August 31, 2009 at 15:52Overview of mini-ITX form factor enclosures for HTPC (Part 2)
In the previous review, I considered exclusively the cases that can be found and bought at retail and without much hassle. For some reason, none of them attracted me. So in this review we will talk about the buildings, which are not yet possible to buy from us (except for one), but I really want to. The models were again chosen according to my taste, which may not coincide with yours.
The main quality for this review, I chose the look. Thus, a huge number of ribbed aluminum cases with passive cooling, brutal cube-like matte cases and the same type of flat cases did not get here. I really liked the details that give the enclosures a personality, for example - small LED screens and slit-loading drives.
Well, I decided to abandon the TTX under each building due to the agility of transferring data to the table.
List of participants:
- NesteQ MS550
- Thermaltake LM100 Mini
- OrigenAE M10
- Nexus Psile 10A
- Ark Tech PI-01
- Antec Mini Skeleton-90
NesteQ MS550
This case just seemed stylish to me, although there is nothing particularly phenomenal in it. It doesn’t take up much space, it comes with a vertical stand (although it looks funny on the stand). The LEDs are in nice colors, including blue ... although it seems to me that he doesn’t cut his eyes. The case is made of steel and aluminum, but for some reason the manufacturer does not provide information about the exact weight of the device. It seems to me that the weight fluctuates around 1.5kg. Inside, according to tradition, there is a place for a thin optical drive and a 2.5 ”hard drive. On the front panel, too, everything is standard, only instead of the second USB port, an SD card reader is installed. Convenient rubberized legs give the case stability. Behind the hill, a baby costs $ 130 .
Thermaltake LM100 Mini
It would be strange if such a manufacturer as Thermaltake did not have in its arsenal of cases for the mini-ITX size. There is a whole series of cases for HTPC of all types and styles, and you can look at it here . I chose the smallest and most modest representative of this family. Upscale build quality, a large display on the front panel, walls of "uncouth" aluminum, and in the kit also give the remote. The structure weighs 4.35 kg without equipment and is cooled by a pair of 50mm fans operating at 4000 rpm. They promise that their noise is below the level of 28 dB, but according to the test results, they cool mediocre ...
Inside, there is nothing new - a compartment for slim optics and a compartment for a 3.5 ”hard drive. On the front panel, in addition to standard audio and USB ports, FireWire also appeared. At the back there is a place for an expansion card and an outlet for a 200W integrated Flex-ATX power supply.
Solid case in Thermaltake style, well, for good money, of course. Only now I’m not ready to give $ 299 for a case under HTPC.
OrigenAE M10
A small, cute case with slot loading and an LED screen. Simple, tasteful and made of aluminum. The kit comes with an infrared receiver and Philips rc153 remote. Everything is fine, but searching for a slot-loading optical drive can take quite a while. The case comes in two colors - black and silver. The kit also comes with an external 150W power supply. There is space on the back wall for one expansion slot, and inside you can hide one 2.5 ”hard drive. The case is cooled by a 60mm fan and weighs about 3kg. They also give a remote control for the company. This handsome man costs the same $ 299 . Although I would have rated it at 200 ...
Nexus Psile 10A
I already showed this case. From the silver version, it seems to me, it smells a bit like apples. The main feature of the case is a tricky internal layout system in which the optical drive and 3.5 ”hard drive are located below the motherboard and use the entire case as a cooling radiator. Interestingly, the issue of active cooling has been resolved. The fan is mounted on two rails and, if necessary, moves inside the case. On the rear panel there was a place for an expansion slot. The U-shaped cover can be glued with something multi-colored to give your HTPC its own unique style. It seems like the fan is noisier no louder than 18dB, but it is hard to believe. Yes, and by the way. In the kit, in addition to an external 150W PSU, an optical drive is also supplied. In Europe, the case can be found in about
$ 319 .
It is necessary that someone gave it to me ...
Ark Tech PI-01
A relatively cute cube-like body. Oh yes, I said that there would be no cube-like ones ... I just wanted to make an exception for him, because PI-01 has a side window and a fan with blue backlight. I myself am certainly not a fan, but I know many fans of blue LEDs ... At night, they are especially beautiful. =) Inside, a full-fledged 5.25 ”optical drive and a 3.5” hard drive break in. The power supply is internal, 300W SFX. One expansion slot is present. On the front panel, everything is standard. Nothing remarkable, but it costs only $ 50 .
Antec Mini Skeleton-90
I just could not get past this building, although it can be found in our retail. The case for those who have constantly open the side wall of the system unit. Great emulation of an open stand for your HTPC. This case is the younger brother of the big Skeleton, but is in no way inferior to it functionally. At the very top is a fan, under it is a motherboard. At the bottom is everything else. Namely - bays for an optical drive, two internal 2.5 ”hard drives and 2 3.5” drives. I don’t know where full-size hard drives fit, but Antec boldly declares this. I will leave it on their conscience. The kit comes with a large 150mm backlit fan, a small 70mm fan, an external 90W power supply. On the back wall there is a place for a low-profile expansion card.
You can find a handsome man in our retail for 5000r ( $ 160 ).
comparison table
| Features / Models |  NesteQ MS550 |  Thermaltake LM100 Mini |  OrigenAE M10 |  Nexus Psile 10A |  Ark Tech PI-01 |  Antec Mini Skeleton-90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 130 $ | $ 299 | $ 299 | $ 319 | 50 $ | 5000 rub (160 $) |
| Material | Steel, Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Steel | Steel |
| Compartments | 1x 2.5 ", 1x slim-5.25” | 1x 3.5 ", 1x slim-5.25” | 1x 2.5 ", 1x slot-5.25” | 1x 3.5 ", 1x slot-5.25” | 1x 3.5 ", 1x 5.25” | 2x 2.5 ", 2x 3.5", 1x 5.25 ” |
| BP | 60W Ext | 200W Int | 150W Ext | 150W Ext | 300W Int | 90W Ext |
| Expansion slots | - | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x | 1x low profile |
| Dimensions | 210x310x55 | 125x242x306 | 240x106x252 | 225x225x191 | 324x203x178 | 275x295x310 |
| Weight | ? | 4.35kg | 3kg | ? | ? | 2.5kg |
| Additionally | - | remote control | remote control philips rc153 | DVD-RW drive screwdriver set | - | - |
With these buildings you can assemble a really beautiful media center. Unless with PI-01, it’s like that ... for the company.
Personally, I like the hell out of Psile, but it's a bit expensive and big. M10 is a worthy alternative, but, it seems to me, with mediocre ventilation. Skeleton is a great option, but it will shine brightly at night and die the death of the brave in an unequal battle with my cat.
In general, while I lick at Psile ... And then we'll see.