Antec SX-1040B - Good Case?

[U2ForNow]

I am going to build a new system for a customer and he is insisting on the Antec SX-1040B. Although, I know Antec makes good equipment, has anyone used the SX-1040B?

TCWO.com sells if for $129. Any feedback would be great.

 

[mechBgon]

I have a SX1030B, the variant with the 300W PSU. You probaby looked up the specs already, otherwise they can be found here. Here's my 2c worth:

Highs:

PSU has good reputation, 3-year warranty
side door makes it easy to get into
direct cooling of hard drives if you put an 80mm fan in the HDD bay
modular HDD bays are easy to work with
rails are kept in an internal holder
swing-out feet for stability on carpet
comes with a couple of fans
very sturdy
lots of room between the top of the motherboard and the bottom of the power supply
the bezel is not very restrictive to airflow, so it will cool well even with rear fans alone

Lows:

quite heavy
the door covering the exposed bays can be a nuisance, and it looks a bit klunky with it removed
no front USB outlets, unlike Antec's PerformancePlus version

 

[John]

You can get the Chieftec version of that case for almost half the price @ newegg.com.

 

[NesuD]

excellent case! I use a 1040 but not the black one like the 1040b in have the plain white one. I wouldn't give up this case for anything.

 

[SKORPI0]

I had this (gave it to my 10 year-old nephew last week). Very nice case, had to match the DVD (Hitachi DVD-8000) and CD-RW (HP 24Ci) drives bazels to the case. Painted the 3 1/2" drive and the Antec HDD coolers too. Was happy with the results so I ordered another one from newegg.com for me to keep this time.

 

[r0ck]

i have SX1040B, and i love it....has plenty of room and bays. It came with 400 PSU, 2 80mm (rear) Fans and 2 optional in the front. Its very solid and weighs about 20-30 pounds. I say you go for SX1040b

 

[Balex99]

Another vote for the 1040B. I've got the 1030B. Kinda wish I would have gotten the 400 watt just for future expansion. About to buy me a window side panel for it and a cold cathode. If he is going to be toting it around to Lan partys, might want to think about aluminum version. This case is heavy.

 

[Pardus]

why not get the 1080, it has front usb ports and the true power ps. i want to get this one when its in stock

 

[PC911mickster]

I've got a 1040B with a new TruePower ps in it. I replaced the 412X ps when I upgraded from an AthlonXP1800 to a 2.0A P4 proc.
I would love to have upgraded the entire case, but finances prevented that. The thing I like about the new Performance cases is the screen/filter over the front intake fans. Those front fans REALLY import a ton of dust and crud into the case, but they also bring in a ton of cool air. That's good!
They're excellent cases. I've redone the fans to quiet things down. I got 2 Thermaltake thermal sensor fans and 2 Vantec Stealth 80mm's. Keeps the P4 right around 100F and it's oc'ed a nudge.
I love both NewEgg and TCWO. I built my first "from scratch" computer with TCWO parts, two years ago and still use them frequently. Ya can't beat that $6.95 shipping. But...NewEgg rules in my world.
They have THE best assortment of cases and mod parts, 'cept their fan prices suck.
Get that 1040B from TCWO. You'll be a crappy hamper...err happy camper!

 

[fatbaby]

do not get the antec sx1040!!!

Get the chieftech equivalent of that case, as its only $70, includes 2 case fans, and has the EXACT SAME PSU (except for the psu fans) as the 1040...

or for $130, get this to impress your client...same psu as the 1040, but with a window and made of alu!

PSU proof: Look at the chieftech psu, it says cwt-420 in the pic...look at the antec psu...it says cwt 420 somewhere there too![

 

[edc03]

prolly the of the best cases to get (non alum). I love my 1030b, got in on the $80 deal from tcwo long time ago. anyways, i love this case b/c of easy access by the sliding door. the only problem i have with this case is that it doesn't come with the motherboard sliding tray, which would make life a lot easier to apply as3 too and stuff. but other than that, great case.

 

[U2ForNow]

Thanks for the info everyone!

 

[SithSolo1]

So what if steel is heavy?

It won't bend and it could save your life in a drive-by!

 

[m2kewl]

The Chieftec 1030b cases rock! IMO, best case I ever owned.

 

[heartsurgeon]

the lexus of computer cases.

you will be extremely happy with it.

 

[MrTux]

Count me as another happy user of an SC1030/40 case. I've got the 1030B and it's great. The drivebay door doesn't bother me at all, and the thing is built like a rock. The side door makes it REALLY easy to get into the case to tweak stuff.