The ssupd Xhuttle actually feels adequately priced at $140 if you look at it in images, with its unusual layout, unique tooling and plenty of details. But once you factor in that you have to make do with a bit more plastic and a few other aspects, the case feels less premium. The fact that you have to spend another $10 to be able to use one major USP of the chassis doesn't help either.

While ssupd has managed to create a unique chassis, it is clear that it has tried to use a material mix that is cost conscious. Custom tooling that isn't simply sourced from some manufacturer is expensive. That said, plastic scuffs easily - especially if you aim to use the alternate stance, you want to make sure to baby those surfaces. One could argue that while the Xhuttle looks different, it doesn't look like a ssupd case particularly. That indeed does feel like a bit of a departure from a brand that felt like boutique SFF was its bread and butter. Instead, we would have expected to have an evolution of their mesh enclosures which would be easily recognizable as ssupd.

The ssupd Xhuttle has so much going on, it is a bit hard knowing where to start. From the way the components are enveloped by the chassis with exterior cables running along interior channels, or the different take on dual channel setups with the 90° rotation - there is a lot to digest. While it is nice that you can change the stance of the case, we are inclined to not weigh this feature heavily, as you still have to pay extra for it. As such, the Xhuttle seemed to lack a little bit of cohesion - there was simply too much to take in, with some included elements like the screwed in GPU support or special foot for the alternate stance embedded in various locations.

But as you build in the case, and you start looking past the plastic bits, the skepticism you may have towards the engineering will slowly change to understanding or even agreement. We found ourselves stepping back after final assembly and viewing the cable management and seeing a clean overall interior. ssupd has managed to at least make the case come together well in its built state.

That said, it does at times feel a little bit rough around the edges, from the ARGB strip being the most prominent visual indicator that seems dated, to the four identically sized, all-plastic buttons that have the functions roughly embossed unto them. Once you see these details, it is hard to unsee them. The unfortunate cherry on top here is the fact that ssupd doesn't provide enough screws to install all four 2.5" drives. The biggest functional issue you need to be concerned about is the fact that the GPU gets a bit warmer in comparison to the majority of cases we have reviewed.

The ssupd does manage to break away from the monotony of other dual-chamber cases. While it includes three fans and great ARGB controller for $140, you may be torn between having to make do with those rough edges and a mediocre material mix, or opting for a mainstream dual-chamber case that feels a lot more premium, but loose out on the budget ARGB fans and resort to your motherboard lighting control. We commend ssupd for the creativity and guts to forge its own path, so the case deserves the innovation award, but it needs to be more refined to be recommendable.