SilverStone ML09 Mini-ITX HTPC Chassis Review

Complete System

Getting all of our test components installed in this tiny box was not an easy task, it’s certainly not the kind of chassis you would want to tackle for your first ever system build. It’s very cramped in there, and routing cables is a demanding task to say the least.

Of course, we did manage it, but with a few notable issues. Our PSU was non-modular, which means excess cables and some had to be stuffed into the 2.5″ drive bays to keep fans free from extra cable. 

The USB 3.0 cable is needlessly heavy-duty, with very little bend to it, meaning it takes up most of the room for the expansion card area and has to be squashed down to get the top panel back in place. A flat cable would have been much better, it’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s a pain in the butt for a couple of minutes of your build time.

PSU space is seriously tight, and those using modular cables will definitely want a unit with flat cables, or at least cables that are not particularly thick. Of course, small isn’t an issue, it fits, it just took some effort to find room for those cables, but it can be done.

CPU cooler height is fairly limited, but that’s to be expected. A system this small, it’s unlikely you’ll be installing a high-end overclocked CPU, and lower power units that are more suited to HTPC use won’t have particularly demanding cooling requirements, so a good quality low-profile block will do nicely.

Despite the 40 minute build time, the end result is nothing to be ashamed of, a super slim build with a good amount of airflow, storage and some pretty decent hardware in there. We didn’t have a half-height PCI card for the slot, but it’s nice to have the option for one should you need it.

Install the fan back over the top of the motherboard, great for keeping those vital components cool.

Top panel back in place and it looks just as neat and tidy as when we took it out of the box. with some ventilation on the top for the main fan and the PSU, airflow isn’t going to be a problem and the closed up front should help prevent too much unwanted fan noise going forward to the user; handy for a chassis that could happily be placed in your living room.