Streacom ST-BC1 Mini V2 Aluminium Open Benchtable

The BC1 V2, a familiar form factor but with a huge engineering re-design that is nothing short of spectacular. It aims to be more robust, more versatile, more functional, more practical and easier to use than ever before.

The BC1 MINI as the name suggests is a small version of the award-wining BC1 Open Benchtable. We took everything great about the BC1 and shrunk it down to perfectly suit ITX and SFF PC builds.

It may be smaller but it still shares the same 8mm thick precision machined and anodised aluminium construction which offers fantastic rigidity while also being extremely lightweight. With the reduced size, it only weighs 805g but still manages to incorporate the same self-contained design which makes it incredibly portable, versatile and easy to store.

Whilst overclocking on an ITX platform is not exactly the “done thing”, the BC1 MINI does allow for it, and lets you build an incredibly compact, robust open small form fact rig or test bench.

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AN UNRIVALED & INGENIOUS DESIGN

Just like the large ATX version, the beauty of the BC1 Mini lies in the design that is extremely simple yet highly functional.

A key objective was portability, even more so for the compact ITX form factor meaning it would need to occupy minimal space when not in use and be self-contained for ease of transport.

The solution was to derive everything from a single slender body, integrating and incorporating all the parts so they could also be stored and occupy minimal space.

SIMPLE TO ASSEMBLE AND USE

Having to assemble before use my seem tedious but thanks to the toolless assembly and custom screws, assembly and use is a breeze. Once the feet are attached to the body all that remains is to add the standoffs in the appropriate locations depending on your motherboard size. Support for expansion cards, storage drives and cooling it achieved with more thumbscrews and the included brackets.

With the use of its pushpin standoffs, no screws are required to secure the motherboard in place making it ideal for quick and easy hardware testing and swapping.

BC1 mini V2 with installed components

COMPREHENSIVE HARDWARE SUPPORT

You would be forgiven for thinking the compromises made to achieve such a portable product would leave it lacking in hardware compatibility. On the contrary, the BC1 has incredible hardware support thanks to its open platform design. The adjustable side bracket approach to mounting hardware also provides a wide range of support for cooling and other hardware to be mounted.

A VERSATILE APPROACH TO MOUNTING HARDWARE

With such a compact and minimal design, a different approach was needed to add support for cooling such as fans and radiators. The solution is side mounting brackets that pivot to adjust for different size fans.

The V2 now features twice as many brackets that can either be combined to support longer screws and higher loads or split and use together at a single location or individually to add more mounting locations.