Antec NSK2480 vs Silverstone GD05B?

[smurray]

Building an HTPC, need to pick out a case. What are your thoughts on these two? I like that the Antec comes with a PSU which means less money spent, but I also like the fact that I can put a bigger PSU in the Silverstone since I'm not sure 380W is going to cut it once I add a dedicated video card to the system (something I'll be doing a little bit down the line). I've heard good things about both, but haven't been able to find any direct comparisons.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

silverstone quality > antec quality throughout the lineup of cases and products

 

[solofly]

silverstone quality > antec quality throughout the lineup of cases and products

I don't know about that... I had 2 Silverstone TJ-09s and i wasn't impressed by its quality...

 

[Zap]

I like that the Antec comes with a PSU which means less money spent, but I also like the fact that I can put a bigger PSU in the Silverstone since I'm not sure 380W is going to cut it once I add a dedicated video card to the system (something I'll be doing a little bit down the line).

You can always put a higher capacity normal ATX PSU in the NSK2480. The included PSU is an EarthWatts 380W which can power most reasonable systems including a graphics card that only needs a single PCIe 6-pin plug. Mine is currently running a GTS 250.

Note that there are TWO problems with using higher end dedicated graphics cards in the NSK2480. The first is that you are limited to around 9" for the card because the partition for the HDDs is right against the motherboard so the card can't extend past the motherboard. The second is that the case is really slim, so if your card has the PCIe power plugs on TOP of it (like my GTS 250 did) then the case cannot be closed up because you won't be able to place the cover panel down flush. My workaround was to trim/mangle the 6 pin PCIe plug until I could smash it down enough to fit. :awe:

I've never used or seen in person the Silverstone HTPC cases so I can't comment on those in particular.

silverstone quality > antec quality throughout the lineup of cases and products

Dunno about that. I've done a build in an expensive TJ07 and some of the panels didn't line up too well, plus gaps between pieces were uneven and sometimes excessive. It failed to impress for build quality.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

lets just keep it simple then so Antec case owners dont get their feelings hurt. Brushed Aluminum > Plastic&Steel

that antec case in the OP = 17lbs. Silverstone = 10 lbs. Antec = all steel, Silverstone = mostly aluminum

 

[smurray]

I'm very torn between these two. There are things I like about both. The whole "3 chamber" concept intrigues me, but I'm also really digging the look of the silverstone better.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

you'll dig the aluminum case better too, and the lightness and overall work experience in it. i've worked in mediocre quality CM and Antec cases, and also with high quality aluminum cases such as LL/Silverstone. It is a much better building experience in the higher quality cases.
OP, are you set on using one of those horizontal rectangular cases?

 

[smurray]

I need something in that form factor so it will fit in with the rest of my HT components. I also need something that isn't going to break the bank, and those two seem to be the top choices. I was originally looking at the Antec Fusion Remote Black cases, but I don't need/want an lcd screen or a volume knob.

you'll dig the aluminum case better too, and the lightness and overall work experience in it. i've worked in mediocre quality CM and Antec cases, and also with high quality aluminum cases such as LL/Silverstone. It is a much better building experience in the higher quality cases.
OP, are you set on using one of those horizontal rectangular cases?

 

[LOUISSSSS]

how do you like the LL V351?

has 2 x 120mm fans in a small package. I was going to use that in my HTPC/SFF

 

[Binky]

In my opinion, steel is better at shielding the user from sound. Steel also doesn't have as many resonance problems as aluminum cases. Except for the (less exotic) look and heavier weight, I prefer steel cases.

I've had an NSK2480 for over a year and it has been the best HTPC case I've used. I also have run a silverstone HTPC case, an nMedia HTPC case, and a shuttle-style case. The Antec would be my choice. The 380w power supply is almost certainly good enough for almost anything you can put in the case (and its quiet too!).

 

[Zap]

lets just keep it simple then so Antec case owners dont get their feelings hurt. Brushed Aluminum > Plastic&Steel

What do the materials used in the construction of the chassis have to do with simple build quality? Did you read what I wrote above? I built a system using a high end TJ07 chassis and while it used very premium aluminum pieces, the actual build quality was pretty lousy. Panels didn't fit together right and the big "U" shaped aluminum piece that wrapped around the front did not line up properly with the rest of the chassis, but instead left a bit of a gap. That is NOT what I would consider quality.

Premium product? Absolutely. Quality? Mediocre.

There is a difference.

Oh yeah, because of the thickness of the main aluminum piece and how big the chassis was, the TJ07 is actually pretty darn heavy.

The other thing which may be important for an HTPC is that steel (and even plastic) has better acoustic properties than aluminum, meaning all else being equal the steel chassis will be quieter than the same chassis made of the same thickness aluminum.

See this article at Silent PC Review:

The Aluminum Drawback - One consistent acoustic property seems unavoidable: Aluminum cases tend to pick up hard drive and fan vibrations more readily than steel cases, and make a higher pitched, more audible humming or i sound. This quality is directly related to the density of aluminum: It has only about 30% of the density of the cheaper, more commonly used steel.

