Computing on Demand PC News & Reviews
It seems that each time I find a quality HTPC case, SilverStone has to come along and shake things up. The release of their GD06 HTPC case provided a great option for those that want a high quality HTPC case without spending a lot of money. Well, what happens when they introduce another case, again affordable, that builds on everything the GD06 was and more? You end up with the Grandia GD08.
First, the GD08 is not just an HTPC case, it is a hybrid of sorts. The GD08 looks and feels like a normal HTPC case at first glance, but it has enough room to function as a DIY server. Let me explain… The GD08 is an HTPC case, constructed of mostly steel and aluminum, that measures 440mm x 175mm x 425mm, weighs in at 7kg, and still manages to make room for an E-ATX / ATX motherboard, eight 3.5 inch hard drives, two 2.5 inch hard drives, and two 5.25 inch drives!
The front of the case features your power and reset buttons, an activity/power LED, two USB 3.0 ports, audio ports, and two flip down optical drive bay doors. SilverStone constructed the GD08’s front panel of thick brushed aluminum for that true HTPC feel. The activity/power LED indicator’s brightness can be adjusted with a slider on the bottom of the case to keep it from getting too obnoxious in low light.
Not only does it house more drives than any other HTPC case we have reviewed to date, it has enough cooling power to keep everything running. The GD08 is outfitted with one 120mm fan on the side (with the ability to mount another right next to it), two 120mm fans on the bottom (with enough room for a third), and room for two additional 80mm fans on the rear panel. One of the best features… the bottom and side panels are outfitted with externally accessible fan guards that easily remove, eliminating the need to rip your HTPC from its home to do some cleaning.
