After a long wait, I finally built myself a new system. Once I decided this would not be an upgrade but an entirely new, additional computer, a new case was necessary. While my old system resided in a perfectly adequate Athenatech mid-tower, I wanted this system to be a bit more stylish. Since it would reside in my living room; size, noise, and looks factored into the decision process. I’ve had cheap power supply issues in the past, so I wanted a brand I recognized and trusted if a PSU was included. Of course, price was important: my original system budget didn’t include a case purchase, so every dollar spent on it cut into other component options.

After ten years of beige I was ready for a change of color, as long as it didn’t cost a lot more. While I like having plenty of headroom for expansion, I have never needed more than 3 optical drive bays, 2 floppy bays, or more than two hard drive bays; so I wanted a case that would meet those requirements while minimizing overall footprint. Finally, while my old system was relatively quiet (not much cooling is needed for a socket 7 system) current rigs I had experience with were annoyingly loud, to put it mildly. I didn’t want to feel like I was living by an airport every time the computer booted up. I don’t care for case windows or glamour lighting: such ornament would only increase the interference of the computer with other devices in the living room both electrically and ergonomically. No doors need apply: the optical drives would be accessed often, so a door would just be in the way.

Several good cases are available that fit most of these requirements, but Antec’s Solution Series 1650B seemed the perfect match. Antec has an excellent reputation for their power supplies and cases, and their 3 year warranty is one of the best in the industry. With 3-2-3 bays, an ‘ultra quiet’ 120mm exhaust fan, an included 350 Watt Smartpower PSU, small footprint, availability in black, and no doors, it was just what the doctor ordered.