Antec Veris MicroFusion Remote 350 HTPC Case Review

Installation

Just like all great stories have a beginning, a clearly defined middle and an actual ending, so too does a computer installation have a beginning a middle and an end. This case is no different and like all computer installations begins with the removal of the side, or in this case, top panel. After all if you cannot access the interior your “story” is going to be an awfully sad and short one.


To open this case up all you have to do is remove one thumb screw and slide the top panel towards the back and then up. For all intents and purposes this too is typical of more standard cases with the exception being there is only one screw to remove.


Once the top is off the MicroFusion Remote 350 the next thing to do is remove the Link bar (aka brace bar) as it has to be removed at some point and we might as well add it to the “Do not lose / Safe Place” Pile.

Now that the side panel is off and the Link bar has been removed the next thing we would usually do is install the Power Supply Unit. Luckily, this has already been done for us.


Good feelings or no, and continuing on with the installation, the manual calls for installing the motherboard next. While this may seem to be a bit counter intuitive to the more experienced builders among us, it is necessary to start here. The reason for this seemingly backwards installation process is actually fairly simple: if you don’t start with the motherboard you won’t be able to fit it in later when other parts are installed into the cramped space.


Installing our motherboard into this case really underscored how small an area you have to work with and I strongly recommend against a motherboard with 90° SATA ports. This is ironic as we have strong preference for this style of ports but in this case (boy that pun NEVER gets old) there just is not enough room for them. If you do have this style of SATA ports and you absolutely need to use these them (i.e. your motherboard has no standard mounted ports) we would actually recommend installing your SATA cables first, then install the motherboard.


In all honesty, the Fusion may be small but we didn’t really have any issues with fitting the motherboard into place. What we do take issue with is Antec has only included 3 brass standoffs for this case. The three standoffs (two of which are not threaded) are already installed for you but we recommend moving the threaded one to another position for optimal mounting conditions. We don't mind moving a standoff or two but what we do mind is only having thee of these oh so important items included with the case. For all things you consider holy, please Antec, please include enough standoffs to properly secure a MicroATX motherboard with your cases.

Once your motherboard is installed, and properly secured, you can then proceed to the installation of your video card. We actually don’t recommend using one in this case, and prefer to use one of the many great integrated graphics solutions which AMD and Nvidia have to offer. If you want a low-profile video card, there are a few on the market but remember that the installation of one will resul in a different airflow pattern within the Fusion.


Installing the hard drive is a relatively straightforward affair, if a bit more complex than simply sliding it into a 3.5 bay slot and tightening it down. The first thing you have to do is unlock the hard drive cage from the case. This easy task is accomplished by simply removing a thumb screw on the left side of the hard drive area and then removing a secondary screw from the top right corner of the cage assembly base.