KitGuru KitGuru.net – Tech News | Hardware News | Hardware Reviews | IOS | Mobile | Gaming | Graphics Cards
Here at KitGuru, we place high value on a desktop PC that is capable of good performance while still retaining low noise levels. You can imagine we were pretty keen to get a look at Streacom's DB4 chassis, then, as it is entirely fanless. While we have already seen passively-cooled laptops with ultra low-power Intel Core M CPUs, this is an entirely different beast – as Streacom sent us the DB4 with a Core i7-6700 installed.
This makes the Streacom DB4 a very interesting proposition – an entirely fanless case, but with enough cooling power to keep an i7-6700's thermals in check. The case can be bought on its own, though Quiet PC supplied our sample and they also sell pre-built configurations using the DB4.
The sample we were sent did have the components already installed, so in this review we will assess how the good the case itself is, as well as looking at what levels of performance you can expect from a fanless PC.
Specification
- Chassis Material: Premium Grade (6063) All Aluminium, 4mm Thick Extruded Panels
- Available Colours: Silver – Sandblast Finish
- Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX
- Drive Capacity: Maximum 5 x 3.5″ or 12 x 2.5″
- Optical Drive Bays: Optical Kit for slim slot loading drive
- Expansion Slot: 2 x Full Height Slots (MAX 200mm Length, 116mm Height)
- USB Ports: 2 x USB3.0, Bottom Facing
- Cooling: 4 x 6mm Heatpipes with 65W / Side Panel, Expandable to 110W
- External Dimensions: 260 x 260 x 270mm (W x D x H)
- Power Supply: ZF240 or Nano Series PSU (Not Included)
- Remote Control: None
- Net Weight: 7.5KG
It is like an post-Steve apple product, looks nice but is impractical in many ways.
Impractical in what way? How many other cases offers 100% fanfree installation? And i bét they used the thermal pad instead of regular grease and a 91 TDP cpu when the case cpu cooler have a 65 TPD recomend. This can take care of a i7 no problem and FANFREE with the additional cpu mount, no other case can that.
What this have to do with the case bring practical? I am taking about where the ports are located. It is impractical to use on a workflow like that.
True but how often do you need to change? A USB hub and it’s fixed otherwise its pretty compact, stylish looking and you don’t have to worry about the cables inside since there are no airflow to take in consideration.
sure but it could be so much prettier if they where at least 2 usb incorporated in the design (I for example always need to plug and unplug external storage or my phone, but 2 are enough) and save you the extra step of a hub (which will also be more ugly cables on your desk.
This is why I say is like an apple product, where they remove practical ports just for the sake of minimalism.
But Steve Jobs had it right back then “Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” and design lately tend to forget that form follow function.