New Antec NSK1480 MATX case

K

KenF

Limp Gawd
Joined
May 15, 2007
Messages
464
Forgive me if this was posted earlier, I didn't see a thread on it. [Search is down.]

Antec NSK1480

Antec NSK1480 Product Flyer (PDF)

NSK1480_q.jpg
NSK1480_f_q.jpg


Antec MATX Case Comparison

Code: 
[u]Name[/u]                     [u]Dimensions[/u]               [u]Fans[/u]

Antec Minuet     3.8" H x 12.8" W x 16.8" D      1x 80mm
Antec NSK1480    4.5” H x 15.1” W x 16.1” D      3x 80mm
Antec NSK2480    5.5" H x 17.5" W x 16.3" D      2x 120mm

The extra 0.7" height on the NSK1480 should allow it to fit a number of additional CPU heatsinks.
 
About two weeks ago I saw this on Antec's website while researching my HTPC build, but you couldn't buy it anywhere. I emailed Antec and they said it would be released 'soon' but wouldn't give me a date.

After trying unsuccessfully to order a Lian-Li PC-C35 and Silverstone SST-LC04 (websites that claimed to have them in stock emailed me after I ordered that they were discontinued) I did a search for this case again today - and wouldn't you know it - now its everywhere including newEgg!

I was looking for a mATX case that was <= 4.5" H and you'd be surprised just how limited the selection is with those criteria. I ordered the NSK1480 today, and am doing the build this weekend. I'll post back with a review.
 
I like the look of this case, but not quite as much as the minuet. But it is really nice and I will probably show it as an option to my friend that wants me to build him a slim PC.

The only thing I can see wrong with this case is that it only has one 5.25" external bay. That might limit those that would want to put a media card reader in their HTPC.
 
matx cases from antec has cooling problem in the past. Will they be the same?
 
Flyboat said:
matx cases from antec has cooling problem in the past. Will they be the same?
Click to expand...

Their newer micro cases don't have cooling problems; the 3480 has two 92mm front fan slots and a 120mm rear fan, the 2480 has two 120mm fans and this one has two 80mm fans and a third 80mm fan slot for HDD cooling.
 
Flyboat said:
matx cases from antec has cooling problem in the past. Will they be the same?
Click to expand...

Yeah, the really old Minuet has a cooling problem. I have one, and it doesn't suit a high powered system. However, I also have a Fusion, and they're cooled exceptionally well. Lots of clearances, well ventilated and two super quiet 120mm exhaust fans off the right side.
 
See pics below:

http://picasaweb.google.com/DarrenFabbri/HTPC?authkey=upDmLLXZf_o

Finally got it hooked up to the TV last night, so I will run some temperature tests on it and post back. With all stock CPU and case cooling, the case seems very cool and also quiet.

Working in the case was fairly easy, though the DVDROM caddy gave me some trouble when the DVDROM faceplate didn't want to make it through the opening. Just had to get things aligned properly.
 
That looks pretty sweet. Some zip-ties might help out with the bunch of wires there.

I noticed the keyboard that you had in the picture. How do you find it? I was thinking about getting the mini version for my htpc set up.
 
Can you post a full system spec?

I'm looking to build a combo HTPC/gaming rig (yeah yeah I know) and looking to balance performance vs noise.

I'm hoping a 8800GTS 512mb won't be too loud. Maybe a 3Ghz C2D as well?
 
Llathos said:
Can you post a full system spec?

I'm looking to build a combo HTPC/gaming rig (yeah yeah I know) and looking to balance performance vs noise.

I'm hoping a 8800GTS 512mb won't be too loud. Maybe a 3Ghz C2D as well?
Click to expand...
Then you've got the wrong case; this only fits low profile cards.
 
Llathos said:
Can you post a full system spec?
Click to expand...

Asus P5E-VM HDMI
Intel Pentium E2200
2GB Kingston DDR2-800
WD 160GB SATA 3.0
LiteOn 16x DVD-ROM
Logitech diNovo Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard
Vista Home Premium

My plan is to pop in a BluRay player later in the year (once my Xbox 360 HDDVD player is a paper weight) and possibly a low end nVidia card to do hardware decoding.