Basically the same property (density) that makes aluminum cases lighter than steel cases also makes them noisier than steel cases.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

i'm sorry to hear you seem to have gotten a bad one. you surely could have RMA'd it. Having panels not line up is a manf defect and does not hold true to every item.

please dont use your single instance examples to generalize the entire brand... If that were the case many people won't be buying EVGA/XFX/Intel/AMD/logitech/etc if they say that their brands items aren't well made because they got a single defective product.

The TJ07 is a premium high quality case. Just go over to XS and ask them. They have a much bigger crowd and user base there where a single instance (like yours) won't skew a buying decision. In the OP's case, If hes looking for high quality then the silverstone has more chances of fitting his criteria. If he's looking for a PSU to come with the case, the antec will fit better. OP, Also did you check out the LL v351?

 

[smurray]

I think I'm going to go with the Silverstone. I was completely torn, but my wife said she liked the look fo the Silverstone better, so that decided it for me.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

great choice!
whats the rest of your HTPC setup?

 

[smurray]

It's going to be my HTPC and also something I'll do the occasional gaming on. Sometime this Spring/Summer I will add a dedicated graphics card and then I'll really be able to start gaming on it.

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-785GMT-USB3
Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition
Graphics Card: Radeon HD 5770 (eventually)
Memory: G.SKILL 4GB F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ
Hard Drive: WD Green WD5000AADS
Optical Drive: $20 Samsung DVD burner from NewEgg (can't remember model #)

great choice!
whats the rest of your HTPC setup?

 

[LOUISSSSS]

why the slow hdd? i'm using 2 x 1tb blacks for mine

i was thinking between 1 x Intel 40gb SSD + 1 x 1tb Green. but the Intel was too expensive ($130) and i got in on some come combo deals on the blacks so i guess it wasn't so bad.

The WD Blacks are still decently fast, just can't compare to the Intels

 

[Binky]

I think I'm going to go with the Silverstone. I was completely torn, but my wife said she liked the look fo the Silverstone better, so that decided it for me.

WAF is critical. If she likes it, YOU like it.

Next up is to configure a remote so she's not always screaming "this damned thing is broken again." Oh, I think maybe that's my GF screaming at me now...

Why the regular DVD drive? An HTPC w/o a blu-ray is just crazy talk!

 

[LOUISSSSS]

unless u have a standalone blue ray player

 

[smurray]

I thought about adding a blu-ray player, but we already have a ps3 to watch blu-rays on and honestly probably would continue to use that even if I did put a blu-ray player in the HTPC. Only reason I'd want a blu-ray player in the PC is to rip movies, and I honestly don't see myself doing that enough to justify the price increase.

I may end up getting the NSK2480 after all however. After doing some more research, I realized that the stock HSU that comes with the processor I'm getting won't fit in the Silverstone case if I have an optical drive installed. Buying an aftermarket heatsink would add another $30 to the cost, on top of the $70 I would already have to spend for a PSU. Even though I like the Silverstone better, I'm not sure if it's worth an extra $100 in the end.

 

[Binky]

The Ninja Mini heatsink is perfectly matched to the NSK2480 although it would add $40 to the price. You can even run it passively with many CPU's because the 2x120mm fans are right next to it. My E8400 is running passively at 45C-55C with just one of the 120mm fans running.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

i just did a build in the antec p180 and compared to my 4 year old LL case, it is a POS. sharp corners everywhere, cheap plastic, heavy, sharp steel on the insides that will cut wires and ur hands. If an Antec and a case from a quality brand were at the same price range, its a no brainer if most features are alike

 

[Zap]

i just did a build in the antec p180 and compared to my 4 year old LL case, it is a POS. sharp corners everywhere, cheap plastic, heavy, sharp steel on the insides that will cut wires and ur hands. If an Antec and a case from a quality brand were at the same price range, its a no brainer if most features are alike

Dude, you ever use a Silverstone TJ08 or any of the other Silverstone cases with pretty aluminum faces and steel chassis? :\ I've done a build in that too, as well as several builds in the $40 Athenatech case it was based off, and there are indeed sharp edges inside.

But, whatever.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

there is a 7.5lb difference between the two cases, with the silverstone being lighter. that is not just due the front panel.

In the end i dont really care for these two cases, but if i had a choice at the same price point from buying Aluminum from a reputable high quality case manufacturer or Antec, I'd buy the Aluminum.

 

[Binky]

i just did a build in the antec p180 and compared to my 4 year old LL case, it is a POS. sharp corners everywhere, cheap plastic, heavy, sharp steel on the insides that will cut wires and ur hands. If an Antec and a case from a quality brand were at the same price range, its a no brainer if most features are alike

You seem to have some serious Antec-hate and aluminum-envy.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

nope, only that antec's steel cases are a tier (or two) below high end aluminum cases