Completed Build, Performance, and Conclusion
The finished product is clean and open, and the build process was very simple. There is a lot of empty space to the right of the system components, and open layout enclosures of this type certainly have the capability of supporting any number of liquid-cooling options.
Around back it's easy to see the benefit of the included velcro strips, and I was able to easily keep cables pretty neat behind the system. I would have liked a little more space, but if you're careful to keep the cables in tight to the back of the system the door will slide back on without a bulge.
Performance Results
We'll begin with the CPU temps, and see if my assumption about the airflow provided by the massive front intake (and triple 140 mm fans) did indeed provide high performance.
Well, what do you know? Not just 'high' performance; the best I've tested with these components! What about GPU temps? I expected these to be just as impressive.
Well, not the leader I was expecting, but very close to the best performance I've seen. It seems that the massive Enthoo Primo has set a standard that will be very hard to beat – at least for this particular GPU. Still, outstanding cooling performance all around for the PM01 – but was there a price to pay with noise output?
As I assumed (and subjectively determined), the SPL meter shows the open front does in fact result in higher noise output. The last case I reviewed with a similar airflow design, the RIOTORO PRISM CR1280, had very similar numbers. If you can live with about 40 dB it's absolutely worth it for the outstanding cooling performance of this enclosure.
Conclusion
- SilverStone Primera Series PM01 ATX Enclosure – $109.99, Amazon
The Primera Series PM01 is a sleek, aggressively-styled case that offers far more than just a polished appearance and LED lighting effects. It produced some of the best numbers we've seen in the cooling department, though this did come at the cost of additional noise output. The only other negative I could come up with was the black finish on the case, which – though extremely well done and very attractive – is something of a dust and fingerprint magnet, and cleaning it with all but the softest cloth will result in swirl marks.
Strengths
- Bold styling and attractive high-gloss finish
- Integrated LED lighting with controller
- Outstanding cooling performance
- Excellent cable management support
Weaknesses
- High airflow design with large front grill results in increased noise output
- Top mount clearance poses an issue for thicker liquid coolers (depending on motherboard)
- Black gloss finish requires care to prevent scratches/swirl marks
All told I was very impressed with the first entrant in the Primera Series, as the PM01 combines style and substance in a package that I found to be reasonably priced at $109.99 when the added expense of LED lighting strips and fans is considered. I enjoyed my time with the PM01, and if you like the style I think it deserves a look when you're considering your next enclosure upgrade.
Gold award? Are you F’ing
Gold award? Are you F’ing kidding me?!!!
– Can’t fit any kind of dual fan radiator in the top of the case
– You have to unscrew the front panel to be able to properly clean it
Those two points there are major issues and make it pretty much a no-buy for a large number of people. If you’re planning on doing a air only build you can find better options at lower price points.
agreed
this Hardwarecanucks
agreed
this Hardwarecanucks review that explain such issues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EO_7wKw8jlM
You certainly can fit a
You certainly can fit a dual-fan liquid cooler up top, but it is very odd there isn't an opening up there to route fan cables down from the upper chamber. It seems perfect for the fans in a pull configuration. As is any slimmer AIO system (not necessarily one of the slim models SilverStone sells like the TD02-SLIM , though that would obviously work). RAM was the only clearance issue in my setup.
Regardless, I updated the review after revisiting the top mount with my sample here and finding some clearance issues, depending on AIO cooler. I still feel the case overall is worth our gold award, but the little things like this keep it from our highest award level (editor's choice). I can see the argument against the gold award level, but given the excellent temps and added value from the integrated lighting, it stands as reviewed.
SilverStone is hit or miss. I
SilverStone is hit or miss. I feel like this case is a big miss for them. The gimmicky plastic front and top need to go. They should have gone for a nice clean, sleek look to be competitive IMHO. My Phanteks Enthoo Pro is a much better value than this, and a much better case for so many reasons. There are also many other cases out there that are better. SilverStone makes some nice products, but I just don’t think they got this right.
fugly../.
fugly../.
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