DTX Lives! Four Double-Slot Cases For ITX Gaming Machines

Features
By Thomas Soderstrom
published

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 SG07B-W

Size, shape, and quality make the SG07 (B for black) a perfect alternative to the Shuttle cubes it competes against, while providing all of the benefits of non-proprietary component selection. The –W (windowed) version adds a little flair to the SG07B’s classic style.

SilverStone has not yet updated this model for USB 3.0 support. We hope this shortcoming will be addressed soon, as the company has recently added the feature to other, newer models.

SilverStone replaced its traditional crossflow fan mount with a solid steel panel, instead relying on an oversized intake fan and side vents to cool the CPU area.

Removing a medium-thickness one-piece steel lid reveals the company’s familiar 180 mm two-speed fan. We would have preferred to let the motherboard adjust fan speed in response to heat, though many ITX boards lack this capability. Configured as an intake fan that blows directly into the CPU cooler, a slide-out dust filter is included.

Also notice the space between the single 3.5” hard drive bay and the power supply. Designed to support two 2.5” drives side-by-side, we didn’t notice it until after the system was assembled.

The SG07B’s included 600 W power supply is 100% non-proprietary, exactly matching PS/2 form factor specifications typically reserved for ATX mid-towers. Those specifications include a 5.6” depth that many high-capacity power supplies now exceed, so replacement parts must be chosen carefully.

The SST-ST60F-SG provides 46 A of current on its single 12 V rail. That’s enough power to support any components that physically fit within the SG07 chassis.

An intake filter is also supplied for the power supply, but this one is secured with screws. The SG07 chassis uses vents on the side panel for power supply exhaust.

Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom is a Senior Staff Editor at Tom's Hardware US. He tests and reviews cases, cooling, memory and motherboards.
61 Comments Comment from the forums
  • 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?

    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.
    Reply
  • 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=0,1
    Reply
  • 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
  • gti88
    Nice article. Very informative.
    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
  • 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.
    Otherwise, it was an interesting read.
    Reply
  • 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
  • and the advantage of any of these over a "lunchbox" style mATX case is?
    Reply