Monday, September 5th 2022

SilverStone Intros FARA 311 Micro-ATX Case with a 5.25-inch Bay

by
btarunr
 Discuss (36 Comments)
SilverStone today introduced the FARA 311, a Micro-ATX tower case with room for some legacy devices, such as a 5.25-inch drive. Inside, you'll get a single-compartment layout with the PSU bay located at the top, next to the 5.25-inch bay, and the motherboard tray below. The motherboard tray serves up room for graphics cards up to 35.4 cm in length, and CPU coolers up to 15.6 cm in height. The PSU needs to be no more than 14 cm in length to not obstruct the wiring of your 5.25-inch bay. Speaking of which, the 5.25-inch bay is designed such that in the absence of a 5.25-inch drive, you can mount a 3.5/2.5-inch drive; another 3.5/2.5-inch drive below, mount a 2.5-inch along the motherboard tray, and another 3.5-inch/2.5-inch drive along the bottom panel. Ventilation includes two 120 mm front intakes (including support for 240 mm radiators), and a 120 mm rear exhaust. The case measures 410 mm x 360 mm x 183 mm (LxHxW). The company didn't reveal pricing.

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36 Comments on SilverStone Intros FARA 311 Micro-ATX Case with a 5.25-inch Bay

#1
lexluthermiester
Excellent! Complete with a reset button as well. Very nice. Thank You SilverStone!
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#3
ExcuseMeWtf
Fractal Design Focus G Mini has 2 and more modern layout, while still being mATX. :p
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#4
lexluthermiester
ChaitanyaCase even includes a 3.5" drive bay under 5.25" bay(product page has more details) which can be removed for AIO is quite a good design choice.

Edit: link to product page:
www.silverstonetek.com/en/product/info/computer-chassis/FARA_311/
Looking at those specs, if one uses a 240mm RAD, the 3.5" drive bay doesn't have to be removed. Nice design.
ExcuseMeWtfFractal Design Focus G Mini has 2 and more modern layout, while still being mATX. :p
Good point. But it's good to see companies like SilverStone still catering to the user base that uses optical drive or other devices in the 5.25" expansion bays.
Posted on Reply
#5
sam_86314
lexluthermiesterGood point. But it's good to see companies like SilverStone still catering to the user base that uses optical drive or other devices in the 5.25" expansion bays.
That's also why I like the (somewhat) new Fractal Pop cases with their 5.25 bays behind a magnetic cover. They can keep the "modern" looks while still catering to those of us who still use optical media.
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#6
lexluthermiester
sam_86314That's also why I like the (somewhat) new Fractal Pop cases with their 5.25 bays behind a magnetic cover. They can keep the "modern" looks while still catering to those of us who still use optical media.
Interesting. That wouldn't work for me as I use my drive too frequently. Having to open up a cover just to open a drive would irritate me. I'm very much a function over fashion kind of guy. But I also know that I'm somewhat in the minority these days.
Posted on Reply
#7
sam_86314
lexluthermiesterInteresting. That wouldn't work for me as I use my drive too frequently. having to open up a cover just to open a drive would irritate me. I'm very much a function over fashion kind of guy. But I also know that I'm somewhat in the minority these days.
I'm sure the cover would pop off in an entertaining fashion if you eject the drive without removing it. I can't imagine the magnets are that strong.

Of course, leaving the cover off is always an option.
Posted on Reply
#8
lexluthermiester
sam_86314I'm sure the cover would pop off in an entertaining fashion if you eject the drive without removing it. I can't imagine the magnets are that strong.
That would be funny to watch!
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#9
Ruru
S.T.A.R.S.
It's 2022 and it has PSU at top... otherwise this would be a good budget case for a media PC.
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#10
lexluthermiester
LenneIt's 2022 and it has PSU at top.
That's actually a thermodynamically correct design.
Posted on Reply
#11
DrCR
I’d like to think they made this case not just for those who would be interested in it, but to also grief a bit the forum dwellers that would kvetch on it just because.
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#12
Ruru
S.T.A.R.S.
lexluthermiesterThat's actually a thermodynamically correct design.
But when thinking about a modern semi-passive PSU, it gets heat produced by the CPU and probably ramps up easier than when it's in the bottom, or so I would guess..?
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#14
ExcuseMeWtf
LenneBut when thinking about a modern semi-passive PSU, it gets heat produced by the CPU and probably ramps up easier than when it's in the bottom, or so I would guess..?
Originally, in ATX design, PSU served as exhaust for heat from CPU.

