Antec Sonata III A Pain To Work With

[geokilla]

Who in the word designed the Sonata III? It's such a pain to work with. I was rebuilding my mom her computer earlier tonight and it's such a pain to use omg. I couldn't get any decent cable management in because of the stupid drive cages so now I have cables tucked away the best I can, but it's still pretty messy in there. The owner's manual was pretty much useless as it didn't solve any of the problems I faced, such as removing the drive cages and how to install them. I also think I broke some parts in the process. However, it just might be the fact that the parts are old and it's been literally collecting dust for far too long.

Either way, I'm never recommending this case and PSU combo again. First time using Antec and already off to a bad start.

[Lpfan4ever]

I didn't find it too terrible, but with the right side panel not even being removable, I immediately said to myself that there's no way in hell I'm using that case again.

[sswilson]

Keep in mind that the sonata design is a few years old. It was released well before case manufacturers started focusing on things like cable management.

IMO, it's still a pretty good deal for a case/PSU combo if you can pick it up for around $80, but there are other "bargain" cases out there which can be had for $40 if you can find a decent $40 PSU to throw into them.

[BootlegUsher]

I was able to make a pretty darn nice looking build in a Sonata II, seemed like a pretty good case to me. I wasn't even using a modular PSU. Just shove all the cables in unused 5.25 drive bays. One thing I do like about the case is the swing out side panel with locking clip.

[jakers11]

The sonata hasnt changed a bit. I had the Sonata 2. Terrible case to work with. 3 looks to be the same

[enaberif]

Sonata II and III can be cable managed just fine.

Built a fine in my time and its very easy.

[martin_metal_88]

It's correct IMO. But remember that those same people made the crappy HDD cage of the nine hundred so you know how bad they can be:P

[Nostril]

I personally had no problems in the Sonata III. I've used it 4 of 5 times. For 80 bucks, I'd use it again.

[howpet]

Mom's are really forgiving!!!
She''ll probably never have the side panel off so don't sweat it; even if she does check up on you you'll still be in her books.

OOpps old thread

[geokilla]

Originally Posted by howpet

Mom's are really forgiving!!!
She''ll probably never have the side panel off so don't sweat it; even if she does check up on you you'll still be in her books.

OOpps old thread

Haha not that old!

Yea she doesn't care. As long as it works she's happy. I could've just let it be and let her continue to use the Pentium 4 1.5GHz with 768MB RAMBUS, but I didn't. Might as well give her a faster computer cus I had all the parts lying around.