SilverStone RAVEN Series RV03B-W Matte Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Pros: Sleek case, lots of room. I just *looks* great. Two large fans on the bottom and another fan on the top. The power supply fits snugly on the bottom front. Side covers come off easily - no tools required. The mother board physically fit into the case no problem (but see cons below!). The hard drives fit on an enclosure with rubber grommet baffles. All in all a killer case.

Cons: Supposed to fit an SSI CEB motherboard. In fact, 'CEB' is imprinted on the case. My Intel server motherboard lined up perfectly with the imprint and fit in the case perfectly. Just one problem - only the top left four screws fit. The three along the bottom and also along the right side did not line up with screw holes in the case. I called the manufacturer and provided them with several pictures highlighting the problem areas. The fellow I spoke with did not sound very knowledgeable. No response after my initial contact. Thank goodness for New Egg's return policy.

Other Thoughts: Had the case been able to mount my motherboard I would have given 5/5. But not having the screw holes in the correct place combined with lack of response from customer service meant unfortunately I had to give just one star.

Manufacturer Response:

Thank you very much for purchasing a SilverStone and we apologize for your experience. If possible, can you please contact us again and let us know which motherboard model you used? Our contact information is as follow:

usasupport@silverstonetek.com
909-465-9596

Pros: Great case. Love the 90 degree rotation on the MoBoard. Added two additional 120 MM fans and have great air flow. Very solid build. Like the isolators on the hard drive mounting to keep things quiet. Very quiet with the 180 MM case fans. I would build with the case again.

Cons: None

Pros: Space, design, good fans, price isn't bad for what you get.

Cons: None really.

Other Thoughts: Yes, the fans do get pretty loud at max settings, but I don't see why anyone would need them set at max. Low settings are very quiet and cool extremely effectively.

My gtx 670 maxes at 56 under load, Idles are 25 and the fans on the gpu never go past 20%.
My Asrock OC Formula motherboard hovers between 29 - 39 degree area.
Finally my 2700k clocked at 5.0ghz idles high 30 and maxes in the 60 degree range, but I blame that on my current heatsink and fan setup.

Bottom line, it keeps everything within my case plenty cool at low settings, and at those settings the noise is very tolerable and not a remote issue. It creates an audible, but light hum.

The case itself is very sturdy and easy to work with. I take the top cover off a lot and haven't had any issues. It's very easy to remove and well made. It does make a loud snapping sound when putting it back on, maybe that's what worries people, but it's fine.

Subjective, but I also think it looks good. I prefer a more sleek case, this isn't it but it doesn't look bad either.

Pros: Very good case. Lots of fan support and lots of airflow. Allows for very good wire management.

Cons: Took forever to install fans in all the applicable spots. Front filters could've been made easier to clean.

Other Thoughts: This was used for a very expensive workstation computer. The computer was made for 3-D design & modeling, professional video editing, and much more.
The full specs of the computer are as follows:

1 x SilverStone RAVEN Series RV03B-W
1 x ASUS KGPE-D16 SSI EEB 3.61 Server Motherboard
1 x Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB
1 x PNY VCQ5000-PB Quadro 5000 2.5GB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Workstation Video Card
2 x Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) ECC Unbuffered Server Memory Model KVR1333D3E9SK2/8G
1 x AMD Opteron 6272 Interlagos 2.1GHz Socket G34 115W 16-Core Server Processor OS6272WKTGGGUWOF
1 x SeaSonic X750 Gold 750W ATX12V V2.3/EPS
1 x SAMSUNG EcoGreen F4 ST2000DL004 2TB
1 x Noctua NH-U9DO A3 AMD Opteron CPU Cooler
1 x LITE-ON Black 12X Blu-ray Burner with Blu Ray 3D Feature SATA IHBS112-04
1 x Rosewill RCA-1204BL 120mm Sleeve 4 Blue LED Case Fan, 4/PK

Pros: This case looks great. The stripes that everyone are complaining about are not gold. I actually agree with the manufacturer that they are Champagne. For the people complaining about the color, why did you buy something that you didn't like?

I really like the layout also. The two 180 mm fans work well and its nice that they each have a hi and lo switch. I don't really know if each one needs its own switch though, I always have them both set to the same speed.

I also like that the I/O is on top of the case instead of the back. Even though I have to take off the top part, its still way easier than crawling on the floor and pulling the computer away from the wall.

