Antec VSK3000 Micro ATX case

[ygohome]

A bunch of photos showing off this inexpensive micro ATX case from Antec. We'll be using it to house a little no frills system. I don't think it looks too bad actually. I paid $24.99 and the shipping was free.

Includes a single Antec branded 92mm exhaust fan

 

*edit:   Pros/Cons - final summation in Post # 7:  http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/45409-antec-vsk3000-micro-atx-case/?p=625171

 

both side panels are removable. No thumbscrews of course but I won't be going into this case often.

[WoodenMarker]

Antec makes solid cases even when they're cheap.

[ygohome]

a few more photos.

 

 

[TheSLSAMG]

I think I'll buy one for my secondary system. It maintains to be cheap, solid and pretty nice looking.

[brownninja97]

Its been a while since ive used a pc with a top mounted psu.

[ygohome]

Its been a while since ive used a pc with a top mounted psu.

Yeah, me too.  Basically forces the psu to be used as an exhaust since it's intake can only face inward.

 

Once the other components arrive I'll add a little more content to this case review.  

[ygohome]

I'm very happy with this case.   Okay, it's not super sexy in the photo below (intel cooler, wires dangling, etc) but everything fit fine.  There was not much hardware in this system.   Alot of room to spare actually.  No graphics card or big heatsink and certainly no radiators.   It is a headless linux box... Oracle database, Subversion, and Apache, etc. 

 

I have another 92mm fan that I may put in the front to pull more air in, but it doesn't really need it.  System runs cool as is and it is quiet.  I will be adding a few more drives and maybe then I'll put the 92mm fan in the front.

 

Pros:  

- it was inexpensive at $24.99 and free shipping

- looks decent for being so cheap

- low weight because of very thin metal.  Frame, rivets, and overall construction seems solid.

- all of the mounting holes existed and lined up with my mobo (as they should!)

- includes standoffs (count six) and plenty of various size/thread screws for psu and HDDs

- includes one exhaust fan (92mm)

- Two front mount USB 2.0;  mic/headphone jacks; power and reset buttons; HDD activity LED (normal stuff)

 

 

Cons:

- very thin material if that matters to you

- no thumbscrews

- only includes one fan (92mm)

- PSU mounts up top

- Very little space behind the mobo tray.  Don't expect to hide any power cables back there.

- cages are not removable 

- no front USB 3.0 

 

There were no surprises.  You get what you pay for, an inexpensive no frills case.  

 

Of the Cons, the only one that might affect me is having the PSU up top.  I would like to install a 3in2 HDD backplane cage inside the 5.25 cage, but the PSU might make it a tight fit.  I'd also need to bend/modify some of the tabs inside the 5.25 cage to accept a 3in2 (but that is not uncommon). 

 

Regarding the case having only one fan... if it had any more it may have raised the price another 50%.  A nice Noctua 92mm fan costs about $20, nearly the same price as the case itself.

 

If you are looking for an inexpensive case and can live with a top mount PSU, then this is not a bad choice.