Coolcases.com modded D8000 (OEM Antec SLK3700)

Enclosures and acoustic damping to help quiet them.

Moderators: NeilBlanchard, Ralf Hutter, sthayashi, Devonavar

pcweltz
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Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2003 8:19 pm

Coolcases.com modded D8000 (OEM Antec SLK3700)

Post by pcweltz » Mon Feb 24, 2003 11:15 am

Ordered one of these as I wasn't happy with the temps on my Sonata.....available in Beige, Black, and Black with Blue trim.......some minor diffs between the D8000 and the Sonata:

Drive cage is in the standard position (no 90deg rotation, same rubber drive mountings)

Front 120mm is in the traditional front bezel location, rather than behind the drive cage

NO Antec logo drilled into the top of the case.

Traditional black finish, instead of the gloss "piano black" or the Antec Bronze-grey "baby poop" paint job.

I've got a photo of the Black/Blue model...let me know if you'd like a copy.[/img]

Mark Larson
Posts: 105
Joined: Mon Feb 10, 2003 4:04 pm
Location: MN

Post by Mark Larson » Tue Feb 25, 2003 5:49 am

A pic would be appreciated.
Also, could you link me to the case? I can't seem to find it on the site.

Ralf Hutter
SPCR Reviewer
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Post by Ralf Hutter » Tue Feb 25, 2003 6:25 am

Mark Larson wrote:A pic would be appreciated.
Also, could you link me to the case? I can't seem to find it on the site.
It's not on the site. It's just mentioned on the home page in the news section.


Here's a copy of the email Jim sent me last month. I contians his pricing details for the D8000, plus he sent me a couple of pics that I'll post as well.

"So far, this is the list of mods for this case--may have some more sorted
out later.

1. Lower Front 120 grill punch; Backboard grill punch
2. fan mounting holes / install fan mounting grommets
3. trim LF and BBd punches with black/dark gray rubber channel
4. second intake fan - Right Side fan (80 or 90) by floppy cage
5. third intake fan - Right Side fan (80 or 90) by HD rack
6. second exhaust - Left Side-PCI exhaust fan (80 or 90) just over bottom
latch
7. coming soon: left side window installation. (I'm getting a custom shape
made for the left side, I think)--possibly with the LS-PCI 90 fan.
8. We can also 'blowholes' or 'chimneys' but I rarely recommend them for
good performance.
9. It may be that we can sort additional intake fans by the 5.25 bays IF
the 92x20 fan I've located will fit OK there.

Along with these would come some other options--fan controller installation;
wiring harness for the fan/ctlr hookup--that sort of thing. I'm also
looking into providing painted cases; probably a limited selection of five
colors--that idea.

So, for example, here's a sample writeup of what will probably be a
"recommended" setup for a buyer: see the comments following it.

CASE:
1 - D8000b / none: $ 52.00 (case, NO PS, two Global
120/3t-c fans, parts kit)
MODIFICATIONS:
LF: P-D & T 120 10.00 (punch lower front chassis
grill, drill fan mtg. holes, trim punch)
BBd: P-D & T 120 10.00 (ditto)
two - grommet mounts 6.00 (overdrill fan mtg. holes,
install grommets)
FANS:
c/m one G120/3t-c -4.00 (remove one factory fan; the
lower front)
LF: 1 - N120/3 12.00 (Nidec 120--appr. 74 cfm, 32
dBA)
BBd: G120/3t-c incl. (factory fan)
INSTALLED PARTS & ACCS
2 grommet sets 2.00 (fan mounting grommets)
4 screw sets 2.00 (fan, fan acc. mtg. screws)
3 FG120 7.50 (120 fan guards - LF
inside, BBd inside and outside)
INCLUDED PARTS & ACCS
coolcases finishing kit n/c (3>4 adapter, 25 cable ties, 5
stick-on cable tie bases)
______
TOTAL: $ 97.50 sell: $ 95.00 (maybe
less--still sorting out the numbers)
SHIPPING: 25 lbs UPS ground to .... open

COMMENT: As you may know, I try to set up cases for positive
pressure--e.g., a bit more intake than exhaust to keep the case clean.
Further, normally I consider all supplied fans as junk--but the Global 120
fan may be a bit different--it appears to be a true variable-speed fan, and
it has a 10" lead on the thermistor. So, it looks to me like it's worth
using as the backboard fan.

