Antec CES pictures at AMD Zone

Post by **Rusty075** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 6:52 am

To put some of the speculation to rest before it gets crazy, and as a tease to the upcoming SPCR Does CES2006 article let me say that:

The HTPC case(s) are far and away the most exciting thing we saw at the show. It is a lot more than, "just a PSU chamber". It probably implements the P180's design theory of airflow control better than even the P180 does.

The 3 silver fronted cases are the new Solution series. (The replacement for the venerable SLK's). They are not new versions/sizes of the P150.

Of them, the little one, the NSK6500 is the one to really watch. Yes it's an SFX PSU, but it's a 300watt 80-Plus certified one with an interesting airflow strategy.

aztec · Post by **aztec** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 9:39 am

the mAtx case would be great if it could take an ATX PSU....add a SLI mATX board...

...I just hope it takes a 92mm fan in the front.

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:00 am

That SFX PSU looks a lot like the Seasonic SFX PSU reviewed by SPCR

And on that Futurelooks article I posted they also mentioned that the Fusion was like a horizontal P180

Post by **MikeC** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:59 am

Richard Berg wrote:If the HTPC case is capable of P150/180-class silence, I want to be first in line.

It is. I made sure.

Only drawback for some folks will be that it's limited to micro-ATX boards.

A review sample should be here by the month's end.

spolitta · Post by **spolitta** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:17 pm

MikeC wrote:
Richard Berg wrote:If the HTPC case is capable of P150/180-class silence, I want to be first in line.
It is. I made sure.

Only drawback for some folks will be that it's limited to micro-ATX boards.

A review sample should be here by the month's end.

People are starting to understand m-atx boards. Its a great design mike, would have been even better with rubber suspension.

Post by **MikeC** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:34 pm

spolitta wrote:People are starting to understand m-atx boards. Its a great design mike, would have been even better with rubber suspension.

Space was an issue for a vertical suspension to be implemented. In a HPTC, for maximum quiet, I'd be using one small notebook drive for OS & programs and an external or networked drive or array remotely located for the data (movies, etc).

In actual use, a HTPC doesn't really have to be as quiet as a desktop, because when it is being used, there is almost always some sound (music, sountrack, etc) coming frm the speakers, which basically drown out the PC noise. You also sit much farther away from the PC, typically at least 2M away, as opposed to a couple feet for the desktop PC. In my experience thus far, <23 dBA/1m is what I want/need in a desktop PC (or one that's under my desk) but in a media PC, I'd be OK with up to ~28 dBA/1m, as long as it is broadband.

davidstone28 · Post by **davidstone28** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:01 pm

Those are dull / hideous looking cases. Antec need to hire some designers from Apple. FAST!

Richard Berg · Post by **Richard Berg** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:06 pm

In actual use, a HTPC doesn't really have to be as quiet as a desktop, because when it is being used...

The reason an HTPC needs to be quiet is for the other 22 hours in the day

It's in a room where everything will hear it, not just someone's bedroom/office. Though of course, staying below the noise floor during quiet musical passages is vital as well.

In a HPTC, for maximum quiet, I'd be using one small notebook drive for OS & programs and an external or networked drive or array remotely located for the data (movies, etc).

Agreed completely. Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn't make the configuration of MCE's capture directory very flexible (for PVR functions -- regular offline vids are no problem). Should be improved in Diamond.

qviri · Post by **qviri** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:21 pm

davidstone28 wrote:Those are dull / hideous looking cases. Antec need to hire some designers from Apple. FAST!

I like them. De gustibus non est disputandum.

Post by **MikeC** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:29 pm

Richard Berg wrote:The reason an HTPC needs to be quiet is for the other 22 hours in the day It's in a room where everything will hear it, not just someone's bedroom/office. Though of course, staying below the noise floor during quiet musical passages is vital as well.

If the media PC is really used as one instead of a multi-function typical PC, then using the sleep mode makes sense... Hopefully, most hardware comes out of sleep better than they used to. I'm not espousing higher noise for a media PC, just that the case for constant very low noise is not as compelling. With a quiet, low vibration drive, the contribution of the HDD to overall noise in a Fusion/NSK2400case will be very small. It has the same soft silicone rubber mounts as the P180, but in a different "cage".

Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn't make the configuration of MCE's capture directory very flexible (for PVR functions -- regular offline vids are no problem). Should be improved in Diamond.

But is MCE the only game in town for a HTPC?

Post by **MikeC** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:31 pm

qviri wrote:
davidstone28 wrote:Those are dull / hideous looking cases. Antec need to hire some designers from Apple. FAST!
I like them. De gustibus non est disputandum.

http://www.bartleby.com/59/3/theresnoacco.html

qviri · Post by **qviri** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:32 pm

MikeC wrote:
qviri wrote:
davidstone28 wrote:Those are dull / hideous looking cases. Antec need to hire some designers from Apple. FAST!
I like them. De gustibus non est disputandum.
http://www.bartleby.com/59/3/theresnoacco.html

Uhhhh?

