Three Antec HTPC Cases Compared

Building an HTPC (Home Theater PC)? You'll need a nice case for your project. AnandTech compares three HTPC cases from Antec:

• Micro Fusion 350 (includes 350W power supply) (US$180)
• Fusion Remote Black ($150)
• Fusion Remote Max ($200)

The components fitted in the cases during the test were the following:

• Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 (2.2GHz) processor
• Asus P5E-VM SE motherboard (Intel G35 chipset)
• 4GB OCZ DDR2 PC2-8500 Platinum Series memory
• Western Digital 400GB HDD
• Zalman CNPS7700 CPU cooler
• Antec Signature SG-650W PSU

"Any one of these should fit in quite nicely with a home theater environment. The only real question is what size HTPC you want to use. We like the small Micro Fusion as a basic HTPC, since it requires the least space. However, it is also the most limited in terms of features and expansion options. All of the cases are well built and meet the high standards that we have come to expect from Antec. There are no sharp edges or any serious issues, other than the fact that on the smaller cases you will need to be a bit more patient when installing your components." [AnandTech | Antec Fusion HTPC Shootout]

Of course, one could choose a regular tower microATX as the chassis for an HTPC, although this will surely not blend well with your home theater. As AnandTech suggests, an HTPC case should have a nice and sleek design that will fit in with the entertainment center in your living room, and should be small and designed to fit together with a stereo amplifier, game console, and/or DVD player.

Technorati : antec, case, home, htpc, theater

Lian Li PC-V2110 Case Reviewed

The Lian Li PC-V2110 (US$399) is a "Super Full Tower" PC case that features:

• Aluminum construction

• E-ATX,ATX, M-ATX motherboard form-factor compatibility

• Top panel with USB2.0 x4, Firewire x1, E-SATA x1, and AC97+HD Audio
• 7 external 5.25" bays
• 8 Internal 3.5" bays
• 14cm ball-bearing front case fan (3 speed)
• 12cm ball-bearing rear case fan (3 speed)

• 210x620X620 dimensions

• 14Kg overall weight

AnandTech reviewed the PC-V2110, and was very pleased with it:

"For those that demand ultimate quality and class, the PC-V2110 qualifies as the stylish statesman of PC cases. It's ready to accept a hefty processor and high-end graphics card out of the box with no difficulty. If you're willing to add a few more extra fans, it can hold pretty much all the computer you want to throw at it. If you have the money to burn and find yourself partial to Lian Li quality and styling, you won't be disappointed with the V2110." [AnandTech | Lian Li PC-V2110]

The PC-V2110 may probably be geared for the extreme enthusiast (or one with deep pockets). Nevertheless, if you like its features and style, and have the moolah for it, it is definitely a great case to consider.

Technorati : case, full, lian li, pc, review, tower

Antec Twelve Hundred Case Reviewed

Antec is releasing a replacement of its Nine Hundred case: the Twelve Hundred (US$200). Compared to the Nine Hundred, the Twelve Hundred is taller, supports 12 drives (against 9), has a sleeker look, individual fan speed controls, and washable dust screens on each drive bay.

ExtremeTech gives the Twelve Hundred 7 out of 10:

"We like the Twelve Hundred a lot, but it's hard to look at its premium price ($200 with no power supply) and not wish for more. It's well thought-out, roomy enough for a lot of high end components, and attractive in a minimalist way. But it's also pretty basic. For this kind of price, we want the option for tool-less drive and card installation, and at the very least, the ability to turn off those damn blue LEDs on every fan, not just the top one. If we were to use this case in our homes, there's a good chance we would take some wire cutters to the leads on those fan LEDs to permanently shut them off. This is a great choice for a really high-end PC that needs lots of room inside and plenty of efficient, quiet air cooling, but not so great as to justify the $200 price point." [ExtremeTech | Antec Twelve Hundred Review]

If you have deep enough pockets, and don't mind the absence of tool-less construction (and the inability to turn off the blue LEDs), the Twelve Hundred case is for you.

Technorati : antec, case, hundred, pc, review, twelve

Lian Li PC-A77 Full Tower Case Reviewed

HardwareZone takes a good look at the Lian Li PC-A77 Full Tower. The case features:

• Aluminum chassis
• 12 x 5.25" External Drive Bays
• 9 x 3.5" Internal Drive Bays
• 7 Rear Expansion Slots
• 1 rear 120mm fan / 3 x 120mm fans attached to HDD cages
• Motherboard Support type: Micro, Standard ATX and Extended ATX

"While we like to say the PC-A77 is perfect, and it is as close to a perfect casing as you can get, there are some minor things that make us shy away slightly. ... In the long run it doesn't really matter, as the casing really hits the sweet spot as far as we're concerned. Doing away with flashy lights, outlandish designs and going back to basics is something of a win-win for us and many users who prefer neutral designs." [ hardwarezone ]

HardwareZone gave the Lian Li PC-A77 Full Tower a rating of 4 Stars (Very Good).

