By Jason Vaught
Manufacturer: SilverStone Technology Co., Ltd.
Product Name: RAVEN RVZ02
Model Number: SST-RVZ02B-W
UPC: 844761012540 EAN: 4710007222546
Price As Tested: $79.99 (NewEgg | Amazon)
Full Disclosure: The product sample used in this article has been provided by SilverStone.
The RAVEN line, SilverStone’s iconic and innovative line of gaming PC chassis, has become a staple in the gaming community for many years. Featuring unique designs, clean lines, and tough aluminum construction. RAVEN designers are expanding their approach to gaming in the SFF (Small Form Factor) market with the new RVZ02B-W. The -W stands for Window, as the regular RVZ02B only has black filters in place of clear vented windows. The RVZ02B-W is a Mini-ITX case that features a super slim design, and the ability to utilize full sized graphics cards.
Now I know what you may be thinking, “Why would I chose vented windows over filters?”, well if you’re like me and you can get a little slack about cleaning your filters, you like the idea of adding some of your own lighting or you just like being able to see some of your components, then the vented window version if for you.
SilverStone is attempting to help pioneer the SFF gaming market, allowing for a full sized gaming experience in a 12 liter package. Have they done it? That’s what we’re going to find out with this review.
| Model No. | SST-RVZ02B-W |
| Material | Reinforced plastic outer shell, steel body |
| Color | Black |
| Motherboard | Mini-ITX |
| Drive Bay | External slim optical 12.7mm or 9.5mm x 1 (9.5mm compatibility limited to tray type)
Internal 2.5″ x 2 (one additional 3.5″ or 2.5″ space depending on expansion card installed) |
| Cooling System | Rear – Passive exhaust vents
Side – Oversized vents over CPU motherboard and expansion area |
| Expansion slot | 2 |
| Front I/O Port | USB 3.0 x 2
Audio x 1 MIC x 1 |
| Power Supply | SFX & SFX-L |
| Expansion Card | *Compatible with 13″ long, width restriction – 4.78″ |
| CPU Cooler Limit | 58mm |
| Net Weight | 3.2kg~3.3kg |
| Dimensions | 380mm (W) x 87mm (H) x 370mm (D), 12 liters |
| Extra | Supports two Kensington locks |
*Expansion card holder needs to be removed when installing expansion/graphics card wider than 4.78 inches. When system is assembled without the holder, vertical orientation of the case is recommended and transporting/shipping should be avoided. For details, please refer to the manual.
The SilverStone RAVEN RVZ02B-W is marketed as a Super Slim Form Factor case, utilizing it’s space and thermal segregation to achieve optimum cooling, while maintaining a small foot print.
The RAVEN RVZ02B-W features vented windows on each side to aid in cooling. The RVZ02B (no -W), however features black filters in place of the window vents. The window vents give you the option of adding custom lighting and additional modding opportunities (ie water loop mount locations or external fan mods). The RVZ02B-W also features a sleek front panel combined with a V shaped power LED.
Hidden behind the RAVEN logo, is a pair of USB 3.0 ports (connected via USB 3.0 header on your motherboard) and both headphone and microphone jacks. Also located on the front is a small, discrete power button in the lower corner.
The right side of the case features a large, vented window directly over where you mount the graphics card. This allows for maximum air cooling of the graphics card regardless if it’s in an intake or exhaust configuration.
The left side of the case features another large vented window, allowing additional airflow for the CPU cooler and the SFX/SFX-L PSU.
The rear of the case features more ventilation, 2 PCI slots, and of course the I/O panel. As you can see from the above photo, the RAVEN RVZ02B uses screws for the two outer shells/panels instead of tool-less thumbscrews.
It looks like the RAVEN design team at SilverStone tried to think of everything when they designed this case. PCIE risers and extenders, vertical orientation stands, and even segregated graphics cooling. The segregated graphics cooling aspect alone makes this case worth a look.
Included with this case is two vertical orientation stands, a PSU mounting bracket, a slim ODD faceplate, a graphics card holder bracket, a PCIE extend card and a PCIE riser card, 4 large rubber feet (for horizontal orientation), a manual, and of course, cable ties and screws.
Here we can see the case’s main cavity, with it’s left door/window removed. Starting at the top left, you have the slim ODD drive holder, two tool-less SSD drive cages, the PSU mounting bracket, and the motherboard area. Note that there are no additional fan mounting options.
On the right side of the case, we can see the video card mounting area, along with the optional HDD/SSD mounting point. The additional HDD/SSD mounting point can only be used if you either have no graphics card or your graphics card is less than 7.8″.
Here we can see a closeup of where you mount the PCIE rises card to the chassis. This enables you to keep it secure during graphics card installations and upgrades.
The RAVEN RVZ02B-W can be used in a horizontal orientation, however this significantly constricts airflow to the graphics card, so SilverStone recommends vertical orientation only. It is worthy to note that SilverStone recommends using the graphics card bracket if you plan to keep the RAVEN in this orientation and you think you’ll have to move it frequently.
