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Side Panel Features:::...

Before hitting the conclusion just a quick look at the quick-release latches and the side window.

As I mentiones earllier, the quick-release latches are fairly primitive in their operation but they seem pretty strurdy and of course being simple means less to go wrong.

Quick-Release Side Latch

This is the back of one of the lockable latches as can be seen from the small arm that swings down.

Quick-Release Side Latch - Back

The window is a regular plexi (perspex) affair that increases in thickess where the fixing holes are drilled to help take some of the strain and avoid splitting and cracking, mainly during shipping.

Window Fixing

In Use:::...

Working inside the TJ02 was as suspected a slightly cramped affair, more with regards routing and stealthing cables than fitting the hardware though. The lack of a removable motherboard tray does become a factor in a case this size, though many of the size constraints were evident when working on the similarly sized Cooler Master WaveMaster which does have a removable tray so that's perhaps not a total solution. For most users this is a once in a while inconvenience and not something that should put you off buying if you like everything else.

Noise levels were very good for a case with such a large potential for airflow though internal temperatures were on the warm side due to its less than stellar ability to breathe.

People who saw the case were generally very enthusiastic about its external appearance, moreso than perhaps with any other case I've reviewed which was interesting. It certainly has a flair for impressing folk.

Conclusion

The 3DVelocity 'Dual Conclusions Concept' Explained: After discussing this concept with users as well as companies and vendors we work with, 3DVelocity have decided that where necessary we shall aim to introduce our 'Dual Conclusions Concept' to sum up our thoughts and impressions on the hardware we review. As the needs of the more experienced users and enthusiasts have increased, it has become more difficult to factor in all the aspects that such a user would find important, while also being fair to products that may lack these high end "bonus" capabilities but which still represent a very good buy for the more traditional and more prevalent mainstream user. The two catergories we've used are:

The Mainstream User ~ The mainstream user is likely to put price, stock performance, value for money, reliability and/or warranty terms ahead of the need for hardware that operates beyond its design specifications. The mainstream user may be a PC novice or may be an experienced user, however their needs are clearly very different to those of the enthusiast, in that they want to buy products that operate efficiently and reliably within their advertised parameters.

The Enthusiast ~ The enthusiast cares about all the things that the mainstream user cares about but is more likely to accept a weakness in one or more of these things in exchange for some measure of performance or functionality beyond its design brief. For example, a high priced motherboard may be tolerated in exchange for unusually high levels of overclocking ability or alternatively an unusually large heat sink with a very poor fixing mechanism may be considered acceptable if it offers significantly superior cooling in return.

The Mainstream User ~

SilverStone may not be a name you know but it's certainly one you should remember. This case oozes simple, elegant class then spoils things slightly with its mediocre ventilation, a crime for a case with one 120mm fan and room for another onboard.

Again though it's all relative. If you don't overclock and you exercise a little common sense with your cable routing and internal layout there's certainly enough airflow to keep everything happy and stable, it's just that it never gets much beyond adequate.

The price is quite keen at under a £100 inc. VAT for such a stylish chassis, but bare in mind that only the fascia is aluminium, the body of the case is mild steel. It's certainly better value for money when bought in the US, but what's new?

IO don't personally have an issue with steel cases as they do tend to be sturdier but some people may feel differently.

If you fancy owning a case that turns heads without resorting to a style bordering on crude, this is certainly one to consiser, and were it not for its stifling fan grills this was a prime candidate for an award.

	NA

The Enthusiast ~

A slightly cramped interior and poor thermal performance mat well rule out this case for some enthusiasts, while those who want a unique case with exceptional looks may find it irresistable. That said, there's nothing wrong with this case's thermals that a Dremmel and a drill wouldn't put straight in no time flat.

Some may find the window a touch small too, particularly as such a large portion of it is looking at nothing but the side of your drives, but this again could soon be put right with a little modding if it's a concern. I'm also told that a side panel window redesign may be in the works with a larger opening on offer.

I really like the TJ02, it's innovative, it's stylish and it's different. SilverStone have created a unique chassis that so nearly made it onto my list of all-time favourites.

It's still a really great chassis though and deserves some serious consideration so long as you know its limitations or are prepared to work to remove them.

	NA

We're always looking for ways to make our reviews fairer. A Right To Reply gives the manufacturer or supplier of the product being reviewed a chance to make public comments on what we've said. They can explain perhaps why they've done the things we were unhappy with or blow their own trumpet over the things we loved. It's easy for us to pick a product apart but sometimes things are done a certain way for very specific reasons.

Should SilverStone decide to exercise their "Right To Reply", we'll publish their comments below: