SilverStone Front Panel and SECC Body Micro ATX HTPC Computer Case GD04B (Black) Review

I stumbled across this case when researching cases that used the profile of a DVD player.The trade-offs of those cases (more expensive processors, proprietary components, limited optical drive options) made me look at Micro-ATX cases.The main problem I had with these was they wouldn't fit under my TV (I only have 14" available depth) or they wouldn't look at home next to other stereo components - until I ran into this beauty.

This case is a marvel in packaging design, and should be on anyone's short list where depth is a major consideration.It's smaller than most audio receivers, yet has space for a Micro-ATX motherboard, a full-size power supply, a full-size DVD/Blu-ray drive, two hard drives and three full-length expansion cards. It has amazing airflow management, with three 120mm fans literally pushing air through the case at all times.The front of the case is brushed aluminum, and looks right at home next to my Denon receiver. While it's a little more than twice the height of a cable box, the trade-off is more than worth it insofar as I have much more expansion flexiblity (e.g. low profile cases don't support full-length cards or Cross-Fire/SLI configurations, both of which this case can easliy accomodate.)

There are two odd quirks that peoople should people should be aware of with this case.While neither, in my opinon, is a show-stopper, they are unique aspects of this design that anyone doing a build should be aware of:

First, to give the front panel a uniform appearance, there's a piece that attaches to the front of the optical drive with double sided tape. This setup doesn't work with full-width drive doors, like the ones found on most LG units, but shouldn't be a problem with any Lite-On or Samsung drive I've seen. If you are in this unlucky group, take a look at the Silverstone GD05 case, which foregoes the brushed aluminum fascia and leaves the bare drive face exposed.

Second, there's only 70mm of clearance above the CPU if you're using an optical drive.While this is not an issue if you use a typical HTPC processor, investigate the Silverstone NT01-E if you're going to use a 95w or higher powered processor with this case. (On a side note, from a cost/performance/noise standpoint I can't recommend Pentium E6500 with the stock cooler hightly enough for use with this case.)

One other item worth noting is that while you can hear the case fans spinning at full speed when you're right up on top of the case, at normal living room distance you're not going to hear them.If this is an issue for you, replace the standard fans with a set of Silverstone Suscool 121s, and everything should be bliss.

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Product Description:
SILVERSTONE GD04B Black Aluminum Front Panel and SECC body Micro ATX HTPC Computer Case - Retail

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