IT SEEMS LIKE everyone and their mother is trying to get into the small form factor business these days. Motherboard makers have been quick to whip up barebones cubes, but few have deviated from Shuttle's popular XPC mold. Not Soltek. Its latest "Mania" Qbic small form factor systems not only offer more expansion capacity than Shuttle's venerable G-series chassis, they also come wrapped in a wild aesthetic that easily sets them apart from the rest of the field.

These ain't no copycat cubes.

For gamers and enthusiasts, the most attractive member of the Mania series is the Socket 939-based Qbic EQ3901. With four colors to choose from, VIA's trusty K8T800 Pro chipset, a pair of 5.25" drive bays, and a beefy 300W power supply, the Qbic EQ3901 could be a great alternative to more established small form factor brands. Read on to find out if it measures up.