[Official] Silverstone FT03 & FT03 Mini Owners Club

tachnyrus · Mar 1, 2019

jlicht said:
I ended up getting myself a Gigabyte 2017 Mini. Can not recommend.
The GPU runs at 80 degrees and sounds like a jet engine. Hot air is blown into the bottom of the case, and doesn't escape.
If I take off the side, it drops to 70 degrees under the same load.

Essentially: FT03 Mini owners are screwed now, as there seems to be literally no GPU on the market (at least not an RTX 2070) that 1) has a blower-style cooler and 2) fits in the case.
If anyone knows of an exception, I'm keen to hear it!

Has anyone looked into this Zotac blower? Specs page says ~10.55 inches which is under the absolute maximum 10.63 quoted somewhere upthread. Bummer there's no USB-C though.

https://www.zotac.com/us/product/graphics_card/zotac-gaming-geforce-rtx-2070-blower#spec

Aenra · Mar 1, 2019

No offense, but if you were a victim to trends, hype or plain ole ignorance.. no one screwed you, you did that to yourself.

I don't know why anyone would buy an FT03 if they intended to have a discreet GPU.. that "it can fit" or be made to is hardly reason enough. You've simply been doing it wrong.

(this is where i'd go about my usual regarding mentality, "influencers" today and so on, but that game is lost. As we can clearly see)

itskoyu · Mar 12, 2019

Just bought the Ft03B. Yes - in March 2019!

After many months of laboring I could just not find a case that would fit my needs (even the upcoming LD03) or Phanteks Shift.

I have two questions:

I want to get some custom length power supply cables. Does anyone have a suggested length or have you done anything similar? Maybe in the neighborhood for 30-40cm for all of them?

If anyone has a custom side panel for sale or knows where to buy one (for more breathing room) I'd love to know more.

All the best

Nukemaster · Mar 13, 2019

If you just got the case, I would take measurements.

You do not need long cables for the drives. Depending on your cable routing the video card power does not have to be too long either.

Motherboard power connectors vary from board to board due to location.

I honestly just stuck all the extra cable in the back of the case where you can not see it.

I do not know where you could get custom panels. aluminum is fairly easy to cut if you wanted to do it your self.

itskoyu · Apr 2, 2019

itskoyu@outlook.com

Nukemaster said:
If you just got the case, I would take measurements.

You do not need long cables for the drives. Depending on your cable routing the video card power does not have to be too long either.

Motherboard power connectors vary from board to board due to location.

I honestly just stuck all the extra cable in the back of the case where you can not see it.

I do not know where you could get custom panels. aluminum is fairly easy to cut if you wanted to do it your self.

Thank you for your reply and also answering my questions!

Loving the case and I hope the community still exists in the future, at least until Silverstone's LD03 comes out.

Cheers

teknoman · Jul 25, 2019

tachnyrus said:
Has anyone looked into this Zotac blower? Specs page says ~10.55 inches which is under the absolute maximum 10.63 quoted somewhere upthread. Bummer there's no USB-C though.

https://www.zotac.com/us/product/graphics_card/zotac-gaming-geforce-rtx-2070-blower#spec

I'm a new owner of a FT03 Mini, had it for a while but never finalized my build plans. I'm thinking of using the RTX 2070 or RTX 2060 Super Founders Edition. Both are 9.0" in long with with dual-fan cooler (NVIDIA's FE models are no longer blower style).

From some previous posts, it sounds like dual fan GPUs seem to be ok, which is what I am hoping. Also hoping that the card is not overly tall (that the fans are right up against the side of the case). The 2060/2070 FE versions blow most of the heat from the backplane. See photo from PC Mag below:
https://assets.pcmag.com/media/imag...dia/images/653886-geforce-rtx-2070-super-flir.jpg?thumb=y&width=980&height=1080

For the Gigabyte 2070 Mini (half-length card), it looks like most heat will be expelled out the front end/toward the bottom of the FT03 mini (as jlicht confirmed).
https://xu7406wwue1jir9frxphjl1h-wp...-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/gigabyte-2070-mini-rear-exhaust.jpg

CorNut · Aug 20, 2019

My mini received another upgrade today. I replaced the most recent 4790k/GTX 970 combo for a Ryzen 7 3600X and RX 5700 blower. Instead of finding an AMD bracket for my old Cooler Master MasterLiquid Lite, I purchased a new H60 and replaced the fan with a Noctua NF-A14 iPPC-2000 PWM, it's quieter than the CM/Air Penetrator combo was.

