SilverStone RM4A: 4U Rackmount Server/Workstation Chassis That's Great For Liquid Cooling

For those building rackmount servers or workstations that demand serious cooling capabilities, SilverStone has introduced the RM4A - a 4U chassis designed specifically for liquid cooling enthusiasts who don't want to compromise on motherboard size or expansion options.

Design Philosophy: Liquid Cooling Meets Server Form Factor

The SilverStone RM4A (SST-RM4A) represents a thoughtful approach to combining enthusiast-grade liquid cooling with professional server requirements. The chassis is engineered to accommodate up to a 360mm radiator at the front while still supporting SSI-EEB motherboards - the largest standard server motherboard form factor.

This design addresses a common pain point in the server chassis market: most 4U server cases prioritize drive bays and expansion slots over cooling flexibility, while many enthusiast cases sacrifice server compatibility for cooling performance. The RM4A bridges this gap effectively.

Cooling Capabilities

The front of the chassis features dedicated space for three 120mm fans, which can be replaced with a 360mm liquid cooling radiator. This configuration provides excellent airflow for the system's components while maintaining the clean aesthetic that liquid cooling builds are known for.

At the rear, two 80mm exhaust fans help maintain positive air pressure and efficiently remove heat from the system. This dual-fan setup ensures that even with a fully loaded system, thermal performance remains optimal.

For those who prefer air cooling, the RM4A can accommodate CPU heatsinks up to 137-148mm in height, depending on whether the expansion card retainer is installed at the top of the chassis. This flexibility means the case works well for both liquid and air cooling configurations.

Storage and Expansion

Storage flexibility is another strong point of the RM4A. The chassis supports:

• Two 3.5-inch drives in the primary bay
• Three 2.5-inch drives via an upper bracket
• Four additional 2.5-inch drives in dedicated locations

This configuration provides up to nine total drive bays, which should satisfy most server and workstation storage requirements.

Expansion capabilities are equally impressive, with support for E-ATX, SSI-EEB, and SSE-CEB motherboards. The case provides access to eight full-height expansion slots, ensuring compatibility with multiple GPUs, capture cards, or other expansion hardware commonly found in workstation environments.

I/O and Connectivity

Front panel connectivity includes one USB Type-C port and two USB 3.0 ports, providing modern connectivity options for peripherals and external storage devices. While the I/O selection isn't extensive, it covers the essential needs for most server and workstation applications.

Build Quality and Experience

SilverStone has maintained their reputation for exceptional build quality with the RM4A. The chassis feels solid and well-constructed, with attention to detail that's immediately apparent during the build process.

Cable management is straightforward thanks to well-placed routing holes and adequate space behind the motherboard tray. The tool-less drive mounting system makes installing storage devices quick and easy, while the expansion card retention system is robust and secure.

Practical Considerations

At 4U height, the RM4A fits standard 19-inch server racks while providing significantly more cooling flexibility than typical server chassis. The front-accessible radiator mounting point makes maintenance and upgrades easier compared to designs where the radiator must be mounted internally.

However, users should note that the 360mm radiator configuration will occupy the space typically used for front intake fans, so careful planning of the cooling loop is necessary. The case's depth also means it may not fit in all rack configurations, so measuring your available space is recommended before purchase.

Who Should Consider the RM4A?

This chassis is ideal for:

• Homelab enthusiasts who want to run high-performance servers with liquid cooling
• Workstation builders who need SSI-EEB motherboard support for dual-CPU configurations
• Content creators requiring multiple GPUs and extensive storage
• Data center operators looking for specialized cooling solutions in standard rack formats

It's less suitable for budget builds or situations where maximum drive density is the primary concern, as the cooling-focused design trades some storage capacity for thermal performance.

Final Thoughts

The SilverStone RM4A successfully delivers on its promise of combining server compatibility with enthusiast cooling capabilities. It's a well-executed design that fills a specific niche in the market - users who need the expandability and reliability of server hardware but want the cooling performance typically associated with high-end desktop builds.

While it's not the most affordable option in the 4U server chassis market, the build quality, flexibility, and thoughtful design make it a worthwhile investment for users with demanding cooling requirements. The ability to run a 360mm radiator in a standard rackmount format is a significant advantage that sets this chassis apart from competitors.

For those building high-performance rackmount systems where cooling is a priority, the RM4A deserves serious consideration. It proves that you don't have to choose between server-grade hardware support and enthusiast-level cooling performance.