Streacom DA2: Small Form Factor, Big Possibilities
by Joe Shields on May 25, 2018 12:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- Mini ITX
- AIO
- SFF
- Streacom
Streacom has announced a new Small Form Factor (SFF) PC chassis named the DA2. In their own words, the DA2 is a 'compact ITX case designed to strike a balance between size and compatibility, allowing high-performance components to fit comfortably in a small form factor space'. The DA2 doesn’t claim to be the smallest case, but one whose focus is on cooling performance and compatibility while still sticking with the size principles of a small form factor design. In other words, design and cooling are more important than size and RGB LED lighting.
The DA2 measures in at 13.3” x 7” x 11.2” (LxWxH) and from the outside and has a very unassuming aesthetic with its aluminum alloy (6063) chassis. The case comes in two colors, silver or black, with a sandblasted finish. The two side panels and back panels are vented using over 2000 holes while the top and bottom panels feature mesh grills. The power button is made from glass and uses a tiny pinpoint of white light at the center for the only integrated LED on the chassis. The front IO is milled for a solid block of aluminum and includes a single USB Type-C connector. Notable about this front panel is its ability to be replaced. Streacom says they can simply fabricate an updated panel if there is a demand for it.
Internally, the DA2 is where it really sets itself apart from other cases. While the vast majority of cases have dedicated bays for components which makes builds fast and easy, it tends to limit the usable space and limit flexibility. The DA2 uses what they call a ‘universal bracket’ with a track that is integrated into the frame. This design allows the brackets to fit anywhere along the sides of the frame. Other than the motherboard and expansion card (able to be flipped) components are able to be repositioned anywhere along the tracks improving customization and flexibility. Streacom says if it physically fits inside the case, there is going to be a way to mount it.
So what can fit inside of it? We know a Mini-ITX sized motherboard is the only option on that front. As far as cooling support, the DA2 is able to fit a CPU cooler with a maximum height of 145mm. Video card support is up to a dual slot cooling solution measuring in at 12.9” x 5.9” x 1.9” (LxWxH) which should fit most full-length GPUs. Water cooling support ranges from 120mm to 280mm sized radiators with some flexibility in mounting locations. Fan support ranges from 40 to 180mm, and a 92mm mount on the rear (no fans are included). The DA2 will hold up to three 3.5-inch drives or eight 2.5-inch drives for storage needs while power supply support ranges from SFX to ATX.
Streacom DA2 | ||
Model | DA2 | |
Case Type | SFF Mini Tower | |
Dimensions (LxWxH) | 13.3" x 7" x 11.2" | |
Color | Silver or Black | |
Material | Aluminum | |
Net Weight | 3.9kg | |
External Drive Bays | None | |
HDD/SSD Bays | 3 x 3.5" or 8 x 2.5" | |
Expansion Slots | 2 (for GPU) | |
Motherboard Type | Mini-ITX | |
System Fan | Front: 8x 120mm Top: 3x 140mm Rear: 2x 120/140mm |
|
I/O Ports | 1x USB Type-C | |
VGA Card Support | (L)330mm | |
CPU Cooling Support | (H)145mm | |
PSU Support | SFX, SFX-L, and ATX | |
Radiator Support | 120 to 280mm |
The DA2 will officially launch at Computex 2018 on June 5th where it will be displayed in public for the first time. It is expected to be available in retail stores by mid-August. Pricing was not announced.
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Source: Streacom
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Vatharian - Friday, May 25, 2018 - link
Extremely interesting idea! I hope that they will use some kind of industry standard mounting system fo the rails, because this may be the next big thing. Consider me sold already!Chaitanya - Friday, May 25, 2018 - link
Streacom cases are quite expensive to begin with and do have some unique design concepts and compromises.milkywayer - Friday, May 25, 2018 - link
This looks pretty hot. I'll have to measure it up against the Louqe Ghost S1 since I've already pre ordered that and my Dan Case v3 is already shipped from Taiwan. The only thing i dont like about dan is lack of 3.5inch hdd space which the Ghost will handle fine with the medium optional hat.DanNeely - Friday, May 25, 2018 - link
The fan info for this case appears to be left over from copying the table from a much larger case. It definitely doesn't have room for:Front: 8x 120mm
Top: 3x 140mm
Rear: 2x 120/140mm
niva - Friday, May 25, 2018 - link
The arrangement of the components in the last picture doesn't correspond to the back of the case shown in the earlier photos. They also have this in the table in regards to HDD bays: 3 x 3.5" or 8 x 2.5" and I'm not sure how that's possible given how crammed everything already appears to be inside the case.If it's true, this case would make for a great little server.
I'm not sure what's going on...
That being said I'm definitely interested in a review of a finished product.
DanNeely - Saturday, May 26, 2018 - link
The screwy looking rail things in pic 4 are so you can hang parts wherever you want inside. Poking around on their website shows the power plug cutout on the back goes to an internal cable leading to the PSU itself. I don't think you could align a PSU directly on the back without interfering with the PCIe retention bracket.JackTheBear - Friday, May 25, 2018 - link
It may be small, but it doesn't look portable. Seems like it needs a handle.megadirk - Friday, May 25, 2018 - link
Been waiting for a case like this. Here's hoping they make it an option to lay it on it's side as well.milkywayer - Friday, May 25, 2018 - link
Get the Dan Case or Louqe Ghost if you want something really compact yet same components capacity as these big cases.HardwareDufus - Friday, May 25, 2018 - link
Am I the last remaining person that still thinks it's useful to at least have a Slim Blu-Ray drive?I own two systems with the Silverstone SG055bb cases with the 450w SFX 80+ bronze power supplies. Each of these systems contains Blu-Ray drive in the external slimline optical drive bay. I've also mounted 2 2.5" SSD in each system. There is ample space for good air circulation and cooling, albeit not for a radiator.
I'm starting to think mITX form factor, watercooling and slimline opticals are too much to define for one case. Pick two of the three.