Antec 900 questions

[Navid]

There is an optional fan on the side panel.

Looking at the pictures, it looks like the mesh is much larger than the fan itself (120mm).
Is that how it is?
I mean can air exit (or enter) the case from the mesh around the side fan unrestricted?

If I want to seat it, using Scotch tape, will it be any problems (paint damage)?


Is there room behind the motherboard panel for wiring?

 

[Zepper]

If you mean by "Scotch tape", clear packaging tape, then no you shouldn't have any problem. I use a couple layers of Saran Wrap to block off large areas of superfluous venting. I'd wrap it around the screening piece and trim around the fan and grill opening with an Xacto knife or single-edge razor blade. Does a good job and looks like nothing is there. Superfluous venting is absurd - it just short-circuits any well-planned airflow scheme.

.bh.

 

[Navid]

I just checked it out at CompUSA.
It seems like the area around the fan is sealed already.

But, there is not much room behind the motherboard panel for cable management. There are not enough holes in the motherboard panel either.

I'll stick with my P180/P182.

By the way, what do you call them?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_Tape

 

[chizow]

I've seen some pretty good wire routing with the 900, but it requires Dremel/drilling through the sheet metal and HDD cages. But ya the main knock on the 900 is its going to seem cramped for those coming from a full-tower. I'm happy enough using zip ties for wiring although I do wish I had gotten a modular cable PSU since I don't need all the leads, which just clutter the bottom of my case with no where to go.

 

[kenrippy]

i just did a build for a friend using this case last night;

ip35 pro
q6600 g0
ultra 120 extreme (barely clears the side panel)
coolermaster 850w
2x IDE dvd-rw's
all in wonder x1900
4gb patriot ddr800
150gb raptor
2x750gb seagate
xfi front panel
3.5" card reader

it's very quiet, has great air flow & great hdd cooling. i didn't add any fans, left the rear, top & 1 lower front fan for the hdd's. i had to do some tinkering to get the 3.5" card reader in, since the top 3 slots were full already. that meant removing the middle cage & fan, and using the 3.5-5" adapter.

not much room behind the mobo for cable routing, and a modular psu would be a big plus for this case. most of the spare cables fit coiled up on the bottom & below the lowest hdd.

overall, i really like the finished product though. cooling and looks are top notch IMO.

 

[Zepper]

Yes, the mesh around the side fan area is backed by clear plastic with a fan mount mostly pre-cut. You can see it in the pic gallery on Newegg.

.bh.

 

[Navid]

This is a picture of my P182 (P180, version 1.1).
http://i259.photobucket.com/al...h302/Navid200/P182.jpg

Can one fit all these cables and unused connectors behind the motherboard panel of 900?

 

[Zepper]

For some unknown reason, I can't see pix hosted on bbzzdd, could you post your pic(s) on a site that works for me like Photobucket.com, et al.? Thanks.

.bh.

 

[EvixKeth]

I have the 900, and, for starters, I love it. However, yes, cable management can be a bit tricky.
You can get a pretty clean look, though
http://i81.photobucket.com/alb...ro%20Hour/P1010119.jpg

This is all I had to do
http://i81.photobucket.com/alb...ro%20Hour/P1010126.jpg

The rest of the cables are tied down, and tucked under the lower HDD cage to improve neatness, and to avoid airflow restrictions.

Also note that my first picture: I had to remove that side-panel fan when I installed my IFX-14. Thing was too damned tall.

 

[kenrippy]

Originally posted by: Navid
This is a picture of my P182 (P180, version 1.1).
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Navid/P182.jpg

Can one fit all these cables and unused connectors behind the motherboard panel of 900?

nope, it's not designed that well for cable management. look at EvixKeth's pics.

 

[EvixKeth]

Originally posted by: kenrippy

Originally posted by: Navid
This is a picture of my P182 (P180, version 1.1).
http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/Navid/P182.jpg

Can one fit all these cables and unused connectors behind the motherboard panel of 900?

nope, it's not designed that well for cable management. look at EvixKeth's pics.

A little dremelling will fix that up, otherwise, yes, it would most likely be better to stick with the P182.

