Silverstone Raven RVZ01 Mini-ITX Case Review

As was mentioned before the Raven RVZ01 is quite small measuring 15 inches x 13.5 inches x 4 inches thick.  While it would be easy for Silverstone to make the case completely square they decided to stylize the case after the latest Raven RV04.  You can find these styling cues in the plastic panels attached to the side and concave edges.

The Raven RVZ01 can be oriented flat on a table or placed vertically such that the intake fans are positioned at the bottom.  You will find a single intake fan is located in the top panel followed by two fan openings on the reverse.  The mesh circle serves as an intake for the SFX PSU that is actually hidden quite well in the case.

Flipping the case around gives you an idea as to where the components will be placed.  Motherboard I/O is located to the left with the intake fan blowing down onto the board.  To the right you will find two expansion slots rotated to be parallel to the motherboard. 

The top panel is the only one you will need to remove and much to our surprise it didn’t come with thumbscrews.

Removing the top panel allows you access into the case and from here you will see four major sections in the RVZ01.  In the lower left is where the Mini-ITX motherboard will be installed and above that is a single 3.5” hard drive location on top of the SFX PSU.  The metal cover will have to be removed to install the power supply which not only makes the installation clean to look at but also extremely strong.

Opposite of the motherboard and power supply is the video card bay complete with PCI Express riser card.  Across the top you will find two 2.5” SSD drive mounts next to a slim optical drive cage.  The RVZ01 requires a slot drive optical which can be acquired from Silverstone directly (SOB02 or SOD02) or purchased from any online retailer.