Antec Sonata side panel holes

[JZilla]

Originally posted by: gramboh
Which heatsink are you using? I just ordered a system with a Sonata today, I'll be using 120mm Panaflo L1A's on the undervolt fan connectors (bought 2, might only the rear, depending how hot the Raptor drive gets). I choose a Thermalright SLK-900U for the CPU with a big 92mm Panaflo fan, undervolted it should be pretty quiet and move a lot of air. Try to get a heatsink that allows at least 80mm fans, that way you can get 20-30cfm without any noise.

Right now (as stated in my previous post ) I use a Thermaltake Silent Viking. It's a 60mm fan on it, rated at 21db and 300rpm. I am looking for an adaptor, since I am not to keen on splahing out $50 on the Thermalright SLK800 just yet.

I have no problems with the stock Antec fan, I can't hear it. So far the fans have varried from 1400rpm to 1700rpm. I originally thought that the Antec fan should be replaced with a Panaflo/Papst, but I don't see the need for it.

 

[KenAF]

Ok, to respond to some questions...

KenAF, in the current Zalman thread you said you didn't have any fans blowing on yours, so that answered one of my questions about the Zalman. But I thought it was mandatory to have an intake fan, when using the Acoustipak?

I haven't needed it so far. I guess my 120mm L1A (at 5v) plus the 120mm on the PS creates enough negative pressure get air into the case. That said, I will be trying a 120mm Panaflo in the front at 5v to see how much noise it adds. I haven't seen any need for it yet, but I want to see what impact it will have on temps.

About the Fortron 120mm psu: I have read some of the threads over at silentpcreview.com, is this - in your opinion - the best way to go if I find the Truepower in the Sonata too loud? Reason I ask is there are so many "silent" psus, or at least that's what they claim they are. Strange that it isn't on the silentpc recommended list

Because you are in Europe, no. The PFC version of the Fortran 120mm sold in Europe produces a lot more noise than the non-PFC version sold here in the USA. If you can get the non-PFC version somehow, then yes, I would recommend that as a replacement. However, I recommend it in part because it is a relatively inexpensive upgrade (as low as US$47); if you had to spend a lot of money to import one, I might look at alternatives.

I suppose it's not on the SilentPCReview Recommended List because the owner of that site hasn't yet posted a formal review. He did post a brief review to the message board, which you can find with a search. He said a few weeks ago that he'd be publishing a full review soon, but he hasn't done so yet.

Which heatsink are you using? I just ordered a system with a Sonata today, I'll be using 120mm Panaflo L1A's on the undervolt fan connectors (bought 2, might only the rear, depending how hot the Raptor drive gets). I choose a Thermalright SLK-900U for the CPU with a big 92mm Panaflo fan, undervolted it should be pretty quiet and move a lot of air.

I don't know what undervolt fan connectors you are getting, but I would urge you to consider a rheobus. That way, you can control the speed and sound of your cpu and case fans by simply turning dial sat the front of your case. By doing it this way, you can optimize both airflow and [lack of] noise. If necessary, you could even increase airflow on the fly depending on your temps or whether you are doing intense gaming.

I use the Sunbeam rheobus, because it was recommended, cheap ($17.99), easy to install, and available in black. There are other good choices too, like the Zalman ZM-MFC1 .

Elastomer fan isolators (more info here, order cheap here) - $9.71 for pack of 20
Elastomer drive grommets (order cheap here) - $7.77 for pkg of 25
would rubber washr/gromments not have the same end result?

No. The fan isolaters work wonders, as they significantly quiet the fans. That said, the Antec does include fan isolators that are nearly as good, but the isolators Antec includes with the Sonata are intended for 120mm fans that are 25mm deep. For a 38mm deep fan like the Panaflo L1A, you really need new isolators.

As far as the grommets, people have found those above better than the grommets sold by Radio Shack, Home Depot, etc. But the Sonata already includes pre-installed grommes mounts for the hard drives, so you can probably get by without buying more. I bought the grommets to use on other cases as well, although I ended using them with the Silentdrive2002 and with the 5.25" drives in my Sonata as well.

