Anyone know when the Fusion is scheduled to come out? It's mentioned in the article, and the press release says March 1, 2006. I'd really like to see that before I decide on my future HTPC case.

Narc,
just got the same concern about the Fusion.
However, here in Europe, the NSK2400 is just available since few days (and the few resellers having it really make you pay the high price..)
My guess, I won't see the Fusion for another 2 or 3 months.. So, if i am sure I can fit easily any third party VFD into one of the 5.25 bay (see my previous question), then i guess I'll go for the 2400 as soon as I find a fair deal on the internet..

Btw, another quick question for NSK2400 owners : could someone confirm me that the fan of the corresponding SU380 power supply is easy to swap, ie that it is powered using a standard 2 pin PSU connector ??

Thanks for the feedback
Eddy

The fan is powered via a standard 2-pin connector. It shouldn't be hard to swap.

Hmm... delayed ETA @ retailer - again, and again....

cmcquistion, thanks for the feedback
Looks like the NSK2400 is again nowhere in stock in Europe... So i'll need to wait before starting my new build..

Anyhow, It give me even more time to make sure my overall design sounds good. So far, foreseen components are as follows :

MB : MSI K8NGM2-FID (great feedback on the dedicated anandtech forum)
HD : recycled Seagate barracuda IV 40 Go
CPU : AMD64 3200+ venice (somewhat undervolt..)
Case Fans : 2 x Scythe S-FLEX @ 800 rpm (SFF21D)
PSU : the NSK2400 one with a fan swap (a papst @ 8 V or so)
HS : thermalright SI-120 (XP-120 doesn't fit with the MB, but SI-120 should..)
HS fan : ideally none, we will see, otherwise it would be interesting to put a 80 mm fan just UNDER the main HS fin surfaces...
I alreay got the SI-120 : it is a pity that one just miss 1 or 2 mm in order to do that : a bit of bending of the 2 supports would be needed so i will wait before such experiment to see if a really need an HS fan..

All comments are welcome..

Eddy

Hey everyone.

MikeC, great review. I'm in the process of ordering the parts for my first HTPC. I was very interested in cooling and noise and your article was right on time.

So far I've ordered:
Antec NSK2400
MSI K8NGM2-FID
AMD Athlon 64 3200

I plan to use 2 Samsung 250GB SATA HDDs, the NVIDIA Dual TV tuner, FusionHDTV5-RT-Lite HD tuner and a Samsung DVD drive. I had already planned on buying the Seasonic S-12 ATX12V 380W PSU. I'll be using the onboard video and audio fetures, at least for now.

After I read your review I decided that I will try the Scythe 120mm case fan and the Zalman 7700AlCu HSF. But then I saw one poster, cmcquistion, used a passive HS which sounds good. Now I have two options to look at for cooling/noise reduction. But I have never disassembled and configured a HSF unit like you did with the Zalman/Nexus. Is it hard to do?

I'll look at some of the other forums too. I have a new dual Xeon video editing system that needs some serious quieting. Thanks again.

Oh! One more quick question! Was there any specific reason for which case fan would be removed? It seem like the one the was removed and covered would have pulled air more centrally through the case. I'm just curious. Thanks.

Jackal5 --

Welcome to SPCR!

Chances are, with a copper Zalman 7000/7700 you might not even have to turn the fan on. Swapping the fan is easy if you have any mech. skills at all. There is an article/PS on the main site -- and at least one in the forums. And because the new fan only has to sit on top (rather than hang sideways like in a tower case), strong double sided adhesive tape is all you need to keep it on.

I've also discovered a good vertical heatsink that will fit nicely in the NSK2400 -- it's called nPower NPH, a bunch of models with different mountings. Not sure about how good a cooler it really is, as we've done little serious testing, but it seems good enough.

As for which fan to block off, each one was tried at some point; I can't recall why only that one was written about -- maybe because the article was too long anyway and the difference wasn't big enough to talk about.

Thanks a lot MikeC. Someone in the HTPC forum is trying a passive heat sink on the CPU. I'm interested in going down that path in the results are good. I'm going to take a look at the model you mentioned too.

Thanks again.

Built one of these for an HTPC a few weeks ago. Worked very well.

NSK2400
MSI FID
AMD 3800+XP
2 Gig Ram
EVGA 7900GT KO
Auzentech Xplosion
NVIDIA Dual Tuner
2 Samsung 250G Drives
Asus Silver DVD Drive
1 Spot for future HD Drive
2 Scythe 1200 RPM Fans (Stock ones seemed good as well)
Stock Antec Power Supply (seems fine)
Stock AMD Cooler

I don't care quite as much about noise as most folks here do since my components are in a low, glass doored, entertainment center under my TV and between my main speakers. These seem plenty quiet to me and I really only hear the DVD drive when it spins up on CD access.

I discovered one trick I thought some folks might get a use for. The vent in the back that draws air into the system. It's an exact match for a 70mm Dust Free fan using the Acousti rubber fan mounts. No hole drilling required. You just work the rubber end of the mounts around a bit and they will pop out the back of the mesh. Get you a ton of extra air movement and Acousti gives you the option of undervolting this fan as needed.

