Which of these Antec are better....

[ksherman]

Antec Sonata or
Antec SLK2650-BQE ATX Mid tower Case
The second one is a bit cheap (like $20-40 less) and i already have a TruePower 380 to put in it (and ill put the 350 in the old comp). Im also on a pretty tight budget, so if there are any others i missed, let me know. Im planning on a 2600 barton and OCing it. is 380 enough power (at most, there will be a 9800PRO in it)

 

[ksherman]

just noticed one is missing...

 

[drifter106]

your in the same boat im in... can't choose from a p160 and a 1000 amg or a 1080...lots of luck....

 

[InlineFive]

I'll say the Antec Sonata because it's black, it has big fans and it's more quiet then some other cases.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

this one can actually cool your hard drives (if you use a front 120mm fan) I also prefer the metal look to the black piano finish (but that's my personal preference of course)

 

[Mik3y]

Originally posted by: PorBleemo
I'll say the Antec Sonata because it's black, it has big fans and it's more quiet then some other cases.

both the cases he listed are black and have big fans and are equally quiet. only real difference between them are looks, price, and psu power.

i still prefer the sonata over the bqe because of looks and psu.

 

[ksherman]

Originally posted by: lobadobadingdong
this one can actually cool your hard drives (if you use a front 120mm fan) I also prefer the metal look to the black piano finish (but that's my personal preference of course)

except that ones a really tall case (13 expansion slots...) well, i already have the same PSU as is in the sonata and would swap them out, so PSU is no concern... I guess ill go for the cheaper one (the 2650)

 

[yadda]

I have the Sonata, 9800 Pro and I also have a Zalman 7000 al.cu HSF. Awesome combination for my P4-2.8. Exremely quiet. Temps are about 30C at idle.

Y

 

[pkypkypky]

the sonata is taller and has the blue led on the front and front firewire + audio. also the PSU as mentioned and a washable front filter that i'm not sure the 2650 has

the 2650 has the hardware holder thingy on the back. the "chasis air guide" dome thingy (check newegg for pics)


hmm, from personal experience both has the same basic design. maybe only the sonata has grommets for the back case fan while the 2650 had it preinstalled with screws. same hdd mounting. same front door flap. it's really small details that make the sonata a little more polished. too bad u missed out on the outpost deal ($60 after MIR) on the sonata. ok, that's all i can think of. good luck

 

[CraigRT]

similar cases, but the Sonata is just a lil' better overall IMO.

 

[BW86]

3700AMB or SLK2650-BQE

 

[DCrew1X]

antec sonata all the way! lot of suttle things make sonata a good buy. It is considered one of the quietest cases. i had the stock 380psu and it was fine w/ my p4 3.0c ghz w/ radeon9800pro. i'm planning on getting geforce6800 ultra pci express, so i've upgraded my psu to antec true power 550watt. OCZ powerstream is also a good choice.

 

[Thermalrock]

piano black on the sonato is nicer than normalblack. dunno if the other has.

 

[Zucarita9000]

I just ordered my 3700AMB. Two 120mm fans and really nice color.

 

[rbownes]

I have the Sonata.....very nice, sharp looking case. It is very quiet and cool inside. I like the blue lights on the front too.

 

[DI9ITAL]

Originally posted by: lobadobadingdong
this one can actually cool your hard drives (if you use a front 120mm fan) I also prefer the metal look to the black piano finish (but that's my personal preference of course)

I agree. I have a Sonata and cant stand the fact that the "intake" fan goes BEHIND the HDD and not in front of it to suck air form ouside the case. The Sonata seems to only reciculate the air. Believe it or not, My CPU temps rose by 4 degrees with an extra fan behind the HDD bays.

 

[rch4001]

heres a vote for the BQE.