Antec 900 or Sonata III?

[donimo]

I am building an o/c rig, I have ordered the 900 already, but its backordered so I can change it still.

Sonata III + earthwatts 500w (comes with) - $80

900 + Antec smartpower 2.0 500w (already own) - $50



e2180, 1950pro, crucial 8500, 2x HDD

[Jack Rabbit]

The Sonatas are good cases but they are cramped. I would go for the 900 as I suspect you will be in and out of there more often. The airflow will be better, too.

$.02

[enaberif]

Tj04
Cm 690
Antec P182

ALLLLLL better than the 900

[donimo]

tjo4 - $110 read many neg reviews about "cheapness"

cm 690 - $80 like it, beats out the sonata except for the earthwatts

p182 is $125 bux so another 75 over the 900...

maybe the 690, you sure? even if the 900 is the new revision with cable cutouts behind the mobo tray?

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by donimo

tjo4 - $110 read many neg reviews about "cheapness"

cm 690 - $80 like it, beats out the sonata except for the earthwatts

p182 is $125 bux so another 75 over the 900...

maybe the 690, you sure? even if the 900 is the new revision with cable cutouts behind the mobo tray?

The cutouts in the 900 are junk and don't do ANY good at all and are really badly placed tho it was a nice try by them to save a bad case.

The Tj04 cheap? Hardly its a great case and built very well.

[donimo]

so, what is your preference, assuming you have built a pc in each?

I am leaning towards the 690, the p182 is sweet and I see it on here a lot, but 125 is outside my budget (truth be told I am already outside my budget).

[donimo]

the madshrimps review puts its cooling performance an average of 3* higher than the 900, and the 900 has all fans at "low"...

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by donimo

the madshrimps review puts its cooling performance an average of 3* higher than the 900, and the 900 has all fans at "low"...

Yes I have built computers in all 3 and absolutely despise the 900 with a passion. It has become the "choice" case but its not really that great of a case.

I love the 182 but its a bit heavy for most people but cools well.

The CM 690 has the ability for 6 fans to be used and will cool very well.

I just bought a 690 myself and love it.

[donimo]

So, before I make the call, you would go with the 690 ($75) over the 900 ($50)?

money IS an object here...

I have read stuff saying the 690 is great "for the money", or recommended over the 900 due to cost, but if the 900 is cheaper???

Argh...

[darth nissan]

I have no experience with the Sonata, but am owner and operator off the Antec NineHundred. A case that I am thoroughly pleased with. Not the BIGGEST case ever, but not cramped either, and amazing airflow ! Will recommend it.