Antec 1650B vs. CompUsa (Antec) CS200B?

mshan · Post by **mshan** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 7:45 pm

Other than the 80 mm vs. 120 mm exhaust fan opening, lack of a CPU duct, and a lack of a power supply, anybody know if these cases are of the same design and construction?

CompUSA (Antec) CS200B: http://www.compusa.com/products/product ... pfp=BROWSE

Antec SLK1650B:
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=91654

Also, how difficult would it be to expand the rear 80 mm opening to a 120 mm opening with a metal nibbler and metal file? Or would just using a power supply with a 120 mm fan and the stock 80 mm exhaust fan produce similar cooling and quietness levels?

msm_zgok · Post by **msm_zgok** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 10:23 pm

I was comparing these cases like two weeks ago.

I have the SLK1650 and I've checked out the CS200 over at CompUSA. It's basically the same stuff except the exhaust fan opening, included PSU and included fan. IIRC the CS200 doesn't come with HDD cages that fit those rubber grommet stuff seen in the SLK1650.

Since you're willing to widen the exhaust opening and it looks like you're getting a PSU, you might as well go for the CS200B and save some $$$.

mshan · Post by **mshan** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 5:52 am

Is the floppy / hard drive cage the same, just without those rubber grommets?

Except for the changes you mentioned, is it the same case (built quality, metal thickness, external finish quality)?

And do you think it's competitive with the Antec SLK3700AMB in terms of cooling / quietness potential (with a little modding)?

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 6:57 am

mshan wrote:And do you think it's competitive with the Antec SLK3700AMB in terms of cooling / quietness potential (with a little modding)?

Absolutely not.

It's just an el-cheapo generic PC case. See my reply to your other SLK16xx thread, and search SPCR for other comments about this series of cases.

mshan · Post by **mshan** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 7:31 am

Hi Ralf:

Is the front 120 mm fan opening critical to the performance of the 3700AMB?

And do you think those side vents on the 1650B help or hinder air flow / cooling / noise levels vs. the 3700AMB?

msm_zgok · Post by **msm_zgok** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 9:54 am

I sealed off the side vents so I can run the exhaust fans to pull air from the front bezel.

Compared to the 3700AMB/BQE, these cases are tight on space. It wasn't easy to get a mATX mobo to slide into position without bumping on the cages etc. Don't think I'll ever want to squeeze an ATX in there.

I was going to buy the SLK3700AMB but Newegg decided to not give it free shipping on the day I was going to order it. So I settled for the SLK1650 and a week later, Newegg had the SLK3700AMB for sale again. Grrr

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 12:04 pm

mshan wrote:Hi Ralf:

Is the front 120 mm fan opening critical to the performance of the 3700AMB?

I haven't found it to be.

mshan wrote:And do you think those side vents on the 1650B help or hinder air flow / cooling / noise levels vs. the 3700AMB?

They certainly won't help things. Plus, there's more issues than that.

-The case is constructed from thin, cheap metal that will tend to vibrate/resonate more than the beefier SLK3700.

-It's drive mounting setup will do nothing to quiet things down.

-It's small and hard to work in/on.

-It's not particularly "user friendly" when it comes to working on.

-There's just nothing special about the case. You'd be just as well off going to a computer swapmeet or your local Mom-n-Pop computer shop and buy a generic case for $20.

imaputz · Post by **imaputz** » Sun Oct 17, 2004 2:55 pm

msm_zgok wrote:I was going to buy the SLK3700AMB but Newegg decided to not give it free shipping on the day I was going to order it. So I settled for the SLK1650 and a week later, Newegg had the SLK3700AMB for sale again. Grrr

I know what you mean. It's a cat and mouse game with Newegg and their shipping prices.