SilverStone Milo ML05 Review

Performance Analysis

We haven't tested any standard mini-ITX HTPC cases since we updated our test gear, with the recent cases such as Akasa's Galileo and Streacom's ST-FC5S Evo having very different setups and strict TDP limits. As the Milo ML05 can potentially house larger coolers, we've used our standard mini-ITX setup, minus the graphics card.


With a moderately toasty 4.3GHz Intel Core i5 2500K under the hood, the Milo ML05 fared remarkably well, topping out at a delta T of 61°C, which is just 2°C warmer than the Fractal Design Node 304 on its lowest fan speed. Admittedly the latter also had a graphics card to contend with but given the tight confines and only the CPU cooler and PSU exhausting air from the case, it's an encouraging result.

With our CPU cooler exhausting air to the side vents, it's clearly acting as an exhaust fan too, which is likely the reason why the temperature doesn't have a runaway effect. In any event, if you're using a less demanding CPU, you won't have to worry about temperatures, even if you use a slightly smaller CPU cooler.

Conclusion

With such a low price tag, it's easy to cast aside any minor shortcomings from any case. Thankfully, the Milo ML05 doesn't have any major issues either. The only snag really is that the 120mm fan mount, optical drive mount and 3.5in hard disk mounts are all shared. However, there are easy ways around this if you're prepared to spend a little more, such as using the ample 2.5in drive slots to house a large 2.5in hard disk, or even using an external drive or NAS box.

Cooling is largely dependant on your CPU cooler but if our comparatively large Zalman CNPS 8900 cooler handles an overclocked K-series CPU, then something much smaller such as Phanteks' PH-TC90LS should be able to handle a Pentium or Core i3 CPU with no trouble at all. If you can get along with the mirrored front panel then apart from maybe IR support, everything else you need to built a cheap but well-featured HTPC is here.