With the 2008 holiday season quickly approaching, computer enthusiasts everywhere will soon have a perfectly good reason (read: excuse) for upgrading their PC. Some may be looking for a couple video cards to run Crysis, others might already have all of their new hardware purchased and are just now looking for a spiffy new case to install it all in. Today's review will be of interest to those folks as we are featuring Antec's Sonata III 500 enclosure. A follow-up to the original Sonata case, the Sonata III has a redesigned look with a couple extra features. Is this case worth your holiday bucks? Read on to find out.

Specifications:

• EarthWatts 500 Watt power supply
• Front mounted USB, eSATA, HDA & AC'97 Audio In/Out ports
• 9 Drive Bays:
  - 3 x 5.25" external drive bays
  - 2 x 3.5" external drive bays
  - 4 x 3.5" internal drive bays in individual trays with silicone grommets to absorb hard drive vibrations
  
• Metal double hinge allows the door to open up to 225 degrees
• Cooling System:
  - 1 rear 120mm Tricool fan (standard) with 3-speed control to balance quiet with cooling
  - 1 front 120mm case fan (optional)
  
• Built-in washable air filter keeps harmful dust out of your case
• 0.8mm cold rolled steel for durability
• Motherboards up to Standard ATX
• Dimensions:
  -16.7" (H) x 8.1" (W) x 18.2" (D)
  -42.5cm (H) x 20.6cm (W) x 46.3cm (D)
• Net Weight: 20.2lbs / 9.1kg