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Review on πŸ–₯️ SilverStone SST-GD05B-3.0-USA USB 3.0 Aluminum/Steel Micro ATX HTPC Case - Black (GD05B-3.0-USA) by Victor Kakaruk

Revainrating 2 out of 5

Rugged media center case with DVD drive

I was looking for a case that looks like a stereo component and fits on my media center shelf. This product "SilverStone Technology SST-GD05B-3.0-USA" meets all requirements. I've built a multimedia computer using a Micro-ATX motherboard, a motherboard-mounted PCIe hard drive, a semi-modular ATX power supply, and a full-size DVD drive. The CPU and cooler was a Ryzen 2600 with a stock Wraith stealth cooler. The ensemble was supplemented by the old Radeon HD 5450; Most likely I'll be replacing this graphics card with a GTX 1660 or 5700 XT soon. Benefits: β€’ Three intake fans are mounted on the side (two on the left, one on the right) and the case exits at the rear. When placed on a shelf, these fans ensure good airflow. β€’ There was plenty of room for a standard cooler, although it was obvious that with a DVD drive installed, anything larger would have gap issues. β€’ There was space and attachment for additional power cords. β€’ Enough space for 2 HDDs/SSDs β€’ Looks good, although the textured nature of the front makes it impossible to match the color/texture of the DVD drive. A standard color/finish would be preferred. β€’ By using the motherboard fan connectors to control the case fans, the device operates almost silently and at low temperatures when using the media center. WARNING: This particular build works with a low-profile, low-power Radeon HD 5450 graphics card. I would recommend thinking carefully (especially card height with power connectors) when choosing a graphics card for this application. β€’ Rubber isolators included to reduce disc vibration noise. Disadvantages: β€’ The color and texture of the bezel cannot be matched with a standard DVD drive on the market. β€’ There is no cable routing behind the motherboard (not surprising given the small form factor) that cables to the ATX power connectors on motherboards get a little tangled. β€’ All drive connections are old-fashioned bolted connections. In this case, there are no functions without tools. β€’ No access to the back of the motherboard after installation. Make sure to install the radiator bracket BEFORE installing the motherboard, or you will have to disassemble and rebuild. β€’ Only one front LED, so you have to choose between power LED and HDD LED (not really a negative for me as I'm a bit of a minimalist) β€’ Front buttons feel and look a bit cheap ( alignment, action, color, etc.) d.). However, they still work great. Overall I am happy with my purchase. Don't expect quick free-form assembly in this small package (and choose your components carefully!) and you're good to go.

Pros
  • Nice aluminum case for a classic look
Cons
  • So far so good