If that Global thermistor is put at a cold spot (to keep the fan running
slow), one can get to positive pressure with the Nidec fan--that is, the
nominal 22 cfm a PS fan (set to low speed, or t-c) runs at, combined with
the Global running at perhaps 40-45 cfm. (The flow-through would be about
74 cfm intake versus 62 exhaust--something like that)."

Pics:
Image

Image

pcweltz
Posts: 77
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2003 8:19 pm

Post by pcweltz » Tue Feb 25, 2003 8:44 am

If one of you has somewhere to host a photo, I've got an front shot of the case....just pm me your email addy.

Mark Larson
Posts: 105
Joined: Mon Feb 10, 2003 4:04 pm
Location: MN

Post by Mark Larson » Wed Feb 26, 2003 9:37 am

www.iupload.net , but you won't be able to inline it. Just paste the link...

Hellspawn
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Location: S. Illinois

Post by Hellspawn » Wed Feb 26, 2003 10:47 am

I may just check this one out, what is the URL for the place selling these?

thanks

pcweltz
Posts: 77
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2003 8:19 pm

Post by pcweltz » Wed Feb 26, 2003 10:59 am

www.coolcases.com Jim will be putting up some add'l info and pics soon. Just email him for a quote for the time being.

This is my quote for a D8000 Black/Blue with punched & grommeted 120's and a single rear external chrome grill

CASE:
1 - D8000-black / NONE $52.00 (case, NO PS, two G120/3t-c fans, parts kit)
MODS:
LF: P, D & T 120 10.00 (punch, drill, & trim Lower Front 120, drill mtg. holes)
BBd: P, D & T 120 10.00 (punch, drill, & trim Backboard 120, drill mtg. holes)
2 – grommet mounts 6.00 (overdrill & install grommets in LF & BBd fan mounts)
FANS:
LF: 1 - G120/3t-c incl. (factory fan)
BBd: 1 - G120/3t-c incl. (factory fan)
INSTALLED PARTS
2 grommet sets 2.00 (fan mounting grommets for LF, RS-M BBd)
3 screw sets 1.50 (fan, fan acc. mtg. screws)
1 - FG120 2.50 (fan guard for BBd outside only)
INCLUDED PARTS & ACCS
coolcases.com finishing kit n/c (free 3>4 fan adapter, 25 cable ties, 5 stick-on cable-tie bases)
______
$ 84.50 SELL: $83.00 (I'll spare you the IA joke from a MN resident)
plus: 26 lbs UPS ground to 50322 / res: 14.00
______
ck/MO/PayPal/CC $ 97.00

Ralf Hutter
SPCR Reviewer
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Location: Sunny SoCal

Post by Ralf Hutter » Thu Feb 27, 2003 5:39 am

Here's the pic of the D8000 that pcwelz sent me. For all you guys that can't stand a door on your cases, note that this OEM SLK3700 has no door! Apparently you can get it without the blue trim as well. According to the website it's also available in good ol' beige too.

Image

rhc
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Feb 27, 2003 1:01 pm

D-8000 Query

Post by rhc » Thu Feb 27, 2003 1:06 pm

I am also looking at the D-8000. While my current system is quiet,
the hard drive temperatures are too high:

- P4 2.4 GHz
- Zalman 6500B-Cu Cooler, fan at lowest setting
- Gigabyte GA-8PE667 Ultra, Northbridge fan removed
- Seagate Baracuda IV - 20 + 40 G drives
- Nexus 3000 PSU
- Generic case, no fans

Currently, my temperature readings are:

- CPU : 38-40C
- Drive 1 : 51C
- Drive 2 : 47C

My goal with the D8000 is to bring down the drive temperatures with
a minimal increase in system noise. What options/fan(s) would you
recommend for the D8000?

Thanks,

Roger.

pcweltz
Posts: 77
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2003 8:19 pm

Post by pcweltz » Thu Feb 27, 2003 1:33 pm

Just email or call Jim at coolcases.com....he can quote you a config based on your noise and temp requirements.

[email protected]

763-479-3099
763-479-6248



Just don't refer to the D8000 as an Antec OEM or SLK3700......the pansy El-Pole-Smokeros at Antec are not happy about it. Mebbe 'cause no one likes their new "human feces" bronze/grey/brown paint schemes.