Already streaming music and movies from my desktop and audio/video quality is very impressive from the G35-based ASUS board. Funny thing though, when Vista accesses the shared photos from my XP desktop, Vista's Explorer crashes every single time. Can't figure out why, other than the fact that Vista sucks ;)
 
Love-Man said:
That looks pretty sweet. Some zip-ties might help out with the bunch of wires there.

I noticed the keyboard that you had in the picture. How do you find it? I was thinking about getting the mini version for my htpc set up.
Click to expand...

NewEgg has them, and in fact a nice mail in rebate is in effect right now, essentially about 25% off.

As for the zip ties, there ain't nowhere to zip tie em too! That wad of unused power connectors coming out of the PSU has no place to go but get stuffed in that corner. No impedance whatsoever on the airflow in that space, so no biggie.
 
Kraster said:
NewEgg has them, and in fact a nice mail in rebate is in effect right now, essentially about 25% off.

As for the zip ties, there ain't nowhere to zip tie em too! That wad of unused power connectors coming out of the PSU has no place to go but get stuffed in that corner. No impedance whatsoever on the airflow in that space, so no biggie.
Click to expand...

Yeah, too bad newegg doesn't send to canada (as far as I know). I'm sure I can find it here, though. I just wanted to know what a fellow [H] reader thinks of it.

Yeah, now that I look at it, the airflow seems to be pretty good there. I'm just a ziptie freak. :)

You mentioned getting a low profile nvidia card. Might I suggest an AMD 3450? It looks like there will be a lot of different hook up options for them (including display port) and many are passively cooled. Just another option.
 
Flyboat said:
matx cases from antec has cooling problem in the past. Will they be the same?
Click to expand...

Ran some quick tests last night:

Idle temps are 28C CPU / 30C Mobo.

Load temps are 38C CPU / 34C Mobo. Load was watching back to back to back 1080p movie trailer with Apple Quicktime (Son of Rambow - looks hilarious)

All stock case and CPU cooling. Check system specs above. When the CPU fan ramped up it was audible and a bit distracting, so I may have to swap that for an aftermarket. Case fans are very quiet in Low Speed, and the PSU fan is acceptable.
 
I was planning to put a system together with this case and a E4500, I was worried about CPU/Fan clearance, but if the E2200 fits, I guess the E4500 should as well.

What sucks is that I ordered this over a month ago from NCIX since it was showing on the Antec website, but it STILL isn't available. And Antec support couldn't say when they would be ready. Any suggestions for a case with a similar form factor / look / performance?
 
JC. said:
I was planning to put a system together with this case and a E4500, I was worried about CPU/Fan clearance, but if the E2200 fits, I guess the E4500 should as well.

What sucks is that I ordered this over a month ago from NCIX since it was showing on the Antec website, but it STILL isn't available. And Antec support couldn't say when they would be ready. Any suggestions for a case with a similar form factor / look / performance?
Click to expand...

The retail box e2200 comes with a smaller fan, I'd say its about half the height of the fan that comes with the e4500.
 
ofacto said:
The retail box e2200 comes with a smaller fan, I'd say its about half the height of the fan that comes with the e4500.
Click to expand...

Hey guys, has anyone tried a E4500 or E6300 cpu in this case? Will the stock heatsink fit with these 2 CPUs, or will I have to get an after market heatsink? Thanx for the advice.
 
from what ive seen the 4x00s now also come with the half height fan...

my e4300 came with a full height stock cooler, which i might just have to digg out because im ordering one of these cases + asus p5e-vm hdmi tonight :) my e4300 is going to replace that crappy mini-itx mobo as my media center :)
 
you guys think i can run a q6600 under this case? im scared with the whole q6600 being hot and etc.
 
well my nsk1480 just got in today, and im quite truely impressed, it is hands down the best case ive ever bought, the only downside i can think of:

- casefans have molexes, not normal fan plugs
- case is a bit space constricted, and the psu cables are WAY to long, but that probably is a combo of the case and mobo im using

but as i said, best built case ive seen, excellent features and value for a killer price :)

i havent fired it up though, i have to canabalize my current desktop for the cpu and memory, and my media rig (which this will be replacing) for the hard drive. Im guessing though that if you wouldnt put too much stuff besides the cpu in it, a q6600 running stock would be ok, since the cpu socket is right besides the two output fans. i wouldnt OC it though...
 
