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DEAD:Antec Sonata II - 450W PSU; Also 550 Neo HE $70AMIR

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Originally posted by: Toro 45
Any comments on the noise level of the Antec Neo HE 550W Power Supply?
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At 50% load and below the NeoHE is almost inaudible.
 
I'm using the Antec Neo HE 550W on my main system: 4200 X2, 2 hard drives, 4 case fans, dvdrw, dvdrom, etc. It has been nothing but rock solid.
 
I noticed the Fry's Sonata II ad describes the included 450w Antec SmartPower 2.0 as v2.01.

I'm guessing this is a revision to the problematic Antec 450 that has been crapping out on a lot of people?? reviews here
 
Heck, I'm in. I've been eying this case for a couple of years. Have an Antec tower that's been a good case, and have built a few others for family and friends. Now I want to update and get something quieter. Already bought the NEO 550w, so I might pull the 450 and keep it for a spare.

Fry's add may be referring to Antec's claim that "SmartPower 2.0 meets ATX12V v2.01 standards" as seen on this PDF http://www.antec.com/pdf/flyers/SmartPower2.pdf
 
Good deal on the case, but I'd be scared to use the psu it comes with since it seems like half the reviews I've read say that it ends up dying withing 6 months. Why risk it?
 
Originally posted by: Dynamyck
I noticed the Fry's Sonata II ad describes the included 450w Antec SmartPower 2.0 as v2.01.

I'm guessing this is a revision to the problematic Antec 450 that has been crapping out on a lot of people?? reviews here
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It's Intel ATX specification 2.01 compatible. It has nothing to do with the version number of the PSU.

The NEO HE 550 is ATX 2.2 (the latest, I believe) compatible.

These specifications are the reason some PSU no longer have the -5V rail (and people call them "23-pin" PSUs), and why you're seeing the 8-pin +12v connector on the newest ones.

I've been almost-exclusively using the NEO HE 550 for system builds the last few months. The high efficiency, modular design, silence and Antec warranty make it a no-brainer. Yes, there were problems between the PSU and some ASUS motherboards (A8N series) when the two originally came out, but that is in the past (in case you bump into those threads).

By the way, the rebate goes to www.rebatestatus.com, and they're very good about processing rebates and helping you out if they don't receive it or there's an error. They even answer their emails pretty quickly. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: MustangSVT
damn it.. I just got 2 cases -_-;

Free ultra midtower and the small ultrafly.

now I want this as well with its 450w psu.. mmmm decisions decisions 😀
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have had my sonata 2 for a year and a bit, everything's runnin perfectly fine
 
pretty nice if you need a case/psu. antecs done good with their cases and engineering them to be quiet as possible. much better than pointless garish flash other companies go for.

course its not the case for you if you have a heat monster and want to fill it with raptors. but thats a bit obvious.
its a perfectly good case for an average system
 
Fry's is AWESOME! This was my first order from Fry's and won't be my last. I ordered this case on Friday late, and got it today🙂 DHL was the carrier. I'm Happy.
 
Tasty for an Antec..I'm running an Antec BTX case (don't have to ask which one, the only BTX one they make =p) and it keeps noise down and is tasteful, yet still sleek.
 
Originally posted by: Cygnus X1
Fry's is AWESOME! This was my first order from Fry's and won't be my last. I ordered this case on Friday late, and got it today🙂 DHL was the carrier. I'm Happy.
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I've got you beat. I ordered a Sonata II and a FAR Ultra case, and guess what I got today? Two Sonata IIs! :Q They have the exact same tracking number, so hey, free case! Now just to see if the Ultra case shows up... 🙂

Not to mention overnight delivery via the free shipping.
 
Originally posted by: Pollock
Originally posted by: Cygnus X1
Fry's is AWESOME! This was my first order from Fry's and won't be my last. I ordered this case on Friday late, and got it today🙂 DHL was the carrier. I'm Happy.
Click to expand...

I've got you beat. I ordered a Sonata II and a FAR Ultra case, and guess what I got today? Two Sonata IIs! :Q They have the exact same tracking number, so hey, free case! Now just to see if the Ultra case shows up... 🙂

Not to mention overnight delivery via the free shipping.
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I hate you :laugh:
 
In for the case. I've built systems with the Sonata II before, its a quiet case, but as mentioned, the PSU that comes with it needs replaced.
 
received mine today. opened the box, pulled the case out. does anyone remember the old samsonite commercial where the gorilla is throwing around the suitcase? well that's what my case looked like, front of it busted all to s**t. call to Outpost/Fry's CS- "oh i'm sorry sir, we'll be more than happy to ship another one once we charge your card again, and then refund back to you once we receive the damaged case". up the ladder to a supervisor, same reply. try to go up past that, no one available. so if i want this sonata at the $40.00 after-rebate price, i gotta shell out a total of $180.00, wait for the new case, then wait for Outpost/Fry's to refund me $90.00, then wait for my $50.00 rebate.

btw, googling "Fry's Customer Service" is enlightening, apparently the terms are mutually exclusive. their track record is HORRIBLE as far as customer service. unfortunately only found this out after this purchase, my sixth from them(first time i needed customer service)
 
Originally posted by: soflawill
received mine today. opened the box, pulled the case out. does anyone remember the old samsonite commercial where the gorilla is throwing around the suitcase? well that's what my case looked like, front of it busted all to s**t. call to Outpost/Fry's CS- "oh i'm sorry sir, we'll be more than happy to ship another one once we charge your card again, and then refund back to you once we receive the damaged case". up the ladder to a supervisor, same reply. try to go up past that, no one available. so if i want this sonata at the $40.00 after-rebate price, i gotta shell out a total of $180.00, wait for the new case, then wait for Outpost/Fry's to refund me $90.00, then wait for my $50.00 rebate.

btw, googling "Fry's Customer Service" is enlightening, apparently the terms are mutually exclusive. their track record is HORRIBLE as far as customer service. unfortunately only found this out after this purchase, my sixth from them(first time i needed customer service)
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Sometimes you get lucky with FRYS sometimes you get screwed, BADLY.
 
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