N
nanook
Just got my Antec SLK3700AMB case from newegg.
Bought this case with the intention of cutting out the small hole
arrays that choke off the front and back 120mm fan vents.
I spent some time earlier looking around for hole saws. Luckily I
didn't find anything I could use, as Antec has upgraded the SLK3700AMB
to match their other current cases.
Although you still see the small holes in the old pictures at newegg,
the tiny round holes are gone.
The case now has the same large ~3/8" hexagon hole arrays as the
SLK3700BQE and the Sonata to name a couple.
What's nice is the grill can be cut away easily, if you still chose
to, as the metal between each hole is a thin strip that looks like it
can be cut with a variety of tools you might have laying around such
as nibblers, large dykes, a jig saw or a dremel tool with cutoff
wheel. One or two of the five drives in the 3.5 bay wouldn't get much
breeze from the 120mm vent, so those looking to max out on drives
might want to enlarge things up front and go with dual 80mm fans.
Down side is the case will be a bit louder, but a fan speed controller
should allow you to dial away most of it.
Comparing the new version SLK3700AMB to the SLK3700BQE, the only
differences look to be the direction of the 3.5 drive bay and the
plastic 120mm fan mounts on the SLK3700AMB for snap in attachment of
fans. Oh.. and the double PSU fans on the AMB.
The AMB is the way to go if you want to use PATA / SATA converters or
just don't like the sideways mounting for drive cooling.
Ah.. and all you out there who suffered through the USB port wiring
SNAFU, will be glad to hear the USB wiring is now a standard two row
keyed connector that plugs into your motherboard.
The USB ports still look like you should give them a little back
support so they don't flex around too much. But they look functional
now.
Didn't have any trouble with removing the front panel either. Two
finger press points at the bottom sides and two blind pins at the top
you have to depress with a screwdriver or housekey. The sides have to
come off first. The door is a bit weak in the hinges, but it swings
out of the way when you want to stuff disks in the burner.
The front "filter" is a joke. It's mounted on the back of the front
panel covering some rather small slots in the bezel. The front panel
has the classic cut out on the very bottom lip where 80% of your air
flow is going to come in right past (behind) the filter. Might as
well throw it out and get yourself a ShopVac wet pick up foam filter
sleeve. Makes great filter material. Cut it to fit and stuff it where
it works, and don't forget to tape up all the extra holes all over the
case. A good trick for these style front panels is to take a hack saw
and remove about half to 3/4 inch off the bottom. Improves the air
flow, although it may expose a little sheet metal. You can always go
to Tap Plastics and pick up some trim.
Power supply is 350w, two fan model, with 16A on the +12 volt side.
Looks like there's a tach out wire for the PSU fans. A little under
powered for overclocking your 9800Pro, raid, gamer, but it's going to
be an upgrade for my old BX system which has out lived it's original
noisy case.
Paint job is heavy auto paint style (and smells). Color is gunboat
gray. Seen a navy ship ? This is a bit richer and polished and gives
a darker look but basically navy gray. Works well with silver and
black components but not beige (love the door). The paint leaves
fingerprints, so wipe it down when you finish messing with it.
The five inch bays look cheesy, sheet metal wise, but I haven't gotten
into it yet so hopefully it'll sort itself out when all the pieces are
in place.
MUCH better than expected.
Thank you, gawd.
Bought this case with the intention of cutting out the small hole
arrays that choke off the front and back 120mm fan vents.
I spent some time earlier looking around for hole saws. Luckily I
didn't find anything I could use, as Antec has upgraded the SLK3700AMB
to match their other current cases.
Although you still see the small holes in the old pictures at newegg,
the tiny round holes are gone.
The case now has the same large ~3/8" hexagon hole arrays as the
SLK3700BQE and the Sonata to name a couple.
What's nice is the grill can be cut away easily, if you still chose
to, as the metal between each hole is a thin strip that looks like it
can be cut with a variety of tools you might have laying around such
as nibblers, large dykes, a jig saw or a dremel tool with cutoff
wheel. One or two of the five drives in the 3.5 bay wouldn't get much
breeze from the 120mm vent, so those looking to max out on drives
might want to enlarge things up front and go with dual 80mm fans.
Down side is the case will be a bit louder, but a fan speed controller
should allow you to dial away most of it.
Comparing the new version SLK3700AMB to the SLK3700BQE, the only
differences look to be the direction of the 3.5 drive bay and the
plastic 120mm fan mounts on the SLK3700AMB for snap in attachment of
fans. Oh.. and the double PSU fans on the AMB.
The AMB is the way to go if you want to use PATA / SATA converters or
just don't like the sideways mounting for drive cooling.
Ah.. and all you out there who suffered through the USB port wiring
SNAFU, will be glad to hear the USB wiring is now a standard two row
keyed connector that plugs into your motherboard.
The USB ports still look like you should give them a little back
support so they don't flex around too much. But they look functional
now.
Didn't have any trouble with removing the front panel either. Two
finger press points at the bottom sides and two blind pins at the top
you have to depress with a screwdriver or housekey. The sides have to
come off first. The door is a bit weak in the hinges, but it swings
out of the way when you want to stuff disks in the burner.
The front "filter" is a joke. It's mounted on the back of the front
panel covering some rather small slots in the bezel. The front panel
has the classic cut out on the very bottom lip where 80% of your air
flow is going to come in right past (behind) the filter. Might as
well throw it out and get yourself a ShopVac wet pick up foam filter
sleeve. Makes great filter material. Cut it to fit and stuff it where
it works, and don't forget to tape up all the extra holes all over the
case. A good trick for these style front panels is to take a hack saw
and remove about half to 3/4 inch off the bottom. Improves the air
flow, although it may expose a little sheet metal. You can always go
to Tap Plastics and pick up some trim.
Power supply is 350w, two fan model, with 16A on the +12 volt side.
Looks like there's a tach out wire for the PSU fans. A little under
powered for overclocking your 9800Pro, raid, gamer, but it's going to
be an upgrade for my old BX system which has out lived it's original
noisy case.
Paint job is heavy auto paint style (and smells). Color is gunboat
gray. Seen a navy ship ? This is a bit richer and polished and gives
a darker look but basically navy gray. Works well with silver and
black components but not beige (love the door). The paint leaves
fingerprints, so wipe it down when you finish messing with it.
The five inch bays look cheesy, sheet metal wise, but I haven't gotten
into it yet so hopefully it'll sort itself out when all the pieces are
in place.
MUCH better than expected.
Thank you, gawd.