with rounded corners is a bit much, considering everything inside looks different. And we're talking cases, so there's not a whole lot you can do -- especially with conservative styling -- that would be "different". Big, black, rounded corners. Yup. But again, FT01/FT02 generally seem like better cases and cost a lot less.
Alecthar - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
If by "FT02" you mean "FT01," then yes, you're correct.lbeyak - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
I just don't see any reasons at all why I would want this over the PC-90 "The Hammer".Another good review Dustin, I appreciate it.
colonelclaw - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
Referring to you photograph of the front of the case http://www.anandtech.com/Gallery/Album/1949#2If I had just spent $359 on anything in the world of computing, and it was put together as poorly as this I would be absolutely horrified. Not one single panel is flush with another and the shut lines are all over the place.
I'm probably overreacting, but to me this looks like a photo of a $50 piece of junk
cjs150 - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
At least based on your assembly picture:1. Looks like there is room for a thin 240 radiator at the top
2. Drop the drive cages, based on your review is not a loss!, and put a 200x200 radiator up front there is still plenty of space at bottom to resite the hard drives
But at $359 I would not bother, silverstone does it far better
Dustin Sklavos - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
You can't install a 240mm radiator in the top. The way the two 140mm fan grills are spaced, I think you'd wind up having to modify the case a little to get it into place.cjs150 - Monday, May 14, 2012 - link
A little modification is fine but truthfully I am struggling to think of any reason to buy this case.maybe the smaller versions are better
Flunk - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
Lian-Li doesn't need steel reinforcement so it is possible to make a good all aluminum case. This just isn't it, and the price is almost 3x what an equivalent Lian-Li would cost.etamin - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
This is a big assumption to make, but the price and quality of this case makes it seem like the company went way over budget on development and manufacturing costs and is struggling to stay afloat by hoping for inexperienced builders to jump on high price tags.I've seen Cubiteks on SundialMicro for at least a year and the lack of build quality is visible in the stock images. The cases are literally Lian Li and Silverstone knock offs at higher prices. Believe me, I mean no disrespect to the engineers and designers, but this is just the general effect these products give. Cubitek is a pretty new company (started 2010?) and I think it started off too ambitious without a realistic plan.
stren - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
At this price you're almost into the territory of CaseLabs where you'll get some very well designed cases with some unique features and support for real enthusiast builds. When will anandtech look at them?HexiumVII - Friday, May 11, 2012 - link
Why are all the new cases putting the PS on bottom. You now need 30 inches just to reach the 12v four pin on the top of motherboards.SmCaudata - Saturday, May 12, 2012 - link
So, out of curiosity I searched for the miniITX version and came across this.http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1922/1/
Normally wouldn't link to an outside site, but it was just a fun idea. The small version is actually a decent looking case.
Stas - Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - link
No, thanks. I'll take the Silverstone.