SilverStone TJ06 Computer Case Review - Installation
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SilverStone provides all the screws and standoffs to install a motherboard, keys for opening the front door, 3.5" and 5.25" drive rails, and a piece to allow the wind tunnel to be installed over a dual CPU motherboard.
Initially I planned to install an ABIT IC7-MAX3 motherboard in the SilverStone TJ06. However, the board would not fit inside the case. This was not because it was too long or too wide, but because the OTES cooling on the IC7-MAX3 interferes with the anchors for the feet of the case (the beige circles in the bottom left corner). Apparently not even an ATX motherboard can fit inside the TJ06. SilverStone's website has a PDF file (linked in the conclusion) with a list of the motherboards that are compatible with this case. The motherboard pictured is an ASUS P4R800-V Deluxe. Observe how tight the case is around the motherboard. It is advised before purchasing this case that you verify the motherboard to be installed is compatible.
Problem #1. The above picture shows the closest the ATX power connector from the power supply could come to the motherboard socket. Because the motherboard is mounted inverted compared to a standard ATX case, most power supply's ATX power cables will be short. Luckily the local Fries has an extension for these cables for the low price of $9.95. That's not horribly expensive, but it's something SilverStone should have included with the case. They know of this problem but leave it to the buyer to purchase the cable separately.
This is the ATX power cable extension that needed to be purchased.
Problem #2. As you can see in the above image, the Zalman VGA cooler installed on the ATI RADEON 9700 PRO video card was squished against the side of the wind tunnel. While technically everything fit in the case this way, it is clear it will hamper the Zalman's ability to cool the 9700 PRO if air can't move across one side of the heatsink. Also, because of the tool-less design of the expansion slots, common card coolers are incompatible with this case.
Drive rails installed...top view.
Drive rails installed...side view. These pictures are included because it can be a little tricky to get the drive rails installed correctly.
Problem #3. Here the drives are installed in the hard drive rack; however, the IDE connectors are now towards the back of the case. This is by design and intended. But the IDE cables previous used with this system in an older case could no longer be used. The cables were too short. Luckily, longer IDE cables were found that barely stretched from the top of the case where the drives are installed, through the back, to the bottom of the case where the motherboard's IDE connectors are located.
Rounded IDE cables are not needed for this case and are not recommended. The side left side panel of the case may not be able to slide on if rounded cables are installed. Personally, I have never seen SATA cables long enough to reach this distance, and if the hard drives in the rack were moved to the right, as they might be in a full case, PATA (IDE) cables long enough would be hard to find. Like the problem with the power supply cable, I am certain SilverStone is aware of this issue. It is a shame they did not include PATA and SATA cables long enough to be used with their case.
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