A Closer Look - Inside

You have to use the provided hex key to access the interior. With the panel removed, you can see that the interior is simple, although quite elaborately designed. Just looking at the spring-loaded locking mechanism, it goes to show how well-thought-out the design is. This small but intricate contraption acts as a locking mechanism for the four side panels, while also holding the screws for the top panel. In addition to these functions, there is an embedded spring, which raises the top panel for easy removal.


You may remove all four side panels of the chassis to have 360° access to the interior. Considering that the DB4 is quite compact, this should really make assembly a breeze. Once the motherboard tray is removed, you are left with the frame and individual mounting brackets.


Out of the box, there are six such black bars, which allow you to install everything from the cooler to 2.5'' or 3.5" drives. Thanks to the many holes and the unique use of the frame for rails, you are completely flexible and can opt to install storage drives vertically or horizontally.

I have included an excerpt from the user's manual to show you some of the most common possibilities. Unfortunately, all of the shown scenarios will require more rails than are present inside the chassis with the exception of one, but only if a nanoPSU is used. But don't worry: You will be able to buy additional rails in the near future.


The two expansion slots are protected by solid steel covers. Next to these is a basic air vent, right next to the opening for the motherboard's backplate.


You will find the I/O to consist of two simple but effective USB 3.0 extension cables screwed into the floor of the DB4. The Power LED and leads are unified on a proper black PCB, which is a nice touch. There is an opening for a nanoPSU's plug, should you use such a plug instead of the fully sized plug on the ZF240.


All the cables inside the Streacom DB4 are of the default variety. As there is only a power button alongside the power LED, you will not find any reset or HDD LED cables. It was a design choice from Streacom to do away with the activity LED of the HDD, but I would have liked one since it is at times the only way to figure out if a system has frozen or is just working like mad.