Antec with cheap HTPC case (w/380W ACTIVE PFC)

[Spragleknas]

Model: Antec NSK2400
Read review: Silentpcreview
Price: CHEAP! (Just above 700 Nkr/about 80 Euros, I guess)
Formfactor: mATX
Included PSU: 380 Highe eff. w/ACTIVE PCF. 80 mm fan



Pros./Cons. (from the exellent review by SPCR):

PROS

* Excellent airflow / thermal design
* Thick, sturdy steel construction
* Built-in HDD silicone rubber grommets
* Cable management hooks
* Very good stock PSU
* Good silver paint job and front bezel design
* Attractive dimensions and lean lines
* Great price

CONS
* PSU fan could be quieter
* TriCool fans could have slower, quieter "slow" position
* Stealth optical drive bay covers would have been really nice



Should be great combined with a nForce430/6150 mobo (pref. Gigabyte - if you want TV-out included and. ALC880 / 8-ch. - or Asus, if you need DVI)

[flokel]

Really a nice case :!:

Originally Posted by Okay

Should be great combined with a nForce430/6150 mobo (pref. Gigabyte - if you want TV-out included and. ALC880 / 8-ch. - or Asus, if you need DVI)

You can go as well with the MSI K8NGM2-FID,
it has both DVI and Tv-Out and is more stable than the Asus.

[Spragleknas]

Thanks usefull info regarding the MSI!

I read about this card, but from the retailers list, there is an option to nuy a TV-out bracket.

There is also a lots of different boards and naming;

• K8NGM2-FID (GeForce 6150 + nForce 430)
[Onboard GbE LAN, IEEE1394, DVI connector]

The retailer list this card as; K8NMG2-FID.


I'll try to digg into this...

EDIT: Found this;

MSI dropped us a small package that turned out to be the K8NGM2-FID motherboard based on NVIDIA's GeForce 6150 IGP chipset. At present, MSI has four different flavors of the K8NGM2 series including the entry-level K8NGM2-L (GeForce 6100/nForce 410), the K8NGM2-IL with additional FireWire-400 support and the K8NGM2-FID based on the higher-end GeForce 6150/nForce 430 chipset with Gigabit LAN and DVI features.

The last variation of this motherboard is actually a commercial motherboard, designed to comply with AMD's Stable Image Platform and NVIDIA's Business Platform model. The K8NGM2-NBP (NBP most probably standing for NVIDIA Business Platform), comes with similar features as our K8NGM2-FID, but includes an additional TPM 1.2 (Trusted Platform Module) compliant IC from Infineon.

Also, you have the -ILD;

The K8NGM2-ILD /IL features, Nvidia GeForce 6150/6100 + nForce4 430, Support Socket 939 AMD Processor, PCI Express x16, SATA 2 RAID 0, 1 0+1, 5, NVIDIA PureVideo Technology, Dual Head Output, 10/100 LAN and Hardware Monitor.

The K8NGM-V features the Nvidia GeForce 6100 + nForce4 410, Support Socket 754 AMD Sempron, 2 DIMM up to 2GB, PCI Express x16, SATA 2 w/ RAID 0, 1 and a Hardware Monitor.

The retialer has probably screwed up the naming... strange they sell TV-out brackets to go along with this card, though

EDIT: Also...

Notice that the board only has three analog jacks, with an optional bracket to provide full surround functionality and S/PDIF.

Can't seem to get it all...

[flokel]

I used the FID quite a time and can really recommend it
(imo the best nforce 410/430 board).

If you wanna read more about it
here's an extensive thread about it:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messagev...readid=1803985

Mfg
Flo

[fathead]

Its the non HTPC designed version of this (from one of my earlier posts):

http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/viewtopic.php?t=13038

:wink:


I've had my NSK on order for a month now, still waiting stock :cry:

Tempted just to go and get this asus barebone:

http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/viewtopic.php?t=14807

[davej00]

Take a look at my sig -- I use the FID version of the MSI board. It comes complete with component out [which I use] and I would have no hesitation in recommending it. With the Nvidia codecs the quality is superb.

The only small blemish was the SPDIF cables were hard to find, but I made my own.

- Dave

[Spragleknas]

Originally Posted by fathead

Its the non HTPC designed version of this (from one of my earlier posts):

http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/viewtopic.php?t=13038

:wink:

I know, but its probably ALOT cheaper. The model you are ref. to has a hefty PSU and real ALU etc.... gonna cost you a leg and an arm... :-D

Tempted just to go and get this asus barebone:

http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/viewtopic.php?t=14807

Intresting. Diden't find any reviews, thoug... can it be placed horizontal?[/quote]

[fathead]

Originally Posted by Okay

I know, but its probably ALOT cheaper. The model you are ref. to has a hefty PSU and real ALU etc.... gonna cost you a leg and an arm... :-D

Intresting. Diden't find any reviews, thoug... can it be placed horizontal?

[/quote]

I was at the computer trade show in Birmingham over the past 2 days, the NSK2400 & Asus were both on display. Let me first say both are excellent, and very worthy of HTPC cases.

The Asus can be used vertical or horizontal.

[Spragleknas]

OK.... and the noise level? Sorry for asking, but you just can't trust some rviews or the specs. listed at homepages...

[Spragleknas]

Suddenly the Antec case mentioned above was unavailable in all webshops (no ETA).

Anybody know anything about the Overture II case?

Review; http://www.pcabusers.com/reviews/ant...rture2/p1.html