Antec Sonata III Case w/ 500W Power Supply $74.99 and free shipping

[Spike]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: Spike
Dog gone you all... I have a Solo and 430w truepower trio psu coming tomorrow for my HTPC build and I have a spare cooler master case in the closet so I don't need any more cases. Yet somehow I now have a sonata 3 on the way as well, dang it all anyway. I actually wanted to save some money this holiday season...

You do realize that you can block the "Hot Deals" forum from showing up on the forum list, don't you? 😀

Yeah yeah, I know I could block it but I need it here so I can work on my self control... as you can see I still have alot of work to do 😉

 

[manly]

Originally posted by: Old Hippie

Originally posted by: RallyMaster
O.O 44.99 shipped for an Antec Sonata 3? MUST RESIST BUYING RANDOM CASES!!! AUGHH!

Believe me, I tried but couldn't do it!

Maybe you'll do better....Be Strong!

PS. If you don't need a PS, get this Antec NSK44808 for $30.00 + free shipping.

The NSK4480 has a PSU; do you mean its PSU is not very good?

Kinda glad this deal is dead; the Sonata is much better than the NSK4480 but I already have one of those I don't have a use for. Saves me from pulling a Spike. 😉

 

[Old Hippie]

The NSK4480 has a PSU; do you mean its PSU is not very good?

Woops, I didn't think that one had a PS. 😱

 

[cheap]

Which one is better, Sonata III or Solo? I got a solo on a previous hot deal posted here, cost me a @100 with a 600 trio PSU. Was wondering if I should maybe get Sonata III and keep Solo for next project.

One thing about the solo, I was not impressed with two 92mm slots for fans in front (no front fans included though). If you're aiming to create a silent case which is what solo is about make a front fan 120mm. Sonata III I think someone said has a slot for 120mm fan in front.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: cheap
Which one is better, Sonata III or Solo? I got a solo on a previous hot deal posted here, cost me a @100 with a 600 trio PSU. Was wondering if I should maybe get Sonata III and keep Solo for next project.

I just bought the solo as well (with a TPT 430 for $88 shipped) and did some looking around on the web comparing the two. From a cooling standpoint the Sonata seems to win overall due to the 120mm in front setup and obviously it has a decent psu in it. For quiet it looks like the Solo wins due to the paneling used in it and the more "closed" design. This is why I am going to use the Solo for re-doing my HTPC since the current aluminum Coolermaster case is way too loud.

Originally posted by: manly
Kinda glad this deal is dead; the Sonata is much better than the NSK4480 but I already have one of those I don't have a use for. Saves me from pulling a Spike. 😉

Good man, as my wife will tell you I'm probably the worst example when it comes to fiscal responsibility. Sure I throw alot of money into my roth 401(k) but when it comes to more "liquid" assets I'm all about stimulating the economy! 😉

EDIT** Don't worry about the 92mm fans in front. First off if it's not a high end gamer case you don't even need front case fans since the rear will pull in enough air through the front to cool the drives. Second, if you do want a fan there are quiet 92mm out there or go with a undervolted fan like I will be using. Personally the nice panels and bungie hard drive mounts make this a great quiet case, even with the 92mm mounts.

 

[manly]

Originally posted by: Spike
Good man, as my wife will tell you I'm probably the worst example when it comes to fiscal responsibility. Sure I throw alot of money into my roth 401(k) but when it comes to more "liquid" assets I'm all about stimulating the economy! 😉

If the coupon hadn't expired, I'd probably be right with you. Come to think of it, a new Sonata III left unopened in the box is probably a better investment than equities for the next calendar year anyhow. 😉

Someone more informed should chime in, but I'd say the Sonata is clearly better than the Solo or NSK series.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: manly

Originally posted by: Spike
Good man, as my wife will tell you I'm probably the worst example when it comes to fiscal responsibility. Sure I throw alot of money into my roth 401(k) but when it comes to more "liquid" assets I'm all about stimulating the economy! 😉

If the coupon hadn't expired, I'd probably be right with you. Come to think of it, a new Sonata III left unopened in the box is probably a better investment than equities for the next calendar year anyhow. 😉

Someone more informed should chime in, but I'd say the Sonata is clearly better than the Solo or NSK series.

I think it really depends on what you want. The few reviews and comparisons I read all say the Solo is quieter than the Sonata and that, combined with the bungie HDD mounts, makes it a perfect cost effective HTPC case. From an overall value point of view the Sonata is better due to the included high quality psu. However, due to the more closed type case, bungies, and sound absorbing panels the Solo is perfect for a quiet lower heat producing system. Antec themselves seems to think the Solo is better since they have the "Sonata Plus" that is basically a solo with a slightly different bezel and a psu included. 🙂

Sadly I'm basing almost all my info on reviews and forum reads since I currently have neither case. I have built two pc's with the Sonata 3 for friends and found them quiet but not as quiet as I would have imagined, even with the fans undervolted. I'm not the biggest fan of the front 120mm placement since it pulls air through the hdd cages ineffeciently due to the sideways HDD setup but I'm still betting it would work a little better than a single 92mm.

In a few days I'll be able to compare them better but I don't plan on building the same system in each for the most accurate comparison.