Reviews: Silverstone Sugo SG08 Case Review

[Ninjalane]

In this review we will be looking at a case from Silverstone called the Sugo SG08. This is a small cube style case specifically designed to maximize the mini-ITX platform and take advantage of the ultra edition motherboards supporting Intel Core processors.



http://www.ninjalane.com/Reviews/Cases/sst-sg08

[nilkilla]

This is a great case. I only used the WHITE Lian-Li Q11 case over this one because of the slim drive requirement, and having to use a modified mini-psu. where the WHITE Lian-Li Q11 case gave me full sized options on both.

[swampmonster]

Hi Ninjalane,

thanks for your review! I have a couple of questions though.

In your review you mentioned that you tried the Cooler Master Gemin II S524 heatsink, and that it didn't fit.

May I ask what the problem was?

I'm thinking about building a HTPC system with the SG08 and the ASUS P8H67-I Deluxe as a board.
The only problem I have is finding a suitable cooler, since I want the system to be as quiet as possible.

I tried to "measure" the position of the CPU socket on the P8H67-I Deluxe by using large images of the board, and I think the Gemin II S524 should fit.
However, the socket on the Gigabyte H55N, which you used in your review, seems to be about 1cm closer to the "DIMM side" of the board (the right side on most Bird's eye pictures).

So PLEEEEEASE tell me the only problem with the Gemin II S524 was that it collided with the metal sheet between the Gigabyte H55N and the PSU, and that an additional 5-10mm would have made the difference.

The other thing I'd like to ask is... I think about removing the 180mm air penetrator fan, and only using the CPU fan to cool the case. Of course I cannot be sure if the airflow will be sufficient to cool everything properly, but do you see any problem with the case itself?
I'm only asking because htpc-reviews.com states that "Cons: ... 180mm fan cannot be removed from the case".
Having read your review, and having had a look at the pictures, I'm 95% sure that the fan can both, be removed completely or even replaced by a 120 or 140mm fan (hard to guess the exact distance between the additional drillings in the "fan mount").
I just wanted to make sure that I'm not missing something.

[Redmax]

Hey there and welcome to the forum.

The issue with the gemin was that the larger metal mount that the fan attaches to was hitting the PSU or hanging outside of the case (depending on how it was positioned). I'm pretty sure it could be made to fit with some dremel tool action.

Due to the issue of getting the heatsink to fit I didn't bother trying to place the 180mm fan back into the case so I cannot comment on if the fan will work or not.

BTW The 180mm fan "can" be removed from the case, however, it isn't that easy since you also have to remove the fan controller switch from the side of the case (two screws, pretty easy) Removing the fan does bring up the issue about getting a smaller fan to fit since the existing mounts were designed for the 180mm.

I might suggest looking at the Scythe brand of coolers and find a low profile unit that might fit. so far I have found they do a pretty good job at allowing taller memory modules to fit under the radiators and they tend to fit the form factor quite well. No promises but the big SHURIKEN fit in my HTPC quite well http://www.ninjalane.com/projects/modding/eldathpc and I'm inclined to think the normal sized one might fit the SG08. http://www.frozencpu.com/products/7047/cpu-scy-16/Scythe_SHURIKEN_Rev_B_3-Heatpipe_Universal_CPU_Cooler.html

On a related note the stock Intel Sandy Bridge cooler is rather silent, you might give that one a go and see how you like it before deciding on an aftermarket solution.

[swampmonster]

Hi Redmax,
thanks for your reply.

I really want to install a (big) aftermarked heatsink, because usually a bigger heatsink means better cooling, and better cooling usually means less noise
I figured (hoped) the problem with the GeminII was that it's too close to the PSU (when the short side of the heatsink is facing the PCIe slot).
So I think my chances with the ASUS board + GeminII will be pretty good, because the CPU socket is about 1cm farther away from the PSU on the ASUS.

What I want to do, is to use just one single fan (besides the PSU fan) to cool everything. Either, if it's silent enough, the original 180mm fan, or if it's too loud some silent 120mm or 140mm fan. No additional fan on the CPU heatsink.

I'm going to use a 45W CPU, and the case looks promising (big venting holes), so I think that should be possible.

Regarding installing another fan... this picture
http://www.ninjalane.com/images/sst-sg08/ready_for_install.jpg
really looks like there are additional drillings in the plastic part that holds the 180mm fan for a 120mm fan. So I think that shouldn't be too hard. And removing a part that's held by 2 screws .... well, I'm sure I'll manage

Anyway, got to split now.
Thanks again, and if I build that HTPC I will let you know how it went.

[Redmax]

It is hard to say if your cooling quests will actually work until you try them. If it was me I would find a good heatsink and use the included 180mm fan to cool everything, the Silverstone fans do work quite well and are rather quiet for their size.

Again they may not be silent enough for your use which, again, will be a little trial and error on your part. I can say that a 45w Sandy Bridge isn't going to produce any heat of a significant level so using a OEM heatsink with the fan disabled (or set on a resistor) might be enough. I know people are all against OEM heatsinks (myself included) but they are pretty good in terms of a balance between noise/cooling.

[ignigena]

Thx for the review.

What about the SST-NT06-E or the SST-NT01-E?,would any of them work fanless with an i7-3770T?. Both are from silverstone, I don't know if that could be relevant.

I am planing to use an i7-3770T with a H77 motherboard and a sapphire ultimate graphics card. the goal is to be as silent as possible so, I don't know if I should go for this one or the Lian Li PC-Q08 with a fanless PSU like the Kingwin STR-500 or the Seasonic X-460. What do you think?

[Redmax]

Tough choice between the Lian Li and Silverstone. I would say the Silverstone has better cooling but you get a little more internal storage with the LL.

I wouldn't use either of the heatsinks you mentioned without a fan, they are both dated designs and don't work well with modern CPUs. Most of the SFF cases like this only accept the OEM cooler since aftermarket parts are often too big. Normally I would suggest the Noctua NH-L12 http://www.ninjalane.com/reviews/cooling/noctua_nh-l12 in a situation like this but even that cooler might be too big. (I'd have to check)

Cooler Master has a M4 heatsink that might work along with some of the Scythe designs. the problem is the fans are quite thin and have a limited cooling capacity. (although with the 180mm that might be moot)

[ignigena]

Mmmmh

Thank you for the answer, I will seriously consider the noctua option. But, I have to ask, Do you think it's possible to have a fanless 3770T CPU?, if it is possible I would change the dissipator and move to a bigger case.

Thank you for your help.

[Redmax]

3770T is a 45w CPU so it should run rather cool but I can't really say if it will run "fanless" With a large enough cooler anything is possible but that largely depends in case cooling. Maybe this is splitting hairs on fanless theory but adding high flow fans to your case to compensate for no fan on the CPU I think is moving in the wrong direction.

If I have some time tomorrow I'll round up some gear and see if the Noctua will fit in the SG08. That is assuming I can find the Noctua cooler. it should be here someplace...