Well, I have to RMA my mobo. I can't get a post out of it. I've tried so many combinations of plugging and unplugging and swapping things but I can't get any video. Not even with an PCI slot video card. I tested the boards fan plugs and they all work. The case connected switchs seem to work. But none of the USB ports, video ports and I think the keyboard ports work. The keyboard lights will blink for a second when I power it on but that's it. After that I can't get any response from it. I've only ordered 2 boards online before and I'm having the exact same problem with both.

But in my opinion, the stock case fans and PSU fan are very quiet. I'm new to the whole PC silencing thing but they seemed low level to me. The stock fan on the 3200 HS was a bit louder but that's because it's blowing air through the HS fins. That's why I would like to try passive cooling for the CPU.

I've considered suspending the HDD but the carriage is slightly of center and the HDD would probably lay against the rear wall of that compartment. I'll still look into it just for fun.

No more online board orders for me after this.

Hey guyz, Im pondering on wether to get this case or not.
I like the looks and functionality of this case tons! the cooling seems extremely well thought out as I have read all the reviews and this entire topic. I also love the high quality PSU that it comes with and for the price this puppy cant be beat.
But, Im not using it for a HTPC as I am using it rather for my gaming / OC rig. I have been using overclocked shuttle SFF's for the last 3 years and I freaking love them.
I have all the parts for this case already figured out Im just wondering is this the one to go with for me if I wont be using it for a HTPC.
I will have it under my desk and I was wondering mainly...how do you guyz thing this case will perform standing on the PSU vent side verticle under my desk...I figure the PSU will just be a little warmer and have to pull air out of the cases rear vent instead. How much do you think this will impact this cases amazing cooling performance?
I am not one that really cares about noise..I dont need no super quiet PC just one that is decently quiet =) Heck like I said Ive been running shuttle for a while now and those fans they have in their at 80% sound like a freakin jet taking off...so Im semi used to it while playin games but I have them programmed to back down to 30% when just in windows.

Anyways...the big thing is do you guyz think this case will be ok standing on the PSU side vertically....if so then I think it will be awesome for me...if not then I will have to find another "PERFECT" case but that stands vertically and is small. =(

Thanks =)

I wouldn't recommend it. You'll probably cook the PSU, and the VGA cooling may be affected. I'm not sure which rear vent you are expecting airflow to come from for the PSU, but keep in mind that the power supply is almost completely sealed from the main chamber. I don't see how it would get air if you put the case on its side.

On another note, it is possible that one of the reasons why the VGA card is cooled so well is because it is sideways. In a typical tower configuration, hot air can get trapped underneatht the card.

Is there any reason why you can't just use it as a desktop case?

Hrm....hrm...well its between this and a Qpack lol....and i like the design of this baby a lot better.
Thing is I cant really put it on my desk cuz I already have a sort of smallish table that my monitor sits on ... and I store stuff under the table, well thats where this thing would go and leaves no storage space left...otherwise if I stack them then Im staring up in the sky to see my monitor =P

I really want this cuz of the cooling and the Qpack I would have to replace its crappy PSU with something like a 60-90$ PSU...while I could have both a really good product and PSU by purchasing this antec case..

Thats where Im at.

You CAN set it on its side, with the PSU vent on the floor, if you have to. There is an opening between the PSU chamber and the main chamber, to run cables through and such. It has a plastic door that can be adjusted to a closed position and then tightened down with a small screw. If you just leave this door all the way open, that will allow air from the main chamber to go down into the PSU chamber. I think that this will work fine.

Maybe get a pair of plastic cradles that would raise the case on its side an inch off the floor. I agree with Devon this is not ideal -- I designed the case specifically with the horizontal postion in mind (no, I wasn't thinking dirty thoughts. ).

This is a bit of a silly question, but has anyone had a go at getting a zalman CNPS9500 in there. I know it'll take some modification, but I'm not sure how much... I'd rather not buy another high-end heatsink.

Yeah, I did it. You basically bend the fins at the top -- sort of like a part in your hair -- until the cover can be put on. It bends back quite easily. Shouldn't matter if the fins touch the case.

Fair enough.

I was worried that if you had to do that too much the top fins might start to get a bit close to the fan, but I'll take your word that it's ok.

awesome...okies thanks for the replys guys. I am still considering this case as I really really like it.
Other than that, I want to make sure...the 7700 Zalman heatsinks will they fit in the case? I think thats what the bigger one in the review is...but it looks like the socket is awfully close to the 120mm fans...is there enough room for this heatsink it is 120mm equivilant right?

If it depends on mobo socket position I am plannin on getting the BIOSTAR TFORCE 6100 939.
Thanks
EDIT:
I was also wondering one other thing. I still use a floppy drive, but not often.
I was wondering is there any way to mount one in the HDD bay?...if not would a 5.25" converter work for the main 2 bays?
I would really like the hidden idea of the 2 hdd bays tho since I only use it when Im flashing bios or doing DOS stuff.
Thanks

Yes, the 7700 does fit, at least with the MSI 6150 FID motherboard. You can mount a floppy in one of the 5.25" bays, with a converter. The problem will be finding a converter the right color. Someone mentioned a good spraypaint brand/color, earlier in this thread, though, that matches the front pretty well, if you want to paint your own.