Richard Berg · Post by **Richard Berg** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 5:47 pm

But is MCE the only game in town for a HTPC?

Didn't say it was. In my specific case, I need to keep dogfooding MCE because I'm too cheap to buy Sage/Snapstream and too lazy to learn Linux.

If the media PC is really used as one instead of a multi-function typical PC, then using the sleep mode makes sense... Hopefully, most hardware comes out of sleep better than they used to. I'm not espousing higher noise for a media PC, just that the case for constant very low noise is not as compelling. With a quiet, low vibration drive, the contribution of the HDD to overall noise in a Fusion/NSK2400case will be very small. It has the same soft silicone rubber mounts as the P180, but in a different "cage".

It depends even more on how good your PVR software is at bringing the PC in/out of sleep when it's time to record.

In any case, I'm confident Antec's solution will be miles quieter than my current box, which is why I still want to be first in line.

De gustibus non est disputandum.

Perhaps, but the fact that the gerundive rocks is indisputable :p

jaganath · Post by **jaganath** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 6:09 pm

a tease to the upcoming SPCR Does CES2006 article

Oooh goodie!! I can't wait!!!

Aris · Post by **Aris** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 6:28 pm

Rusty075 wrote:Of them, the little one, the NSK6500 is the one to really watch. Yes it's an SFX PSU, but it's a 300watt 80-Plus certified one with an interesting airflow strategy.

I am aware of only 1 sfx psu with an 80plus certification, and yes SPCR did a review of it.

i believe the reason its inverted is to pull cool air in from a blowhole in the top of the case, and expell it straight out the back, completely seperating it thermally from the rest of the case. sort of like how the p180 does it, except in a much smaller form factor. its a great idea imo. i just hope they do some sort of cover for the blowhole so it drawn in air from the rear instead of just open.

and someone mentioned it had a 120mm exhaust fan? it looks like this could be a dream come true for those individuals looking for ultimate silencing in a small(er) form factor, without going to SFF extreams.

Post by **Rusty075** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 6:42 pm

Aris wrote:I am aware of only 1 sfx psu with an 80plus certification, and yes SPCR did a review of it.

But you don't really think Antec would sell a case with a Seasonic PSU, do you?

Aris wrote:i believe the reason its inverted is to pull cool air in from a blowhole in the top of the case, and expell it straight out the back, completely seperating it thermally from the rest of the case. sort of like how the p180 does it, except in a much smaller form factor....

and someone mentioned it had a 120mm exhaust fan?

Yes, and yes.

Devonavar · Post by **Devonavar** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 7:42 pm

Rusty075 wrote:But you don't really think Antec would sell a case with a Seasonic PSU, do you?

Didn't someone identify the OEM for the NeoHE as Seasonic?

spolitta · Post by **spolitta** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:22 pm

looks like the NSK-4400 is not btx.

nici · Post by **nici** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:16 pm

A bit off topic, but if any Finns reading this thread is interested in the Seasonic SFX psu you can find it at yleiselektroniikka for something like 60€. google for adress.

rpsgc · Post by **rpsgc** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 2:33 am

Some more pics
http://www.thetechlounge.com/articles.php?id=251

I say... wouldn't this be better located at the Cases subforum?

nutball · Post by **nutball** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 3:12 am

I dunno, it's nice that the 4400 is ATX not BTX, but it's looking like it'll have the same old 3.5" drive cage from the earlier SLK models.

I still find myself wanting a case that's a mix of the 4400 and the P150 (4400 styling, P150 innards).

Ho hum.

spolitta · Post by **spolitta** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:27 am

nutball wrote:I dunno, it's nice that the 4400 is ATX not BTX, but it's looking like it'll have the same old 3.5" drive cage from the earlier SLK models.

nope, the dirve cage outside is pure P180 style and inside is P150 withtout the rubber bands.

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 10:34 am

Greetings,

The rails on the HD cage in the largest case -- is there any acoustic-dampening value in it?

Jeff Haas · Post by **Jeff Haas** » Wed Feb 01, 2006 11:49 pm

So, has the review sample arrived yet?

Richard Berg · Post by **Richard Berg** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 11:56 am

Bump for wanting to build my HTPC!

Post by **MikeC** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 1:24 pm

no samples yet.

rootbier · Post by **rootbier** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 3:39 pm

Any news from Antec about your ETA for the samples?
Are you expecting samples of all of these cases?

I have been considering building into an Aria but now I want to wait for a 3300 review. Going stir-crazy in the meantime.

Post by **MikeC** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 4:38 pm

rootbier wrote:Any news from Antec about your ETA for the samples?
Are you expecting samples of all of these cases?

At least the HTPC cases, for sure... probably not for a month, my guess.

vapb400 · Post by **vapb400** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 7:29 pm

Any updates on the NSK 3300? I'm very interested in that case.

spolitta · Post by **spolitta** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:41 am

vapb400 wrote:Any updates on the NSK 3300? I'm very interested in that case.

All are said to be released in March, so about 30 days or more maybe?