SilverStone’s latest foray into nostalgic design comes in the form of the FLP02 retro tower case—a mid-tower ATX chassis that offers a taste of the past with the flexibility of the present. For enthusiasts heavily inspired by the classic PC server looks of the late ’90s and early 2000s, the FLP02 hits a very specific, sentimental note. While it’s primarily designed for function, it’s the form that triggers curiosity the moment you lay eyes on it.
TL;DR: The SilverStone FLP02 is a retro-inspired mid-tower case that melds old-school aesthetics with today’s hardware requirements. It supports ATX, mATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards and includes clever internal mounting options for modern GPUs, SSDs, and cooling. Designed for enthusiasts looking to bring back the beige-box era without sacrificing modern function, it’s a nostalgic yet practical chassis. Its rigid steel build and floppy drive-style facade are immediate conversation starters.
Retro Design, Modern Engineering
The first thing anyone notices about the FLP02 is its unapologetically retro front panel. With deliberate design cues pulled from the “beige era” of computing, the tower features horizontal lines, square-edged button placement, and the illusion of a floppy drive bay cover—a homage to legacy computing without actually trying to drag it into full functionality.
But don’t be fooled by its appearance. Underneath the shell lies a chassis that can support full-sized modern components. SilverStone has expertly merged aesthetics with practical engineering to ensure that looks don’t compromise airflow or build flexibility.
Main Features of the SilverStone FLP02
Motherboard Support: One of the most appealing aspects of the FLP02 is its broad motherboard compatibility. It supports:
- ATX
- Micro-ATX
- Mini-ITX
This makes it remarkably flexible for builders looking to scale compute power without sacrificing spatial efficiency.
GPU and CPU Room: The case supports GPUs up to 380mm and CPU coolers up to 165mm in height. That means even bulky high-performance graphics cards like the NVIDIA RTX 4090 can be accommodated without issue. The rear panel and PCIe brackets are held together with decent ventilation holes and thumb screws for easy access.
Cooling Options: To keep that nostalgic chassis cool, the FLP02 offers excellent airflow management:
- Front: 2x 140mm or 2x 120mm fans (optional)
- Rear: 1x 120mm fan pre-installed
- Top: Supports 240mm radiator or 2x 120mm fans
This makes it clear that despite the old-school appearance, SilverStone isn’t limiting the case to old-school thermals.
Storage and Expansion
One area where SilverStone has paid particular attention is the storage capability. The FLP02 includes a modular drive cage that lets you mount:
- 2x 3.5” HDDs
- 2x 2.5” SSDs
The tool-less design makes swapping drives an easy process. Plus, the cage is positioned in such a way that doesn’t interfere with GPU installation or front airflow.
The case also features seven expansion slots, fully aligned with modern GPU and PCIe requirements. This is particularly advantageous for system tinkerers and builders who love to add capture cards, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth modules, or extra NVMe adapters.
Front Panel I/O and Legacy Charm
Up front, you get a well-balanced blend of old and new. The power and reset buttons are sturdy and satisfyingly clicky, reminiscent of late ’90s tower cases. Right below them, the I/O panel includes:
- 2x USB 3.0 Type-A
- 1x USB-C (10Gbps)
- Audio in/out (3.5mm)
Though the layout mimics classic designs, the USB-C port stands out as a nod to today’s high-speed conveniences.
Build Quality and Materials
The FLP02 features a steel body construction with high-quality plastics making up the front bezel. At roughly 6.6 kg (14.5 lbs) empty, it has a hefty feel typical of classic builds. Side panels are screw-mounted and feel solid when removed. There’s a certain industrial clunk when assembling the case—it’s charming in the same way vintage hardware is, mixing feedback and friction with tactile sounds.
The matte finish and coarse grain texture lend additional credibility to its retro flavor, avoiding any overt modernistic gloss or RGB distractions. It really does look like it could sit in the corner of a 2001 server room or power a vintage white-box Pentium 4 machine—if only temporarily before you install your Ryzen 9 inside.
Ease of Installation
SilverStone does a great job of making the interior spacious and builder-friendly. Cable management channels are plentiful, and there’s about 25mm of clearance behind the motherboard tray—more than enough for routing modern power cables and fan controllers.
The case also includes Velcro straps and grommet holes for neater builds. Add to that the fact that the HDD cage is fully removable and you can even sneak a 280mm radiator in front with tall GPUs installed—a rare feat in retro-inspired chassis design.
Who Is This Case For?
The FLP02 isn’t for everyone. It’s clearly built for:
- Retro computing enthusiasts
- PC builders who prefer understated, non-RGB builds
- Modders looking to create theme builds
- Professionals with nostalgia for old school server towers
If you’re after glass panels and RGB-heavy lighting, this case wasn’t made with you in mind. But if you grew up during the 486-to-Pentium transition, or you’ve spent nights dialed into a BBS and coding in Turbo Pascal, then the FLP02 is going to scratch a very specific—and delightful—itch.
Final Thoughts
The SilverStone FLP02 is more than just a themed case—it’s an engineering achievement that straddles nostalgia and practicality. What it gives up in flashy design, it gains in character and utility. Few cases balance period-authentic looks with modern components so seamlessly.
At its expected price point, this case doesn’t aim to be a budget option. But for those craving a retro yet serious machine, it may be one of the finest integrations of form and function seen in years.
FAQ
- Q: Does the FLP02 come with any fans pre-installed?
- A: Yes, it includes one 120mm fan at the rear for exhaust. Additional fan mounts are available for customization.
- Q: Can I install a 360mm radiator in this case?
- A: No, the FLP02 only supports up to 240mm radiators, mainly mounted at the top of the chassis.
- Q: Is the front panel removable for easier fan or radiator installation?
- A: Yes, the front panel is removable and gives access to the interior mounting points easily.
- Q: Are dust filters included?
- A: Yes, dust filters are included on the front intake, top, and bottom PSU mount.
- Q: Can I mount an optical drive?
- A: No, the FLP02 is designed to look like it has legacy drive bays but does not actually support optical drives.
