Introduction

The Precision PS06 is the latest mid-tower case from SilverStone, coming with features usually only found on more expensive models, such as eight expansion slots and a hard drive/SSD docking bay. Let’s see if it is a good buy.

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Figure 1: SilverStone Precision PS06 case

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Figure 2: SilverStone Precision PS06 case

The left panel of the PS06 can be solid or have a huge transparent window. The model with the transparent window is called PS06-W and, since it is the only version sold in the US, it is the model we are reviewing.

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Figure 3: Left-side panel

The Front Panel

The front panel of the SilverStone Precision PS06 has five external 5.25” bays, which is impressive for a mid-tower case, since most models come with only three or four external 5.25” bays. The bay covers aren’t meshed. The front panel also has an external 3.5”/2.5” docking bay with hot swap connectors for one hard drive or SSD.

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Figure 4: Front panel

The PS06 comes with an air filter for its front fan, and this filter can be easily removed by sliding it through either side of the front panel.

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Figure 5: Air filter

The front fan is a 120 mm sleeve bearing model (SilverStone S1202512ELN-3M, which is actually manufactured by Globe Fan; unfortunately, we couldn’t find its technical specifications). It uses a three-pin power connector, so you can install it directly on your motherboard and monitor its speed.

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Figure 6: Front fan

The Top Panel

The top panel of the PS06 can be seen in Figure 7. It comes with a 180 mm sleeve bearing fan (a SilverStone AP181 model), which is installed in ventilation mode, pulling air from outside the case. This causes this case to have a positive air pressure, i.e., there is more forced air entering the case than exiting it. As you may know, in most cases the top fan is installed in exhaustion mode, pulling air from inside the case. The rear panel of the case comes with a two-speed controller for this fan, and you can select between 700 rpm/80 cfm/18 dBA and 1,200 rpm/130 cfm/34 dBA. The case comes with an air filter for this fan, which is really important, since it is blowing air inside the case.

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Figure 7: Top panel

The PS06 has only two USB 3.0 ports and the traditional audio jacks, which are located on the top panel. The top panel has two grooves for you to route the cables of devices that are eventually connected to the USB ports.

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Figure 8: Buttons and connectors

The USB 3.0 ports of the PS06 are attached to a motherboard front panel connector instead of using standard USB plugs. This way, you won’t need to route the USB cables to the outside of the case and install them to the USB 3.0 ports located on the motherboard rear panel. So, make sure your motherboard has a USB 3.0 header. Alternatively, you can install the USB 3.0 ports to a USB 2.0 motherboard header using the included adapter. See Figure 9.

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Figure 9: USB 3.0-to-USB 2.0 adapter

The Bottom and Rear Panels

The Precision PS06 comes with a big air filter on its bottom panel. It is used by the power supply fan and by an optional 120 mm or 140 mm fan that goes on the bottom panel. This filter is easily removed from the rear panel, so you don’t need to lift the case whenever you decide to clean it.

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Figure 10: Bottom panel

The rear panel and the interior of the PS06 are painted black. The reviewed case has eight expansion slots, all featuring vented covers. This allows you to install three or four video cards, depending on your motherboard.

There are two holes for hoses of liquid cooling solutions, but they come closed and you need to break their metallic protection in order to use them.

Unfortunately, the PS06 doesn’t come with a rear fan installed. However, it comes with a frame allowing you to install a 120 mm fan without the need of using screws. Since this case has a big fan on its top panel blowing air inside the case, a rear fan may not be necessary.

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Figure 11: Rear panel

The speed controller for the top fan is located on the rear panel upper right corner. See Figure 12.

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Figure 12: Speed controller for the top fan

The PS06 comes with a loop for you to install a padlock or a warranty seal, preventing unauthorized people from opening your computer.

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Figure 13: Loop for padlock or warranty seal

Let’s now take a look inside the SilverStone Precision PS06.

Inside the SilverStone Precision PS06

Both panels are attached to the chassis using black thumbscrews, which is great. The motherboard tray has a huge hole for you to access the backplate of the CPU cooler without having to remove the motherboard from the case, several holes for you to route cables behind it, and several metallic clips for you to fasten cables behind the motherboard tray using cable ties.

