If you’ve recently built or bought a desktop PC, you’ve likely noticed two prevalent design trends: the flashy RGB-heavy builds that look like they’ve emerged from an alien spaceship, and the sleek, minimalist cases inspired by mid-century refrigerators, complete with wood paneling. However, SilverStone is taking us back to a time when computers were decidedly less stylish, with the announcement of its new retro-inspired case, the SilverStone FLP01.
What began as an April Fools’ joke last year has transformed into a real product thanks to overwhelming positive feedback. The FLP01 was recently showcased at a live expo in Japan, where it garnered significant attention for its nostalgic charm. The case features a horizontal layout that recalls the bulky, functional PC cases of the past, offering a perfect mix of retro vibes and modern compatibility.
Despite its old-school design, the SilverStone FLP01 is fully compliant with current ATX standards, meaning it can accommodate a full-sized motherboard, a powerful ATX power supply, and even a graphics card up to 310mm in length. The biggest challenge might be fitting a large cooler under the disc drive, which is a rare inclusion in modern cases. Speaking of the drive, the FLP01 houses a built-in 5.25-inch media drive, hidden behind two dummy floppy disk drives on the front. The top drive flips down to reveal the DVD burner, while the bottom drive hides a set of ports: USB-C, two USB-A, and a headphone jack.
Internally, the FLP01 offers room for an ATX power supply and has two 80mm fans for cooling. Its robust design can even support a monitor on top, though whether you’ll place a modern LCD or a heavier CRT is left to your imagination. The FLP01 takes inspiration from the beloved NEC PC-9800 series, which has earned a devoted following in Japan, adding an extra layer of nostalgia for retro computing enthusiasts.
SilverStone is set to release the FLP01 in Japan in early 2025 at a price of 19,800 yen (approximately $130 USD), though an international release is still uncertain. If you’re hoping to get your hands on this quirky case, a trip to Akihabara might be in your future.