Nowadays, with bottom mounted PSUs, dedicated fans on top side serve that same purpose without burdening PSU with said heat.

And obviously, semi-fanless units would not perform that function anyways.
Posted on Reply
#15
Ruru
S.T.A.R.S.
ExcuseMeWtfOriginally, in ATX design, PSU served as exhaust for heat from CPU.

Nowadays, with bottom mounted PSUs, dedicated fans on top side serve that same purpose without burdening PSU with said heat.

And obviously, semi-fanless units would not perform that function anyways.
Yeah I know, and that was the Pentium era with a fraction of the heat output compared to modern systems.
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#16
Assimilator
Who are these mythical deep-dwelling proto-humans who still have ancient 5.25" devices, yet are looking to buy 2022-era chassis?
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#17
ExcuseMeWtf
AssimilatorWho are these mythical deep-dwelling proto-humans who still have ancient 5.25" devices, yet are looking to buy 2022-era chassis?
:rolleyes:
Literally my PC right now
Posted on Reply
#18
Ruru
S.T.A.R.S.
AssimilatorWho are these mythical deep-dwelling proto-humans who still have ancient 5.25" devices, yet are looking to buy 2022-era chassis?
For a project PC, a reservoir for 5.25" bay could be fine.
Posted on Reply
#19
Vario
AssimilatorWho are these mythical deep-dwelling proto-humans who still have ancient 5.25" devices, yet are looking to buy 2022-era chassis?
I have a 5.25 hot swap bay on a few of my machines, it is useful for doing backup images. Those machines run m.2 NVMe drives but I image the drives onto cheap mechanical HDD for backup.
Posted on Reply
#20
TheinsanegamerN
AssimilatorWho are these mythical deep-dwelling proto-humans who still have ancient 5.25" devices, yet are looking to buy 2022-era chassis?
Backups to optical media
5.25" reservoir
playing DVD/blu ray media
External HDD reader (for those of us that do tech work on their main machine)
Fan controller
Media card reader

Not everyone jumped on eliminating all physical media/buying 18 dongles and addons to plug in when you have to do actual work.
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#21
thegnome
Hey look, it's 2013 calling wanting their cases back!
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#22
lexluthermiester
LenneBut when thinking about a modern semi-passive PSU, it gets heat produced by the CPU and probably ramps up easier than when it's in the bottom, or so I would guess..?
For strictly passive PSU's, sure that might be an issue. But for any PSU with a fan, it's a non-issue.
AssimilatorWho are these mythical deep-dwelling proto-humans who still have ancient 5.25" devices, yet are looking to buy 2022-era chassis?
Insults & snide comments coming from you? What shocking thing...:rolleyes:
thegnomeHey look, it's 2013 calling wanting their cases back!
2003 is calling and wants it's cliche, tired joke back..
Posted on Reply
#23
bonehead123
Although I generally like most of SS's stuff, and they made some reasonably good design choices with this case, I believe my "NO C - NO BUY - NO EXCUSES" mantra still applies here :D
Posted on Reply
#24
Yttersta
I like this case very much. It has enough cooling for a very powerful system, it can accommodate a carry over PSU, a tri-slot gfx card, and a good NIC along with a long missed ability to house a nice offline backup solution in the 5.25" bay.
Posted on Reply
#25
Voodoo Rufus
If this was ATX, it would be perfect for the "retro gaming builds". Some older motherboards are hard to get ATX and 12V power cables to when the PSU is in the bottom, sometimes making for ugly cable routing.

Sure, it's a very tiny niche, but I'm glad this case exists right now.
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