So is the Antec SX1030 really as good as what i have heard?

[mikef208]

I have read many reviews, not to mention the numerous accounts of this case on the forums, so it seems everyone here likes the case. I am very interested in purchasing it, unless someone can convince me otherwise. Is there something better out there. I am looking for good cooling, stylish, modable, an all around nice case, and the Antec seems good, but is it good enough. Also if so, which one should I get. Apparently the case is so good, the several differant people sell differant variatons of it. Which one shoudl i opt for.

 

[Muerto]

As far as I know there's only two versions, beige and black. Get the black one. It just looks cooler.

 

[GundamF91]

I don't know why I keep pushing for SX830. but if you haven't considered SX830, you should take a look at how good that case is. I like it w/o the door of SX1030.

 

[damocles]

The case is made by Chenming. Enermax, Chieftech and Directron all have variants based on the same basic case.

The case is very good
-It is large and contains a plentiful number of bays
-cools well with potential to cool fantastically
-it looks good
-it comes with a funky PSU

The only things i dont like about this case are it's weight (it's a tower, so thats what you get) and the fact that the motherboard tray doesn't slide out. Also it wont house std P4 motherboards to the best of my knowledge

There are comparable or better cases out there, but the 1030 is a very nice case that can be found at a very reasonable price

 

[Zach29]

I've had mine (Directron true black version) for about 2 months.. I can't see ever buying any other cases for myself... I just totaly love it. It is a bit oin the heavy side though, so if you plan on LAN partying, you may want to get a cart

 

[AntecCSR]

SX1030 chassis-wise (meaning the case itself) is P4 ready. If you go with the SX1040 then you'll also have a P4 (ATX12V) power supply so then you're all set if you're going that route. Not sure about what was meant by funky p/s since form factor wise it's standard.

Also if you're going with a high end Athlon (over 1 Ghz) you're better off with the SX1040 (or 840) since the PP303X is currently only approved with 900Mhz.

AntecCSR

 

[Garet Jax]

The biggest complaint I have heard about this case is that the MB tray is not removable. Even though this is true, I see this as an advantage!

The opening in the case has to be big enough to drop in an ATX size MB. As a result, it is the biggest opening I have ever worked with. There is lots of room to do all that one would normally do (RAM, fans, HDs, cables, etc...).

The only problem is that if one does a lot of work with HSFs, then it is probably best to take the MB out of the case to minimize the chances of crushing your CPU core. This is a problem because mine is fixed with 9 screws.

Since I do this a lot less than anything else, it is easy to live with.

 

[mikef208]

Well I am not too worried about the P4, since i don't plan to go that route any time... well any time at all. I really like the blue enermax version, but man it's close to 200.00 shipped, thats a lot of bones for a case. Same with the stealth black diretron model ,it's expensive, just for the color. But it looks like my suspicions were confirmed, everybody likes the antec. Oh and as for the SX830, I think it's kinda ugly, but thats my opinion. I like the looks of the door on the 1030, but knowing my luck, when I get one here, I will hate the door.

 

[mrCide]

It gives you sex also.. I don't know why everyone seems to neglect mentioning that..

 

[mikef208]

SEX? Um, okay

 

[Garet Jax]

mikef208,

Where do you live?

I bought the Enermax version (black case and blue front plate) from Central Computers. I picked it up in SF so didn't have to worry about shipping.

 

[mikef208]

Unfortunately I live in OH, it seems like everything is in CA though. I didn't know enermax had a black one with a blue bezel, i thought they had an all blakc and an all blue one. i will check it out.

 

[mikef208]

Oops I double posted, got a link to that case, i can't seem to find a pic of it.

 

[Salvador]

I like it!

HTH

Sal

 

[Keego]

Heh there's a blue/black version that I got from Fry's (in california) that I love.

 

[Zach29]

mikef208,
I'm in Ohio too.. I don't know of anyplace that carries them localy (cols. area) accept they can be ordered from Best Buy.. I saw them on their website, called to double check stock at the Polaris location, and the guy told me they had them in stock.. they didn't

I had gotten in on the "Hot Deal" at Provcantage, who is also in OH. , but they don't handle the orders themselves, they just take the orders. After recieving TWO all smashed up by UPS (hence my sig.) and Provantage telling me there was nothing they could do, I cancelled the order and got one from Directron.com .. they took some extra care in packaging the case, and it arrived in great shape in about four days.

 

[Garet Jax]

mikef208,

The one I bought has an Enermax PS in it so I thought it was made by Enermax. If they only have an all blue and an all black one, then obviously I was mistaken .

 

[kgraeme]

<<
Also if you're going with a high end Athlon (over 1 Ghz) you're better off with the SX1040 (or 840) since the PP303X is currently only approved with 900Mhz.

AntecCSR >>



Hey, thanks for pointing this out! I'll have to keep that in mind with my current system.

It's worth noting that the SX1040 isn't the only option for CPUs over 900HHz. At Directron, they let you configure it with different PSUs, including the Antec 400W rated at up to 1400MHz. Curiously, the Enermax 450W is only rated at 1GHz.

 

[mikef208]

I am still not sure who to get it from, nor which one to get.

 

[Joe Danfa]

kgraeme.

yeah that's curious about the Enermax 450watt PS. actually, I'm intending on getting the directron case and hopefully find a 350 watt Antec PS locally. The Antec PS supplies usually get a higher rating, and are a little cheaper than the Enermax.

 

[joeld]

I'm checking on the black (or charcoal black or whatever) sx1030b from antec, and I'm confused about the p/s ratings. Just cause it's rated at 900 doesn't mean it'll give sub par performance when, let's say, overclocking a athlon to 1.5ghz, does it? My system won't have much power hungry devices, just 1 hd, cd, athlon 4, etc. i'll get a gf3 next year, but i'm not sure how much power it uses (my gf256 now probably uses more...)

so what's up with the ratings?

 

[TheWhoDat]

<< mikef208,
I'm in Ohio too.. I don't know of anyplace that carries them localy (cols. area) accept they can be ordered from Best Buy.. >>



Microcenter carries Antec case, and the are on display. They have two locations in the Columbus area.

I am heading there today to pick one up.

TheWhoDat

 

[TheWhoDat]

I think they have the SX1030 and the SX1240 too. I don't recall if they have the black sx1030.

 

[TheWhoDat]

BTW, don't go in there expecting Web prices, they run a little on the high side, but they usually have most stuff in stock.

I'm done now!

 

[gogeeta13]

I am in OHIO as well, cleveland actually. I got my sx1030b(great fvcing case) from EMS for 82+20 shipping). It was the cheapest i could get. I went to microcenter and they were $130 there. I also called a lot of local mom and pop Computer shops, and not many had em(if they did they were pricey). If you are by cleveland, COMPSOURCE carries the case for 109, but be forewarned, COMPSOURE is a swindleing, take advantage of you customer company! Oh yeah, and if you get it from them, you will have to add 7% tax(cuyahoga county piggyback)