Technorati : aluminum, case, full, lian li, pc, review, tower

Antec Mini P180 Case Reviewed

The Antec Mini P180 case (US$129) gets evaluated at ExtremeTech.com. The case features a mini-tower form factor, front USB (x2) / mic / headphone / eSATA ports, swiveling front door cover (270 degrees), washable front and bottom dust screens, 120mm rear exhaust fan, 200mm top exhaust fan.

"The whole case shows fine attention to detail and quality-even the case interior, which most people will never see, is black to match the exterior instead of the standard anodized aluminum or steel color. There are no rough or sharp edges anywhere, no cheap plastic clasps or clamps. If you're building a performance PC in a Micro ATX form factor (not a bad idea these days), it's a fantastic solution. Our only real gripe is the price ..." [ExtremeTech]

ExtremeTech gives the Antec Mini P180 its mark of approval, being rated as 9 out of 10. You'd be truly happy with its great construction, superb cooling design, and its readiness to accept big graphics cards. It's a little too pricey for a micro-ATX case, but it would be a great option if you have deep pockets.

Technorati : antec, atx, case, mini, p180, review

Lian Li PC-A10 Aluminum Case Reviewed

HardwareZone takes a close look at the Lian Li PC-A10 (US$310), an aluminum PC case that features Micro / Standard ATX motherboard support, 7 x 5.25" External Drive Bays, 5 x 3.5" Internal Drive Bays, 7 Rear Expansion Slots, 2 x Front USB2.0 ports, 1 x FireWire (IEEE 1394) port, Audio In/Out, 1 rear 120mm fan, 1 top 120mm fan, 1 side 120mm fan, 1 front 120mm fan, 535mm x 215mm x 522mm, and 9kg net weight.

"Make no mistake, this aluminum full tower is not for the riff raff. Even power users who don't mind paying for their toys may baulk at its whopping US$310 price tag. The average consumer will find it a massive overkill and would probably be better off spending the money on bettering other components of the PC. In short, this casing is strictly for the hardcore crowd who doesn't mind the exorbitant price for its gargantuan and well built full aluminum construct, but we don't count ourselves as one of them." [HardwareZone]

Personally, I would not spend $300 for any single PC hardware component, but that's just me. What I like about the PC-A10 is its dual power supply support (2 PSUs inside the case). This would probably put an end to PSU problems, distributing the total wattage load to two power supplies. At this price level, it would have been better if the case also supported E-ATX and/or BTX motherboards. I believe that if you do shell out the required dough for a case this expensive, it should at least support almost all motherboard sizes. Then again, that's just me.

Technorati : Lian Li, PC, aluminum, case, dual, power, review, supply

3 Micro-ATX Cases Compared

AnandTech compares three micro-ATX cases: the Antec Aria (US$100), PC Design Lab Qmicra (US$300), and Ultra MicroFly (US$90).

"Smaller and smaller cases are sure to come through our labs as customers clamor for ever more stylish and hidden computers to fit into their homes and offices, and it's nice to say that for the most part, we're still seeing improvements from our perspective. All three cases we looked at here were great examples of putting an emphasis on quiet computing, but in their own right each unit brings a unique offering which deserves recognition." [Micro-ATX Cases - Shoebox Showdown, AnandTech]

The most affordable one is the MicroFly, where you can actually get it for as low as US$50 if you skip the inclusion of the 400 Watt power supply. If you would like the smallest case among the three (think LAN parties), the Aria would probably be your best bet. For the seasoned modder (and maybe someone with the extra dough), the Qmicra is the one to get.

Technorati : ATX, PC, case, micro, review

Antec Fusion Media Center Case Reviewed

HardwareZone takes a close look at the Antec Fusion Media Center Case (US$185), an HTPC enclosure that features MicroATX motherboard support, 1 x 5.25" External Drive Bay, 2 x 3.5" Internal Drive Bays, 2 x Front USB2.0 ports, 1 x FireWire (IEEE 1394) port, Audio In/Out, 2 x side mounted 120mm TriCool Fan with 3-speed switch control, 430W ATX12V v2.01 PSU included, Aluminum/Plastic Exterior with Steel Chassis, and 9.2kg gross weight.

"Design-wise, its HTPC credentials are solid, from its unmistakably 'home theater' exterior to the inclusion of a VFD and volume control knob. Its dimensions mean it supports microATX motherboards only and you may have a problem with longer graphics cards but the HTPC segment is more forgiving of these expansion limitations as long as it can blend into the living room and this is what the Antec Fusion does well. At around US$185, it may not be as affordable as your conventional enclosure but that price comes with the HTPC territory. If you have the patience and don't expect to upgrade your system soon, the Antec Fusion is a good alternative to the other HTPC enclosures available now." [HardwareZone]

The reviewer was not very pleased with the inadequate space requirements and cable management of the Fusion. Routing cables would definitely be a challenge, but this also hold true to other microATX cases.

