Conclusion
We are now at the end of our test on the Grandia GD11 signed by Silverstone. So, good little case or not? We tell you everything!
A box that fits in your TV cabinet!
With this Grandia GD11, Silverstone’s project is to offer a box that can be slipped into your TV cabinet. For this, we find a model rather low, but particularly stretched. Moreover, it has a sober and classy look with Hi-Fi type feet, mesh and a little bit of aluminum to better fit in the middle of the amps of your installation.
In addition, the control panel remains functional with its two USB-A and single USB-C. Silverstone did not give in to the fashion of minimalist panels with a single USB-A in particular.
Simple to mount, but with anti-vibration devices!
Despite its format out of the box, the Grandia GD11, is not a model where it will be difficult to mount its configuration. If we take care to remove the front storage slots, we have a clear access for all components. You’ll simply have to mount the storage last.
By the way, speaking of storage, it’s a pity that Silverstone doesn’t offer an anti-vibration device, both for the power supply and for the storage. Also, a little regret about the 2.5″ compatibility which is not at its best since it would have been possible to add a compatibility for one or two 2.5″ SSDs in the 3.5″ cage.
However, this Grandia remains one of the few cases on the market that can accommodate a watercooling kit in 240 mm while being able to be installed in a TV cabinet.
What about performance?
As far as cooling is concerned, we can’t complain about the two 120mm fans on the front panel. At least, at full speed, because at low speed, it’s a bit more asthmatic. For this, we can only advise you to mount an AIO in 240 mm, with the radiator at the front. And to cool your graphics card, opt for two exhaust fans on the left side.
As for the noise, don’t look for soundproofing because it’s not designed for that. Its mesh facade and numerous openings mean that it will not isolate any better than its competitors, but not worse. Finally, the basic ventilation can be audible when pushed to the limit. Fortunately, by muzzling it a little, we find something very quiet.
A premium price?
Now it’s time to talk about the price at which this case is found in the market. As we can see, we can get our hands on it for a price around 180 €. This is still expensive, we will find more affordable boxes offering better compatibilities. However, they won’t fit in a TV cabinet while having the capacity to host muscular configurations with a big CPU and a big GPU.
In ITX, we have much more compact, but often these configurations are limited by the size of the heatsink. And those allowing the installation of an AIO in 240 mm do not fit in a TV cabinet.
Silverstone Grandia GD11:
We liked:
- The design in line with the Hi-Fi environment it relates to!
- The compatibility with an AIO in 240 mm
- the big clearance for the power supply
- The good compatibility with the graphic cards…
- … And well ventilated with the fans on the left
- Its functional control panel : 2x USB-A + 1x USB-C
- The wiring is not very complicated
- The good cooling performance at high speed
We liked less:
- The lack of a vibration dampening system
- The audio cable is a bit short
- The lack of a third fan slot on the front, although there is room for one
- The lack of a 2.5″ slot
- The price remains high despite everything
In the end, we choose to give the Grandia GD11 from Silverstone the silver award. Of course, it is still quite expensive and not free of defects, but it keeps its promises. In a case that fits in a TV cabinet, you can assemble a very muscular configuration with good cooling and a look that allows it to take place next to your Hi-Fi amps, something that mid-tower and ITX cases do not allow because of limitations regarding the cooling system.
A big thank you to Silverstone !
