Antec Nine Hundred Two: Second Generation Gamer Case
by Christoph Katzer on February 13, 2009 3:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Test Setup
| Test Configuration | |
| CPU | Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 (Quad-core 3.0GHz, 2x6MB L2, 1333FSB) |
| Motherboard | Asus P5N-T Deluxe |
| Graphics Cards | Triple-SLI NVIDIA GeForce 8800 Ultra |
| Memory | 4GB OCZ DDR2 PC2-8500 Platinum Series |
| HDD | Western Digital WD4001ABYS (Fully equipped) |
| CPU Cooler | Zalman CNPS7700 |
| Power Supply | PC Power & Cooling Turbo Cool 860W (AnandTech Edition) |
For the temperature results we decided to attached temperature diodes to the CPU cooler, the GPU cooler (first GPU), the hard drives, and the inside of the chassis. This configuration may or may not end up being similar to what you run, but since we will use the same hardware in our case reviews we will be able to build a collection of results. The first graphics card in an SLI or triple-SLI setup always runs hotter than the others, which is why we will take measurements from this card.
For the time being, we installed the maximum supported number of hard drives (seven in this case). However, the temperature diode will also be connected to the first hard drive of our RAID setup. The fourth diode is in the middle of the case at the height of the DIMMs. This diode will allow us to measure ambient case temperature, and we will test optional configurations as necessary -- i.e., if a case offers a special air duct we will test both with and without this air duct.
Note: You will notice that we are testing with a very high-end setup for now, which is not representative of many computer systems. We will add a second more reasonable configuration in the future that will focus on reducing noise levels. For now, the temperature and noise readings should be considered something of a worst-case scenario.
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JeBarr - Saturday, February 14, 2009 - link
This might have made sense on the full size 1200 and I suppose still useful for some, but still seems like a waste for the targeted audience. Thanks for the nice photos I don't always get that here and is appreciated.CZroe - Saturday, February 14, 2009 - link
Many people mount their HDDs backwards in Antec 900 cases. It certainly looks cleaner and it solves the problem with clearance behind the graphics cards. My older 900 required me to Dremel some holes under the motherboard to route the wires but Antec caught on quickly and pre-drilled them in later 900 cases. I'm sure that they didn't forget when making the Nine-Hundred Two.jjj - Saturday, February 14, 2009 - link
It's nice to see that you guys try to test cases with high end parts but I wish you would use some bigger CPU coolers too.I'm farely sure a TRUE on a DFI LP UT X58 or EVGA x58 wouldn't fit because there isn't enough space above the mobo.7Enigma - Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - link
That does seem like an omission. If you are going to go with 3 freaking GPU's in tri-SLI I would assume you would have a Tuniq Extreme or something on there that is massive.Mr. Katzer, please at least test this in the future to make sure large cpu coolers will fit. I understand you want to keep the setup the same for comparison purposes to previous reviews, but just pop a larger cooler on to make sure clearance issues don't cause problems.
Christoph Katzer - Thursday, February 19, 2009 - link
I am currently building a second system (i7) and Noctua sent us two different coolers that we can test different setups. First ones tested with two systems are the Thermaltake ElementS and Antec NSK4480II.poohbear - Saturday, February 14, 2009 - link
u guys say:"The drawback of course is that you can only fit a maximum of nine hard drives"
wow, so, their target audience might need more than 9 hdd?! lol that's hardly a drawback man. jebus.
yacoub - Friday, February 13, 2009 - link
Using dictatorial software, eh? :)
7Enigma - Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - link
Ha I wondered what that meant, now I just read it phonetically and see how Dragon misconstrued that. :)strikeback03 - Friday, February 13, 2009 - link
Glad to see they added a side filter to this. I built a system for by brother in law in a Three Hundred and we ended up having to tape cheesecloth to the inside of the side panel behind the side vent to filter dust. Has the standard fans at the top/rear, and a 120mm blowing in through the hard drive cage, all fans at slow.ianken - Friday, February 13, 2009 - link
...that's a pretty sloppy cabling job there guys.Alos, this might make a nice server box. Nine bays up front, I could fit three four disc traless hotswap cages there.