Antec and Chieftec - any difference?

[Chumster]

I was looking through some site and noticed that the Chieftec's look exactly like the Antec models. Is there any difference?

 

[lenjack]

The same...both made by Chenning. may have different PS, or you can buy witout PS.

 

[Mem]

Nope,the only difference is Antec case has an Antec PSU while the Chieftec cases normally come with or without Chieftec PSU,the actual cases on both are made by Chenming I believe.

 

[Biggs]

Additional FYI: This particular design has spun many "variations". There are quite a few companies other than Antec and Chieftec who use this particular design and brand them as their company name's casing.

 

[Sensor]

Customer service varies also.

I damaged my Chieftec-equvivalent of an SX-630, the top panel. I called them up and they said they were unable to sell me just the top "piece" since it's held on my.. uh... what're they called?

Well anyway, I called up Antec and told them I had an SX-630 and needed the top panel, so they offered to send me one for ~$10. Unfortunately, it seems like Antec's "beige" cases are slightly more white than Chieftec "beige" cases. I deserve it for lying, I suppose.

--Ed

 

[mechBgon]

Antec has a 3-year warranty. I have also seen one definite design difference: edited --> some Chieftech full-tower cases may lack the 92mm exhaust fan position above the PSU, which the Antec has and which some Chieftechs do have (see Mem's input below). So far, no one has cloned the PerformancePlus models either (that I know of).

 

[Mem]

the Chieftech full-tower case has no 92mm exhaust fan above the PSU, whereas the Antec SX1240 does.

The Chieftec full tower does have a 92mm exchaust fan above the PSU but no fan supplied(my Chieftech tower did not arrive with one) ,anyway I had a spare 92mm fan so I used that in the 92mm fan slot above the PSU.

 

[Woody419]

The Chieftec cases similar to the 860/880 have 2 removable hard drive cages.
All the photos of the Antec 860/880 case show only 1 removable hdd cage.

I currently have 3 hdd's installed (sometimes I have 4) so I picked the Chiftec style case.

 

[mechBgon]

Mem, I guess we should both add the word "some" to our statements... I was looking at the SX1200-alike by Chieftech at Newegg, and their photo shows the lack of both the 92mm fan and the hole.

Woody419, out of curiosity, is your Chieftech equipped with four 5.25" bays, or three? If you have four, it's an SX10x0-alike, but with no door over the 5.25" bays, which is probably more practical than having a door anyway.

 

[Mem]

mechBgon ,I guess we are both wrong and right ,anyway the one I`ve is the Chieftech black Dragon full tower, like here ,so I guess it pays to check before you order or buy the case.

 

[Chumster]

Thanks for the replies - I think I'll be purchasing the Chieftec equivalent for my wife's PC.

Chum

 

[Woody419]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Woody419, out of curiosity, is your Chieftech equipped with four 5.25" bays, or three? If you have four, it's an SX10x0-alike, but with no door over the 5.25" bays, which is probably more practical than having a door anyway.

My case has three 5.25" bays and is similar to the Antec 860/880. I didn't want a case with a door. My case sits to the right of my desk, so I would have had to reach around the open door every time I wanted to put in a cd. That would get old real quick.

 

[Jhhnn]

PSU's and service are the real differences. Antec branded psu's are high quality and relatively quiet, particularly the newest models. The Enhance branded psu's in most Chieftec cases are decent quality, but noisy. Antec also stocks parts, a really good thing for would-be or actual case modders who've totally fubar'd some piece or panel.....

 

[The Wildcard]

Hmmm does Antec make aluminum cases?

I just recieved the $49 OEM special at NEWEGG for the Chieftec Server case and it's pretty good. I was afraid that if it was OEM, it would not have any nuts, bolts and other accessories, but it did. It also did come with 2 80mm case fans. On the side note...man is it heavy....it's as heavy as my inwin q500 full tower, lol.