 

[Jibby]

Great to hear that you're happy with your Sonata, JZilla. I have started to lean towards the PC60 recently, but your and af few others' good comments about the Sonata has swayed me back to it, or at least reconsider it. Good luck with replacing your CPU fan.

I guess my current concerns with the Sonata are:

a) reliability of the PSU. I've read a few bad comments regarding its stability. Dunno if they were just rare incidents. You seem to be quite happy with yours, JZilla? Also wondering if it'll be sufficient to run higher end graphics cards like the 9700P well, since I may end up having that card or a better one in the Sonata in the future.

b) its cooling ability. If it's quiet, yet its temps are high, well... you see, I would like to get a case I can keep for a very long time, and with hotter components to come in the future, if I have some "headroom" temp-wise, then that'll be preferable.

Two questions to KenAF, though others' comments are welcomed, of course:

c) I've never used fan isolators before. Had a look around at online stores in Australia, and found these. I'll send them an email to ask if they can fit 38mm deep fans. But are they fan isolators?

http://www.coolpc.com.au/shop/index.html?prod=103

d) Is the Zalman ZM-MFC1 small enough to allow the Sonata door to close?

 

[Jibby]

I sent an email to Antec a few days ago regarding covering up/using a filter for the side panel holes. Here's the reply:

"You could make your own filters to cover the Antec holes. Unfortunately, we do not have a filter for that. We do not recommend that you cover them completely. Doing so with cause your system to over heat."

 

[solofly]

Originally posted by: Jibby
Have been thinking for a while on how to reduce PC noise, throwing up between getting a Lian Li PC60 (for "longevity," I guess) or an Antec Sonata. Well, I'm almost sold on the Sonata, but I am rather concerned about the side panel holes though (the ones that spell out "ANTEC"). I would prefer to have filters on all air intake holes, but from what I've read, there are none on these holes which are apparently intake for the PSU. I fear that if I block out these holes, the PSU may not have adequate cooling. Either that, or I try to make my own filters, and I don't know where to start (unless mosquito nets work Please don't mind my n00biness at this). I read in a review that the reviewer suggested using "the old foam screen and duct tape method" to make filters, but... er... I don't know what *is* a foam screen.

Here's what will go into the case:
Epox 8RGA+
1800+ XP
Lite-on DVD-ROM
Lite-on CD-RW
40GB, 8MB cache Western Digital HDD
Leadtek GF4 Ti4400 (when I retire it from the gaming rig, probably around end of the year)

Here's what I will be getting with the case that will also go in it:
Thermalright SLK-900U HS
92mm Enermax adjustable fan to go on the HS
Two 120mm Enermax adjustable fans to be used as case fans
Zalman ZM80A-HP (will get this for the GF4 above when I retire it from the gaming rig)


Thanks in advance.

Let me give yuo a couple of pointers...

1. If you're thinking of overclocking, don't get Sonata
2. Sonata comes with its own intake filter therefor you won't need any 3rd party filters
3. If you like roomy cases Sonata is not for you. (feels much smaller than LianLi PC60)
4. Don't be bothered by the side panels openings (holes) cause the dust will get in the case with or wirhout them.
5. I think i'm done...

Hope this helps.

 

[JZilla]

Originally posted by: Jibby
Great to hear that you're happy with your Sonata, JZilla. I have started to lean towards the PC60 recently, but your and af few others' good comments about the Sonata has swayed me back to it, or at least reconsider it. Good luck with replacing your CPU fan.

I guess my current concerns with the Sonata are:

a) reliability of the PSU. I've read a few bad comments regarding its stability. Dunno if they were just rare incidents. You seem to be quite happy with yours, JZilla? Also wondering if it'll be sufficient to run higher end graphics cards like the 9700P well, since I may end up having that card or a better one in the Sonata in the future.

b) its cooling ability. If it's quiet, yet its temps are high, well... you see, I would like to get a case I can keep for a very long time, and with hotter components to come in the future, if I have some "headroom" temp-wise, then that'll be preferable.

