We find ourselves wondering how a company like NZXT can do a better job of creating a budget version of Antec’s gamer line than Antec itself. That’s not to say the Three Hundred is a bad case; it just has little that’s special.
Case in point: You get no fancy lighting effects, no side panel window, and no screwless way to mount six hard drives or three 5.25-inch devices. The case barely fits an 8800 GTX card as is—a problem we also encountered with its greater sibling, Antec’s Nine Hundred chassis.
The case comes with a 12cm and a 14cm fan around the motherboard area, and both use Antec’s familiar switch for setting the fans to high, medium, or low speeds. We’re curious why the normally fan-crazy Antec opted out of including fans for the case’s six hard drive bays—there’s space for two 12cm fans, you just have to bring your own.
The case’s cables wrapped around to our motherboard inputs quite nicely, although there’s not much to connect: Front-panel support on the Three Hundred consists of a mere two USB slots and standard audio jacks. That’s pretty spartan, given the Tempest’s eSATA and FireWire options.
But it fits the murky profile of this nondescript case. Where other chassis in this feature have tried and fallen short, Antec quit at the starting line by offering little more in the Three Hundred than what you can find in a $20 enclosure.
Serviceable no-frills case; plenty of fan space.
No-frills means no frills; a bit cramped; minimal front-panel inputs; front fans are strictly BYO; no lights, no windows.
scuz
August 28, 2008 at 12:08pm
I was very excited to see that you guys reviewed the 300 when I was perusing your case reviews. I've been looking at getting one myself, and decided to see what MPC thought of it. After reading the review, I can't help but question a few things.
First, if you don't want frills, you don't buy them. I don't think that you should mark a case down because it doesn't have the frills you didn't want when you set out to shop for a case. If you're looking for spinny lights and see-through panels, go buy them.
Second, like many others have mentioned, the case is only $60. Comparing it to the likes of a $120+ case is like comparing a hot dog to filet mignon. Don't expect a $120 case for $60, that's just silly. The lack of case fans isn't a HUGE deal, since they aren't more than $9 for a good fan. And since I'm a silent PC snob, I end up replacing most of the fans that a case comes with, if any.
I do, however, agree with the space issues. Even if it IS a mid tower, you can try to make sure that your case is gonna fit the 8800GTSs and HD4870X2s. Also the 300 vs 3DO made me giggle :]
davidst489
July 26, 2008 at 12:05pm
To begin with the is a $60 case not a $100 so please compare it accordingly.
The NZXT Tempest is a $120 case as is the Antec 900 so they should be compared together.
The strong point of this case is budget cooling and a $20 case does not have this.
If this case came with a side window like the 900 I would have already bought one.
milliner
July 24, 2008 at 11:25pm
I just got this case this week for $57.99 with free shipping from BuyNow Incorporated through Amazon.com, and maybe I don't know much about cases, this being my first home build, but I find it spartan in a good way, since I have no use for showy or fancy. The two included fans keep two hard drives plenty cool, and I had no problem fitting my GeForce 8800 GTS, with plenty of room to spare. I actually didn't want a clear panel because it would be up against a wall anyway since I have a built-in computer desk with one spot for the case.
maxime29
July 09, 2008 at 1:55pm
Verdict should be 7 not 5. Considering I bought this case on Newegg for $70 with FREE SHIPPING, this was a good deal. Most reasons for the low score is just being picky. Having no lights/windows is a GOOD THING. Those things make a case look too cheesy. I don't mind buying a case fan for the HDD since I can choose what I WANT rather than Antec making that choice for me. USB and Audio is enough. eSata would have been nice, but I just use the adaptor for the PCI slot that came with my motherboard. No big deal.
bullnettle59
July 26, 2008 at 10:15am
I like this case. I've got 5 fans running on medium (F@H), so I can hear it. I like hearing it!
The (2) green led fans I put in front look really cool.
It's a hell of alot better than most cases under $60.
Asus M2A-VM,, Raptor 150,Caviar 200,,AMD 5600+, 2GB Patriot PC2-6400, Gigabyte 8600GT 512 OC'd
russ2650
October 06, 2008 at 3:24pm
Green LEDs? Great idea!
I liked the design of the Nine Hundred, only I thought it was way too flashy.
This case is perfect!
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