Guy at work got the sonata, he said he had to go into the fan controller properties to make sure all his fans were still running...and they were of course. Case is just super quiet.
Antec Sonata = Quiet
- Thread starter imported_Mike
- Start date
Yes it is. I just got mine yesterday and I really like it. It's not completely silent, but it is very very quiet. The loudest part of my system now is my heatsink fan (60mm), so that going to be changed with a 80mm. And by that time, I expect the only noise I will be able to hear, is the soft sound of a little air comming out of the psu (if I can even hear that). I won't be spending any more money on this case, like KenAF. I feel that the last bit of "noise" (very very little), will cost way too much to get rid off.
So unless you have some sort of super-ears, I can deeply recommend the Antec Sonata.
Edit: Several typos, damn keyboard.
So unless you have some sort of super-ears, I can deeply recommend the Antec Sonata.
Edit: Several typos, damn keyboard.
The Sonata is a awesome case.
You brought up a good point that the little bit of extra noise is expensive to get rid of. Its a classic diminishing returns scenario.
IMO the little difference of noise between the Sonata and the SLK3700AMG isn't worth the extra $30.
The SLK3700AMG uses the same frame, however it has a slightly louder PSU, and the drive bays face the standard direction (but still have rubber mounting grommets). Of course its a different color (but still "car finish" quality paint), and it has a different front bezel (sans the chrome thing
).
Matt
You brought up a good point that the little bit of extra noise is expensive to get rid of. Its a classic diminishing returns scenario.
IMO the little difference of noise between the Sonata and the SLK3700AMG isn't worth the extra $30.
The SLK3700AMG uses the same frame, however it has a slightly louder PSU, and the drive bays face the standard direction (but still have rubber mounting grommets). Of course its a different color (but still "car finish" quality paint), and it has a different front bezel (sans the chrome thing
).Matt
Originally posted by: optimistic
Where can I buy just the PSU
the PSU is just a 380W true power which you can get at newegg
The PSU (380S) that comes with the Sonata has only one fan in it though, while the other TruePower PSUs have two. That's the only difference, me thinks. Dunno if you can just buy the 380S.
TXMatt, you said the "SLK3700AMG"? I'm only aware of the SLK3700AMB, but if Antec is releasing it in another colour besides the "metallic bronze" that I don't like, I'll be very interested. I've always like the colour of the review sample SilentPC has.
TXMatt, you said the "SLK3700AMG"? I'm only aware of the SLK3700AMB, but if Antec is releasing it in another colour besides the "metallic bronze" that I don't like, I'll be very interested.
I've always like the colour of the review sample SilentPC has.
RalfHutter
Diamond Member
- Dec 29, 2000
- 3,202
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Originally posted by: Jibby
..............................but if Antec is releasing it in another colour besides the "metallic bronze" that I don't like, I'll be very interested.
The case in the review at SilentPCReview is my case, I wrote that review. That is the standard color, the one that Antec calls "Metallic Bronze". That color is actually a dark metallic silvery gray. It has no hint of "bronze" in it. I don't know why Antec calls it bronze. I've built at least 10-15 systems using the 3700AMB and all of them have been the exact same color as my case.
Ooh... thanks for clearing up the confusion, Ralf! The pic of the SLK3700 at the Antec website looks very... er... brown (hence bronze, I guess). If the SLK3700s are actually more like the colour in your review, as you said, then it may very well have jumped ahead of the sonata and pc60 in my case considerations, it has two 120mm fans like the Sonata, except the "front" one in the SLK3700 acts more like an intake fan than the one in the Sonata? Should be more spacious too.
Time to reread your review. Thanks again for the heads-up.
Now, if only I can find rubber mounts for those 38mm deep panaflos here in Australia...
Time to reread your review.
Thanks again for the heads-up.Now, if only I can find rubber mounts for those 38mm deep panaflos here in Australia...
Are any of the Sunbeam rheobus, Vantec, or Zalman ZM-MFC1 fan controllers small enough for the SLK3700's door to close?
I typed AMG instead of AMB by accident. The other posters are correct in that AMB doesn't look bronze at all. There is no hint of brown I could see when I built up a sytem for my Mother-In-Law with this case last December. She had been complaining about the noise from her previous case, and was amazed of the difference. My Father-In-Law has a 1080 series, and now complains about its noise after NOT hearing hers. It is a very good looking very dark metallic grey. Maybe AMP would be a better description P for pewter? Calling it bronze was a bad idea on Antec's part.
The only complaints about this case were that the front bezel door was thinner than expected compared to the chieftec dragon based Antec Cases. I read somewhere last week that they are now using a thicker plastic on the door. The plastic thickness on the door didn't bug me.
If you like the chassis but not the color, you can also get this chassis as a Compucase LX-6A19 or a Coolcases D8000. These come in beige, bright white, and black. Their front bezel lacks the door and its styling is a bit more "traditional" (bland). The advantage with no door comes in when you have a fanbus/rheobus, as you won't have sufficient clearance behind the door for most. The Compucase and Coolcase ones are also a bit cheaper. (maybe $10)
All of them have the AWESOME dual 120 fan mounting locations that keep the case very cool and run quietly. If you do a very easy mod of cutting out the stamped grills, replace them with wire grills, and use grommets and bolts to mount the fan instead of fan screws - they get even quieter.
Matt
The only complaints about this case were that the front bezel door was thinner than expected compared to the chieftec dragon based Antec Cases. I read somewhere last week that they are now using a thicker plastic on the door. The plastic thickness on the door didn't bug me.
