VARDHAMAN TECHNOLOGY

Why Small Form Factor?
A functional computer does not need much to operate. Most users get by fine with a single hard drive, single optical drive, single CPU, single Ethernet interface, and often do not need a single PCI slot thanks to the integration of just about everything onto modern motherboards.

A high-performance system often is not much more than what is listed above — instead of onboard video, a single full-sized AGP slot for a Radeon 9800XT, and instead of a smaller 160GB or 250GB 7200rpm hard drive, a Western Digital Raptor fits in the exact same space as any other typical 3.5" hard drive. A single 5.25" expansion bay makes a standard-sized optical drive possible, from a simple CD-RW to a DVD-/+RW for a high-end machine. A machine with the same capabilities as a full-sized desktop can now be repackaged in a small box, without the difficulties of sourcing special "small" and "low-profile" components that people had to do in the past.

Small Form Factor (SFF) represents a new footprint for computers — one where they're now small enough to disappear from the desk, or the exact opposite: often considered attractive enough in their brushed-aluminum and anodized-black finishes with bright blue LEDs to be a showpiece of status.

One theme that kept coming to the forefront in our discussions of the hows and whys of SFF systems was that of sexiness. With their brushed aluminum, sleek black, or pearl white exteriors, SFF boxes have a certain visual appeal that other cases lack. So for some, the choice of an SFF system can be just as much about aesthetics as it is performance. With the multitude of SFF choices available, there is seldom any need to sacrifice performance for a looks.

Defining the SFF
A typical small form factor PC is not quite a cube. A shoebox is a better approximation of its size, or maybe even a toaster oven. They can take the processor of your choice, have onboard video, sound, USB, Firewire, Ethernet, and often an PCI-Express or PCI slot for a little bit of expansion. A single 5.25" bay and one or two 3.5" bays usually rounds things out. It is enough for a complete, full-featured system — but just barely.

The most popular SFF boxes today from Panache are all of similar size, having roughly square dimensions in height and width and being somewhat longer. This fits a small power supply of 150 to 250 watts and gives enough room for a 60mm or 80mm fan in back for system and CPU cooling. A back panel full of VGA, USB, ethernet, sound, and firewire connectors provides a complete set of expansion opportunities. The front panels usually have USB, Firewire, and audio ports for additional expansion. Custom or semi-custom CPU heatsink/fan combinations are provided by most makers, with the most notable being Panache’ heat-pipe with an 80mm exhaust fan. One expansion slots, usually one PCIe or one PCI, makes it into most SFF systems. Vented side panels help keep high-end video cards cool, and the expansion slots usually have room for full height cards so that the latest high-end video cards will fit.

SFF boxes outside of these dimensions are fairly common as well, but these are the typical dimensions that most people associate with SFF. Larger and smaller chassis, particularly super-slim ones and closer-to-cube-shaped ones are other common SFF shapes and sizes.

One exposed 5.25" bay for optical drives sits at the front of a typical SFF box, with a handful of 3.5" bays below it. One exposed 3.5" bay for a flash card reader or floppy drive (!) and another hidden 3.5" bay for a hard drive is pretty typical. Vented front panels provide for some cooling, although with all of the drive bays stacked tight atop each other, typical SFF systems are not welcome places for those with hot-running multiple-hard drive setups. No matter what size SFF you select, expect it to be small and tightly packed, since that is the nature of SFF.

Due to their small size, SFF systems usually are not particularly quiet or cool. The number of components commonly found inside of a mid-tower chassis being crammed into a chassis less than 1/3rd the size results in a compact system with a very large number of heat-producing components in extremely close proximity. For most less-than-full load situations, careful tweaking of temperature-controlled fan settings often does the trick. A typical SFF box should be quiet enough for most users, provided they are not expecting silence.

Finally, SFF systems usually ship as barebones units (chassis, motherboard, power supply), due to their proprietary rear backplane layout. Packing everything inside such a small space has lead to extensive manufacturer customization of the motherboard and chassis.