I bought the case and PSU (ST45SF V2.0) from NCIX in 2012 when they were around, it's still serving me well.

I thought I'd be able to fit that GPU in there, it was BARELY too long. Measuring the case it was right at 10.5", the XFX site said the reference/blower RX 5700 was 10.5". I figured since the bottom of the case seemed flexible it'd be ok but I didn't take into account the angle I'd have to use to get it in there and the bracket that holds the feet on the case not being flexible. Even if I were to take the time to bend stuff, the case would've probably wobbled and the radiator/fan wouldn't seat properly. I hated doing it but I think I did a decent job for having nothing but a jigsaw with a metal cutting bit. I'll probably throw some black foil tape over it and call it a day. The intake filter stays on despite the latch being cut off. The Noctua fan is a tight fit which holds it snug.

Nukemaster · Aug 21, 2019

Nice fit.

How are the temps?

CorNut · Aug 21, 2019

Nukemaster said:
How are the temps?

I decided to stress both the CPU and GPU and see. I read FurMark stress test is a worst case scenario, gaming doesn't cause as much heat as it does. After 12 minutes it seemed to stabilize at 90c, which is apparently good for the new Navi cards: https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/....com/gaming/296577-why-110-degree-temps-are-normal-for-amds-radeon-5700-5700-xt

Prime95 started out at 4,250 MHz, the longer it ran, the slower the cores got. They settled around 4,050 at a stable 85 degrees C, They did cross the 86C line once but it dropped back below 86 before I got the screenshot.

All I did was enable AMD's auto OC, I didn't do any manual OC'ing. The GPU is running stock settings. Overall I'm happy with it, my temps are better than a lot of people running similar specs in larger cases.

GPU & CPU stress tests were ran with all sides on

Ferno · Apr 27, 2020

Hi Everybody,

I have been using my Fortress FT03-mini setup for 5 years now and even though I do not use it daily it has been a solid performer.
One thing that always bothered me was de GPU, I have the EVGA GTX 760 blower an dit makes a horrible sound, a vibration that really annoys me.
A couple of weeks back I had to replace the PSU because the old SFX 450 Silverstone had died on me and went for the Corsair SFX 450. After replacing the PSU I noticed that only the GPU makes noise and since everything is still OK I decided to search for replacement for the EVGA GTX 760.
I don't want to go for something very expensive because I am planning to make a separate game rig but since this PC is still top notch and I absolutely love the Case I still want to invest in it.

So aft some consideration and reading upon I decided I want this card:

https://www.msi.com/Graphics-card/GeForce-GTX-1660-SUPER-GAMING-X/

I know that a non blower setup is not ideal for the FT03-mini but all the blower cards I can find do not match my requirements (most bang for the buck and quite) and are quite big.
So I was wondering if anybody has experience with a similar card in the FT03-mini, I saw some pics in this thread but no actual info on the experience with it.
Also I am wondering is making a perforation in the front panel at the hight of the blowers would help. I would like to avoid that as it will deteriorate the visual cleanliness of the case but it is a trade off I am willing to make (that is how much the blower card sound annoys me).

For the cooling in the case I am using a Corsair Hydro CPU cooler setup so I thing even if the card blows back some hot air back into the case it will not be a big issue.

Hope to get some constructive feedback and not some flaming like I read a couple of posts back, I have been searching the web for weeks now, but since this case is a bit old yay do not find a lot of new info with new generation cards.
This thread is what comes closest to the info I need, but juts need more actual info before I spend 350$ on a card I will have to set aside a couple days after I buy it because it runs too hot.

thank you in advance for anyone wo replies with actual usable information!