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Figure 14: Overall look

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Figure 15: A view behind the motherboard tray

In Figure 16, you have another overall look inside the case. Expansion cards are fastened to the case using black thumbscrews. The PS06 supports video cards up to 12.2” (310 mm) long and CPU coolers up to 7” (179 mm) tall.

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Figure 16: Overall look

The power supply is installed at the bottom of the case. Note that it can be installed with either its bottom fan facing up or facing down, so you can decide if you want the fan of your power supply pulling air from inside the case or from outside of it. The case comes with an adjustable support for the power supply.

If you install a power supply with a depth of up to 6.3” (160 mm), you can install either a 120 mm or a 140 mm fan on the bottom. With a power supply 6.5” (165 mm) deep, you can still install a 120 mm fan. However, if you install deeper power supplies, you won’t be able to install a fan on the bottom panel. As already shown, the case has a single air filter for the power supply fan and the bottom fan.

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Figure 17: Power supply compartment

The Disk Drive Bays

The SilverStone Precision PS06 has five 5.25” external bays, one 3.5”/2.5” external bay with hot swap connectors, and four internal 3.5”/2.5” bays. All bays feature tool-less installation mechanisms.

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Figure 18: Disk drive bays

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Figure 19: The hot swap connector of the external 3.5”/2.5” bay

The hard disk drive cage is removable. This allows you to improve the case air flow, if you have a single drive installed in the external 3.5”/2.5” bay. This feature also makes it easier to install several hard drives.

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Figure 20: Hard disk drive cage

Each 3.5”/2.5” bay is actually a drawer. You won’t need to use screws when installing 3.5” devices. The available pegs have rubber rings to absorb the hard drive vibration. Two-and-a-half-inch units require the use of regular screws to be installed.

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Figure 21: One of the 3.5”/2.5” bays

Main Specifications

The main specifications for the SilverStone Precision PS06 case include:

• Style: Mid-tower
• Application: CEB, ATX, and smaller form factors derived from this one
• Material: Zinc-coated steel (SECC) body
• Power supply: Doesn’t come with the product
• Available colors: Black
• Side panel: Solid or transparent
• Dimensions: 20.7 x 8.3 x 20.5 inches (525 x 210 x 520 mm) (H x W x D)
• Net weight: 19.5 lbs (8.8 kg)
• Gross weight: 22.5 lbs (10.2 kg)
• Bays: Five external 5.25” bays, one external 3.5”/2.5” hot swap bay, and four internal 3.5”/2.5” bays
• Expansion slots: Eight
• Maximum video card length: 12.2” (310 mm)
• Maximum CPU cooler height: 7” (179 mm)
• Fans: One 120 mm fan on the front panel and one 200 mm fan on the top panel (700 rpm/80 cfm/18 dBA or 1,200 rpm/130 cfm/34 dBA)
• Optional fans: One 120 mm fan on the rear panel, and one 120 mm or 140 mm fan on the bottom panel
• Extra features: Loop for padlock or warranty seal, adapter to convert USB 3.0 ports into USB 2.0 ports
• More Information: http://www.silverstonetek.com
• Average Price in the US*: USD 100.00

* Researched at Newegg.com on the day we published this review.

Conclusions

The SilverStone Precision PS06 is a good option if you are looking for a mid-tower case with eight expansion slots and would like to try a case with positive air pressure for a change (more specifically, with a top fan blowing air inside the case).

Strong Points

• Eight expansion slots
• Air filter for the front fan
• Air filter for the power supply fan and bottom fan
• Air filter for the top fan
• Support for five hard drives or SSD units
• External 3.5”/2.5” bay with hot swap connectors
• Anti-vibration mechanisms for 3.5” hard drives
• Tool-less installation system for 5.25” and 3.5” devices
• A huge hole in the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler
• Holes for routing cables behind the motherboard tray
• Loop for padlock or warranty seal
• Groove for routing the cables of USB devices

Weak Points

• Doesn’t come with the rear fan
• Holes for liquid cooling solutions must be broken off