Thu, Feb 27th 2003
I have just been advised by Antec-Inc., that to refer to the 'D8000' case we are selling as a "SLK-3700 clone" or any other such references constitutes trademark infringement, and that they "...demand that [coolcases.com] immediately cease infringing our name and trade names for any reason, and immediately cease using Antec product model names and numbers (such as SLK-3700) for products not manufactured or supplied by Antec."

I have just e-mailed agreeing to comply with their demand. All earlier news updates about our new 'D8000' product have been edited to remove such references.

Jim H.

GamingGod
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Post by GamingGod » Thu Feb 27, 2003 2:55 pm

I never could figure out how to navigate on coolcases.com Where exactly on that page is that case? I looked but only found liteon ect cases.

Ralf Hutter
SPCR Reviewer
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Joined: Sat Nov 23, 2002 6:33 am
Location: Sunny SoCal

Post by Ralf Hutter » Fri Feb 28, 2003 5:43 am

GamingGod wrote:I never could figure out how to navigate on coolcases.com Where exactly on that page is that case? I looked but only found liteon ect cases.
It's not on the site yet, except on the Homepage. That's why I posted the pics and pasted the email text from Jim. You can email him for full details. He's good about replying to emails, but he doesn't seem to be too interested in continuously updating his website. Look at pcweltz' and my posts, you'll have all available information on the OEM SL.......oops!, er....I mean D8000 case. :)

GamingGod
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Post by GamingGod » Sat Mar 01, 2003 5:49 pm

Both the antec slk3700 and d8000 are pretty similar to the yeong yang w101. I really liked the w101, but I didnt want to go through the trouble of painting it something other than beige. http://servercase.com/cgi-bin/miva.cgi? ... y_Code=PCC
But someone else might be interested in it. It seems to be a really well built case, at least in my opinion.

Politik
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2003 10:30 pm

why?!

Post by Politik » Wed Mar 05, 2003 8:50 pm

Why oh why isnt there an aluminum version of this case?! I want 120mm fans in an aluminum case, without an acrylic front panel, or a bunch of chrome/brushed silver.

The Aluminum Dragon/X-Pider/Matrix cases come so close... but the X-Pider is the only one (or the new matrix, which I've only found 1 place, for over $100 shipped with no psu) with a true-black (not dark-gray) bezel, and its $86, shipped from a very questionable reseller (http://www.buyxg.com) without PSU.

How much does this case weigh? I suppose I may have to give up, and accept a steel case.

Anyone know roughly how 2 80mm exhausts compare to 1 120mm exhaust, as far as CFM per dB?

Katana Man
Patron of SPCR
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Post by Katana Man » Mon Mar 10, 2003 11:56 am

Politik, check out this post I've started here:
http://forums.silentpcreview.com//viewtopic.php?t=3606

Politik
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2003 10:30 pm

update?

Post by Politik » Mon Mar 10, 2003 7:17 pm

pcweltz, have you received your case yet? can you give us some of your impressions compared to other cases you've had?

also, does it weigh an average amount for a steel case, or is it overly heavy?

Ralf Hutter
SPCR Reviewer
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Joined: Sat Nov 23, 2002 6:33 am
Location: Sunny SoCal

Post by Ralf Hutter » Tue Mar 11, 2003 5:52 am

Coolcases.com now has info on the D8000 on their site.

pcweltz
Posts: 77
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2003 8:19 pm

Post by pcweltz » Tue Mar 11, 2003 8:10 am

I received it Monday, 1 day transit time from Jim's. The case is fairly heavy and is made of thick steel like the Chieftec towers. The overall fit and finish was very good, all rolled metal edges and nice rivet work. The 5.25 bays are mounted on steel rails rather than plastic so there is a potential for vibration, though they do fit extremely snug.

Add'l features:

The case comes wired with an intrusion switch.

The front bezel has a decorative LED on a molex connecter which could be swapped for a nice bright blue or white one.

The front bezel piece over the 120mm is hinged and comes off easily, a mesh replacement could be fitted to improve airflow even more.

