SilverStone announced its compact ML09 mini-ITX HTPC case for compact system builders.
The ML09 is an upgraded version of SilverStone’s ML06 case, both of which are 7 liter mini-ITX cases. Given the compact size, this case is indirectly targeted at enthusiasts. Unlike some other mini-ITX cases, the ML09 cannot hold a full sized single- or dual-slot GPU. The major difference between the ML09 and ML06, however, is that SilverStone reworked the internal design in order to fit a second expansion card slot. The case height is sufficient enough only for low-profile cards to be installed, but this extra space means that users can install more powerful low-profile dual-slot GPUs, making it more enthusiast-oriented than the older ML06.
The case is also too small to support full-sized ATX PSUs like some more enthusiast-oriented mini-ITX cases, which limits PC builds to SFX power supplies. There is space for three case fans, however–one 120 mm fan and two 80 mm fans. Oddly enough, the ML09 supports only 2.5-inch storage drives. This might be somewhat inconvenient, but 1 TB 2.5-inch HDDs are fairly inexpensive anymore, and most people will likely want to use SSDs anyway.
Silverstone hasn’t set a release date yet nor a U.S. price, but in Europe its MSRP is 60.20 EUR.
