Introduction
Today in the eTeknix office we have the latest chassis from Aerocool, the DS Dead Silence microATX gaming chassis. While of course this chassis could be used for any type of system (within reason of course), it is certainly aimed at the PC gaming market and more specifically the small form factor end of the market.
Compact gaming PCs have taken off in a really big way this last couple of years and companies such as Cooler Master and BitFenix have done really well with their miniITX solutions, proving a popular choice for LAN gamers, HTPC users or with those looking to build a compact gaming system for their bedroom or to go alongside their big screen TV. There are many new players to the cube chassis market this year and this is a great thing, it’s always good to see companies trying to compete, out do each other and improve on designs because at the end of the day it’s often the consumer who wins. The big question is, does the Dead Silence have what it takes to mix it with some of the biggest names in the industry?
We’ve reviewed a few gaming chassis from Aerocool in the past and while their brand name might not carry as much weight as something like Corsair, at least here in the UK, they’ve actually produced some of the best cases we’ve seen here at eTeknix such as their BX-500 and Xpredator and I’m hoping that the DS offers as many cool features as their other gaming series chassis. So lets cut right to it and see what Aerocools DS has to offer.
It is worth pointing out that Aerocool make two main models of this chassis, one with a side panel window and one without. We have the one without the side panel window, but Aerocool have also provided us with a replacement window side panel so that this review effectively covers both editions, but please not that it doesn’t come with both the solid and windowed side panels at retail.
The front of the DS box features a quick run down of the main specifications. These include the Micro ATX / Mini ITX motherboard compatibility, 4 expansion slots and the hard drive configurations.
The packaging is fairly standard but more than enough to keep it safe. Extra care has been taken to put peel-off plastic on any gloss surfaces of the chassis and its front panel.
In the box I found a ventilated top panel cover, a user guide and a huge selection of screws, cable ties and fittings for installing our components.
That is a nice looking case, very tempted to down size. The black and white one is my favourite. Must resist the urge to spend money! :p
It looks great in red, but it’s nice to have a small form factor chassis that can still hold a decent SLI setup too 🙂
yes
fisa muffinssi
why you need it on the side panel? There is already SSD mount beside PSU and the HDD cage can mount SSD. I think you can remove HDD cage from the screws there.
le löb löb löö
unfunctional unique
When is the release date?
11.02.2013
19621104-1188
Lisbet Birgitta Fletcher
Bordsvägen 13 lgh 1102
12246 Enskede
very heavy weight.
No removable hdd cage and no ssd mounts on side panel.. Why o why o why..
why you need it on the side panel? There is already SSD mount beside PSU and the HDD cage can mount SSD. I think you can remove HDD cage from the screws there.
becouse of that.
Really nice looking case. But you would want a pretty looking video card in the windowed version. Would have liked to have seen a electric blue version. As that with blue lights would have looked great. But that is always up to taste.
Jezzer, the upper HDD cage is removable. What really spoils the styling for me are the popouts for the optical drive and floppy. Let’s have an alternative front plate which doesn’t have them. I mean, who uses them these days? It’s far more sensible to have an external USB drive.
I will say that Aerocool have got the top of the case just right. Two USB 3 ports, 2 USB 2 ports, and additional ventilation if required.
Hey Peter, great review – loved the high res picture. After playing with this case, do you think a 2x120mm res would fit inside the front panel if the 200mm fan and fdd cage were removed?
red, white or blue i do not mind.
but NO dust filters???
it is 2013, wake up aerocool.
Will this fit the GTX 770 with or without removing the 3.5 HDD tray (Underneath the ODD)?
Fantastic case, too bad there aren’t fan filters at the front or the top.
BTW from the dimensions its only very slightly larger than the Bitfenix Prodigy, too. (41.4L vs 36.1L). Even both aren’t that smaller to a full ATX case like my old Lian Li PC7B at 45.5L. Just a heads-up for people looking to build a new rig.
BTW from the measurements its only very a little bit bigger than the Bitfenix Natural born player, too. (41.4L vs 36.1L). Even both are not that more compact to a complete ATX situation like my old Lian Li PC7B at 45.5L. Just a heads-up for individuals looking to develop a new rig.
Fourneau Bruleur de Graisse