Packaging and Contents

While we usually receive the samples in the same packaging you can expect to see, this is actually the second Xhuttle sample we received as the first one was destroyed on its way to us. That first shipment did have a branded box, but we properly disassembled the non-usable sample and recycled all components including the packaging, not knowing the replacement would ship in a plain package instead. The foam spacers however are something you can expect to find protecting your case as well. On top of that there is a plastic bag to further fend off fingerprints and scratches.


ssupd ships the case with a compact assembly guide. Only at the final stages of completing the review did we realize that there is a far more detailed version available online. On top of that, you will find assorted screws, and some skinny zip ties which aren't very sturdy. Unfortunately, while you are able to install up to four 2.5" drives inside the Xhuttle, ssupd only supplies screws for two. To make matters worse, these are not your traditional fasteners, making the task of sourcing additional ones on your own a bit more challenging. There is also a metal cover for the cable management. There is a second one, but since that one is held in place by the foam spacer, that one comes pre-installed.


Lastly, ssupd includes an internal power supply cable, which you will need when you want to use the alternative stand the chassis is capable of. However, this is not part of the standard accessories and was only provided by ssupd marketing to reviewers. So you will not be able to use the alternate stance of the case unless you source this cable.

A Closer Look - Outside

Out of the box, the ssupd Xhuttle does look quite different when compared to classic dual-chamber mid-towers out there. The design features some nice sliced off corners, which also shape the glass edges, but there is a lot going on the exterior and interior of the case. ssupd has also sprinkled a few rounded elements into the mix. One unique element is the fact that you could disassemble the feet and IO port of the chassis and move them unto the back so that you could technically stand the case up that way, making for an inverted motherboard layout where the GPU is horizontal above the CPU, with its fans facing upward. While the case does feel sturdy, there are large pieces of plastic. While some make sense, as the shape would be difficult to manufacture with metal, having the top panel be mostly plastic is unfortunate.


Looking at the Xhuttle from the front, you can see that this section of the case is asymmetrical with cut corners on the left. The glass panel is well-designed and feels sturdy, with clean black framing. You do see quite a bit of metal as well behind the glass and ssupd has embedded an ARGB strip behind it. This should be quite nice, but the engineering is chunky, making it look a bit dated in comparison to other implementations we have seen in recent years.


The main glass side has a similar design with the left corners cut at 45°. Here you will also find the I/O in the base of the case, facing to the left. This makes sense, as you are going to be placing the case on the left of your monitor to be able to see all your hardware through the glass anyway. It consists of the usual USB-C, two USB-A 3.0 ports and one audio combo jack. The only pet peeve we have here is the fact that the Type-A ports are OEM blue instead of matching the color of the chassis. Turning the Xhuttle around, there is a steel panel with two vents to give your power supply access to fresh air as well as any fan you may install on the backside of the CPU area using the internal mounting bracket. These openings have a magnetic metal mesh dust filter to keep dirt out of the chassis.


In the back, the overall shape of the case changes once again. Here you will find a vent with another magnetic dust filter. Unlike the one on the side, it uses a finer material to keep dirt away. Next to it there is that large cable routing hole, so that you may run all the wires from your system out this side of the case. That cover we mentioned at the beginning is meant to be snapped on here and holds to the structure with magnets as well. Lastly, there is the PSU bay, which is pretty straightforward with one set of mounting holes.


At the top, yes you guessed it, the shape is once again different. This cover is made of plastic and ssupd has embedded a mesh dust filter. This is because this side would act as the front of the chassis if you set the case down on its back. The ssupd Xhuttle also includes an ARGB controller which offers lots of animations and color choices to pick from using the four buttons. While it is great to have this much control over your embedded lighting, these four buttons are not pretty to put it mildly. Lastly, there is that second cable routing opening with another magnetic metal cover. This one gives you easy access to the motherboard without having to pull off the whole cover panel.


Speaking of which, the ssupd Xhuttle front cover is meant to be taken off, as this is where you will find all the outputs to the expansion slot as well. A simple, plastic log holds it in place. While functional, that focus on plastic is unfortunate. If that breaks, the whole panel won't stay in place anymore. You may actually install three 120 mm fans here if you like, which would ideally push air out of the chassis. However, it should be noted, that this fan setup only works if the PCIe for your GPU is in line with the second expansion slot of the chassis. There are also two Velcro strips to help with routing the cable to the back of the case, which is a very nice detail.


On the underside, there is another fine mesh dust filter, which you may pull out easily from the front of the Xhuttle. If you look closely, you will also see a square that you may punch out. This is where the PSU extension wire will route your power input to if you go for the alternate placement configuration. If you consider the shape of the glass panel, you could refer to the default setup as the "D" stance, while the alternative would be the "U" stance.