Final Thoughts
As we wrap up to this review, allow me once again express the thoughts I originally had when first writing the forward to this review.
That is…
“oh, how I wish that I would have been a case reviewer in the glory days of SilverStone. Back when this case badge was a sure indication of something very special behind it.”
I know that sounds cynical but all these economy cases as of late have really starting to bother the modder inside of me. Maybe that’s not important anymore and I am sure it is very cost effective to sell cases that are cheaper and have a better profit margin. I really get that, really I do. But I also miss the excitement and the smell of the cases and the great way they were once built. But I am old and it’s hard for me to accept change as easy as others, I guess.
Also in my Forward I also posed the question “What would an economy SilverStone case be like?” I am pretty sure they hit the nail on the head with the Kublai KL05. On the up side there was another part I really liked about the case which was that the entire top of the inner case frame can be removed by screws, so that makes the modder feel a little better, but I really wish I had not missed the SilverStone cases of the past. I would gladly drill out some rivet from a TJ07 or another one of the forever classics of the past.
Now well its an economy case and SilverStone did a good job with the specs before having it built. You can pickup the KL05 at my favorite online retailer for only $69.99. Overall ThinkComputers gives the SilverStone Kublai Series KL05 Case an 8 out of 10 score.
Pros:
– Nice design good look
– 8 PCI slots for triple SLI Support
– Bottom, Front and top areas for 120x240mm Radiators
– Side doors have the new line up and close side panels
– Window is just the right size for me
– Front Filter Element is easy to get to
– Good wire room behind motherboard
Cons:
– Front panel Mic phone in and out wire is short
– Paint easily chips on the edges.
– Top panel has no removable filter element
– Bottom filter element is hard to reinstall after cleaning.