I don't think that you could mount a floppy in one of the hard drive bays, without a little zip-tying or something. The mounting brackets are spaced for hard drive mounting holes, which are different than floppy mounting holes. Also, the screws used are different, so you couldn't use the screws provided. That said, it shouldn't be hard to sandwich a drive in there, put a floppy disk in it and leave it, there, until you need to flash a BIOS or something. This is what I did in my Antec P150.

That's such a pretty case.. l was tempted to get a Minuet for my mATX system but ...

l hope l can get one here in the UK for a sensible price

Ah... finaly in stock!

And according to users (here and new-egg) I think I'll go for a silver NEC.

Here is an aluminum 5.25-to-3.5 convertor that should work. I used one to mount a silver-face floppy drive for my NSK2400 build; works like a charm.

Awesome case. Reading the review led me to almost immediately order one -- this first one for my server, which is rather sad in a 4cm-high pizzabox with a broken PSU fan, and therefore no cover and an 8 cm fan blowing across it. Unfortunately, I didn't quite do my research as well as I thought I had and I ordered a Katana to go with it. The server's currently an S370 Celeron 366, (although I'm planning to put a 566 CuMine I've lying around in it in the Antec), which is why I went with the Katana rather than the Ninja.

However, now reading this thread I find out that neither of these coolers will fit. I was kind of banking on using a tower-style heatsink with possibly some extra home-made ducting to the 120 mm fan(s) to go with semi-passive.

What are my alternatives? Most of the heatsinks, other than perhaps the 9500 (and I haven't checked yet whether that comes in a 370/462 version), seem to be oriented in radically the wrong direction for the best benefit from the case fan airflow. For the Celly 366/566 configuration, not all that much of a big deal, but for my next trick, I was gonna use another 2400 with an S939 Athlon64 3200+ to replace my current HTPC[1], and for that it's a bit more critical.

The nPower NPH towers mentioned earlier seem to be decent, if not as spectacular as the Ninja, but they do not appear to be easily available in Europe, The Netherlands (does anyone know of a good vendor, local to Europe?).

I haven't paid for my order yet, so I can probably still cancel the Katana, at least, but I do need an alternative.



[1] Which is a Celeron 1400 Tualatin on a special Tualatin Slot 1 converter on a Biostar mainboard -- aka thrown together out of whatever I had lying around.

I think that there is a version of the Zalman 7000 that might work with your Socket.

The Antec Fusion is basically an NSK2400 with VFD, volume control, and more expensive frontispiece, right? So it will still not fit the large heat sinks?

[edit:]I think I have my solution. The Zalman 7000/7700 both have a mounting system which relies on motherboard holes, so no-go for S370 anyway, but the Zalman 6000 uses a regular clip and will fit S370, and the fin orientation works reasonably well with the nsk2400, I think. It just so happens that the Barton 2500+ I have in my main desktop PC is cooled (rather inadequately, for silent purposes) by a Zalman 6000Cu, so what I'm gonna do[1] is switch the ordered Katana for a Ninja+, graft the Ninja into my desktop, and use the now no longer used 6000 in the server.

Thanks for the brainstorming help guys.


[1] Assuming that once I check out it'll fit in my Lian Li PC60 there are no problems. [Edit2:]A quick google confirms that there are people with Ninjas in PC-60s, so that should not be an issue.

I just got an Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro (bigass mofo) to fit inside the NSK-2400. I took the top four fins off and crimped the heatpipes off to the side to shorten the overall height. Sure it reduces cooling performance some, but it allows the biggest heatsink I've ever set eyes on fit inside my NSK-2400.

With the K9NGM2-FID mobo, that means the plastic guide flaps almost touch the heatsink, forcing air from the side vent to flow past the heatsink. At 100% load on an Athlon 64 3500+, I'm seeing about 55-57 deg C. That's perfectly acceptable! Woohoo! Also, I've got my machine set to automatically downclock and undervolt when not using the CPU, so it should idle considerably lower than that.

I've got the low speed Yate Loon 120mm fan occupying the backmost 120mm spot, running at 850 rpm.

The next item on the list is to replace the PSU with a fortron 350 that I have kicking around. It's got a speed control on the back, and I'm going to replace the high speed 120 with another YL 120.

This machine has no HDD. It boots off the network.

The stock PSU in the Antec is better than any fortron 350 I've seen -- better efficiency. better fan controller. Just swap for a quieter fan.

Is there any way you could show a photo of your creation, and/or expand a bit on 'crimped the heatpipes off to the side'? What sort of tool did you use to do it? I'm imagining something like using a pair of pliers to make the top of the heatpipes flat, and then bending them away? Doesn't that pose a severe risk of getting the heatpipe holed and losing the contents?

Does anybody knows if the ASUS EN7600GT passively-cooled video card will fit in this case?