Inside the Grandia GD11
To get inside this Grandia GD11, you just have to remove the single top panel screwed to the case. Unfortunately, the screws are not captive, you’ll have to be careful not to lose them. On the other hand, once removed, the panel leaves a large access to the inside of the case.
The chassis:
Clearly, the interior of this Grandia GD11 changes from what we are used to see. Indeed, as soon as we open it, we arrive on the motherboard tray and that’s all. Here, there are no cable passages or anything else. Moreover, at the top, we can see the power supply slot with the motherboard slot just below. In the upper right corner, the hard disk cage is present. Fortunately, it is removable in order to free up more space during assembly.
The storage slots :
From the ground up, the case arrives with fairly few slots for storage. As standard, it offers a two slot hard drive cage in 3.5″ only. As you can see, it is made of steel and does not offer any basket or anti-vibration device. Moreover, it is held in place by a total of five cross-headed screws that will have to be removed to gain access. In short, it’s not the most practical system we’ve seen.
If you want to install a 2.5″ storage device, you’ll have to add an extra basket, fortunately, provided in the accessories section.
Power supply location:
For kicks, the power supply location remains just as basic as the HDD cage. Once in place, the block will rest on two grooves molded directly into the steel of the case. Here, there are no foam/rubber pads in order to limit vibrations as much as possible. Moreover, considering the use, it is quite surprising that this aspect has not been more carefully considered. On the other hand, we have a lot of space for our block since 350 mm are available for it!
The cooling possibilities :
As standard, the Grandia GD11 is a case that integrates two 120 mm fans in front. Nevertheless, if we wish, we can add up to five fans. On the left side, the case offers two 120 mm slots against one on the right. Finally, at the back, above theI/O shield of the card, we have two small 80 mm slots.
Obviously, the case will be severely limited as far as watercooling is concerned. Silverstone’s datasheet only mentions compatibility with 240mm radiators at the front. And if you want to switch to aircooling, the situation is not much better since we have only 146 mm height for a cpu cooler. This forces us to opt for either a top flow model or a 92mm tower model.
The bundle:
As for the accessories part, what do we find?
- A guarantee guide
- Nylon collars
- The screws and bolts
- A 3.5″/2.5″ hard disk basket
- 120mm fan filter
In fact, the accessories section offers everything you need to mount a configuration inside the Grandia GD11. As a little extra, we find a 3.5″/2.5″ storage support as well as a filter for a fan, occupied by a cover by default.
The small details :
In the “small details” section, it’s sad to say, but there is not much to highlight as this model remains simple after all. Except for the two fans on the front and the various dust filters present everywhere, there are few things that are out of the ordinary… If, the velcro strips used to fix the cables in the bottom of the case.
After removing the front panel, we also wonder why the brand did not create an additional opening to install a third fan. This would also have allowed the installation of a 360 mm radiator.
In summary:
Overall, we have a case with an original internal layout, conditioned by its function as a HTPC case. However, for a reference used to host a multimedia configuration, we do not understand why Silverstone did not work more on the silent aspect of its case. The storage part as well as the power supply would deserve to gain silent blocks in order to limit vibrations for example… All the more so as in the age of the all SSD we would have appreciated more 2.5″ slots. Concerning the ventilation, a third slot in 120 mm would have been possible in front.
Otherwise, we find a case clearly oriented HTPC because of its format and its general aesthetic.
