It's Good To Be The Boss
The sad fact of office hierarchy is that the boss usually gets the best stuff, but that’s not so bad when you’re in charge. If you happen to be a boss (either at work or at home) who is tech-savvy enough to read Tom’s Hardware, you’re probably not going to fall for any of the tech support high jinks of Dilbert comic strips, and will instead truly shop for the best gear. Finally, if you’re the head of a technology-based service firm, then you might even need the best stuff, at least when it comes to computing power.
One problem is that while technology isn’t always pretty, you must always project the most positive and professional image to your clients, proving to them that you’re at least as successful at your job as they are at theirs. But where do you start when your clients already have the classiest-available pre-built powerhouses? SilverStone and Thermaltake may have answers.
Don’t let the photos fool you—SilverStone’s seemingly ordinary-looking Fortress 2 is far more imposing and grandiose when viewed in person and words cannot describe the immense proportions of Thermaltake’s Level 10. Both provide artistic flair and are designed to hold oversized components. But appearance is but only one of the many things that separates these high-priced cases from their less-expensive counterparts, or even from each other.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | SilverStone Fortress 2 (FT02B) | Thermaltake Level 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Height | 19.60" | 26.22" |
| Width | 8.31" | 12.52" |
| Depth | 24.19" | 24.17" |
| Space Above Motherboard | 0.82" | 0.52" |
| Card Length | 12.0" w/o Radiator Brackets 11.68" w/Radiator Brackets | 12.26" w/Intake Fan 13.26" w/o Intake Fan |
| Weight | 34.0 lbs. | 48.0 lbs. |
| Cooling | ||
| Front Fans | 3 x180 mm (on bottom) | 1 x 140 mm |
| Rear Fans | 1 x 120 mm (on top) | 1 x 120 mm |
| Top Fans | None | None |
| Side Fans | None | None |
| Drive Bays | ||
| 5.25" External | Five | Three |
| 3.5" External | None | None |
| 3.5" Internal | Five | Six (Shared with 2.5") |
| 2.5" Internal | 1 x Adapter | Six (Shared with 3.5") |
| Price | $230 | $700 |
Thermaltake’s specifications resemble those of an ordinary PC, in spite of its dramatic appearance, while SilverStone’s understated look partially hides an extraordinary layout. Why do we call the Fortress 2’s exhaust fan a rear fan even though it’s located on top? Questions like that can only be answered through further examination.