Small Form Factor (SFF) cases, or as SilverStone likes to refer to the RVZ02B-W case; Super Slim Form Factor, have one main limitation that you need to know before investing into an SFF project. Size limitations. In order to combine the maximum space savings with the maximum performance, you have to cut down some components in order to make it all fit together.
In the above photo, you can see how much thinner, albeit taller, the RAVEN RVZ02B is compared to the Corsair 250D. In order for SilverStone to keep the form factor small for the RVZ02B, they opted for some minor and some major component size limitations. See below for a full list.
CPU Cooler Height Limitation:
- Height: 58mm height limitation for CPU cooler
- Upper boundary: The CPU cooler can protrude 15mm over the motherboard’s top edge
- Front boundary: The clearance toward the front of the chassis is 4mm
PSU Limitation:
- PSU: Standard SFX or SFX-L power supplies with a max depth of 130mm
Graphics card/expansion card length limitation:
- The RVZ02B can support a 13″ graphics card. However, if your graphics card is shorter than 7.8″, then you can install an additional 3.5″ or 2.5″ HDD/SSD next to it. Make sure to do this before installing the optical drive.
- When installing the graphics card holder/support (optional), the max allowable width for the card is 4.78″
- When installing the graphics card without the extra support, the max allowable width for the card is 6.15″
- In the event that your graphics card interferes with the support bracket at the rear of the case, it can be safely removed.
- If the expansion card brace is used, thickness limitation of the graphics/expansion card is 35mm, if not it is 43mm
The PSU limitation is one of the only things that doesn’t move the needle for this case. When I held a ATX PSU up to the front of the case, I realized that with a few millimeters more width to the case, it could accommodate a full sized ATX PSU. SilverStone opted to stick with the SFX/SFX-L PSUs, aside from the fact they sell SFX/SFX-L PSUs, for the sake of only a few millimeters of space savings. A full sized ATX PSU would have been preferred as there are more of them on the market, they’re cheaper and chances are you probably have a spare one laying around.
Personally, I like the RAVEN RVZ02B-W. I dig the slimness of the case, as well the ability to put a full sized graphics card in it. The only thing that doesn’t move the needle for me is the PSU limitation. A few more millimeters of width and we could use any PSU (not extended of course). The clearance is so close, it makes me wonder if I could just mod it to fit. I’m not sure why SilverStone stuck with the smaller and pricier SFX/SFX-L PSUs for this case, but it would be great if they’d release a slightly wider version that could have this ability.
Performance wise, given the inherent qualities and limitations in cooling capacities that come with small form factor cases, this case would perform well. With it’s large vents, and graphics card segregation, it should have no problem handling a decent gaming system. It is worthy to note that you cannot add water cooling, or at least not easily, to this case. So combine that with the size limitations of the CPU Cooler, you’ll want to keep this a medium to low heat/power build. SilverStone does note that cooling performance will be hindered if you keep this case in the horizontal orientation, as it blocks a large amount of the built in ventilation.
Appearance wise the RAVEN RVZ02B-W is slick. Especially in it’s vertical orientation. With the slimness of this case, one could easily hide it behind a decent sized monitor. It would have been nice for the windows to be smoked instead of clear, but at least with the clear you can add some LED lighting to make the case more unique to your own individual personality.
Considering that SilverStone prides themselves on being master aluminum builders, I had expected the case to feel a bit beefier. Don’t get me wrong, the case feels solid when all the panels are attached and secured, but the panels themselves are quite flimsy. But at this price point, you can’t ask for too much with out significantly increasing price.
The RAVEN RVZ02B-W functions well as a super slim SFF mini-itx case, so long as you stick with medium to low heat components. It is worth noting that some people have successfully modded this case to use water cooling, with external pumps and custom loops.
At the time of this review, the RVZ02B-W sells online for $79.99 (NewEgg | Amazon), a great price for a quality SFF Mini-ITX case. Most, similarly priced, SFF cases don’t offer the option of a full sized graphics card. The sleek design, USB 3.0 ports and a full sized consumer level graphics card option make this case a real value. The only drawback to the price is that in order to get a decent SFX/SFX-L PSU, you’ll end up spending close to, if not exceeding, the cost of the case on a PSU. The saving grace to this predicament is that even SFX/SFX-L PSUs can be used in ATX PSU cases as most come with an adapter bracket. So in essence, your PSU could be used in more than one form factor of PC case.
I recommend this case for anyone looking for a Slim SFF Mini-ITX case that can be used for gaming. With it’s ability to support a full sized graphics card, it’s smart layout design, it’s use of positive pressure, and it’s price, I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying this case.
+ Attractive design
+ USB 3.0 front panel
+ Comes with PCIE riser and extender
+ Tool-less drive cages
+ Full size graphics card capable
+ Positive pressure design
+ Slim ODD option
+ Multiple orientation options
– SFX/SFX-L PSU required
– Slim ODD (They can be pricey)
– Limited cooling capacity
– Limited cable management options
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Performance: 8.50
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Appearance: 9.50
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Construction: 9.25
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Functionality: 9.25
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Value: 9.50