HOTDOGS · May 9, 2020

What would be a fair asking prices for a used Ft03? I'm looking to sell mine, but I haven't found many used ones for sale.

r0ssee · May 17, 2020

Who else still loves these cases in 2020?? There still aren't many alternatives (vertical orientation and minimal).

Unfortunately for me, 2020 is the year I had to sell my FT03-mini. There are no highend blower style video cards that fit the case. I kept my FT03, though. I love that case to bits. I can't sell it.

I just did a new build in the FT03. Turns out the Ryzen 3000 series runs quite hot. I might have to rethink my entire cooling in this case...

CorNut · May 17, 2020

Cornut

r0ssee said:
Who else still loves these cases in 2020?? There still aren't many alternatives (vertical orientation and minimal).

Unfortunately for me, 2020 is the year I had to sell my FT03-mini. There are no highend blower style video cards that fit the case. I kept my FT03, though. I love that case to bits. I can't sell it.

I just did a new build in the FT03. Turns out the Ryzen 3000 series runs quite hot. I might have to rethink my entire cooling in this case...

I got the blower/reference RX 5700 to fit but it wasn't easy. I do still love the case but I'm not sure how many more builds it'll work for.

Nukemaster · May 18, 2020

When I build another computer(and I am due for one some time soon). I will try to reuse my FT03. This case saves lots of space.

funklizard · Jun 2, 2020

Late to the party

r0ssee said:
Who else still loves these cases in 2020?? There still aren't many alternatives (vertical orientation and minimal).

So, I just got an FT03. In mid-2020.

Yeah, I'm a little late to the party.

But, as you note, there still aren't that many alternatives in the niche that the FT03 has carved out. It's a good looking case; and I've liked it since it was introduced. However, I've stuck to mini-ITX builds for some years now. So until recently, the FT03 didn't really interest me as a micro-ATX case. And while the FT03-mini was certainly tempting, I was more intrigued with even more compact mini-ITX cases (DAN A4).

So why an FT03 now? Mostly because I'm not happy with the memory limitations on mini-ITX motherboards. As core counts on CPUs go up, making decent use of those cores takes more memory. For a significant number of applications, a 16-core/32-thread CPU will be cramped with "just" 64 GB of RAM.

Looking at the state of the art for micro-ATX cases, I can't say I'm terribly impressed with much that has been released in the years since the FT03 was introduced. I'm not interested in the tempered glass direction that Silverstone (along with several other manufacturers) have taken. So, an FT03 it is.

I'm still collecting parts for this build; I'll try to follow up here as it progresses.

Update

Due most likely to fallout from COVID-19, many of the components I want for this build have been a little challenging to source. Wanted a blower graphics card; and, fortunately, I was able to find a Radeon 5700 XT locally. Finally got the motherboard, ASRock X570M Pro4. (Nice board; and an excellent value compared to current mini-ITX options.) Nothing's plugged in; but I put the major components in to make sure everything fit.

Using the NH-D15 means that neither the fan bracket over the optical drive nor the one over the expansion cards will fit. (Or, at least, they won't fit once they have a fan installed on them.) This wasn't a suprise for the fan bracket over the optical drive; but, I'd thought based on some pictures of other builds that the other one would be usable. Maybe the motherboards in those builds mounted the CPU just a little bit closer to the front of the board. I really like how the NH-D15 fills the available space in this case, though, and I think I'll stick with it. I suspect the two fans on it combined with the NF-S12A that's en route (to replace the provided exhaust fan) will afford plenty of air flow.

dbx10 · Jun 26, 2020

I've had the FT03-mini since october 2019, I bought the last one on Amazon and it's been backordered since. It is a fantastic looking case, but an absolute ***** to work in. Unfortunately the only 5700XT that fits in here without dremeling the case is MSI's MECH OC. MSI makes terrible coolers for their cards, uneven contact on the chip, under sized thermal pads on the memory, and they have not recalled any of their cards for fixing. Since COVID-19 meant I would have to wait over a month to get my RMA'd card, my other option was to just slap some liquid cooling parts until the pandemic blows over, and wait until I can get an advanced replacement. So of course, I did.

