Maximum PC rates the Antec SX830... rant...

[dcdomain]

Just got the newest issue of Maximum BS (PC). Anyway, even though they've obviously gone a little downhill, they are still the most enjoyable computer mag read out there.

Page 40, they reviewed four cases. Since I have an Antec SX1030B, I'm gonna have to defend the Antex SX830 they reviewed. They gave the Antec SX830 an 8, the SP-North America Silent PC a 9, The Light-On FS020 a 9 and a Kick ass award. The other case, the Elan Vital T-10 was given a 6, not worth talking about.

Anyway, the minuses they gave the Antec case were: Unfiltered fans, and no mobo tray. Now I've personally never had much experience with slide out mobo trays, and from the way they described how you get the mobo tray out of the SP-North America (remove both side panels and then pull out the tray) it doesn't seem like much of a time saver. Of course, it's done because it's easier to work with the mobo when it's not contricted inside a case. However, I found the Antec cases a joy to work in... they were roomy and I never even thought about the slide out.

I just don't get why the other two cases were given higher scores. The SP comes with a measly 230watt power supply and no fans, and yet it costs $135. The only thing I wish the Antec had that this case had was the sound deadening material and quick release cardholders. Not sure how well sound deadening material works though, my friend tried it once and told me not to even bother with it.

The Lite-on case doesn't even come with a power supply and yet it costs $145. In addition it has that annoying bar running across the case near the PCI slots. I'd hate to work with that thing in the way.

Now I know I haven't had any experiences with the other cases, but the reasons given by the reviewers for rating the other two cases above the Antec, I just don't understand. Maybe someone could clarify. The Antec case comes with an AMD approved 300watt 'smart' power supply, two 80mm fans and casings for two more. The thing is solid as hell and there's plenty of room to work in it, not to mention the quick release rails. It costs around 90 bucks, definitely cheaper than the others. The two rated better, one has a 230w power supply, the other doesn't have one, both are more expensive, one's actually smaller in size (but has a slide out mobo tray, the 'KICK ASS' Light-On doesn't even have one, and they didn't even mention it in the review, but they plastered it over the Antec review. Both have filters, which do come in handy (I'd like to do soemthing similar to my case)... but I still don't see how they could have rated it the way they did.

It's obvious the other two case are quality cases too, so please don't flame me for putting down the other cases, I think they deserve their scores, but I'm just trying to figure out why the Antec wasn't up there with them.

Anyway, next to the price in the review, they put Sony down instead of Antec... anyone know if there's anything going on there or if it's just a mistake? Probably a mistake right?

I'm going to start looking into the sound proofing material and a way to cover up my fans. Anyone use the stocking method? I'm thinking about just stretching a cut up stocking across the intake fans. What should I use to hold it in place?

What did you guys think about the review? I think it's another proof of the downhill slide Maximum PC is on...

 

[AMD4ME2]

BAH! they are crazy! the antec case rocks! the removable motherboard tray is only really useful in smaller cases... the antec has a great layout and plenty of room to work.. its the best available for the price... and that is my FINAL awnser!

 

[HiveTyrant]

hmmm shows who pays there wages, the antec is thebest ive ever had. Man im running at below room temp with this case!!! BTW thats case temp not cpu

 

[ericd]

It all depends on your frame of reference. If you are rating cooling ability (the topic of this forums) the Lite-On definitly deserves a higher rating than the antec due to it's 2 120mm fan positions. If you are rating all around usability etc.....I can't make a judgement call due to the fact that I have never actually gotten my hand on a Lite-On (I want one badly though). I personally think that for Maximum PC's purposes since they don't discuss overclocking (last time I knew) the Antec would actually be the overall winner, no it doesn't have a removable MoBo tray but who needs it in that monster of a case....you could park a Buick in that case. Of course I think that the lack of the mobo tray is more than overshadowed by the EXCELLENT driverails and the easily removable side panel and HD trays. Just my $.02

Eric

 

[hagbard]

Could be Antec's poor quality power supplies and their lack of tech support.

...hag

 

[AMD4ME2]

Hag,

Whats the latest on that anyway.. I saw where you were talking to the antec rep.. did he ever find anything out about your problem? everyone(including AMD) seems to like the antec powersupplies, so I would guess yours is a fluke problem. Hope
they get it worked out for you.

 

[AL77]

I can't see how having two 80mm fans at the front and back is not enough for most sytems builders out there, if this is Maximum PC's view. The only complaint I have about the SX830 is the size. I just feel it's oversized for the average person's needs. But, it does look to be well-constructed. I've heard that a smaller (i.e. midtower) verison of the SX830 might be introduced soonby Antec. I'm looking forward to this one. The lack of mb tray means very little to me. It's very easy to screw in a mb to 6-10 standoffs in a case of that size (or even the smaller KS282) without the use of a mb tray. This is not a negative IMO.



<< Could be Antec's poor quality power supplies and their lack of tech support. >>


hagbard, you're going to have to elaborate when you make statements like that, especially since I haven't heard too many people around here complain about failing Antec power supplies. What was your experience in particular to justify your statement? What facts will you present as to the quality/reliability of Antec's (past/present?) power supplies to back up your claims? I could understand if you had problems in the past with Antec products, but then you should give examples, and not just pass statements off as absolute fact. One-liner condemnations like yours are quite absurd.

