True upgrade freedom in small form factor. Well, they say this...

After removing it from the box, I have to admit that they are close. The case is small, even if bigger than an "Small Form" case, but this is because it offers a lot more options in the choice of hardware components.

The case is compatible with any microATX motherboard, but, however has some small limitations:

- CPU cooler cannot exceed 78mm in height.

- The combined depth of power supply and optical drive cannot exceed 355mm.

For the rest of the components you have the freedom to choose. And you can choose, as, compared to SFF Cases, you have two 5.25" drive bays and 4 expansion slots. The front panel offers a lot of connectivity options for a multitude of devices: four USB ports, a Firewire interface and two jacks for audio signals. The case is similar to Antec Aria, but a little longer as the Aria, which comes with an dedicated power supply. So, more possibilities for you.

And I have to say that the finition and the look of the case are excellent. And as is made from aluminum, it has only 3 kg. Without power supply, as you may choose one. But it comes with 2 fans. One - 80mm is for hard disk cooling, the second - 60mm for the rear. It has also an slot for an other 60mm fan on the top.

If I speak about fans, I must mention that Silverstone has changed the SG01 model with an new one, using 2 fans of 80mm. Practically they have redesign the back and the top of the case for better cooling, but also because mounting the PCI boards was an little difficult as you have to remove first the 60mm fan the mounting it back. For the rest there are no other changes. In fact the product page will present you the new model, called SG01 Evolution. Because of this I will not insist on the solved problems.

That's about the exterior, let's see also the interior. Well, when opening it, comes the first problem I should mention. The steel screws are screwed directly in the aluminum body case. That means you should manipulated them extremely carefully, as you may damage the holes if you force them. Also that means you should open the case very rarely. Using an steel nut fixed to the body case - similar to the nuts used for the motherboard - could be an better solution.

Once the case is open you can see the large amount of space inside. Also I have to mention the length of the cables for Firewire/USB/Audio which comes from the front panel - they are very long... Unfortunately, I didn't see any toroidal ferrite on them, to prevent EM Interferences.

The mounting of hard disk is easy, as there is an removable drive cage ( unfortunately with the same "steel on aluminum" screw problem ). For the rest, I must say that you have to read the case manual, as you need to follow an mounting order for the components.

Everything mounted, I have to mention the blue light which diffuse through the acrylic front panel. It's very nice, even if the case I've got was black ( there is also an silver one ).

Also there are some practical notices which should be mentioned. I recommend the use of the Silverstone NT03 Cooler for the processor, as this offers best performance for this specific case. The place just under the power supply is not well ventilated ( Silverstone offers also an cross flow fan for additional cooling ), and using an standard processor cooler ( with the fan on the top of the cooler - very close to the power supply ) is the worst idea. Also an brand power supply with an 120mm fan could offer better cooling if used with the NT03. For the fan you may mount in the slot of the top of the case, is not necessary. This place is the coolest in the case, already. Even the rear fan is not necessary, except if you use an video card, but most of microATX motherboard comes with integrated graphics. I believe that instead of this fan, Silverstone could deliver the cross flow fan with the case, instead of offering it as option.

There is also an problem with the 4 USB ports. If you use an VFD or an Card reader mounted in one of the 5.25" bays, working on USB, you will be unable to use all 4 ports, as standard microATX motherboard's offers exactly 4 USB connectors.

Also an big problem, for which I've decided to add an photo, because it seems nobody have noticed it:

Practically, if you want to connect some USB devices, such the wireless adapter I've used in the photo, the USB connector near the one you connect the device, becomes unusable !!!

I say some, because there are some devices which can fit in the space provided, but only those which have similar dimensions as an USB connector, like SanDisk Cruiser Micro. But I have to mentioned that I've tested more devices, and only half of the Bluetooth USB adapters I've tested have fit and none of the Wireless adapters.

Considering those 2 problems with the front USB ports, I believe that designing the case with only 2 ports could be an better idea.

All tests done, more or less, there are the final results:

Sincerely, after using the SG01 case, I can say only that Silverstone offers exactly what they promises, but nothing more. They have design this case with the idea of maximum space in an minimum case, but have ignored some small things who make the difference. Perhaps because this is the first case of his type they made. There is enough things they can improved at this case, and considering the quick response from Silverstone to the first critics for the SG01 case and the launch of the SG01 Evolution, I'm sure they will make it better in the future.