The Streacom F12C Aluminum Desktop Case Review
by E. Fylladitakis on September 14, 2015 9:00 AM ESTThe Exterior of the Streacom F12C Desktop Aluminum Case
The Streacom F12C is clearly a minimalistic design. It highlights the simplicity of plain sandblasted aluminum, with the only aesthetic touches being the rounded corners and bottom edge of the faceplate. The F12C features a simple yet elegant appearance. Measuring 184 × 440 × 320 mm (7.25 × 17.35 × 12.6 in) and with a volume of 0.0259 m3 (25.9 liters), the F12C is one of the largest desktop cases that we have ever seen, yet it still requires about 50% less space than an average tower case. As the case is almost entirely made from aluminum, it is particularly lightweight, tipping our scale at just 4.35kg.
Only a rounded power on button can be seen to the left of the faceplate, with a pinhead LED light right above it. The black spot to the right of the faceplate is an opening for an infrared remote control device, which is optional. There is no opening for an optical media drive, slim or otherwise, which can be an issue for a case intended to hold HTPC systems. This issue aside, there is another series of omissions: there are no front USB or audio jacks, and not even a reset button. To clarify, there are no USB ports on the sides or top of the case either. For an HTPC case, the omission of front USB ports is a critical issue.
There are three rectangular openings at the top and two square openings at either side of the F12C chassis. All of these openings are air vents. The satin black frame surrounding them is a magnet that attaches on metal studs bolted onto the aluminum frame, locking the mesh filter into the cutout.
The mesh filters are very thin and soft, with a high aperture. It unlikely that they are capable of blocking much of the dust from entering the case, as some of the very small dust particles will easily go through the holes. On the other hand, they are very easily removable and washable, making them very practical.
The bottom of the case is simple, with some openings punched to serve as air vents. There are four aluminum circular feet with soft rubber pads attached. The chassis model is etched onto the chassis and there is a small sticker with the serial of the product as well.
The rear of the F12C chassis is very simple and plain design. It essentially looks like a typical tower case that has fallen on its side. An aluminum cover shields the expansion card slot screws. Strangely, there are no ventilation or fan openings, even though there is more than enough space of a small exhaust fan.
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Wwhat - Wednesday, September 23, 2015 - link
In 2015? I thought nobody watched live-TV anymore.CrimsonFury - Thursday, November 26, 2015 - link
4x or more USB 3.0 ports is common on mATX boards these days and built in wi-fi is common on higher end models. The rest of what you mentioned would fit on a mATX board.CrimsonFury - Thursday, November 26, 2015 - link
Also SAS RAID seems like overkill for HTPCAkrovah - Tuesday, September 15, 2015 - link
I never get anything smaller. More room = more features.Handsome Jack - Wednesday, June 1, 2016 - link
I do. I love home theatre and gaming. I want to build a HTPC/gaming machine for my lounge room. I have an ONKYO TX-NR3030 and I'm absolutely loving the ATMOS surround sound with my projector. Now I want to match that with a lovely large HTPC case. I don't want a tower in my lounge room and I certainly don't want a NUC or tiny square machine sitting awkardly to one side. I LOVE full size components. Surely it's not just me?I would love nothing more than to have a huge, full sized HTPC case to complement my audio equipment. The idea of coming home to watch an atmos film, then play same AAA games on full power from the one big fat machine is a wonderful thought for me. We're not trying to make our pre-amps, power-amps, high-level CD players and what not smaller. Why can't a get a stonking Denon/Marantz/Onkyo-esque looking HTPC??
The only one I've ever found is made by a little company called Steiger Dynamics. They're products however, are extrodinarly overpriced and you can't just buy their cases separately.
Peichen - Monday, September 14, 2015 - link
Interesting case but the company needs to change its name. What is Strea com?BTW, I fit in a mATX board, GTX980, 1 wireless PCI-express card, 1 Blu-ray drive, 4 HDD, 1 SSD and 2 120mm fans into a Prodigy M. I can fit 2 more SSD and if I remove the Blu-ray, 1 more 120mm fan or 240mm radiator.
ImSpartacus - Monday, September 14, 2015 - link
You probably could've fit that in the mitx version as well. The prodigy is a beast.Gigaplex - Monday, September 14, 2015 - link
Mini-ITX only has one PCIe slot. Peichen quoted 2 PCIe cards. That said, if their WiFi card was mini-PCIe it would probably work fine, although a 980 might be too long to use with the drive cages.Ubercake - Monday, September 14, 2015 - link
It looks like a Gateway desktop case from the mid-90s with added ventilation that looks to be arranged a little strangely simply for the sake of symmetry.If I'm building an HTPC, I want it to be quiet. This design is well too open to offer anything close to silence.
YukaKun - Monday, September 14, 2015 - link
For all I like the design, no front bays keeps me away. Also the lack of front USB ports.It might be ugly and a big chunky, but CoolerMasters' Elite 361 is the perfect trade off in size and function.
Cheers!