DrFreeze said:
well my nsk1480 just got in today, and im quite truely impressed, it is hands down the best case ive ever bought, the only downside i can think of:

- casefans have molexes, not normal fan plugs
- case is a bit space constricted, and the psu cables are WAY to long, but that probably is a combo of the case and mobo im using

but as i said, best built case ive seen, excellent features and value for a killer price :)

i havent fired it up though, i have to canabalize my current desktop for the cpu and memory, and my media rig (which this will be replacing) for the hard drive. Im guessing though that if you wouldnt put too much stuff besides the cpu in it, a q6600 running stock would be ok, since the cpu socket is right besides the two output fans. i wouldnt OC it though...
Click to expand...
thanks but i sadly already bought an nsk2480, as it fit my budget a little better and i got a great deal on shipping, the nsk1480 was running me 130+ shipped with taxes, but i got my 2480 for less than 100 with shipping and taxes
 
vertigomhs said:
thanks but i sadly already bought an nsk2480, as it fit my budget a little better and i got a great deal on shipping, the nsk1480 was running me 130+ shipped with taxes, but i got my 2480 for less than 100 with shipping and taxes
Click to expand...

i was considering a 2480 myself as well for a while, but since the machine im working on is a media center, it has to fit into my tv stand, which has a single long slot only 6 inches high. the 2480+feet would probably only just fit, leaving the top vent holes covered by the tv stand... which is why i decided the 1480 would be a better idea, sadly at the loss of some internal space, the ability to use 120mm fans, and full height expansion cards...

none of which should be a problem though, i have all the 1480 fans set to low speed, and it is barely audible, and after an hour of sitting in BIOS the cpu only reached 30 degrees :)

weird huh, adapting buying decisions for a 400-500 euro HTPC to a 50 euro piece of IKEA furniture :)
 
DrFreeze said:
i was considering a 2480 myself as well for a while, but since the machine im working on is a media center, it has to fit into my tv stand, which has a single long slot only 6 inches high. the 2480+feet would probably only just fit, leaving the top vent holes covered by the tv stand... which is why i decided the 1480 would be a better idea, sadly at the loss of some internal space, the ability to use 120mm fans, and full height expansion cards...

none of which should be a problem though, i have all the 1480 fans set to low speed, and it is barely audible, and after an hour of sitting in BIOS the cpu only reached 30 degrees :)

weird huh, adapting buying decisions for a 400-500 euro HTPC to a 50 euro piece of IKEA furniture :)
Click to expand...
well the 2480 is just below 6 inches, but its not that big a of a problem to me, my media center has movable slots so i can adjust height :).

the 1480 would have been good for me since i dont need an pci slots or 120mm fans, but i didnt want my quad to overheat so i decided to just get the 2480, also by choosing it i left my options open to OCing.

may i ask where you got the case from?
 
vertigomhs said:
well the 2480 is just below 6 inches, but its not that big a of a problem to me, my media center has movable slots so i can adjust height :).

the 1480 would have been good for me since i dont need an pci slots or 120mm fans, but i didnt want my quad to overheat so i decided to just get the 2480, also by choosing it i left my options open to OCing.

may i ask where you got the case from?
Click to expand...

the 2480 does indeed have more room for a better cooler, which the 1480 lacks, but i dont mind, my e4300 is a cool little bugger, and i dont need mad clock speeds anyway :)

i got my case from 4launch, dutch webshop, yes i am from holland
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top