Buy Antec 900?

dr. sarf · 23 Nov 2007 at 19:48

I have a fairly cheap and nasty case. It's filled with about 8 fans to help keep things cool but the graphics card and RAM modules still seem particularly hot.

Read reviews of the Antec 900 case and it looks fantastic, just wondering who here has one and if you'd recommend it, and what are they like to live with on a daily basis? Ive read they make a significant difference to temps?

HEADRAT · 23 Nov 2007 at 19:50

Terrible cable management, apart from that nice case.

See:-

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17805216

TheRedZealot · 23 Nov 2007 at 21:03

Also heard a lot about it gathering dust.

tsinc80697 · 23 Nov 2007 at 21:16

One of my mates has just got one, drop his temps a lot and that's without the 20(?)cm fan on the top!
But more fans = more dust generally so might be a problem after a few months!

TheRedZealot · 23 Nov 2007 at 21:34

Clean it out once a month and your set to go

dr. sarf · 23 Nov 2007 at 22:54

Ive just cleaned my mates PC after 2 years of dust gathering! And my mates Sony VAIO after 5 years of operation!
A monthly vacuum should solve the problem.

Ive seen the cable modding thread. Is there a way of somehow extending the 12v CPU connector? What with the PSU being mounted at the bottom, it's not gonna reach the connector on the mobo if I cable manage.

Meridian · 25 Nov 2007 at 08:50

dr. sarf said:
Ive seen the cable modding thread. Is there a way of somehow extending the 12v CPU connector?

Yes, buy a cable extender - about £3 at you-know-where. Mine now runs up around the outside of the motherboard.

Yes, able management is not good, but this affects looks and not performance - mine never gets more than 4oC above ambient inside. You'll find the side 120mm fan mount rather useless if your CPU cooler is any size, because the two will interfere. It's possible to bodge the fan onto the outside of the door though, by reversing the plastic insert. My only other gripe is that after getting used to removable drive bays, the Nine Hundred uses fixed bays, and you have to take both doors off to access the mounting screws. Oh, and the reset button broke after three months.

M

Arcane · 25 Nov 2007 at 09:48

They're cheap and with some work can be made very nice so I'd say go for it, there's a great thread here with lots of ideas.

dr. sarf · 25 Nov 2007 at 10:50

I dunno now whether to spend my money on a new case (900) or a Phenom upgrade. :confused:

gurusan · 25 Nov 2007 at 10:52

ugh. poop on phenom. I wouldn't even consider a phenom until they come out with a new revision

dr. sarf · 25 Nov 2007 at 11:06

Well I would have prob waited until new year when prices have dropped a bit. Are we likely to see a new revision any time soon?
I suppose cooling is the more pressing issue. Can cook eggs on my RAM modules and roast a Sunday joint in my case atm. :eek:

Plus I've already bought everything I need to mod the case for cable management.

gurusan · 25 Nov 2007 at 11:11

Well I have the Antec 900 and once you deal with the cables it's really a great case. Also probably the coolest running case ever.

I always keep a little dustrag in my desk though because it does gather dust on the grills.

valerian · 25 Nov 2007 at 11:13

your goin to need a new case anyhow arnt you, and it will be even more critical if you have a hotter processor
antec all the way , im getting a Antec P182 Super Midi Tower Case
to replace my p160

dr. sarf · 25 Nov 2007 at 11:25

valerian said:
your goin to need a new case anyhow arnt you, and it will be even more critical if you have a hotter processor
antec all the way , im getting a Antec P182 Super Midi Tower Case
to replace my p160

I don't need another case, but it'd be preferable. I could just mod the VGAs with a cooling solution, I have the Arctic Freezer Pro for my CPU.
My 8800GTs have peaked at 94'C I think (only have a small overclock) and despite what fan you put in front of them, it doesnt change much.

How hot should your RAM modules get anyhoo? I have 4 sticks of Ballistix Tracers and the sleeves get hot to the touch, not just warm.

Made me laugh playing COD4 other day, the corner of my case where my graphics cards are was literally as hot as a radiator. :eek:

Yeah....time for a new case.

Only had this one couple weeks. lol

smsmasters · 25 Nov 2007 at 14:16

I don't get why people are complaining about dust. Just hoover your house weekly, problem solved.

Anyway, compared to my Thermaltake Soprano, the Antec 900 keeps all my components about 15C cooler.

SmanUK · 27 Nov 2007 at 13:39

Hi, I got a question you might beable to help me with, Im looking to get the new XFX Geforce 8800 Ultra XXX when its out, its 275mm long, will that fit in the Antec 900?

Thanks

smsmasters · 27 Nov 2007 at 20:35

Yes it will fit but will use up 1 hard drive space.

HighlandeR · 28 Nov 2007 at 01:09

excellent case, not cheap at around 70 quid but does the job well, sturdy build and good design, yeah an GTX hits the edge of the hdd bays almost...

search for my name + antec 900 review

Otherwise few niggles is the dust, but u can get dust filters to solve that from ocuk store, poor cable managment yeah cant do much on that sadly.

Otherwise still a good worthy case, just be warned the Antec 1200 successor was suppose to be out 1-2 months back but looks like its been delayed, google antec 1200 or search these forums for more info.

dr. sarf · 28 Nov 2007 at 02:09

Should be ordering mine within the next week. Already have my hole saw and neoprene lining to mod the case for uber cable management.
Just hope I don't slip with the drill. :eek:

sepulchre · 28 Nov 2007 at 13:10

I've read they have revised the 900 and added holes behind the mobo for cable routing and also two holes on the back plate for water cooling. I have one on order at the moment (from another supplier), I'm hoping to get the new revision.