Two questions to KenAF, though others' comments are welcomed, of course:

c) I've never used fan isolators before. Had a look around at online stores in Australia, and found these. I'll send them an email to ask if they can fit 38mm deep fans. But are they fan isolators?

http://www.coolpc.com.au/shop/index.html?prod=103

d) Is the Zalman ZM-MFC1 small enough to allow the Sonata door to close?

Edit: Greeeaaatt, my replies were lost.

a) The only bad thing I have read about the truepowers, was a couple of guys over at amdmbforums.com that got bad psus with their Sonatas, the spinned at 2700rpm all the time. The Truepower 380 should have no problems with a Radeon 9700 or future cards.

b) My temps are about the same as before. 50/36C idle, a few more degrees more under load. Temps taken with PCAlert4, which is a MSI utility.

c) Don't know if those will fit on a 38mm fan. You could get a Papst instead of a Panaflo, the Papst is only 25mm. Another thought I got, you could buy them from the link that KenAF supplied. Pay with cc and ask the shop to just put them in an envelope, this should cut down on shipping costs and avoid any conflicts with getting them thru the toll, if you got strict toll policies down under, we sure do up here.


Just ask anything you'd like Jibby or should I call you Good Wombo

 

[Jibby]

Hehe, I actually hate both names now. I thought they were alright when I first registered, but one day later... :/

I think I'm starting to defect to the SLK3700 though. The only reason I didn't really consider it before was because of the absolutely horrendous colour I thought it had, but Ralf cleared that up for me.

Don't have Papst fans here, I don't think. I can get Vantec fans though... the 80mm ones are in the silentpc recommended list, but under the "interesting fans" category. I remembered reading the 80mm fans roundup at amdmb, and the vantec did okay, but I don't think they tried the fans undervolted.

I'll definitely consider ordering the fan isolators... dunno about paying with cc though. But the things I linked to are fan isolators, right? If so, maybe those + 120mm Vantec Stealth fans undervolted to 5V for the SLK3700 (I won't need to get new isolators if I get the Sonata).

[Edit] Actually, I can't get the 120mm Vantec - only up to 92mm. :/

 

[Jibby]

Hey, some good news. I sent an email to CoolPC a few days ago about their rubber mounting pins. Here's the question:

"I was wondering if these can be used with 38mm deep fans (eg the Panaflo fans), as opposed to the more common 25mm deep fans like the Antec ones."

Just checked my mail, and got this reply:

"Thanks for your email, I can?t see why not "

Horrah!

 

[solofly]

Originally posted by: Jibby
I think I'm starting to defect to the SLK3700 though.

Good move. Steel cases are also quieter than aluminum, I forgot to add...

 

[Jibby]

Mmm, I know about that, solofly, I just don't know how big the difference is. I was kinda hoping that it won't be much.

Will be missing out on the removable motherboard tray, but I think I can live with that. Looks-wise, I probably prefer the SLK3700 by a bit, pretty close call though. Noise wise, having the dual 120mm fans is much more preferable to having 3-4 80mm ones. Cooling hopefully shouldn't be a problem in the SLK3700... looks to have better airflow and more spacious than the Sonata. The Sonata to me looks the best out of the 3 though. And should have the potential to be the quietest.

Might I add that going from the Lian Li to the SLK3700 (I can get it without the PSU) saves me AUS$170? Though... I don't have to pay for shipping for the Lian Li, since I can just run out to a store and get it. Going from the Sonata to the SLK3700 saves me at AUS$110... but the Sonata comes with a PSU, while I'll be getting the Zalman 400W PSU (should be quieter than the 380S, but costs AUS$169) for the SLK3700... can't get the Fortron here.

 

[TXMatt]

DAMN I wish I would have read this earlier in the week, I just ordered some melamie foam from Mcmaster, would have ordered the fan isolaters too if I had seen them. I just wish they told you shipping when you odered instead of waiting for the invoice to see how much they charged.


KenAF linked:
Elastomer fan isolators (more info here, order cheap here) - $9.71 for pack of 20
Elastomer drive grommets (order cheap here) - $7.77 for pkg of 25