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Antec Aria good for HTPC/General computer?

R

rsd

Platinum Member
Hi, I've been slowly putting together pieces for a HTPC, and I have some coupons/credit at Staples and noticed they sell the Antec Aria case (would be the cheapest place to get it for me, ~$75 AC).

So I'm just trying to get feedback on it. I read some reviews, which seemed somewhat mixed. Some really liked it, while some were more mixed, citing concerns with Heat/airflow, and little room/messiness inside.

Any input is appreciated, thanks.
 
Search the SFF forum and you'll find info on the ARIA and the mods some used on it 🙂
 
I have put 3 Aria last week. One w/ Prescott and twow/ Barton.
It come w/ an extra slot fan, which a big plus.
The powersupply is ultra quiet.
Powersupply already SATA ready

Best of all, I can choose my own mobo.

HOWEVER~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Make sure you choose a correct mATX mobo.
For example....
Abit VA-10 has the CPU socket position very close to the back of the case.
Thus, you will have to buy ultra slim HSF for your AMD processor.

On the other hand, you can fit a regular 60MM HSF on Asus A7V8X-MX SE, BUT NOT STOCK HSF.
(Stock HSF is larger than socket diamension)

Foxconn 865A01-PE-6EKRS is my favorite because it also has onboard firewire connector for the case.
You can use Stock Intel CPU HSF w/ this set up.
However, you will need to remove powersupply first.


p.s. Generally I like it, if NOT overclocking. It run fine w/ Prescott 2.8E w/ 7200rpm HD/ DVDRW So it can't be that bad in airflow department

you can remove the front optical drive cover, because it kinda of "cheap" looking...
 
Thanks for the responses.

Quick question though, isn't that Foxconn MB a regular ATX one? not micro?
 
Originally posted by: rsd
Thanks for the responses.

Quick question though, isn't that Foxconn MB a regular ATX one? not micro?
Click to expand...

sorry, I meant FOXCONN 865M01-G-6ELS
(it has no voltage tweak on this mobo though)
 
Yes it's really good. Pair it up with a $77 35W mobile xp chip, $50 BIOSTAR M7NCD Motherboard with passive NB, and a $92 passive cooled ATI 9600NP and it could be dead silent.

Unfortunatly you may have to buy a sound card because mATX mobos don't come with a S/PDIF AFAIK.
 
Originally posted by: raybay
You will find an excellent review of current cases at www.tomshardware.com. Their article will give you some things to think about. One of the Antecs was in the top two or three.
Click to expand...

Do you have a link please? I looked around Tom's and couldn't find it--their website navigation stinks! 🙂
 
The Asus P4SGX-MX has a SPDIF output on it and has some overclocking options. I just built a system with the Aria and this board with a 2.53 GHz P4 ... running very cool, 33C at idle, 48C at full load. Bumped it up to 2.8 GHz and the temps started getting into to 60C range at load, which is far hotter than I want to run it. I guess me and my Dremel are gonna whack some 120mm holes in this thing and put some airflow in it. I really wished there was a window on the panels, but I understand why there isnt as this is meant to be a quiet PC, not a ultra high performance pc. If anyone knows of a window kit for these things, please let me know.
 
there arent any window kits for this thing. you'd have to mod it yourself. btw, welcome to the forums ricko.
 
Originally posted by: Mik3y
there arent any window kits for this thing. you'd have to mod it yourself. btw, welcome to the forums ricko.
Click to expand...

Yeah I was afraid of that ... and making decent windows is not an easy task, so I guess Ill just look for some cold cathode fans to put on the sides, light it up a little. Thanks for the welcome, Ill be here a lot Im sure as Im always trying out new things.
 
How sucessful have people been with OC'ing using this case? I'm particularly interested in P4's or perhaps A64's. Also with avoiding any major case mods etc etc. Thanks.
 
Originally posted by: rsd
How sucessful have people been with OC'ing using this case? I'm particularly interested in P4's or perhaps A64's. Also with avoiding any major case mods etc etc. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I've read a few stories of people frying off video cards in that case. It's a hot case... Not made for overclocking... Not to say it can't be done.
 
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: rsd
How sucessful have people been with OC'ing using this case? I'm particularly interested in P4's or perhaps A64's. Also with avoiding any major case mods etc etc. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I've read a few stories of people frying off video cards in that case. It's a hot case... Not made for overclocking... Not to say it can't be done.
Click to expand...

Ok that's what I figured. I'll have to get a decent processor to begin with then. Isn't Intel doing some price drops in the Fall? Anyone know? Thanks.
 
Originally posted by: Nebor
I've read a few stories of people frying off video cards in that case. It's a hot case... Not made for overclocking... Not to say it can't be done.
Click to expand...

thats pretty much in line with my observatoin thusfar. this case is nice and all, but not a particularly good overclocker. sure you could get some modding job done taking away the quietness factor in turn - one of the main going things about this case.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by: rsd
How sucessful have people been with OC'ing using this case? I'm particularly interested in P4's or perhaps A64's. Also with avoiding any major case mods etc etc. Thanks.
Click to expand...

After some case twaking and cleaning up, I got my P4/2.53 up to 2.8 GHz and still in the mid 40s at full load, 33 at idle, granted this is with a rather loud HSF with a 6000 RPM fan on it. Its a bit of a task to get a decent temperature, and I definitely would not recommend doing this with a Preshot P4, would be good for the 35 watt Mobile A64 chips though. Im not real sure on what your choices are for mATX socket 754 boards are though, probably not a lot yet since the boards are so new and supposedly power user boards.
 
Originally posted by: Nebor
Originally posted by: rsd
How sucessful have people been with OC'ing using this case? I'm particularly interested in P4's or perhaps A64's. Also with avoiding any major case mods etc etc. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I've read a few stories of people frying off video cards in that case. It's a hot case... Not made for overclocking... Not to say it can't be done.
Click to expand...

Where can I find first hand accounts of people frying their cards in this case? I want specifics, not heresay.
 
Yeah, it's a hot case. I bought an ABIT IS-10 (don't get an IS-20 and then find out that $1 cheaper means no AGP slot... not using an updated 865G chip) and a P4 2.8C with retail cooling (AS2 instead of the pad). Right now I have one HD, a DVD burner, Hauppauge 250, and the slot cooler installed (that's all... testing it with onboard graphics and sound) and if I set it up for emcoding for a few hours it'll give temp alarms when i have it setup to 70C alarm. I think it's more of a momentary spike rather than a stable temp at 70C but it gets quite hot.
 
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