I really don't know why this design isn't more popular; dual 120's is SO much nicer than 4 or 5 80mm's

Politik
Posts: 36
Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2003 10:30 pm

Post by Politik » Tue Mar 11, 2003 12:45 pm

Did you get the stock 120mm fans? Apparently they're thermally controlled, have you tested them out yet?

pcweltz
Posts: 77
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2003 8:19 pm

Post by pcweltz » Tue Mar 11, 2003 1:34 pm

The rear Globe fan lost a blade in shipping; I pulled it and stuck in a JMC. I won't get a chance to fire it up 'til this weekend.....but I'll probably pull the front Globe and replace it with a JMC or L1A. I don't much care for auto-variable fans.

Politik
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Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2003 10:30 pm

Post by Politik » Tue Mar 11, 2003 1:38 pm

Lost a blade? Was everything packed alright?

pcweltz
Posts: 77
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2003 8:19 pm

Post by pcweltz » Tue Mar 11, 2003 2:31 pm

Everything was packed fine, but the 3.5 floppy cage on the D8000 has a spring loaded lever which does not truly "lock" into place like the Chieftec towers.....It came loose in shipping an whacked a blade off the fan. I advised Coolcases of the situation, and they are going tape or otherwise forcibly secure the cage in future shipments.

Tom P
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Location: San Diego County

Post by Tom P » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:53 pm

He also evidently has the Chenbro PC610, which seemed like a nice case, at least based on a couple reviews.

nocturnal
Posts: 32
Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2002 1:52 pm

Post by nocturnal » Sat Mar 15, 2003 4:45 pm

I just completed an order of two D8000 cases with Jim at Coolcases.com and must congratulate him on his patience and courteous professional assistance. It was a pleasurable experience and I look forward to getting started down an even quieter path with these quality cases.
Thanks Jim :o

Td_nw
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D8000 arrived?

Post by Td_nw » Mon Apr 07, 2003 3:56 pm

Greetings... First Post here.

I was following this thread and had to ask if you had gotten your pair of D8000, and what do you think of them?

I have been talking with Jim and getting ready to have him ship a D8000 over here to Japan for me, but wanted to ask you what you thought about the case now that it has arrived. Or anyone else’s impressions that currently have this case. Anything unexpected or different than what you read? Thanks.

Katana Man
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Post by Katana Man » Mon Apr 07, 2003 4:08 pm


nocturnal
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Post by nocturnal » Mon Apr 07, 2003 9:21 pm

TD_nw

Ilike my new D8000's and they are superior to my previous Antec SX1030's in all aspects except the guage of steel used. The edges are all rolled and the features like, isolated drive cage and easily removed front bezel and side panels are sweet. Also the front filter is nice compared to what I rigged up for the 1030's before. Katana Man sums things up very well in his excellent review, and indeed we have both chosen some identical or similar componentry to outfit the D8000. One area where we chose different paths was in sound deadening material used. He chose a very good product which I couldn't afford to use for both cases. I instead tried the "roofers tape" mentioned in the forums here, and I am quite pleased with the results. The cases would "sing" when rapped prior to the deadening materials application, but afterwards there is just a dull thud when the case is hit. I chose 6" rolls although I found it in 9" rolls as well. Application was easy, but somewhat time consuming to do a perfect job. In my opinion it is well worth the effort to apply SOME deadening material to this case. I am still waiting for the Fortron Source PS's to arrive, at which time I will build and then post my results. I firmly believe this case will bring me the closest yet towards my goal of silence. :D

livedistortion
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Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2003 8:45 am

Post by livedistortion » Tue Apr 08, 2003 5:56 am

I'm about to order this case. Anyone know if it comes with USB 2.0? Jim said he wasn't sure and it just depends on the wires used, not the connectors, but I wanted to make sure.

Thanks

mnpctech_guy

Post by mnpctech_guy » Tue Apr 08, 2003 7:20 am

Jim sent me one of these cases to kick around some mod ideas.. Heres one mod I've applied so far that improved intake flow. The 5/32" mesh allows for 60% flow.

http://www.mnpctech.com/8000

Katana Man
Patron of SPCR
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Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2003 11:14 am

Post by Katana Man » Tue Apr 08, 2003 7:30 am

Great job! You just sold me. I'll be ordering your mesh today.
Currently, I'm running with the faceplate off because it causes a 3C increase when it's on. Yes, 3C. I've tested it multiple times. The mesh should do the trick.
Last edited by Katana Man on Tue Apr 08, 2003 7:32 am, edited 1 time in total.

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