SilverStone Technology Grandia Series Aluminum HTPC Computer Case for ATX / SSI-CEB - Black (GD09B)

I am just finishing my testing on my first HTPC build. SilverStone seemed to be the go-to manufacturer for cases for a HTPC situation.I can see now that I could have gone with one of the shorter models, but shelf space isn't an issue. Instead I am happy with this model because it let me install 120mm case fans instead of 80mm, and the copious empty space inside means great airflow.The case never got in the way of the build. I had most of the components in and out of the case several times as the configuration refined itself. And everything went on the MB after it was installed in the case. Only real lesson learned overall was that I recommend that you take the structural crossbar out of the case (or at least loosen it) if you are going to handle anything large w/in the case--especially the optical drive support.I didn't really challenge the case. One SSD drive that I put on the underside of the optical drive mount rather than on the case floor by the PSU. The MB was microATX, so that wasn't a challenge. Two case fans on the MB side of the case so they blow (positive pressure) across the CPU (and its fan) and down to a passive PSU. The fans are MB-controlled and often the unit runs cool enough that only one fan is switched on. The PSU is modular, so only the cables I actually need are in the case. Only place with anything approaching conflict is where the SATA data/power cables exit the DVD drive. They are a little close for comfort to the CPU fan, but still acceptable.Everything is reasonably intuitive in terms of fitting gear in the case. The passive PSU caused me to debate how to orient it so that the air flow would serve it best. Mounting the SSD was another that I had to think about for a while. Removing the covers/filters from the side of the case where I mounted the fans was not too intuitive, but once learned everything was fine. I thought I was going to break the covers before I got them to where I could see their 'bayonet' style clips. And the top cover is as no-nonsense as any case I have used.An abundance of spare fasteners.Probably my 10th build from scratch, and I have been inside of about 20 distinct case styles. This case was as accommodating and pain-free as any I have handled.

Great product for my purposes. Good amount of room for a couple peripherals (2xSSD and 1xHDD). Fits a RTX 3070 no problem. Modular PSU definitely recommended as cabling will be tight, but there are plenty of mounting points for fans. Liquid cooling would also be pretty tight and require some research on dimensions to try to make it fit as the motherboard only clears the intake fans on the right side by a couple millimeters.This is plenty capable of being a gaming HTPC or desktop PC, with room for a decent air cooler and even more room for a larger cooler if you only had M.2 drives or just 1 HDD/SDD so you could remove the optical drive tray. I am using the Noctua NH-U9S in a Pull configuration. If this were an HTPC with an optical drive, a low profile cooler would probably be needed (such as the stock Ryzen cooler), in order to plug in the optical drive. Optionally one could try right-angle connectors to make that configuration work with a tower cooler.I think the case has a good fit and finish, and the intake filters are very effective, without affecting the airflow too much. Plastic front instead of actual brushed aluminum is a shame but the case looks great in an entertainment center regardless. The general build quality is very good, with hefty black aluminum for the case. The supplied screws are pretty cheap, but they work.Three downsides I can think of are the lack of thumb screws for the cover, which can be easily replaced by aftermarket thumb screws, and the strangely large and bulky USB header cable which is much too long and feels like it has reinforced rubber that is overkill just for 2xUSB 3.0 headers. The 120mm fan that comes with the case also happens to be the noisiest even though it's a low-RPM fan. If this weren't a gaming PC then it would be an OK fan to keep at low speed, but for a gaming build you would probably want to replace it with a higher quality fan.