anyone have or used a cooler master ATC-600?

[haplo8]

I have been thinking about getting something in the SFF mode.

But then I saw these small micro-atx cases from Cooler Master. While not technically SFF, they still seem to look pretty cool.

But how practical are they? There is a link to a review at the Cooler Master site. But why would they put a review up on their own site that sheds a bad light on it. Plus the review is written with very bad grammar which doesn't help. The other review linked just leads to a dead link.

So, anyone out there seen or maybe own one of these? Is it worth getting or should I save up for an XPC instead?

And while I am on the subject, which micro-atx mobo's are any good? I am primarily interested in a P4 setup but I am not totally opposed to an Athlon.

 

[Nerdwannabe]

I would go for newer ATC-610, or cheaper ATC-620.

ATC-600 is a little long for most stereo racks.
ATC-620 is a nice buy, should be able to find it for about $110.

 

[haplo8]

have you actually used them?

I am not worried about it fitting in a stereo rack

the 600 has 3 fans, the 620 only 1

plus it looks cooler

cheapest price i found for the 600 = $192 with shipping
for the 620 = $115

 

[beatle]

Keep in mind that this is a microatx case. Cooler Master makes excellet cases, but this one may not be the most practical.

 

[haplo8]

Um yeah I know what it is, just looking for people that might have used it. As I said in my inital post, I am trying to decide between this one and a shuttle XPC.

 

[Nerdwannabe]

I dont' actually owned an ATC-610 or ATC-620, but did had chance to played both.
Case are pretty easy to work on. Drive cage area needs a bit more care since you can only screw down the drive on one side.
The other side was holded with a tab though. It's still a pretty secure fit.
The case has only one 60x60x25mm rear exhaust fan.
I believe this is to make case silent for HTPC application reason.

ATC-610 has a nicer finish on the panel, kinda like automotive quality paint.
ATC-620 has flat black paint.
Both unit are identical in shape except material.

If you don't care for exta weight and mirror black finish, then ATC-620 would be a better choice for price reason.

 

[haplo8]

Originally posted by: Nerdwannabe
I dont' actually owned an ATC-610 or ATC-620,
The case has only one 60x60x25mm rear exhaust fan.

The 600 has an intake on either side and an exhaust on the back. Plus I like the way it looks. I wonder though if its a good idea to abandon the tower. How do micro-atx mobo's fair in general? And which ones are any good? I noticed almost all mobo companies have m-atx products. I would probably just get an ASUS since I have one of their mobo's now and it has been great. But some friends of mine had mentioned a lot of people have been having problems with ASUS mobo's as of late.

So let me pose another question to go with the first. Are Micro-ATX motherboards good products or is sticking with good 'ol ATX the only answer?

 

[haplo8]

bump