Final Thoughts
When we were discussing cases for this build with SilverStone, I’m glad they mentioned the CS382, because I had my mind set on another case entirely. I wasn’t sure I wanted a case quite this large, but I’m glad they suggested it again, because I think it was probably the right choice for my needs. I wanted and needed a case that could help consolidate three outdated systems into a single unit, while adding a ton of more performance and storage capacity for current and future needs. The eight hot-swap drive bays were each populated with a 6TB enterprise drive for plenty of “slow” storage, while my motherboard’s M.2 slots are handling the fast storage needs. The CS382 can even offer me a third tier of “mid-level” SSD drive speed with the two 2.5″ drive trays, and the additional 3.5″ option under the drive cage.
Installation of components was very logical, though the smaller size of the CS382 and the need to remove the drive cage to install the motherboard and cabling does change things up a bit. As long as you follow the included instructions and the order of component installation, you will be just fine. This build utilized each of the PCIe slots on my motherboard, including a RAID controller and associated cabling for the drive cage, and I think it looks great for the amount of components inside.
Overall I am quite happy with the feature set of the SilverStone CS382. It offers a ton of hot-swap HDD storage space, along with room for a fully populated mATX motherboard and cooling options that support up to a 280mm radiator and fans. This case is certainly designed to function as an enclosure for a server or NAS, so keep that in mind when considering this case. The 92mm fans on the drive cage put out a lot of noise, so don’t expect to put this on your desk as your gaming rig case and think it’s not going to be a bit loud. I can see many home labs being built inside the SilverStone CS382, and for good reason.
With an MSRP of $229.99, the SilverStone CS382 may seem high-priced for what at first glance looks like a standard PC case. However when you factor in all of the features that make it the server and NAS case that it is, the price is much more in line with expectations. The SilverStone CS382 earns a 9 out of 10.
Pros
– 8 Hot-Swap Drive Bays
– ATX PSU Support
– Dual 140mm Fan or 280mm Radiator Support
– SATA-6G and SAS-12G Support
– SATA and Molex Power Options on Drive Backplate
Cons
– Drive Cage Fans Are Loud (54dBA)
– Case Buzzes At Times
– Niche Product With Higher Price Point