BTW, to anyone who has bought an Antec case lately, have they replaced that extremely poor I/O shield with a better one. They sent me a new one for an Antec KS282, but I still wasn't happy with the replacement. It had two inseparable parts attached together, but one part was still the old flimsy metal with protusions around the PS2 mouse/keyboard ports, which still blocked the insertion of these peripherals. I don't know why they just don't use the newer one by itself

 

[dcdomain]

Hag,

Sorry to hear about your problems. I haven't really heard a lot of bad things said about their power supplies, so hopefully yours was an isolated incident. I've heard mixed things about their tech support though, takes forever to reach them, but on the other hand, getting that I/O panel is a piece of cake... This is the best damn case I ever bought. I like the huge size, solid as a rock. Only complaint I have is their front... if they could only have made that outta metal too (but it would have driven the price up), and if they made it so that the door hinge was able to be switched to the other side.

dc

 

[hagbard]

>>Hag,

Whats the latest on that anyway.. I saw where you were talking to the antec rep.. did he ever find anything out about your problem? everyone(including AMD) seems to like the antec powersupplies, so I would guess yours is a fluke problem. Hope
they get it worked out for you. >>

Nope. The guy asks me to contact him, which I did, and I didn't get any reply (5 days). I've run into a few others who've experienced the same from Antec on other issues (parts for their cases). Their 800 number doesn't even work from Canada, which is something pretty rare nowadays. Luckily, I haven't gotten any more nasty messages from MBM5 or Asus Probe...I don't know one way or the other if their IS a problem, since they don't answer my mail I can only wait, see if it dies, then chuck it in the trash can. I should have kept the power supply that came with my case.

...hag

 

[Shu8]

they say the case only includes one removable drive tray because where another one could be placed has a second 80mm front fan slot. that's not right...mine came with two. unless am i just one of the lucky ones that received 2.

 

[ericd]

You would be one of the lucky ones.

Eric

 

[Daudi]

Using sound deadening material on your case is a crock. People think that if they use dynamat in their case, it's gonna block the sound. This is not what dynamat and other materials are used for. Their for controlling certain vibrations, adding mass, so your panel doesn't flex when theirs alot of vibration (ie bass, this is why it's so popular used in cars). If you actually want to BLOCK the sound just get some foam padding, like the kind they use under home carpet..VERY CHEAP..and stick it to the insides of the case. That will quiet her down...This material actually absorbs the sound so your going to get a much quieter case. Have fun..

 

[RagingGuardian]

ericd, the Lite-On has 3 120mm fan positions, atleast mine does. Now about the &quot;anoying bar&quot; that runs across it, it can easily be removed. The FS020 can also do without a motherboard tray due to it's large size. Even though it's classified as a midtower you'd have a hard time fitting it on your desktop. The powersupply didn't bother me at all since I had all intentions of using and Enermax anyway.

IMHO, Maximum PC did a great job reviewing the cases. dcdomain it's understandable that your mad that your SX830 didn't get a Kick Ass like my FS020

 

[Shu8]

actually ericd....my friend who also has the case told me his came with a second drive cage

 

[jsbush]

My SX830 also came with 2 removable hard drive trays. Case temp is around 22-23C and it sure is lower then the room temp cus I'm always hot in this room.

 

[shiznut123]

what the hell were they thinking giving antec a bad score?

 

[hydrobum]

I got 2 SX830 for Xmas and both came with 2 drive trays

 

[Siamskunk]

This &quot;LITE ON&quot; award made me think about my Chenbro Genie umm...

 

[AMD4ME2]

Yup I got the 2 drive cages too

Lower than room temperature? Most people say thats not possible but I think that the metal of the case may make it cooler plus the &quot;wind chill factor&quot; they should make a case thats watercooled.. and have built in pipes that run throughout the case instead of just watercooling the CPU!

I love my sx830 and I haven't even used it yet

 

[ericd]

Then you are all lucky ones with the SX830. As you can see from Antec's product page here. the SX830 is only supposed to come with one drive cage. The fact that so many of you got ones with two cages only means that either the run with two cages was larger than I thought or you all just bought them at about the same time.

RagingGuardian- yes you are correct the Lite-On does have 3 120mm fan positions in it. I don't know if I just hit the wrong key when I was typing yesterday or if I temporarily lost my mind...either way my mistake.

Eric

 

[Term2]

I just got the Antec SX830 case from Onvia.com (I am one of those last souls that got the free shipping with a price tag of 80 USD) Luckily I bought it fast when I saw the price jumped to 85 USD.

This case is a joy to work on. No question abt it. My case came with 2 removable drive cage too !

 

[ericd]

The only real complaint that I have about the SX1030 is the fact that the handle to remove the side panel is in a kind of bad place for moding. I would like the put a fan directly over the heatsink on my processor to give the 60mm fan some assistance. Also the way that the fans mount makes it kind of hard to put in bigger fans or even cut the grills off the back of the case. Cutting the grills off is not a problem but finding a way to cover the gaping/cat eating holes in the back is another story. I've considered everything from gutter guard to welding normal wire guards onto the case. If any of you 830/1030 owners have found ways around either of these things please let me know.

Eric

 

[whalen]

I just got my SX830 today after SCREW-PS damaged my first one. I got it for 80+ free ship from onvia, and got 2 rem-drive bays. I'm begining to think that antec messed up on their description, and EVERYONE gets 2...

 

[Renob]

I will never own a case without a slide out mobo tray they are the best........

 

[dcdomain]

Actually RagingGuardian I have the Antec SX1030B. I think MaximumPC did a review on the 1030 back in November right? Can't seem to dig up that issue right now. Wondering what score it got. One of the negatives was probably the flimsy hinged door.

Anyway, some of you 830 owners that got the two drive bays, I heard the reason for it (from another thread) was that Antec was having trouble filling the 830 orders, so they grabbed a bunch of 1030 cases and just slapped on the 830 front onto them... but then I'm not sure why they didn't just get rid of one of the drive bays... they are quick release afterall...