 

[Zepper]

Thanks for sending the pic. I don't understand why one would want to switch from a larger, quieter case to a smaller, noisier one? But that's just me.

.bh.

 

[Navid]

There was a hot deal for 900 ($50 AMIR).

I decided to check it out to see if I want to switch or not.
That's why I started this thread.

I decided against it after I saw it at CompUSA mainly because it seems there is a lack of space behind the motherboard panel (compared to P182).

 

[kenrippy]

i like the case, here's a pic of the front panel after removing the upper hdd cage and putting in the card reader. it came out nice.

picture

 

[EvixKeth]

Originally posted by: kenrippy
i like the case, here's a pic of the front panel after removing the upper hdd cage and putting in the card reader. it came out nice.

picture

I'm impressed, that looks good. Kinda sucks that you had to ditch that fan for it, though.

Then again, I'm an absolute air-cooling junkie, hence why I bought the case in the first place. I don't mind that my case sounds like a jet engine. It's on 24/7, so I never really notice it.

 

[Zepper]

Navid,

Have you looked at the Cooler Master 690? That's supposed to be CM's answer to the 900. Decent buy at SVC after rebate.

.bh.

 

[kenrippy]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Navid,

Have you looked at the Cooler Master 690? That's supposed to be CM's answer to the 900. Decent buy at SVC after rebate.

.bh.

it's also at newegg for $30 AR too. free ship as well.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: kenrippy
i like the case, here's a pic of the front panel after removing the upper hdd cage and putting in the card reader. it came out nice.

picture

That looks very nice.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Have you looked at the Cooler Master 690? That's supposed to be CM's answer to the 900. Decent buy at SVC after rebate.

I checked it out.
http://www.coolermaster.com/pr...ail&tbcate=168&id=2868

It looks good.
A fan on the motherboard tray is interesting.

From the pictures, looks like a PSU with a fan at the bottom needs the vent at the bottom of the case for air intake. I don't like that. Wouldn't that act like a vacuum cleaner sucking in dust into the PSU from the carpet?
Or, I will have to install the PSU upside-down, which i don't like. I have 1" space under my PSU in my P182. So, I don't need to install it upside down.
That is my main concern.

Also, there are reviews on newegg that complain about the quality of the power switch, and the tool-less brackets not being strong enough for graphics cards.

I will keep my eye on Cooler Master cases.

 

[EvixKeth]

Well, for one, you probably don't want your computer sitting directly on the carpet. You should probably get a platform of some sort for it to rest on.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: EvixKeth
Well, for one, you probably don't want your computer sitting directly on the carpet. You should probably get a platform of some sort for it to rest on.

Or, use a case that does not need an air intake from the bottom of the case.

 

[kenrippy]

Originally posted by: Navid

Originally posted by: EvixKeth
Well, for one, you probably don't want your computer sitting directly on the carpet. You should probably get a platform of some sort for it to rest on.

Or, use a case that does not need an air intake from the bottom of the case.

flip the psu upside down, that's not an exhaust fan anyway. it sucks in and blows out the back of the psu.

 

[Navid]

Who said it was an exhaust?

With P182, you have the choice of installing the PSU either way since it has enough space under it. So, you can choose based on which way the wires come out of the PSU to help with cable management.

With CM690, I don't see that flexibility.

I update everything when I see an improvement. I still have not seen a case that is better than P182 for me.

 

[EvixKeth]

Originally posted by: Navid

Originally posted by: EvixKeth
Well, for one, you probably don't want your computer sitting directly on the carpet. You should probably get a platform of some sort for it to rest on.

Or, use a case that does not need an air intake from the bottom of the case.

Vent or not, I was more concerned with static discharge.

 

[Zepper]

The 690's PSU bay is bidirectional too - note the number and arrangement of holes in the pic on newegg - hard to see the one hole that is backgrounded by a gray piece. And yes, it is a good idea to get your case up off the floor or carpet - 8" or so will do wonders for dust. Little diff on static. Touch another ground instead of your confuser case if static is a problem.

There used to be a static discharge touch pad that had a resistor in the line so you won't get an arc or zing as you would touching a direct ground.

.bh.