I'm at the proof of concept stage, the end goal is all 4 panels closed and intact, minimal dremeling, no external radiators.

i7 8700k at 4.9GHz, Noctua L9x65
16GB corsair kit
Alphacool Eisblock Aurora Plexi
Nexxos UT60 120mm rad
Alphacool Eisstation 40 and a DC-LT 3600 pump
11/8mm tubing and compression fittings.

I went for Alphacool parts, because they're the only ones outside of chinese aliexpress pages who make water blocks for the MECH OC, and their compression fittings are good quality and super cheap.

Next step is relocating the tiny 1U reservoir and pump to the top, I'm thinking about dremeling the inside of the plastic riser for the top I/O and stuff it in there. I would dremel a bigger hole for tubing next to the PCI-E slot. Technically still inside the case. Other suggestions are welcome.

I am thrilled to be able to fit a GPU loop in such a tiny case, my temps so far are 40 degrees cooler than stock under load. This build will be finished as soon as my second shipment of fittings and accessories comes in. I'll be sure to post pictures of it when finished.

Chorticus · Jul 19, 2020

still love this case in 2020

I'm awaiting my new parts, but i've added the NZXT Kraken G12 and the Corsair H55 to my 1080ti and its great, i put the noctua 12x25 ontop of the case, and had to remove the little riveted triangle piece to get a flush mount for the radiator, but i'm glad i did.

It's really super quiet and the GPU is like 25-30C cooler than it was before, I can't tell if my cpu is hotter or not, its certainly not noticable.

forgive the hacky electrical tape beside the NH-D14 - it fits, it touches the back of my video card plate and very slightly pushes on it, but nothing to worry about its been like this for 2 years now no issues.

i intend to replace it with the dark rock pro 4 and new mobo and will update then as well. just wanted to show that its doable.

Nukemaster · Jul 20, 2020

Chorticus said:
I'm awaiting my new parts, but i've added the NZXT Kraken G12 and the Corsair H55 to my 1080ti and its great, i put the noctua 12x25 ontop of the case, and had to remove the little riveted triangle piece to get a flush mount for the radiator, but i'm glad i did.

It's really super quiet and the GPU is like 25-30C cooler than it was before, I can't tell if my cpu is hotter or not, its certainly not noticable.

forgive the hacky electrical tape beside the NH-D14 - it fits, it touches the back of my video card plate and very slightly pushes on it, but nothing to worry about its been like this for 2 years now no issues.

i intend to replace it with the dark rock pro 4 and new mobo and will update then as well. just wanted to show that its doable.

Maximus IV Gene-Z? I Still have one of those.

I had a D14 in mine, I just bent the fan clips.

At its most crazy. I had it like this.

hoheyt · Jan 14, 2021

Hi all,

I bought a second hand pc with 3300x and 5600xt in a FT03 mini. I was thinking about switching to NR200 but wanted to give it a try first. Initially, the video card has been choking quite a bit with both 5600xt and 3060ti so I used a dremel to make a small window. At the moment the CPU has the stock cooler which is hella loud. It has a maximum of 82 mm of clearance for a cooler and directly pointed towards the intake of the PSU (which i assume works as an exhaust). Do you think i should go for a bottom mounted 120mm AIO (push-pull) or should i go for a low profile cooler like the L12S or the Big Shuriken?

mouacyk · Jan 27, 2021

Can't seem to move from my FT03-T either, with an NR200 sitting here. There's something about the vertical airflow and use of external radiator that keeps me coming back to this case. I have additional 120mm rad inside the case and QDC's to the external rad so things can be moved easily. This kind of case does not experience the suffocating heat from intake radiators at all, and allows all components to run cooler. It's pretty awesome to see an RTX 3080 at 370W running under 40C in this case with merely 480mm rad space with a 5GHz 9900K also in the loop.

[Official] Silverstone FT03 & FT03 Mini Owners Club

tachnyrus

Aenra

itskoyu

Nukemaster

itskoyu

teknoman

CorNut

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CorNut

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Ferno

HOTDOGS

r0ssee

CorNut

Nukemaster

funklizard

dbx10

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Nukemaster

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hoheyt

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