Antec SLK3700BQE is out!

woodpecker · Post by **woodpecker** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 5:56 am

Check it on the Antec site. It has some solutions from sonata, like rotated drive bay, but it still has that restrictive fan grill. However it is not evident if they still use plastic fan mounts. Ah, the back picture shows they're probably still present.
And they were so close...

Jan Kivar · Post by **Jan Kivar** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 7:29 am

It's black, but not piano black...

Jan

Tom Brown · Post by **Tom Brown** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 8:28 am

If you wanted the silicone mounts and a nicer finish, why wouldn't you buy a Sonata? The product already exists.

GamingGod · Post by **GamingGod** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 8:56 am

Yea I really dont see any reason for this case to exist except maybe if u like the sonata but not the holes in the side of the case.

Katana Man · Post by **Katana Man** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 9:26 am

Where's a link to it? I can't find it.

Syphon869 · Post by **Syphon869** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 9:34 am

Aaaaaah! They're breeding!

Seriously, what hole does Antec think they're filling. I would much rather see this in Metallic Bronze (like the regular SLK3700) than black. If people want black, they can buy a Sonata...

smaug · Post by **smaug** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:28 am

Here is a link to see this case
http://www.antec-inc.com/pro_details_en ... odID=93703

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 4:25 pm

GamingGod wrote:Yea I really dont see any reason for this case to exist except maybe if u like the sonata but not the holes in the side of the case.

I can certainly think of several reasons for it to exist:

1) It has a removable right side panel that the Sonata doesn't have so it's easier to work on.

2) It has much better ventilation than the Sonata.

3) It's black so it's easier to match the color of the case if you're an obsessive-compulsive type (like me

) that likes to have their drive color the same as their case color.

4) It's black so all the people that complain about the "bronze" color of the original version (even though it's not bronze) will be happy now.

Otherwise, I give it a big "meh"

1) Why didn't they put the Sonata-type of grills on it while they were reworking it? Silly oversight if you ask me.

2) I'm not totally sold on those sideways drive bays, especially if the mounting cage is as restrictive as the one on the Sonata.

Katana Man · Post by **Katana Man** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 10:16 pm

Does anyone know if the fron 120mm fan will mount in front of the hard drives or is it behind them like the Sonata?

1398342003 · Post by **1398342003** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:12 pm

Two questions: 1. How can a case be 3Ghz compatible? 2. What is the advantage of having the harddrives mounted like that?

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 3:27 am

Katana Man wrote:Does anyone know if the fron 120mm fan will mount in front of the hard drives or is it behind them like the Sonata?

That's a good question. Looking at that picture it really doesn't look like there's enough room in there to mount the fan between the drive cage and the front wall.

Antec may have fubarred this just like the Sonata, especially if that drive cage is basically a solid wall with just a few holes in it, like the one on the Sonata.

Post by **Rusty075** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 6:27 am

1398342003 wrote:Two questions: 1. How can a case be 3Ghz compatible? 2. What is the advantage of having the harddrives mounted like that?

1. It means that it's in compliance with Intel's new requirements for cases for 3ghz+ computers.

2. I have no idea

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 10:00 am

Rusty075 wrote:
1398342003 wrote:Two questions: 1. How can a case be 3Ghz compatible? 2. What is the advantage of having the harddrives mounted like that?
2. I have no idea

Boy, that makes two of us.

In the Sonata reviews they say that mounting the drives sideways makes them easier to remove and install but the stock SLK3700 has the slide-out HDD rack. All you do is loosen the thumbscrew and slide the whole kit and kaboodle right out the side with all your drives in it. Seems way easier to do it that way if you ask me...

I suspect the real reason is that it looks "different" and "different = cool".

Syphon869 · Post by **Syphon869** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 3:00 pm

Katana Man wrote:Does anyone know if the fron 120mm fan will mount in front of the hard drives or is it behind them like the Sonata?

I would assume it does, since even Antec says it's just a Sonata with a different faceplate.

Ralf Hutter wrote:I suspect the real reason is that it looks "different" and "different = cool".

cross-breeding = not cool.

starsky · Post by **starsky** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 4:59 pm

It's amazing how people bitch about a choice. If you don't like it don't buy it. I actually thnik it is a great option for people who can't afford the Sonata, but want sideways hdd's with grommets.

More choice is a good thing not a bad thing.

mieses · Post by **mieses** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 6:25 pm

I helped a friend set up a Sonata a few weeks ago and was very impressed by the sideways drivebays. The grommets are really soft and allow the drive to move around a little without coming into any hard contact with the case. It would be interesting to run an acoustic test on an old noisy drive to see how much the grommets help.

Once SATA becomes the standard, the argument against the restrictive cage in the Sonata will be irrelevant. It's not really a problem as it is anyways.