It only has 2 USB ports in the front, but since the I/O is on top you can still easily plug things in there if the cord is long enough.

Lastly, I have not broken anything on it yet. I don't know what happened with the reviewers that said the top part broke, but I have yet to damage anything.

Cons: For some reason this case took me a really long time to install everything. I don't know why, maybe because of the non-standard design.

You will need some longer SATA cables because of the motherboard position.

The cable to plug in the PSU is short unless you reach up underneath it and undo a twist tie. This was not mentioned in the manual, but I already knew about it from reading other reviews.

Other Thoughts: I got this case at my local F.r.y.s. for $80. I'm so happy with it.

I came across this case when my wife pointed it out. I was looking at the HAF and Storm cases when she said she liked the Raven the best, based purely on looks. I gave it a look and read some reviews. Turns out she picked a great case.

About a week later we went back to get some other things and check it out again. For some reason F.r.y.s. cut the price in half. They had one in stock and now i own it. It was a good day.

Pros: I disagree with the majority of the cons people have listed.

1. Yes the case is heavy since it is made of steel, not plastic.
2. After almost a year and probably 50 top(roof) removals I have yet to have a broken part.
3. The power supply cable is not a problem. All you have to do is untwist the cable tie and it can be reached with the side cover off.
The fans do an excellent job of cooling using only the bottom and one top fan, my case stays at(27 degrees"C")
5. It is suggested that you get longer Sata cables if using the front DVD's slots.
6. If you understand how the front fans fit, it is no problem to remove and install them. They lock into the front drive housings, which are removable.
7. To the guy who wrote the case is ugly. All I can say you should have not bought it if youa re going to condemn it's looks.

Cons: Not a thing

Other Thoughts: The best case I have built a system in the past 30 years.

Pros: This case has superb airflow, nice design, good build quality, common sense with thermal dynamics, I think all cases should be like this. Heat only rises, and by turning all the components sideways all of the air rapidly goes from bottom to top in a fast motion, you dont have other fans swirling the heat around the components finding a way to the exhaust slowly over time, this is just a woosh from bottom to top, with all the components lined sideways in line to get the rush of cool air and pushing all the hot air out.

Cons: None at all.

Other Thoughts: I suggest reading that it only comes with 1 top fan, and get some 55+ CFM (Airflow) Fans for the front. and a 110+ CFM (Scythe brand or similar) 120mm fans, so the airflow from the 2 180mm fans at the bottom can exit as fast as possible via a scythe 120mm fan out the top, since that is the objective of this case

Pros: -Best air cooling out there

-Not as flimsy as people seem to comment, it is in fact made of metal, the front panel and top pannels are the only things with plasticc, and it is sturdy plastic with that. Sturdy construction.

-Big

-Looks much better in person

-Great cable routing, no issue putting on either panel.

-Fans are HUGE

Cons: - If you are planning on installing a liquid cooling block for your cpu, your in for a challenge, not impossible though

- Hardrive mounts are rediculously stupid. One egg off for how they are made. The screw literally goes through the rubber grommet

Other Thoughts: I am running two 6850's and they are running super cool at 30 degrees celcius WITH OVERCLOCKING!

Pros: Easy case to mount all your hardware in once you know how.
Vertical Mounting of motherboard allows superior cooling that can't be found in another manufactures case. period.
People having problems with cable length need to get longer sata or whatever cables. They are readily available at many places.
I have had my top cover off probably at least 75 times and their was and is no breakage. Remove it the way the manual tells you and you won't ever break anything.
Matte finish is very easy to clean. Dust filters every where. No problem using front drive bays for fans. Use your head when re-inserting the fan mount.

Cons: None.

Other Thoughts: This is by far the best case that I have ever used in the past 20+ years. My customers love it, and no I do not work for Silverstone or New Egg.

Pros: easy wiring, great airflow 90 degree mounted mobo. no flashing lights (HD light I don't count). nice cover tucking of acc cords.

Cons: does not come with a 3.5 to 5.25 bay no bezel. you have to buy it, for another 20$, I paid 190 almost with S&H. and I don't even get a bay?
Bought a week ago now its cheaper lol.
I emailed them as maybe this was a over site. I was basically told tough.
I will not buy another silverstone product, going back to coolermaster.

Other Thoughts: I really like the case! I don't like the cheapness of the company.