Fong Kai FK320

[Daovonnaex]

I'm building a sub-$600 computer for a poor friend, and this seemed like a good case ($90 with built-in PSU). I know many of you have Fong Kai cases, so how are they? Also, what brand of PSU is the 300w that is included? Finally, the specs on the Fong Kai site say that you can have a 120mm or a 92mm fan on the front...wtf? So, can you actually have a 120mm fan on front?

 

[weovpac]

I've had my FK-320 now for a few years and love it. It comes with a 300w Sparkle PSU, which are very good. It's a nice roomy case to work with. And yes you can put up a 120mm fan up front. I have a 120mm up front, and it also has a cover that goes over the cpu to help it cool better. The only thing you have to do when you get it is too turn the fan on the back to blow the air out. It comes with it blowing the air into the case.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< I've had my FK-320 now for a few years and love it. It comes with a 300w Sparkle PSU, which are very good. It's a nice roomy case to work with. And yes you can put up a 120mm fan up front. I have a 120mm up front, and it also has a cover that goes over the cpu to help it cool better. The only thing you have to do when you get it is too turn the fan on the back to blow the air out. It comes with it blowing the air into the case. >>

Sparkle? Excellent! This will be great for what my friend needs (Duron, GF2 or 3, etc.). I'm buying a Sunon 92mm anyway for the back as it is, and for the front a sunon 120mm (and an aluminum filter).

 

[edlan]

I purchased a fong kai case from newegg, it came with a 300W Enhance PSU.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< I purchased a fong kai case from newegg, it came with a 300W Enhance PSU. >>

How are Enhance PSUs?

 

[dragonX]

I have a Fong-Kai 320b (black). Excellent quality, great cooling without modding, sexy , and roomy. And yes, enhance PSUs are good.

 

[weovpac]

edlan, is right its an 300W Enhance PSU and they are very good
I used this PSU to power a Tbird, dual P3 1ghz, and now a XP1600@1800.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
sorry, got my PSU's mixed up

 

[Daovonnaex]

How is working on this case compared to, say, a Chen Ming 801 (Antec SX8x0)?

 

[SWScorch]

I have the 320 and my best friend has the SX830. They are almost exactly the same size. The Antec has more fans, but the 320 is designed to keep your CPU as cool as possible with the intake + shroud. They both offer excellent cooling and are very sturdy. If I had to choose between the two, I'd get the cheaper one, as they are so similar (unless you really want black like I did )

BTW, Synth, in my tests the shroud worked better with the fan positioned as an intake. Many people think it messes up the airflow, and in a sense it does, but in a good way. It blows outside air directly onto the heatsink, and the air is MUCH cooler than the air coming up from the bottom of the case which the heatsink would be using if not for the fan + shroud. Also, the fin below the power supply then channels the air exiting the heatsink up into the power supply, where it is exhausted out the case.

However, when using a heatsink like the PAL8045, it makes sense to switch the fan aroud so it isnt competing with the HS fan. When I did this, I actually had to cut two blowholes in the case to achieve the same temperatures as I did with the fan blowing in.

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< I have the 320 and my best friend has the SX830. They are almost exactly the same size. The Antec has more fans, but the 320 is designed to keep your CPU as cool as possible with the intake + shroud. They both offer excellent cooling and are very sturdy. If I had to choose between the two, I'd get the cheaper one, as they are so similar (unless you really want black like I did )

BTW, Synth, in my tests the shroud worked better with the fan positioned as an intake. Many people think it messes up the airflow, and in a sense it does, but in a good way. It blows outside air directly onto the heatsink, and the air is MUCH cooler than the air coming up from the bottom of the case which the heatsink would be using if not for the fan + shroud. Also, the fin below the power supply then channels the air exiting the heatsink up into the power supply, where it is exhausted out the case.

However, when using a heatsink like the PAL8045, it makes sense to switch the fan aroud so it isnt competing with the HS fan. When I did this, I actually had to cut two blowholes in the case to achieve the same temperatures as I did with the fan blowing in. >>

Given that I plan to install an 120mm intake fan, would it make sense to then make the 92mm rear fan an exhaust (I'm putting in a PAL8045). Would it also make sense to cut the shroud?

 

[SWScorch]

yes and yes

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< yes and yes >>

Excellent. I don't want the Antec for my friend, because the fans are smaller, and hence, louder. He really demands silence.

 

[MelvinPSquidmond]

The fan configuration will work in either intake = exhaust or all intake. What is more important is the CFM of the fans and the ability of the fans to access fresh or cool air. If the chassis it is stuck under a desk with poor air flow the fans should be placed in a front to rear airflow. If the chassis has good availability, (no re-circulation) to fresh air then the rear fan can be set in the intake mode. Silicon Graphics used the FK-320 for the ZX-10 workstation products. It is rated for 10/15K RPM drives, and the drive cage also acts like a heatsink. Heavy and dissipates the heat from the drives to the chassis for great cooling. For thermal optimization, it is hard to beat!! Yes, I am a little biased, but fair.
M

http://www.sgi.com/products/legacy/intel.html

 

[WildFireVT]

I have to agree with everyone elses' recommendations. The fong kai is hard to beat. I got one when I was building my BP6. I havent regretted it. Except finding cost effective black peripherals!

 

[Daovonnaex]

<< I have to agree with everyone elses' recommendations. The fong kai is hard to beat. I got one when I was building my BP6. I havent regretted it. Except finding cost effective black peripherals! >>

Style matters not for this application--function over form.

 

[ku]

Wait, so exactly which one is better? Fong Kai 320 or Antec SX800 series? Also, how about comparing the Fong Kai 320 to the SX1000 series?

 

[Paladin]

Agree with the others, keep the rear fan blowing as an intake through the CPU shroud, unless you have a PAL8045 or similar that sucks off of the heatsink.

For all of your black peripheral needs, including the 320b, go to directron , I just built my PC with all black components from there including the 320b.

As far as what's better, the 320 or the Antec, I would have to say it's a matter of what you think looks better, and what will suit your needs. The Antec is a full size tower. If you need tons of expansion slots then it might be the way to go, but if you are like most, and just have a CD-ROM, and a CD-RW (has a total of 3 external). then the Fong Kai will work great. I absolutely love the 320b, cools excellently, and looks great!!

 

[Paladin]

Also, you can get the Fong Kai 320b from directron with a HUGE variety of power supplies, mostly Enermax and Antec. I went with the Enermax 365P-VE-FC (350 Watt, with fan control). Grab it here