Introduction

The new Silverstone Precision PS07 is a case targeted to microATX motherboards, also supporting the Micro-ITX and Micro-DTX formats. It is bigger than traditional small form factor (SFF) cases, such as the Sugo series models from the same manufacturer (see the Sugo SG05, Sugo SG06, and Sugo SG07 reviews). In fact, the Precision PS07 has similar size and features as the Temjin TJ08-E. Let’s compare them. 

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Figure 1: SilverStone Precision PS07 case

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Figure 2: SilverStone Precision PS07 case

The Precision PS07 has a very sober look, and both panels are solid.

The Front Panel

The front panel of the Precision PS07 is made of plastic (the front panel of the Temjin TH08-E is made of aluminum) and has two external 5.25” bays, using solid covers. What is unique on this case is that it features two buttons on its left-side panel for releasing the bay covers.

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Figure 3: Front panel

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Figure 4: Buttons for removing the bay covers

The case comes with two USB 3.0 ports and the traditional audio jacks on the left-side of the front panel. See Figure 3. The USB 3.0 ports use an internal connector, so make sure you install a motherboard with an internal USB 3.0 header.

While the Temjin TJ08-E has one big 180 mm fan on its front panel with a two-speed controller, the Precision PS07 comes with two 120 mm fans. This is one of the main differences between the two models. These fans are SilverStone ST1202512SL-3M models, which are actually manufactured by Globe Fan. They spin at 950 rpm and produce an 18 dBA noise level. The fans are located behind a door and have an air filter. See Figure 5.

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Figure 5: Front fans

The Top, Bottom, and Rear Panels

The top panel of the Precision PS07 can be seen in Figure 6. It has a mesh for the power supply fan, which comes with a magnetic air filter, making it very easy to remove and clean this filter. The bottom panel, shown in Figure 7, does not have any fancy features.

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Figure 6: Top panel

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Figure 7: Bottom panel

The top, bottom, and rear panels of the Precision PS07 are identical to the Temjin TJ08-E’s.

The rear panel and the interior of the SilverStone Precision PS07 are painted black.

The case has four expansion slots, using vented covers. These covers, however, are silver. We think the manufacturer should have added black covers to better match the case.

There is a space for you to install a 120 mm fan on the rear panel, but the case doesn’t come with this fan. While some users may think this is a disadvantage, the presence of two 120 mm fans on the front panel should be more than enough to cool down typical computers. In addition, it creates a positive air flow configuration (i.e., there is more forced air entering the case than exiting it). If you are building a high-end system inside the PS07, then you may consider adding the rear fan. Also, if you plan to install a sealed liquid cooling solution, you will use this space to install the radiator. In this scenario, you would need to remove the fan if it came with the case.

On the SilverStone Precision PS07, the power supply goes on the top part of the case.

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Figure 8: Rear panel

Let’s now take a look inside the SilverStone Precision PS07.

Inside the SilverStone Precision PS07

Both panels are attached to the chassis using black thumbscrews. The Precision PS07 follows the same design concept as the Temjin TJ08-E, where its motherboard tray is “flipped.” On virtually all tower cases, the motherboard is installed against the cases’ right panel, so we need to open the left panel to install the motherboard and additional components. This case, however, uses the opposite configuration. The motherboard is installed against the left panel; therefore, you need to open the right panel to install the motherboard and other components.

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, two big holes for you to route cables behind it, and several metallic clips for you to fasten cables using cable ties.

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Figure 9: Overall look

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Figure 10: A view behind the motherboard tray

Figure 11 gives you another overall look inside the case. Expansion cards are fastened using regular screws, but at least they are black. The SilverStone Precision PS07 supports video cards up to 13.5” (343 mm) long and CPU coolers up to 6.5” (165 mm) tall, which is impressive for such a small case.

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Figure 11: Overall look

At the bottom panel, this case has CPU cooler support. This support can be moved up and down to hold your CPU cooler. It is a very interesting device, especially if you have a big CPU cooler.

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Figure 12: Support for the CPU cooler

As already explained, the power supply is installed at the top 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 Precision PS07 supports power supplies up to 7.1” (180 mm) deep.

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Figure 13: Power supply compartment

The Disk Drive Bays

The SilverStone Precision PS07 has two 5.25” external bays, one 3.5” external bay converted from one of the 5.25” bays, four 3.5” internal bays and one 2.5” internal bay. The external 3.5” bay can be used by an internal 3.5” device. The only difference between the Temjin TJ08-E and the Precision PS07 is that the TJ08-E has an individual external 3.5” bay.

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Figure 14: Disk drive bays

The main hard drive cage is removable, as shown in Figure 15. The 2.5” bay is located under the hard drive cage. To attach a 2.5” device, you need to use screws coming from the bottom panel. As you can see, all hard drive bays have foam pads to reduce the noise generated by the hard drives.

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Figure 15: The hard drive cage

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Figure 16: The 2.5” bay

In Figure 17, you can see the accessories that come with this case.

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Figure 17: Accessories

Main Specifications

The main specifications for the SilverStone Precision PS07 case include:

• Style: Small form factor (SFF)
• Application: microATX, Mini-ITX, and Mini-DTX
• Material: Zinc-coated steel (SECC) body
• Power supply: Doesn’t come with the product
• Available colors: Black
• Side panel: Solid
• Dimensions: 14.7 x 8.3 x 15.8 inches (374 x 210 x 400 mm) (H x W x D)
• Net weight: 11 lbs (5 kg)
• Gross weight: 13.5 lbs (6.2 kg)
• Bays: Two external 5.25” bays, one external/internal 3.5” bay converted from one 5.25” bay, four internal 3.5” bays, and one internal 2.5” bay
• Expansion slots: Four
• Maximum video card length: 13.5” (343 mm)
• Maximum CPU cooler height: 6.5” (165 mm)
• Fans: Two 120 mm fans on the front panel (950 rpm/18 dBA)
• Optional fans: One 120 mm on the rear panel
• More Information: http://www.silverstonetek.com
• MSRP in the US: USD 80.00

Conclusions

The Precision PS07 follows the same design concept as the SilverStone Temjin TJ08-E. It is a good option for users who want to build a small yet powerful computer and want a case that is more affordable than the Temjin TJ08-E. The two cases are almost identical. The only differences between the two is that the TJ08-E has one big 180 mm fan with a two-speed controller on the front panel, an aluminum front panel, and an individual external/internal 3.5” bay. If you can live without these features, the Precision PS07 offers a better cost/benefit ratio.

Strong Points

• Vented slot covers
• Air filter for the front fans
• Air filter for the power supply fan with magnetic holding mechanism
• Two 120 mm front fans
• A huge hole in the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler
• Holes for routing cables behind the motherboard tray
• Support for five 3.5” and one 2.5” internal devices
• Bracket for holding the CPU cooler

Weak Points

• Doesn’t come with the rear fan (not an issue in most situations)
• Slot covers are silver, not black
• Could have used thumbscrews for fastening expansion cards