Antec Sonata Proto case $40

[Zap]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129086

Antec Sonata Proto case
$79.99
-$20 sale
-$20 rebate (exp.1/9)
FREE shipping

=$40

This is the highest quality $40 shipped case you can buy right now. It uses 0.8mm cold rolled steel. Basically it is a really HEAVY and quality case. It is also capable of being part of a really quiet system, using 120mm fans, Antec's quality white HDD grommets and an indirect air path in front. Note that it may not be suitable for really huge graphics cards because the drive bays may get in the way. I don't know for sure, but graphics cards may be limited to 10" or 9.5".

 

[DerKaiser]

This is the highest quality $40 shipped case you can buy right now. It uses 0.8mm cold rolled steel. Basically it is a really HEAVY and quality case. It is also capable of being part of a really quiet system, using 120mm fans, Antec's quality white HDD grommets and an indirect air path in front. Note that it may not be suitable for really huge graphics cards because the drive bays may get in the way. I don't know for sure, but graphics cards may be limited to 10" or 9.5".

According to the FAQ in the manual, maximum video card size is 10.5".

 

[BudAshes]

This is a great deal for someone who doesn't mind having a really heavy case. Personally i do aluminum cause I look moving things around, but I still appreiciate the job antec did with these. The shiny finish does scratch super easy though.

 

[Zap]

According to the FAQ in the manual, maximum video card size is 10.5".

Great find!

 

[DerKaiser]

Great find!

I'm intimately aware of Antec cases and video card clearance having recently taken a pair of tin shears to the drive cage of my Antec Solo to fit a Radeon 6950 😀

 

[Vincent]

I am a big fan of this case. It's not for hard core overclockers but it's so much more solid than most cases. Other cases like the Antec 300 are really flimsy compared to this one.

 

[Macgyversite]

Please put After Rebate etc etc in the title.

 

[owdi]

I've built about 10 computers using this case, and I wouldn't hesitate to use it again. There is 11.1" of space for a video card, but you have to factor in the power connections.

If you need a PSU, get the version that comes with the 500w earthwatts psu. I bought 21 of these for a project at work, 2.5 years later all are still in service after running 24x7x365, not a single PSU failure.

 

[kimchee411]

Expired/sold out.

Ugh, I'm kicking myself! Saw this 3 days ago and dragged my feet. Anyone have a suggestion for a cheap, small, reliable case? I need 2 for ESXi boxes. No hard drives -- USB boot.

 

[Zargon]

this is a sonata II with the new front end

the sonata II was/is a nice case.

I am putting a 3rd machine into one now. It was my primary, then I bought a 4850X2 and moved to a p180. It got a rig for my wife, who I eventually upgrade some parts and put her on a mini180, now its a spare machine for my parents!

a little rubber gasket sheet from the hw store and scissors really make the rear fan quiet too.

I should add some to the PSU while its still apart actually.....