Two external 5.25-inch bays. In a 26-liter Micro-ATX case. In 2026. That is the headline specification of SilverStone’s FARA 314, and for a specific type of builder, it may be worth stopping everything else to pay attention.
The FARA 314 (model SST-FA314-B) is the latest entry in SilverStone’s budget-oriented FARA series of compact Micro-ATX towers. Where its stablemates like the FARA 313 and FARA 311 each carve out a niche around connectivity options and modest footprint, the 314 puts its emphasis on storage flexibility. The case is designed around a interior layout that allows for both component compatibility and storage drive flexibility while still delivering front-to-back directional airflow through a perforated steel mesh front panel. It accepts Micro-ATX boards up to 9.6″ x 9.6″ and Mini-ITX boards as well.
The full spec breakdown reads as follows: one 3.5″/2.5″ combo internal bay, two dedicated 3.5″ bays (with an additional 3.5″ slot available if the installed HDDs measure under 22mm in thickness), and two 2.5″ bays, bringing potential drive capacity to five or six devices depending on drive selection. On top of that, the two external 5.25″ openings remain accessible for optical drives, hot-swap cages, or fan controllers. GPU clearance sits at 354mm with a 25mm front fan installed, and CPU cooler height tops out at 156mm. These are reasonable limits for a Micro-ATX build oriented more toward workloads and data than a gaming rig. PSU support is standard ATX form factor, limited to 140mm in depth. The front I/O panel provides USB Type-C, two USB 3.0 ports, and a combo audio jack.
On the cooling side, the FARA 314 keeps things straightforward: one 120mm fan mount at the front and one at the rear, with a 120mm fan included in the box. The perforated steel front panel is designed to ensure a steady air intake, and the rear supports a 120mm radiator for those who want basic liquid cooling without committing to a larger chassis. Radiator support extends to that single 120mm rear position, so this is not a case built around extreme thermal loads. Four expansion slots are available.
Pricing is at a MSRP of $79.99 and is expected to be available to buy in the US within the week.
The case sits within SilverStone’s established FARA family, which has delivered consistently capable budget Micro-ATX options over the years. The FARA 313, for instance, shares nearly identical external dimensions and a nearly identical storage layout but launched without the second USB 3.0 port replaced by a Type-C.
The FARA 314 is interesting precisely because it is so deliberately old-fashioned in its priorities. Most case manufacturers have spent the last several years removing 5.25″ bays entirely, consolidating storage options down to two or three internal positions, and filling the space with tempered glass panels and RGB lighting. SilverStone continues to resist that trend with the FARA line, and the 314 is perhaps the clearest expression of that philosophy yet: a case that prioritizes cubic inches of usable storage over aesthetics. For builders setting up a home NAS, a media archival workstation, or any kind of system that needs physical drives in quantity, this is one of the very few Micro-ATX enclosures in the current market that even considers those needs.
The 156mm CPU cooler limit can be challenging for those that go big on cooling. This rules out some of the taller tower air coolers, though most 140mm-class coolers and all-in-one liquid coolers will still fit comfortably. Builders should verify clearance against their specific cooler before committing. GPU clearance at 354mm accommodates most mainstream and enthusiast cards, with only the longest flagship AIB designs approaching the boundary.
The FARA 314 is available in the next week for $79.99. Let us know in the forums if this is the kind of case you have been waiting for.