DTX Lives! Four Double-Slot Cases For ITX Gaming Machines
The ITX form factor is great for space-saving portability. But gamers still need that extra expansion slot to support a high-end graphics card. We compare four compact cases that support double-slot cards on a tiny single-slot motherboard.
SilverStone SG06B
The smallest of today’s portable gaming contenders, the SG06 (B for black, S for silver) takes second place in weight, even with its included power supply installed. A high-quality extruded aluminum face plate adds class to an otherwise low-cost design.
One of the thinnest steel chassis we’ve tested, the SG06 appears to rely on size alone (and the closeness of its bends) to retain rigidity. At first, we believed that the lid might actually be thicker than the chassis beneath it, but closer inspection reveals that it’s likely the paint that makes this lid appear and feel more substantial than its underpinnings.
The SG06B we received was still fairly priced at $110, since it includes a $45 FSP300-60GHS power supply. SilverStone also offers this model with its own brand of 80 PLUS Bronze-rated 450 W unit.
Yet, even the small size of this SFX form-factor power supply isn’t enough to prevent it from twisting the case’s rear panel during shipping, so SilverStone adds a cross-brace under its leading edge.
A space between the SG06B’s 3.5” hard drive and optical drive bays supports 2.5” drive, perfect for adding an SSD. SilverStone appears to believe that some users will forgo the optical drive, and leaves an EMI shield over its bay.
With six clips simultaneously holding the face panel in place, accessing the filter for the SG06’s intake fan is no easy task. Yet, even the laziest builders must do this at least once to remove the case’s optical bay cover and its EMI shield.
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iam2thecrowe the silverstone sg06b is the only one that looks any good (not great though). the rest are just plain ugly.Reply -
Darkerson iam2thecrowethe silverstone sg06b is the only one that looks any good (not great though). the rest are just plain ugly.Opinion = Fact?Reply
Anyway, I actually like Cubitek's case. Sure, it looks like it would be a pain to make changes to when doing upgrades or whatnot, but nothing is perfect. If it had a handle on top or something, Id probably use it for LAN parties and the such. -
hmp_goose Pst: Guys! Ya' flip the plexglass vent on the SG07! http://www.maximumpc.com/article/how-tos/how_build_ultimate_small-form-factor_gaming_pc?page=0,1Reply -
Crashman hmp_goosePst: Guys! Ya' flip the plexglass vent on the SG07! http://www.maximumpc.com/article/h c?page=0,1Thanks! But if you're building a new system...better still, use a single-fan GPU cooler and the foam air guide! Imagine this beast with a GTX 580!Reply -
Oh wow, lets reinvent a box that holds computer parts, accomplishing the exact same thing all other computer cases before it did, only this version will suck a little bit harder.Reply
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Crashman m84092Oh wow, lets reinvent a box that holds computer parts, accomplishing the exact same thing all other computer cases before it did, only this version will suck a little bit harder.So, you're saying you'd have preferred an AT desktop case roundup?Reply -
Onus I would like to have seen the PC-Q08 tested with the blower-style cooler. I cannot imagine how that could have been omitted.Reply
Otherwise, it was an interesting read.
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Crashman jtt283I would like to have seen the PC-Q08 tested with the blower-style cooler. I cannot imagine how that could have been omitted. Otherwise, it was an interesting read.The PC-Q08 didn't fail.Reply