Akasa Galileo Review

Performance Analysis

The skinny dimensions of the Galileo didn't do it too many favours when it came to cooling, where it was usually a few degrees warmer than the larger Euler. Using the 65W TDP CPU and the case enclosed in a TV cabinet, the temperature peaked at a delta T of 63°C - pretty toasty and certainly not what you'd want to be running it at 24/7. Using the 35W TDP CPU saw the delta T tumble to 40°C.

The delta T dropped to a slightly more favourable 57°C when the case was in the open, falling to just 32°C with the 35W TDP CPU installed - clearly where the Galileo felt much more at home. Thankfully, if you just have Netflix in mind for your PC, then a 65W TDP CPU isn't such a bad idea [though total overkill - Ed.]. Streaming some HD content saw the delta T settle at 38°C but using the lower TDP CPU still saw a huge difference, with the delta T here a measly 25°C while using Netflix.



Conclusion

It's clear that the Euler is a far more capable case cooling-wise than the Galileo thanks to it's larger array of heatsinks. This was proven across the board and with both 65W and 35W TDP CPUs, so despite having a more elaborate internal cooling arrangement with heatpipes, the extra surface area counted for more in our tests.



That's not to say the Galileo was a complete disaster - within the confines of Akasa's TDP recommendations of a 35W CPU, it passed all our tests with flying colours, and to manage anything with a CPU with nearly double this power draw isn't something to be sniffed at. Clearly the Euler also has an advantage in that it can house a 2.5in SSD too - something that's likely to appeal more to HTPC owners given that mSATA SSDs are still expensive by comparison. The Euler is also easier to build and cheaper.

The Galileo is clearly designed to be tucked out of the way behind monitors or under desks and here it will excel. It's around half the height of the Euler and the price premium nets you a super-slim fanless case that's extremely well built and handles 35W CPUs with ease. However, if your funds can't stretch to one of Streacom's fanless HTPC cases and you don't mind doing away with front USB ports and in internal optical drive, then the Euler still gets our vote.