The piano black finish is a good idea if you plan to take care of your case and polish it all the time. It looks like crap when it is scratched and dirty. It's also a style issue. So it's nice to have a choice of matte and glossy finishes.

Antec's forthcoming superlanboy and P160 cases both have the sideways drivebays. But the front fans look like they mount between the case and drive cage in the future models.

mieses · Post by **mieses** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 6:28 pm

can the silicone fan mounts be bought separately and used in the SLK3700?

dis · Post by **dis** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 11:04 pm

One more interesting point is that the fans now seem to mount straight onto the the case without the need of the daft fan mounts the original SLK3700 employed.

g_spot · Post by **g_spot** » Sat Sep 06, 2003 11:50 pm

Sorry guys, I tried, but I can't help myself:
Do you think that BQE stands for barbeque?

(I know it's awful, I just could not hold it any more

)

dago · Post by **dago** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 1:17 am

Do you think that BQE stands for barbeque?

Only if you plan to use the new Intel Prescot

miker · Post by **miker** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 7:04 am

According to Antec's site, it stands for Black Quiet Edition.

Jan Kivar · Post by **Jan Kivar** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 7:44 am

Syphon869 wrote:
Katana Man wrote:Does anyone know if the fron 120mm fan will mount in front of the hard drives or is it behind them like the Sonata?
I would assume it does, since even Antec says it's just a Sonata with a different faceplate.

3700 has four 5,25" bays, Sonata has only three.

Jan

Katana Man · Post by **Katana Man** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 8:54 am

If someone buys this case, please report back if the front fan is mounted up front or behind the drives.

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Sun Sep 07, 2003 12:29 pm

Katana Man wrote:If someone buys this case, please report back if the front fan is mounted up front or behind the drives.

There's no way it can be mounted on the front wall, there's not enough room. I'd say the clearance is around 1/4-3/8".

Look at this picture of a stock SLK3700 and compare it to this picture of the 3700bar-b-que and you'll see what I mean.

miker · Post by **miker** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 9:26 am

Anyone seen it for sale anywhere yet?

hitman47 · Post by **hitman47** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 10:44 am

OMFG!!

Am I right in thinking that it now uses vibration reducing rubber grommets rather then the pants plastic fan mounts they used to have? I'd say so, cos looking at the manual (at the website http://www.antec-inc.com/pdf/manuals/3700BQE_uk.pdf) it says:

we've included one rear-mounted 120mm cooling fan with vibration-reducing rubber grommets

Looking at this image of the back of the case though, I don't understand how grommets are used?

Looks like the old design for plastic fan mounts, unless it has not yet been updated? Please anyone confirm this cos if it uses rubber-grommets for mounting fans (as they claim) i'm sold

I don't mind that it still has the more restrictive grills: I'll cut them out

But basically I think compared to the Sontata:
+Black rather than glossy piano black = less scratches, fingerprints
+No Antec holes in the side of the case
+Ofcourse the Sonata features i.e. sideways HDs, grommet-mounted fans.
+Removable side panels
-Restrictive grills (I'll cut them out)

PS Peeps look at the manual and you'll see instructions for installing the optional front fan... heres a cut down version

1. Remove the front bezel (hints that it is front mounted between case and cage)
2. Install the fan using the special long screws provided (sounds even more like the fan goes in between the HD cage and the case front)
3.4.5. are all about connecting the power leads...

Waiting for confirmation of fan mounts/a review and it's mine

AntecRep · Post by **AntecRep** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 10:46 am

The front 120mm fan mounts behind the bezel (requires you to remove the bezel first to install).

Rear fan grill area is like Sonata's, we're working on getting the correct picture on the site.

AFAIK no plastic fan mounts, but the silicone screws that the Sonata has on the rear fan. I need to open 1 up still.

AntecRep

hitman47 · Post by **hitman47** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 11:16 am

you are kidding me

so it has the same grill as the sonata, it has rubber-gromet fan mounts and the front fan mounts between the bezel and HD cage as it should; brings me to the conclusion: what is the point in the Sonata

!? IMO this case looks like it'll kick its behind

One more point; if the fan grill area is now more like sonata (more open fan vents and rubber-gromet fan mounts) then is it now a bit wider than the original SLK3700 to accomodate the full size of the 120mm fan mount holes?

once again, OMG!

miker · Post by **miker** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 12:16 pm

Differentiation for the Sonata:

1. Front Headphone and Mic jacks (I consider this important)
2. Blue Neon light ( I *don't* consider this important)
2. Better PSU in Sonata (Neither is great and need replaced, IMO)
3. Sonata is a little shorter

Can't think of anything else besides the paint job, and that's all personal preference. I think Sonata is *too* glossy

Jan Kivar · Post by **Jan Kivar** » Mon Sep 08, 2003 12:36 pm

How's the price compated to 3700AMB and Sonata?

Cheers,

Jan