SilverStone Sugo SG08 Mini-ITX Case Review
by Dustin Sklavos on May 13, 2013 12:01 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- Mini ITX
- SilverStone
Testing Methodology
For testing Mini-ITX and Micro-ATX cases, we use the following standardized testbed in a stock configuration as well as with add-on graphics cards to get a feel for how well the case handles heat and noise. As we've retired our Micro-ATX board from the testbed, Micro-ATX enclosures will be using the Mini-ITX testbed.
| Mini-ITX Test Configuration | |
| CPU |
Intel Core i3-2120 (65W TDP) |
| Motherboard | Zotac Z68ITX-A-E |
| Graphics Card |
Intel HD 2000 IGP Zotac GeForce GTS 450 Eco ASUS GeForce GTX 560 Ti DCII TOP |
| Memory | 2x2GB Crucial Ballistix Smart Tracer DDR3-1600 |
| Drives | Kingston SSDNow V+ 100 64GB SSD |
| CPU Cooler | SilverStone NT07-1156 with Cooler Master ThermalFusion 400 |
| Power Supply | SilverStone Strider Plus 1000W 80 Plus Silver |
Each case is tested with just the Core i3's integrated graphics as well as with a discrete graphics card. The system is powered on and left idle for fifteen minutes, the thermal and acoustic results recorded, and then stressed by running four threads in Prime95 (in-place large FFTs) on the CPU, and OC Scanner (maximum load) is run when the dedicated GPU is installed. At the end of fiteen minutes, thermal and acoustic results are recorded. If the enclosure has a fan controller, these tests are repeated for each setting. Ambient temperature is also measured after the fifteen idle minutes but before the stress test and used to calculate the final reported results.
We try to maintain an ambient testing temperature of between 22C and 24C. Non-thermal test results aren't going to be directly comparable to the finest decimal point, but should be roughly comparable and give a broader idea of how the enclosure performs.
Thank You!
Before moving on, we'd like to thank the following vendors for providing us with the hardware used in our testbed.
- Thank you to Puget Systems for providing us with the Intel Core i3-2120.
- Thank you to Zotac for providing us with the Z68ITX-A-E motherboard and GeForce GTS 450 Eco.
- Thank you to Crucial for providing us with the Ballistix Smart Tracer memory.
- Thank you to Kingston for providing us with the SSDNow V+ 100 SSD.
- And thank you to SilverStone for providing us with the power supply and NT07-1156 heatsink/fan combo.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
50 Comments
View All Comments
gandergray - Monday, May 13, 2013 - link
The NCase M1 looks like it is well designed. It may become a top choice for enthusiasts who are building small form factor performance oriented computers.Mr Perfect - Monday, May 13, 2013 - link
Any idea if the included PSU is Haswell compatible?Also, side note here, but didn't there used to be a post title box?
karasaj - Monday, May 13, 2013 - link
I would be astounded if it wasn't.DanNeely - Monday, May 13, 2013 - link
A lot of current PSUs aren't. Haswell is bringing ultra low power sleep states from mobile computing to the desktop. This potentially drops 12V current draw to levels much lower than was possible with current chips, and a lot of PSUs have minimum loads higher than what it can drop to (to make things more fun; this number isn't normally published). The expectation is that most LGA1150 mobos will ship with the deep sleep states disabled in UEFI.rburnham - Monday, May 13, 2013 - link
This is a pretty neat little case. I am using a Bitfenix Prodigy case, and the one problem I ran into with that is the same one that is mentioned here regarding video card fan noise. In both cases, the fan points outward, with air being pushed through the holes in the side panel. My Radeon 6850 in the Prodigy is louder at full load than I prefer.I love the idea of a mini ITX setup. I plan to build on mini ITX boards going forward. I have yet to find the perfect case, but the Prodigy is pretty good and the SG08 seems like a great candidate.
KLC - Monday, May 13, 2013 - link
This isn't a PC case, with all of the ventilation it's more like a PC doily. I'm still looking for the best case for my next build which will be mini ITX. It will be Haswell and will run integrated graphics so I have no need for a big, long shoebox that can fit a monster GPU. It could have an optical disk but doesn't have to. It will have an OS SSD and be connected to a home server for storage. I want something small and quiet. Still looking.jtd871 - Monday, May 13, 2013 - link
KLC,You should check out Thin-Mini-ITX or NUC (both Intel "standards") builds for what you describe. As lots of Haswell SKUs will be soldered onto the mobo, I suspect Intel will produce a variety of 'embedded'-style products to keep their "standards" going.
However, given Intel's penchant for squeezing every last $ out of their processors, you may be better served by going with one of these very small form factors on low-TDP Ivy Bridge.
KLC - Monday, May 13, 2013 - link
NUC is intriguing, but like you said, Intel is squeezing its customers hard on that one. I forgot to add a third qualification, it needs to accept standard sized parts so I can purchase anything on the open market. You're right, I may end up with an Ivy Bridge CPU after looking at what Haswell offers.lordmocha - Monday, May 13, 2013 - link
This is my case! I have an Asus P8Z77-I Deluxe, Asus Direct CU II 660, 2.5" SSD, 2.5" HDD, Corsair H60 Cooler with 2 Noctua 120mm.The case is dead silent with the nocuta fans and the direct cu ii. The cable management can be annoying and buying a modular psu to replace it is nice but then you'll have a wasted psu..
I think the M1 Ncase looks great and plan to migrate to that when it comes out - support their kickstarter guys cause what they are managing to do is awesome!
lopri - Monday, May 13, 2013 - link
Excellent review very clear writing. Thank you for valuable evaluation I was looking to give another shot at mini ITX build.