SilverStone Milo ML02

While there were a few small problems with the Milo ML02, the Nitrogon NT07 heatsink proved to be much more problematic. The NT07 is designed for Socket 478 and Socket 479 motherboards that have a mobile processor (MoDT systems). There is no list of compatible or certified motherboards on the NT07 product page, but SilverStone had specifically mentioned the MSI 945GT Speedster-A4R as a motherboard for use with the NT07 v1.0. With the Celeron M and 945GT Speedster-A4R we had attempted to install the NT07 v1.0 but it didn't go so well. The NT07 was too wide to even fit inside the Socket 478 plastic mounting bracket. This was quite a surprise to see with the Speedster-A4R complying with Socket 478 specifications and other heatsinks fitting. Even with the plastic mounting bracket bending, the NT07 simply would not fit.

In order to make the NT07 fit, we had to make some heatsink modifications. We started using a hand file designed for metals, but after 20 minutes of filing the aluminum by hand, the heatsink still wouldn't fit. Next we turned to a Dewalt 18 Volt drill with a grinding bit attached. The process was repeated of grinding the sides on the NT07 for 15 to 20 minutes, but still the heatsink was too wide. Next we had used a Black & Decker drill press with a grinding bit attached and 40 minutes later we were finally able to shave off enough aluminum. Over an hour later the heatsink finally fit inside the Socket 478 plastic frame. However, in the process of shaving this metal the four aluminum pads had managed to come off, so we then turned to a larger square pad. With the MSI 945GT Speedster-A4R being a motherboard recommended to us by SilverStone for the NT07 and ML02, it looks like our petite heatsink had a manufacturing problem.

Editor's Note (August 10, 2007): We have been told by SilverStone that they found out from MSI that the 945GT Speedster bracket is proprietary and does not comply with the standard Socket 478 bracket dimensions, which led to the problems we had experienced. SilverStone engineers have tried out different Gigabyte and AOpen MoDT motherboards and found no issues with the NT07 cooler.

With the system assembled, we were finally able to power up. The SST-ML02B-MXR was incredibly quiet with our hardware and the front panel display was very clear. The SilverStone Milo ML02 uses an iMON panel for the infrared remote control and LCD display. Microsoft Windows drivers ship on a CD with the ML02, but there is a Linux driver available on the Internet. The Linux driver for the Soundgraph iMON devices work in conjunction with LIRC and LCDproc.