PC Chassis SilverStone Sugo SG09 Review

Model SG09 is the ninth chassis of Sugo series designed by SilverStone. Upon the whole, the series consists basically of compact parallelepiped casings that presuppose the integration of small-sized mini-ITX motherboards only. Still, Sugo SG09 features more voluminous dimensions (354x220x295 mm) and cubic-like casing that widens its compatibility area a bit. All previous Sugo models were perceived primarily as compact solutions with a quite aesthetic design. But Sugo SG09 positions itself as a reliable platform for a powerful PC system.

Layout

Chassis SilverStone Sugo SG09 has got rather unusual layout due to the need to accommodate a full-sized PSU, a lengthy graphics adapter, a voluminous CPU cooler, and some kind of data storage system in a casing of 23 liters in capacity. As a result, the developers created a one-volume casing with vertical PSU in the frontal part, vertical motherboard tray, and vertical bays for hard drives located on the reverse side of the tray. The spacing allows integrating up to four expansion cards or a couple of two-slot graphics adapters. At the same time, this chassis does not stipulate the installation of 5.25-inch drives; the number of available slots for 3.5-inch drives is two, while the number of slots for 2.5-inch drives is four.

Framework

The casing features a non-removable frontal panel. Its central part is alloted for two USB 3.0 ports, Power and Clear buttons, two LED indicators, and audio ports for headphones and a microphone. The distance between USB ports is sufficient for the simultaneous connection of bulky devices. The top and side panels are combined into a U-shaped cover; left panel is divided into sections with a detachable lower part. The rear panel is notable for an unusual bulging construction where traditionally PC power cable is found. Since PSU is housed in the frontal part, the power cable is now connected to the external socket on the rear board, while its internal counterpart with an analogous socket is connected directly to the PSU. The rear panel also contains a switch that regulates the rotational speed of upper 180 mm fan.

The nominal delivery kit of SilverStone Sugo SG09 involves a detailed user's manual, a casing with 3 pre-installed fans, a set of fixing screws, a set of fixtures for 2.5-inch bay and 140 mm fan, four rubber stands on adhesive basis, four couplings for appropriate cable management, paddings for drives and 80 mm fan, an adapter for the connection of three fans to a single MOLEX, an adapter for the connection of frontal USB 3.0 ports to USB 2.0 clog.

Ventilation System

Irrespective of relatively compact dimensions, this model is delivered with three pre-installed fans and presupposes the installation of three fans more. Neither of them have got a LED lighting. The most voluminous 180 mm fan is located on the top panel and is monitored by a PWM controller; the user is able to change it by any 140 mm fan, if there is a need. Its rotational speed might be set from 700 to 1200 rpm, depending on the chosen switch mode. The other two nominal 120 mm fans are installed on the rear and side panels. Their rotational speed achieves the margin of 1200 rpm. All three fans feature 3-contact socket, but there is a possibility to activate them with the help of 4-contact MOLEX (due to a dedicated adapter).

It should be noted that the top fan blows in the airflow and the rear one – blows it off. The side fan also blows in the airflow to provide enough cooling for the graphics adapter; at the same time, hot air is blowing off through the perforated grid-like rear panel. Left-side detachable panel contains two additional sites for 92 mm and 80 mm fans.

Anti-dust system is designed not just for show. It consists of three dust filters made of a solid fine-meshed nylon. All of them are easily removable and can save the internal layout from dust, insects, and other litter.