[CES 07] New Antec Sonata III
Moderators: NeilBlanchard, Ralf Hutter, sthayashi, Devonavar
[CES 07] New Antec Sonata III
Also on CES, Antec showed the new Sonata III... the main external differences are a new front, with HD audio connectors and an eSATA connector! (besides the two regular USB connectors).
The other difference (this one on the inside) is the inclusion of an Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU.
It should be available next month with a price tag similar to the Sonata II.
Here it is... Sonata the third!
Earthwatts 500
Hmm... eSATA
Source: Matbe
The other difference (this one on the inside) is the inclusion of an Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU.
It should be available next month with a price tag similar to the Sonata II.
Here it is... Sonata the third!
Earthwatts 500
Hmm... eSATA
Source: Matbe
-
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Sat Nov 27, 2004 6:41 am
- Location: Toronto, Canada
If the Sonata3 hits shelves at or slightly above the current Sonata2's price point, you are getting a quality $100 PSU + case for pennies on the dollar. That sells the Sonata3 to me.
I will be picking one up first week they are out most likely, although I may have to wait until the passive x1950s and C2D 4300 hit resalers to fill it with goodies. From the pictures of the Sonata3 and X1950PRO, it appears there will be ample room past the PCI-E bracket to accommodate the large heatsink and a large hex grill there on the side for warm air to exhaust. I too am a fan of the side-ways mounted HDs. The rear part of the cage will act as a mounting point for my 120mm fan (@5-7v) to blow fresh air past the x1950PRO.
I will be picking one up first week they are out most likely, although I may have to wait until the passive x1950s and C2D 4300 hit resalers to fill it with goodies. From the pictures of the Sonata3 and X1950PRO, it appears there will be ample room past the PCI-E bracket to accommodate the large heatsink and a large hex grill there on the side for warm air to exhaust. I too am a fan of the side-ways mounted HDs. The rear part of the cage will act as a mounting point for my 120mm fan (@5-7v) to blow fresh air past the x1950PRO.
Lets see you take a rectangle and you turn it lengthwise... tell me again how does this change the airflow? My Samsung runs at 29C in my Sonata.roadie wrote:The HDD cage is orientated in the wrong fashion for optimal airflow. Is this the case in the old Sonata?
I love the sideways drive sleds. It makes cable management a snap with the cables on the far side of the drives, and hard drive removal is incredibly easy. I don't know why everyone hasn't gone this way actually.
p.s. the Sonata III looks like an improvement on an already solid design. I would be happy if they moved the front fan before the hard drives though. My 8800GTS barely fits with the front fan installed.
I'd still prefer to be able to choose my PSU. The high reported incidence of failure for the Antec Neo HEs (which are a step above the EarthWatts it seems) is rather offputting, let alone the number of failures reported with the cheaper Antec PSUs.Meato wrote:If the Sonata3 hits shelves at or slightly above the current Sonata2's price point, you are getting a quality $100 PSU + case for pennies on the dollar. That sells the Sonata3 to me.
The problem is that the sides of the cage are not as open as just having the front of the drives presented to the airflow. Plus the airflow to the drives themselves is interrupted as well.Varun wrote:Lets see you take a rectangle and you turn it lengthwise... tell me again how does this change the airflow? My Samsung runs at 29C in my Sonata.
Greg
-
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Wed Mar 15, 2006 10:16 am
- Location: U.S.A.
The Sonata III must be arriving soon. Frys.com currently has the Sonata II on sale for $39.99 after rebate and free shipping.
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4470276
Antec is probably trying to clear out the old stock.
In addition to the new bezel, the best part of the Sonata III is that Earthwatts PSU .
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/4470276
Antec is probably trying to clear out the old stock.
In addition to the new bezel, the best part of the Sonata III is that Earthwatts PSU .