Technorati : Antec, Case, HTPC, PC, microATX

Antec Nine Hundred PC Case Reviewed

ExtremeTech reviews the Antec Nine Hundred (US$140), a PC case that features 3 5.25-inch drive bays, 6 3.5-inch drive bays, Bottom-mount Power Supply (not included), 2 front USB ports, 1 front Firewire port, 3 installed 12cm fans, 1 installed 20cm fan, and 2 12cm Optional fan mounts.

However, it's also relatively expensive for a steel case without a power supply. We've seen it as low as $120 on the net, with $140 being more common. That's a pretty stiff price, even for a case as thoughtfully designed as the Nine Hundred. Still, we loved working inside this particular case. We also have to confess to liking its functional, militaristic exterior. If its looks, easy access and functionality suit your needs, you might love it too. [Antec Nine Hundred PC Case Review - ExtremeTech]

This case is perfect for those wanting a case that employs great airflow. Fan noise could be a problem, but since it uses 12cm fans, it should be quiter than cases that use 8cm fans.

Technorati : Antec, Case, PC, Review

Coolermaster Centurion 534 Case Reviewed

AMDZone takes a close look at the Coolermaster Centurion 534 (US$65), a PC case that features Aluminum & Mesh bezel, ATX/m-ATX motherboard support, 5 x 5.25" drive bays, 120mm front intake fan w/ blue LED, 120mm rear exhaust fan hole, and front panel with USB 2.0 x 2 / MIC x 1 / SPK x 1 / IEEE1394 x 1(Supports Intel HD Audio).

There are lots of positives surrounding this case. Ample construction, solid design, 120mm fan compatible, as well as being able to support all of the ATX form factors. Clean lines on the front, an included 120mm blue LED fan (with fan header and 4 pin main molex support), and an ease of working on due to rolled edges throughout the inside of the case. LOTS of space for a blow hole on top, or additional fan modding on the side of the case, and an easy "tool free" equipment installation. [AMDZone]

If you don't mind the absence of a motherboard tray, this would be a great PC case that offers the aluminum look and 120mm fan cooling. And yes, a power supply is not included with the case.

Technorati : Case, Centurion, Coolermaster, Hardware, PC

Antec P150 Case Reviewed

Bjorn3d.com and Reg Hardware has a review of the Antec P150 (US$180), a PC tower case that features 8 drive bays, 7 expansion slots, 1 rear 120mm fan (TriCool w/ selectable-speed control) & 2 front 92mm fan mounts, standard ATX motherboard support, internal mounts w/ rubber grommets, poly-carbonate side panels, advanced cable management system, front USB/Firewire ports, and a 430-Watt ATX12V v2.2 Neo HE power supply.

This is probably one of the more enjoyable case reviews that I've had the pleasure to perform. Why? Not only was it a learning experience, but it was also quite a bit of fun. The Antec®P150 is without a doubt one of the finest midtower cases on the market today. Although very good to excellent in most respects the case does have a few negatives. The MSRP for the P150 is $180.00 although many retailers have it priced in the $140 range and several vendors are currently offering a $25 rebate bring the case down into the $115 range which is certainly more palatable. I do find MSRP to be on the very high end of the spectrum even for what you receive. I would also like to see this case offered without the included power supply; which is currently not an option amongst any of the major retailers. [Bjorn.com]

The Antec P150 performs well, but the lack of removable motherboard tray and the sheer space restrictions its presents are disappointing. This is a case that would ideally suit someone who wants to builds a system and not tinker with it afterwards. ... The P150 is a very good all-round package for system builders and OEMs. At the same time, if you're looking for a no-nonsense chassis, the P150 really should be on your shopping list. ... Overall, a good effort, and given the package includes the latest series of Antec's popular PSUs, it gets our classic good value award. [Reg Hardware]

It would be interesting to note that the P150 actually outperformed the P180 in thermal performance. If you don't mind the P150's lack of removable mobo tray, and would be happy with the supplied 430W Neo HE power supply, the case will serve you well. A good alternative could be the Akasa Eclipse 62, as compared in the Reg Hardware article.

Technorati : Antec, Case, Hardware, P150, PC, Review, Tower

Zalman HD160 HTPC System Case Reviewed

X-bit Labs reviews the Zalman HD160 HTPC System Case.

The results of our tests prove Zalman's reputation as of a leading manufacturer of excellent cooling systems and original PC cases. The HD160 HTPC case is a nice addition to the company's product range and we have absolutely no complaints about it (we are sure they'll solve the problem with the wobbling volume knob before they start to ship the final product to market). The case can be stuffed with quite an advanced configuration which could not only play media files, but also cope with the latest gaming titles which look much prettier on a big screen than on an ordinary PC monitor. [X-bit Labs]

Choosing the right system case is one of the most important steps in building that "killer" Home Theater PC. The Zalman case seems to be a step into the right direction.

Technorati : Case, HTPC, Hardware, PC, System, zalman