If you like the chassis but not the color, you can also get this chassis as a Compucase LX-6A19 or a Coolcases D8000. These come in beige, bright white, and black. Their front bezel lacks the door and its styling is a bit more "traditional" (bland). The advantage with no door comes in when you have a fanbus/rheobus, as you won't have sufficient clearance behind the door for most. The Compucase and Coolcase ones are also a bit cheaper. (maybe $10)
All of them have the AWESOME dual 120 fan mounting locations that keep the case very cool and run quietly. If you do a very easy mod of cutting out the stamped grills, replace them with wire grills, and use grommets and bolts to mount the fan instead of fan screws - they get even quieter.
Matt
Does the door on the SLK3700 differ from that on the Sonata? The Sunbeam fits behind the Sonata door just fine, and I think I recall reading that the MFC1 does too (though you'd want to check SilentPCReview forums to confirm). The Vantec fan controllers should be avoided at all costs.
Am I actually cutting out BOTH stamped grills or just the rear one? In Ralf's review, only the rear one is shown cut out... though in the silentpc forums, people tend to be talking about cutting out "grills" not "grill." I think I should be alright with cutting them out... should be able to get help if I have problems anyways.
Yeah, that whole Metallic Bronze thing really confused me. I can't imagine a bronze case looking to good. So it's a huge relief that it isn't bronze in anyway. I like the look of the case from Ralf's review.
Can't get the LX-6A19 or the D8000 (which I like the look of) here. You know, TXMatt, your typo actually helped me out heaps. If you never had that typo, I would never have queried about a different colour, and I would probably never know about "metallic bronze" being not bronze at all. Funny how things turn out.
KenAF, dunno if the door on the SLK3700 is different to that on the Sonata. I just know it looks a lot like the LanBoy. I think I remember reading that there isn't much room between the door and the 5.25" drives though in the SilentPC forums... not sure which thread. I'm hoping Ralf can help out again.
[Edit] oh, forgot to add that I have found those rubber mounts for the 38mm deep Panaflos. Posted about this in another thread here on the Sonata. It can be found at CoolPC for those in Australia.
Yeah, that whole Metallic Bronze thing really confused me. I can't imagine a bronze case looking to good. So it's a huge relief that it isn't bronze in anyway. I like the look of the case from Ralf's review.
Can't get the LX-6A19 or the D8000 (which I like the look of) here. You know, TXMatt, your typo actually helped me out heaps. If you never had that typo, I would never have queried about a different colour, and I would probably never know about "metallic bronze" being not bronze at all. Funny how things turn out.
KenAF, dunno if the door on the SLK3700 is different to that on the Sonata. I just know it looks a lot like the LanBoy.
I think I remember reading that there isn't much room between the door and the 5.25" drives though in the SilentPC forums... not sure which thread. I'm hoping Ralf can help out again. [Edit] oh, forgot to add that I have found those rubber mounts for the 38mm deep Panaflos. Posted about this in another thread here on the Sonata. It can be found at CoolPC for those in Australia.
I am glad my typo was soo helpful to you Jibby.
Personally I would cut out the front one before the back one if I were only cutting out one! The extra noise from turbulence caused by the stamped grills is more noticable in the fan position that is closer to you. But cutting out all stamped fan grills is a best practice IMO. If you want to make it look fancy you can use edge molding along the cut edge - it looks kind of sharp if you have black edge molding and black grommets. You also don't have to bother fililing the edge smooth if you cover it up - you don't need to worry about cutting yourself on a sharp edge.
If you haven't done a lot of case cutting, an easy and inexpensive tool to use is called a hand nibbler. You can get a genric hand nibbler for $8-$10 US, or a Kline brand for $20 US. This tool cuts (nibbles) small pieces of metal out with each squeeze, but the pieces are big enough that you clean them up by hand. Its sort of like a paper punch, but cuts through sheet metal. I have used mine to cut out both stamped grills and new blow holes on cases; just don't try to cut too many holes in a row or you can get some nasty blisters - I learned the hard way. A lot of people swear that rotary tools (Dremels) are the best way, but you don't have to worry about slipping and scratching your paint with a nibbler, and clean up is a lot easier.
Matt
Personally I would cut out the front one before the back one if I were only cutting out one! The extra noise from turbulence caused by the stamped grills is more noticable in the fan position that is closer to you. But cutting out all stamped fan grills is a best practice IMO. If you want to make it look fancy you can use edge molding along the cut edge - it looks kind of sharp if you have black edge molding and black grommets. You also don't have to bother fililing the edge smooth if you cover it up - you don't need to worry about cutting yourself on a sharp edge.
If you haven't done a lot of case cutting, an easy and inexpensive tool to use is called a hand nibbler. You can get a genric hand nibbler for $8-$10 US, or a Kline brand for $20 US. This tool cuts (nibbles) small pieces of metal out with each squeeze, but the pieces are big enough that you clean them up by hand. Its sort of like a paper punch, but cuts through sheet metal. I have used mine to cut out both stamped grills and new blow holes on cases; just don't try to cut too many holes in a row or you can get some nasty blisters - I learned the hard way. A lot of people swear that rotary tools (Dremels) are the best way, but you don't have to worry about slipping and scratching your paint with a nibbler, and clean up is a lot easier.
Matt
Edge molding is basically a split small diameter rubber tube. you just glue it down on your rough edges to give them a clean look when you put in blow holes.
Many vendors carry it, one off the top of my head is Xoxide.com
I am sure like many other mod supplies this has use in another industry, and can be had for half that price if you figure out its real name. I think I recall someone saying auto parts stores, but I could be wrong.
Many vendors carry it, one off the top of my head is Xoxide.com
I am sure like many other mod supplies this has use in another industry, and can be had for half that price if you figure out its real name. I think I recall someone saying auto parts stores, but I could be wrong.
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