The SilverStone FARA 512Z is a solid chassis, that checks off all the usual boxes for a mainstream case. With its good structural quality, it comes with a mesh front for better air flow, ARGB fans, and a built-in ARGB element. On top of that, it can hold all the usual mix of components, including long GPUs and up to a 280 mm AIO in the ceiling - even though it is a rather compact chassis.

While it also features a PCB, which would have made it check off all the boxes we usually see from a mainstream chassis at that magical $100 mark, it is unfortunately of limited use and completely mismatched with the 3-pin RPM fans. Nowadays having a fully functional, motherboard controllable PCB paired with PWM fans for a case of this price segment is nothing unique, so it is unfortunate to see this implementation in the FARA 512Z.

With that in mind, the SilverStone FARA 512Z at its core, is a good chassis, but it just doesn't manage to provide the bang of the buck "feeling" we have seen from alternatives out there. On the upside, the multipurpose cable cover, rotatable expansion slots or the complete, uncompromising set of I/O does set the FARA 512Z apart from the competition. The ability to install a 4-slot GPU vertically is certainly no small feat, but isn't likely on the radar for the target audience of this chassis. On the other hand, the chassis falls short with a basic mesh filter on the bottom, lack of a fourth pre-installed fan to be in line with the competition, fairly useless PCB and missing grommets. As these drawbacks weigh heavier than the positive notes, they unfortunately make the SilverStone FARA 512Z a hard sell in this heavily contested price segment.