Silverstone SG13 - My Replacement to My Beloved SG05

[byalexandr]

As a lot of you know I'm really into SFF cases, and I like to make my build as small and as powerful as possible (still working on the power part). I particularly like the Silverstone SG05, and ever since I started building PCs the SG05 has always been my favorite case. This is my review of the SG13 from Silverstone, which in my opinion is a worthy successor to my beloved SG05 (RIP).

 

Let's start out with some photos!

 

Here are a few of shots of the case overall, and you can get a peek of the hardware I have (barely) stuffed in there:

 

 

Note: The SG13 does not come with thumb screws on the rear panel. I added those myself since I disassemble my build a lot. Normally the case has regular Philips head screws like the rest of the chassis.

 

I really like how Silverstone revised the look of the SG13 compared to the SG05. If I could say anything negative about the SG05, it would probably be the front panel. While it is nice, this is much nicer. The faux brushed aluminum gives a fairly realistic look, although mine has a couple of minor scratches, but it certainly gives it character and is unnoticeable in photos.

 

While the SG13 is regarded as being a slightly larger version of the SG05, I can actually tell you that the chassis itself is the exact same size. The only difference is the slightly larger front panel, both in depth and in height. This gives more room for a longer GPU, even for GPUs up to 275mm in length, such as my 290. Around the back though, there are several pieces added to the chassis that improve the rigidity. This allows for a full size ATX PSU without compromising on structural integrity, as there is not much metal on the back of this chassis.

 

Silverstone also revised the power and HDD activity LED, from a bright (and quite annoying) single LED to a subtle glowing bar at the bottom of the front panel. While these shots make the LEDs appear much, much brighter than they actually are, this is what it looks like.

 

Just power LEDs active:

 

Power and HDD activity LEDs active:

 

The red and blue contrast give a very nice look and blend very well into an array of purple. Very complimentary for red and blue themed PCs alike.

 

Now, onto the insides. The layout is exactly the same as the SG05. In fact, if I could sum this case up, it would be a pre-modded SG05. To give a few changes:

 

-Hole in front of chassis cut to allow for longer GPUs.

-140mm fan placement added.

-ATX PSU now standard.

-SSD mount below GPU.

-Revised storage tray is much more low profile.

 

Among many more, all which have been integrated into the SG05 with modding. I love this, as it means I don't have to do anymore drilling or cutting, and Silverstone can do a much better job than I can. A lot of reviewers complain about build quality, but this case as a whole bar above the SG05 and everything has been thoroughly thought through. Other reviewers also mention a lack of ODD support, but to be honest, no one uses those anymore and I feel pity for the reviewers even bringing it up.

 

Anyway, onto my build. Here are a few shots of the build overall:

 

You might remember Linus doing a build in this chassis with a Titan X, and complaining about how the Titan X was a close fit. This is another level of close, as my 290 is within a fraction of a millimeter from the front panel plastic, and I even had to break two protruding clips off to prevent the panel from bulging. This was okay though as it's the quiet panel version and there is no filter to put in the clips anyhow. But regardless, a reference 290 (around 275mm in length) is the ABSOLUTE maximum. Other than that, the build was fairly smooth. I have lots of experience with this particular chassis, and if you do everything in a certain order, yours should go smoothly as well.

 

I used an SFX 450W PSU, as that is what was in my SG05, but I will soon be replacing it with a proper 600W PSU to properly power my 290 or a future card (like a 390X maybe?). This allows for much more room in the chassis, but honestly I think it wastes space and I wouldn't mind a bigger PSU just to take up the extra room. Keep in mind to keep the PSU choice short though, as anything longer than that top drive bracket will prevent you from mounting SSDs or a 3.5" HDD.

 

Regarding temperatures, I can tell you that idle on the GPU is the same, maybe within 1-2C higher. Load temps are a bit warmer at around 5C delta, but the panel tends to deflect the noise of the blower and it actually sounds much quieter (for a reference card, that is). CPU temps are basically not impacted, as my i3 never produces enough heat in the first place, although the 120mm fan I have installed up front is greatly helping move the hot air out of the case. If I ever choose to, I can install a 120mm AIO cooler, or even a 140mm AIO cooler if I were to install a shorter card.

 

Overall, I am very happy with this case, and it brings joy to me that I have a case worthy of replacing my SG05, while still having the same soul to it. Silverstone did an excellent job with this case, and this is a great deal at $43 shipped. Anyone considering moving to mITX or starting an mITX build should definitely consider this, as it is perhaps the smallest, most readily available case on the market.

 

That's all for my review for now, feel free to ask any questions, or if you feel that I've missed something let me know. Thanks!

 

[byalexandr]

Oh, excuse the poopy photos please, I don't know what happened to all of my white board that I normally use and my DSLR was overexposing everything, so I had to improvise. I will definitely take some nicer photos though.

[byalexandr]

I really like that custom bracket to support the SFX PSU in the case, maybe paint it? Still though, that is a great way to add space for airflow around your CPU.

 

Great job

Thanks!

 

The bracket actually comes with the SFX PSU, I just used it for now until I get an ATX PSU.

[byalexandr]

For those wondering what my previous SG05 looked like (before I started a modification I couldn't finish), this is a decent picture I have of it:

 

 

It's now in a pile of chassis components back in it's box (or it's graveyard, however you want to think of it).

 

SG13 is a great case though, very glad I purchased it.