If I have learned anything about building Mini-ITX computers it is that there is no perfect case. It is possible to get the right one for your circumstances but even though the selection is not huge, it is hard to sort through them and find what you need. Many are larger than they have to be, others don't have an expension slot or only use a slot loading optical drive, while still others are priced entirely out of reach of most consumers. It helps if you are not that picky, but if you are going through the trouble of building a small computer you probably are.

With my own Mini-ITX boxes I have tried a number of different cases, each one reflecting my goal for the system. Sometimes size was the main issue, while others needed a full expansion slot or had to be placed in a rack. Each Mini-ITX motherboard is a bit different and most are better suited to one case or another, but it is always worth investigating your choices and taking into account the possibility of future changes to the system.

This time around we will be looking at the LC05 from SilverStone, an extremely slick looking case with a number of differences from the models we have reviewed in the past. The case is flat and stackable, so it should fit nicely into a number of areas where other enclosures would not, such as in with home theater equipment or as a desktop style case, possibly with a monitor on top of it. Perhaps the most interesting feature of this enclosure is that has an exposed 5.25" bay, which means you can used a full-sized optical drive or any number of other devices in this area.