Introduction

Small form factor (SFF) computers usually require SFX12V or external power supplies. One of the highlights of the SilverStone Sugo SG09 case is the support of regular ATX power supplies. Let’s see other features that this case offers.

The reviewed case is available in only one color: black.

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Figure 1: SilverStone Sugo SG09 case

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Figure 2: SilverStone Sugo SG09 case

The left-side panel has several meshes. The rectangular mesh is an air intake for the power supply, which on this case is installed on its front part. The case comes with a 120 mm fan (1,200 rpm, 22 dBA) installed on this panel, which also supports the installation of two 80 mm or 92 mm fans. There is an air filter for all fans. The fan that comes attached to this panel uses a regular three-pin fan power connector, but the case comes with an adapter for you to install the fan directly to the power supply.

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Figure 3: Left panel

The Front Panel

The front panel of the SilverStone Sugo SG09 has a big air intake with an air filter for the power supply fan. See Figures 4 and 5, which show how the power supply is installed sideways on the front part of the case. We will talk more about this later. The case supports the installation of a slim optical drive on the top part of its front panel.

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Figure 4: Front panel

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Figure 5: Power supply compartment

The case comes with two USB 3.0 ports and the traditional audio jacks on its front panel. The USB ports use an internal connector, and the case comes with an adapter for you to install them on a USB 2.0 header, in case your motherboard doesn’t have a USB 3.0 header.

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Figure 6: Buttons and connectors

The Top, Bottom, and Rear Panels

In Figure 7, you can see the top panel of the SilverStone Sugo SG09. There lies one of the highlights of the reviewed case: a SilverStone AP181 fan (180 mm, 700 rpm/18 dBA or 1,200 rpm /34 dBA). The speed of this fan can be changed through a switch available on the rear panel. The case comes with an air filter for this fan.

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Figure 7: Top panel

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Figure 8: Top panel

The bottom panel of the SilverStone Sugo SG09 is plain, with no features.

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Figure 9: Bottom panel

The case has four expansion slots, with vented covers.

The rear panel comes with a 120 mm fan identical to the one used on the left panel.

On the SilverStone Sugo SG09, the power supply is installed sideways, at the front portion of the case. Because of that, the case has an AC receptacle on its rear panel, which is internally connected to the power supply’s own AC receptacle.

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Figure 10: Rear panel

Let’s now take a look inside the SilverStone Sugo SG09.

Inside the SilverStone Sugo SG09

To open the SG09, you must remove its top cover, which is attached to the chassis using four black thumbscrews and one regular screw. Additionally, you must remove the left panel, which is attached to the chassis with one thumbscrew and another regular screw.

This case supports microATX, Mini-ITX, and Mini-DTX motherboards. The motherboard tray has a huge cutout for you to access the backplate of the CPU cooler without having to remove the motherboard from the case.

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Figure 11: Overall look

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Figure 12: View behind the motherboard tray

The case supports the installation of an 80 mm fan on its right panel. See Figure 13.

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Figure 13: Support for an 80 mm fan on the right side of the case

The SilverStone Sugo SG09 supports video cards up to 13.3” (334 mm) long. Expansion cards are fastened using regular screws, but at least they are black. The reviewed case supports CPU coolers up to 6.5” (165 mm) tall.

As explained before, one of the highlights of this case is the support for regular ATX power supplies. The power supply is installed sideways, at the front part of the case, with either its bottom fan facing inside the case or facing outside the case, so you can decide if you want the fan of your power supply pulling air from inside the case or from outside of it. As already shown, there is an air filter for the power supply fan. You can install a power supply that is up to 7.1” (180 mm) deep.

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Figure 14: Power supply compartment

The Disk Drive Bays

The Sugo SG09 supports one slim optical drive on its top panel. Hard drives and SSDs are installed behind the motherboard tray.

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Figure 15: Bay for a slim optical drive

The case comes with a plate supporting the installation of two 3.5” devices. This plate is attached to the motherboard tray using rubber rings, in order to reduce noise and vibration.

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Figure 16: Place for installing two 3.5” devices

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Figure 17: Two 3.5” hard drives installed

Four bays for 2.5” devices are located below the 3.5” bays.

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Figure 18: The four 2.5” bays

According to the manufacturer, depending on the number of unused cables from your power supply, you may not populate all hard drive bays. Therefore, it is recommended that you use a power supply with modular cabling.

The Sugo Pack

The optional Sugo Pack is a carrying case for SilverStone’s small form factor cases, costing between USD 45 and USD 50, depending on the store. It is a nice addition if you plan to carry your computer to gaming events, and it is very sturdy.

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Figure 19: The Sugo Pack

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Figure 20: The Sugo Pack

Main Specifications

The main specifications for the SilverStone Sugo SG09 include:

• Style: Small Form Factor (SFF)
• Application: microATX, Mini-ITX and Mini-DTX
• Material: Zinc-coated steel (SECC) body
• Power supply: Doesn’t come with the product
• Available color: Black
• Side panel: Meshed
• Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.7 x 13.9 inches (295 x 220 x 354 mm) (H x W x D)
• Net weight: 12 Lbs (5.4 kg)
• Gross weight: 15 Lbs (6.6 kg)
• Bays: One external bay for slim optical drives, two internal 3.5” bays, and four internal 2.5” bays
• Expansion slots: Four
• Maximum video card length: 13.3” (334 mm)
• Maximum CPU cooler height: 6.5” (165 mm)
• Fans: One 120 mm fan (1,200 rpm, 22 dBA) on the left panel, one 120 mm fan (1,200 rpm, 22 dBA) on the rear panel, and one 180 mm fan (700 rpm/18 dBA or 1,200 rpm/34 dBA) on the top panel
• Optional fans: Two 80 mm or 92 mm fans on the left panel and one 80 mm fan on the right panel
• Extra Features: Two-speed fan controller for the top fan
• More Information: http://www.silverstonetek.com.tw
• Average Price in the U.S.*: USD 100

* Researched at Newegg.com on the day we published this review.

Conclusions

The SilverStone Sugo SG09 is an excellent choice for the user who is building a small form factor (SFF) computer and wants a product that fits a microATX motherboard and a regular-sized power supply. It easily allows you to build a small yet powerful gaming PC.

Strong Points

• Excellent cost/benefit ratio
• Support for a regular-sized ATX power supply
• Support for microATX motherboards
• Air filter for the left, top, and power supply fans
• Big 180 mm fan on the top panel
• Two-speed controller for the top fan
• Anti-vibration rings for 3.5” hard drives
• Support for two 3.5” and four 2.5” devices
• Huge cutout on the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler

Weak Points

• Could come with thumbscrews for fastening expansion cards