DTX Lives! Four Double-Slot Cases For ITX Gaming Machines
Table of contents
- 1. ITX+GTX=DTX?
- 2. Cubitek Mini-Tank
- 3. Building With The Mini-Tank
- 4. Lian-Li PC-Q08
- 5. Building With The PC-Q08
- 6. SilverStone SG07B-W
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.
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. Enthusiasts love the ability to choose their own hardware. Yet, the portability advantages Shuttle introduced in its early cube-shaped PCs drove many of them to build upon “proprietary” base systems.
The other side of space savings was similarly handled by VIA, its mini-ITX products offering an even smaller “standardized” form factor for media-oriented PCs that were the antithesis of performance and value. Value champion AMD stepped in four years ago to fill the gap with a standardized form factor for Shuttle-style cubes. Its DTX initiative specified two-slot motherboards that fit halfway between ITX and Flex-ATX, all while using the same mounting screw locations.
Like many of AMD’s initiatives, its DTX announcements fell upon seemingly deaf ears in the mass market, and the few case manufacturers who paid attention quickly discovered that few of their customers ever knew what DTX was (to be fair, Intel similarly stumbled on its own BTX initiative, which was conceptualized to deal with the out-of-control thermal issues encountered by its Pentium 4). These cases were quickly relabelled ITX. After that, they sold in fairly large numbers. Fortunately, these cases have not gone away.
The reason we use the word fortunately is that these cases can fit a double-slot graphics card on available ITX motherboards. With LGA 1155 processors up to the Core i7-2600K now supported, ITX is finally able to fill the performance role of a truly high-end portable gaming machine.
| Cubitek Mini-Tank | Lian-Li PC-Q08 | SilverStone SST-SG07B-W | SilverStone SST-SG06B | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||
| Height | 13.3" | 11.2" | 7.5" | 7.1" |
| Width | 10.4" | 9.0" | 9.0" | 8.7" |
| Depth | 15.9" | 14.0" | 14.3" | 11.7" |
| Card Length | 13.5" | 12.0" | 12.0" | 9.8" |
| Cooler Height | 6.5" | 4.5" | 4.8" | 3.3" |
| PSU Depth | 7.5" | 7.0" | 5.6" | 4.0" |
| PSU Form Factor | PS/2 | PS/2 | PS/2 | SFX |
| Space Above Motherboard | 7.0" | 1.2" | 4.8" | 3.5" |
| Weight | 10.1 Pounds | 6.8 Pounds | 11.5 Pounds | 7.8 Pounds |
| Cooling | ||||
| Front Fans (alternatives) | 1 x 140 mm (stock only) | 1 x 140 mm (stock only) | None (stock only) | 1 x 120 mm (stock only) |
| Rear Fans (alternatives) | 1 x 120 mm (stock only) | None (stock only) | None (stock only) | None (stock only) |
| Top Fans (alternatives) | 1 x 140 mm (stock only) | 1 x 120 mm (stock only) | 1 x 180 mm (stock only) | None (stock only) |
| Side Fans (alternatives) | None (stock only) | None (stock only) | None (stock only) | None (stock only) |
| Drive Bays | ||||
| Optical Drive | 2 x 5.25" | 1 x 5.25" | 1 x Slim | 1 x Slim |
| 3.5" External | 1 x Adapter | None | None | None |
| 3.5" Internal | 1 x 4-bay Cage | 1 x 4-bay Cage 1 x 2-bay Cage | One | One |
| 2.5" Internal | Four | One | Two | One |
| Price | Unknown | £102.95 | £205.74 | £115.90 |
Not shown in the above chart is the fact that SilverStone’s SG07B includes a quality 600 W power supply. The SG06B also includes a power supply, but its 300 W unit isn’t designed to support the high-end gaming hardware we plan to stuff within its otherwise capable shell.
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This "Tank" case from Cubitek looks interesting. Though if I was the designer, I would have moved the top 140mm fan bit forward.
The reason is that in such a case it would be very interesting to install self-contained water cooling unit like Corsair's H50/60/70 or Antec H20...
so either installed to draw air in or out, the 140 mm fan would aid the expel/intake much better is it is bit further in the front than closer to the rear fan.
Check out MAX11L for some insane builds using the Sugo SG05 (identical to the SG06 except for the plastic face).
With a wee bit of patience and cutting a hole in the case, the guy got a GTX 480 AND a Corsair H70 in there!
Good to have the confirmation of the Sugo SG05/06's maximum internal size for a graphics card (without modding) as I'm speccing a Sandy Bridge gaming rig paired with a Sapphire 6950. Silverstone declined (WTF) to give me internal dimensions so I've had to do a bit of guessing!
My builds are getting progressively smaller. I'm currently on a mATX with the smallest case that will accept a full size graphics card. Mini-ITX should be next with cases like these.
This review forgot the SG05B-450, the even smaller brother to the SG06B, it also has an open front fan grille, not that closed fascia look which improves airflow. It also has an inbuilt 450W Silverstone PSU designed for a gamer rig.
Otherwise, an interesting article. I think ITX gaming should be pushed more by the companies as a means for people to get into PC gaming even if their desk real estate is confined.
The two side bits on the mini-tank look like they should be gun turrets. But I like it! Surprised to see it do so badly on the cooling front though.
That is good to know the dimension are good for the video card, however you do not say nowhere it is running well, without power outtage of the whole system.
Please let me know if it is fine to run with top game settings this video card (560 TI OC) using the 450w PSU provided.