SilverStone Sugo SG05: The Mini-ITX Standard Bearer
by Dustin Sklavos on August 19, 2012 12:01 AM EST- Posted in
- SilverStone
- Mini ITX
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- HTPC
Noise and Thermal Testing, Dedicated GPUs
It's funny, when we put together the revised testbeds, the Zotac GeForce GTS 450 Eco was chosen because it employed a single-slot cooler and would be indicative of the kind of video card most HTPCs would use. Yet many modern Mini-ITX cases (and even comparatively old standards like the SG05) include two expansion slots. The solution? Test the case with the GTS 450 and our standard ATX testbed card, the ASUS GeForce GTX 560 Ti! That's exactly what I've done here with the SilverStone Sugo SG05.
CPU temperatures are still pretty solid and consistent with the SG05, even when we include the GTX 560 Ti with its 170-watt TDP. Note that idle thermals actually increase a little with the GTS 450; I suspect this is at least partly due to the way the 560 Ti directs airflow directly at the CPU by effectively blocking the front of the video card off completely from the rest of the system.
The SG05 again produces moderate temperatures for both the GTX 560 Ti and the GTS 450. In fact, impressively enough the GTX 560 Ti's temperatures are roughly on par with many ATX cases; the ventilation on the side of the SG05 definitely seems to be doing its job.
Unfortunately, SSD temperatures are where things get a bit sticky with the GTX 560 Ti. Because of the way it blocks off the side vent coupled with the heat it generates, airflow around the drive bay winds up being fairly minimal. Heat gets trapped between the video card and the drive bay, just like it does in Cooler Master's enclosure.
The CPU fan also seems to be working a bit harder, though ~2% is essentially within the margin of error. SilverStone's FT03 Mini has a superior airflow design for the CPU, no way around it. It shares the same basic chassis as the Sugo SG05, but enjoys a beefy 140mm Air Penetrator intake fan.
Once again fan speed falls in line, though I'm keen to point out the GTX 560 Ti's fan speed in the SG05 is actually comparable to some of our best ATX form factor case results. That extensive ventilation pays big dividends for SilverStone.
The noise results bear out one of my main theories of case design, too: smart airflow design can do wonders for keeping noise levels low. By being a bit more closed off, Cooler Master's design actually increases the amount of noise generated since the fans have to work harder. The SG05 is by no means quiet, but it's not spectacularly loud either. I'm not sure you could really make a case this small that runs much quieter; at that point you really need to start cherry picking components.
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Dustin Sklavos - Sunday, August 19, 2012 - link
You do, but the power connector for slimline optical drives is weird to begin with and unique to them. The one I tested with (provided by SilverStone) actually included the adapter.Zap - Monday, August 20, 2012 - link
Slimline optical drives use a slimline power connector:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA#Slimline_c...
In the past Silverstone did NOT provide these, and it cost around $10+shipping to buy one from Newegg.
Dustin, can you verify with your Silverstone contact that these new versions DO come with the required connector or adapter?
It would be best if the connector was actually built into the PSU wiring harness, something which Antec was able to do with their ISK 300 and ISK 310 series cases. I don't see why Silverstone has been unable to do that, since they should be able to tell the PSU manufacturer (FSP) to include the required connector.
Zap - Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - link
UPDATE:I purchased the latest SG05-450-USB3 (exact one as in the review) and it did NOT come with the power connector/adapter for the slim optical drive.
Silverstone, you have FAILED again. Antec was able to include one in their ISK 300/310 series which use slim optical drives. Why can't you guys?
AgeOfPanic - Sunday, August 19, 2012 - link
I have owned this particular case in the 300 watt variety. I found the included PSU way too loud for a case like this. To me the cool thing about mini ITX is having a nice small case with enough horse power for most tasks. I now own a Lian Li case that fits a full ATX PSU and is only slightly larger. It is completely inaudible though. No room for extra video card. My advice would be to choose a case that fits your needs, but definitely a full ATX power supply.randinspace - Sunday, August 19, 2012 - link
Which Lian Li case?londiste - Monday, August 20, 2012 - link
try pc-q08bAgeOfPanic - Monday, August 20, 2012 - link
I own the Lian Li PC-Q07B. It's higher, but not as deep as the Silverstone. It also misses the front audio connectors and no USB 3.0, but these were not deal breakers for me. The case is really quiet though.spcarr - Sunday, August 19, 2012 - link
I own this and its bigger brother, the SG07. They are both great cases and love them both.The problem I have is that, in the end, they are still 'too big' to just sit on top of the desk next to your monitor (like the mac mini). So they sit on the ground like other cases (where they look silly) or you buy yourself a small drawer for them to sit on top of. I did the latter, so I at least have a bunch of storage for the small things. But they still take up just as much floor space as a tower, imho.
What do other people do? Where do you place your beautiful sugo cases?
UpSpin - Sunday, August 19, 2012 - link
I have a large desk which also goes around a corner. Because the desk is in front of a window and I don't want that the 24" monitor obscures the light from the window on the desk I placed the monitor in this corner, so I have more and brighter space for work and the monitor with keyboard don't waste that much space.Diagonal behind the monitor I placed the Sugo case. It fits perfectly there, looks great and the cabels don't have a long way, so they are almost invisible, too.
Jackattak - Sunday, August 19, 2012 - link
So based on your earlier post (above) it must be audible if/when you're working alone? Just curious.