Your thoughts on the Antec Sonata?

B

benutne

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Apr 15, 2001
Messages
1,492
I 'm going to be upgrading the ol' PC here in the next three months, and I'm trying to decide what kind of case I want. If anyone here has it, let me know. I'm an overclocker BTW (not a crazy one that has to have a virtual tornado inside their case), so if this case doesnt fit the bill, I'll look elsewhere.
 
Well the most astonishing thing about the Sonata is its sound level. My friend just got one and I could not tell the computer was on, the only way I knew was because he had a CD in the CD-ROM and it spun up when Windows started. If you get some good rubber screws for the HD's its amazingly quiet. Also it comes with a 120mm fan in the back and a place to mount a second one near the front. What I suggest is replacing the 120mm fan with some thing alittle for powerful and do the same for the other mounting point. This should give you some good airflow, if your still not conviced, drill a blowhole uptop and add a 80, 92, or even another 120mm fan. That would be optimum. You could even add dual Vantec Stealth fans to the side panel and the case would be amazing. Since you are overclocking however, I suggest getting something else because the Sonata's are made to be quiet not to be cool enough for OCing. Try maybe a Lian Li or Kingwin solution.
 
The quietness is awesome, but the from IMHO leaves me wanting for something else.
But what would be cool would be to mod the entire case chrome to match the door for the
usb and audio ports on the front.
 
I had problems with it... lack of removeable motherboard tray is annoying when trying to work with the semi-cramped enviornment of the case.

Yes it is quiet, yes it is a cute little black professional looking box with a door. However it is an office case, not a performance case. Underload using air cooling on the stock fans for the sonata was at least a full 5-10C higher than with other cases I've used (like the stacker, Lian-Li PC60/62, Addtronics 6890a) I stress that it was the EXACT same hardware just a different case with the stock fans. Additionally cramping in WC systems is tough in there too...

So if you are looking for quiet and not overclocking I say thumbs up, otherwise the Antec Performer series case is probably more up your alley.
 
The case is a little cramped to work in, a slide-out mobo tray would be super helpful. It also seems just a tad smaller than most mid tower cases One of the first things I noticed about mine is how much cooler my system ran compared to its temps in my other case (Chieftec full tower Antec clone). From a cooling with minimal noise standpoint, the Sonata is easily worth the money IMO.

When I was looking at cases, I failed to find a bad or even less-than-positive review on the Sonata. One of my friends has it and he doesn't like it, says it's too small or something. :confused:
 
If not the Sonata, then what? I'm looking for style as well as performance. And not some ass-tastic ThermalTake Xaser or some shit like that. That thing is gaudy as hell. I like the refined looks of the Sonata. The Antec aluminum SOHO cases aren't bad, but a little LARGE for my tastes. I've got a PC-65B now and its served me well for a few years.


Oh, and it must be black. I'm a big fan of black PC's.
 
I'm in the same boat as you. I'll be upgrading soon, and my case is underneath my desk, so I want something black, and not too gawdy that it's an eyesore. Just like you said, stylish and refined is what I've been looking for.

I was looking at the Sonata, and oddly, the thing that I disliked the most was that hole punched "Antec" on the side of the case :(

I'm looking at this Lian-Li 78B now. Looks pretty slick.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-112-023&DEPA=1

This Antec Solutions SLK2650 case is pretty similar to the Sonata. I've worked with SLK2600 and it was pretty nice.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-129-148&DEPA=1

And then of course, the SLK1650B, pretty much the same as the other Antecs, without the door.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-129-150&DEPA=1

I'm looking hard at that Lian-Li. It looks real pretty, not sure on the space though.

Browse over to the cases on Newegg, and do a search for the black cases. You'll get some more good one.

Edit:
The Coolermaster Praetorian
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-119-035&depa=1
 
benutne said:
If not the Sonata, then what? I'm looking for style as well as performance. And not some ass-tastic ThermalTake Xaser or some shit like that. That thing is gaudy as hell. I like the refined looks of the Sonata. The Antec aluminum SOHO cases aren't bad, but a little LARGE for my tastes. I've got a PC-65B now and its served me well for a few years.


Oh, and it must be black. I'm a big fan of black PC's.
Click to expand...
since you already have a PC-65B (which IMHO looks sweet) why do you have a need to get a new case?
 
ST|FFY said:
since you already have a PC-65B (which IMHO looks sweet) why do you have a need to get a new case?
Click to expand...


My computer now will most likely be retired to the office. And you get tired of looking at the same thing for two years, day in day out.
 
I just bought a Sonata and its been great so far. It is a little tight though, I think its actually considered a mini. It is super quiet like everybody says. I have p4 3.06, 9800 pro, 2 HDD's. I have a 10 dollar cpu heatsink that I'm going to upgrade and everything that came w/ the case and the temp is about 40
 
PS, the Sonata is one of the most stylish cases out there IMO. It's sleek glossy black and has two simple blue lights on the front. All drives and buttons are hidden. And best of all theres no gay purple lights on the fans or anything.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top