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An Inside-Out Look At the Antec Skeleton Case
Anonymous writes "Here's a step-by-step look at building a PC with the new Antec Skeleton PC chassis. It's obviously not for everybody, but at least Antec is trying out something relatively new for hard-core users. Not sure if you'd need an air spray can to keep the dust off all the components, though ..."
Isn't the point of an enclosure to maximize airflow to specific heat generating hardware, and to keep out dust and hair, to make sure those pricy pieces of hardware aren't exposed? I like my protective aluminum mid-tower. Plus I've moved three times so far and all I had to do was pack it up with everything else. I'd imagine you'd have to protect this some other way.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely. indymedia
Nice case, interesting idea, love Antec and use their products, but at $180, no way. I can almost build an entire PC for that.
Linux, you magnificent bastard, I read the fucking manual!
Gee, lets use the EM spectrum as a massive garbage dump for high-frequencey EM waste.
Seriously, folks. Computers NEED shielding to keep their em garbage from causing massive interference to everything else in the room.
Test your net with Netalyzr
Cases don't keep dust out or off, unless they're hermetically sealed after being cleaned to these specs.
Except I called mine "cardboard box and coat hangers". It was just as functional and a lot cheaper.
A virtually identical article on this case was posted 2 weeks ago.
http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/10/13/2015222
On top of that, this is the worst page-view whore site I have ever seen. The "article" is spread across 10 pages, wrapped in frames and absolutely slathered with advertising. The site designer should be shot.
Maybe they could split up each picture to double the amount of pages I need to view.
The place I live has enough dust that it's going to get in the case, doesn't matter if it is open or closed. In the long run it's easier to leave the case open so I can see when it needs to be cleaned out instead of forgetting about it until the dust causes problems.
On the other hand, a closed case designed properly should have better airflow over components that need cooling than an open case.
I'm like to fiddle with the guts of my computer as much as the next guy, but I also like to stack things on top of my computer case if I'm NOT fiddling with it. I would have preferred some sort of shelf-like top and the fan in the back.
You still have to slide out the tray holding the motherboard etc. to fiddle with the hardware, right? You can't just unplug the machine and instantly easily access the hardware because the skeleton around it gets in the way. At least that's how it seems to me.
So my question is: what exactly is the advantage of having no walls around the case? Couldn't it have walls all around and still be as easily accessible - provided of course that the wall where the tray slides out is easy to remove/open?
I must be missing something.
Seems like a lot of complaints about wire management - a modular power supply would probably alleviate a lot of the unnecessary mess. If I had the money I'd try it out, but c'mon Antec, the economy sucks; they should've waited for another Fed-induced boom to launch this thing.
I heart anarcho-capitalism.
Isn't it illegale to keep a computer open by the FCC?
.. the Asus Contraceptive Case. No worries about sex with this puppy proudly displayed. More effective than a Tron costume.
I think it's almost necessary to provide a skin.
Otherwise the next time someone makes you laugh while drinking, some liquids might end up sprayed into your computer.
Or something might drop into it.
It will make hardware upgrades much easier. Just wander around a LAN party and take what you like.
It's like a silicon buffet
- There is no point, it's like a sphere -
Nice, but no friggin way a PC built in one of these is going to meet FCC class A or class B limits.
Of course, that isn't Antec's problem - the system integrator is the one responsible for meeting spec.
A Box Anticipated By Many Gamers
Chassis and component manufacturer Antec just released a new enthusiast case called the Skeleton, which is just that -- the framework of an enclosure, without the walls. The Test Center assembled a PC using the case, which Antec says people either love or hate.
The Meaning Of Bare Bones
The front of the Skeleton is where the optical and hard drives are housed. It is also where you'll find the power and reset buttons, as well as two USB ports, a FireWire port, an eSATA connection, and audio jacks. The 250mm "Big Boy" fan on top of the unit provides enough airflow to cool most of the components, but is surprisingly quiet
Slider Design
The component tray slides out from the rear of the chassis, allowing for access to the motherboard and power supply. Note the slots on the top of the side screen panels which permit the user to "hang" four additional hard drives (two on each side) in addition to the two that can be mounted in the case.
Open Space
The plastic PCI Mounting Bar sits along the top of the back and provides a bracket to screw in PCI cards. The Skeleton is 3-way SLI ready, so there is enough space to install up to three 11-inch PCI-e graphics cards.
The Board Connects To Component Tray
The motherboard tray sits on top of the component tray and is removed with three screws. This makes it very easy to mount any size board.
Putting Meat On The Bones
The power supply mount sits directly below the back of the motherboard and easily pulls out by lifting the metal tab. After attaching the PSU, the mount slides into the chassis using either of two tracks, depending on its size. Reviewers found mounting the component simple, but finding a place to route the thick cables was much more difficult.
Backbone
The rear of the completely assembled computer looks a little jumbled. With a little more effort, some of the tangled wires could probably be hidden. Notice that the I/O panel is not used on the Skeleton. Antec recommends that it be kept in a safe place in case you decide to move the motherboard to a traditional case somewhere down the road
Skeleton Of A New Machine
The front of the completed system looks a little bit neater. There is a mount for a second optical drive under the first one, and two, 3.5-inch hard drives hide behind the detachable 92mm fan. All the drives are mounted with a single screw that locks into place by sliding it into the slot. They are also quickly removable by just depressing the appropriate tab.
Cool Cooling
The fan on top of the unit has a speed control switch that the user can set to one of three different speeds. There is also a simple button that changes the multi-color LEDs into a variety of different colors. By default the LEDs cycle through all the options.
Your sig(k) has been stolen. There is a puff of smoke!
Can I be cool too? I'm gonna cut a bunch of holes in the side of my beige monster. (Side note: my girl doesn't think beige PCs are ugly... Keeper)
Never disregard the raw power inherent to stupidity... they call it "dumb luck" for a reason...
Just got mine yesterday. It will be replacing a custom Acrylic case I made myself. This is the first production case that really gave me a nerdgasm. As far as the people who are complaining about EM, I really think you guys are over estimating how much computers really throw these days. I'm sure it's on par or less then that of a Cell Phone. I am not saying that they don't throw EM at all... but it seems kind of silly to think that this case would cause other devices not to work... or give anyone tumors or some such rubbish. By the way, if you look around you can find one for about 120 bucks. I found mine on Google Checkout.
This has been done for awhile - I've had one on my desk for the last six months from highspeedpc. Check it out here: http://highspeedpc.com/
I've built 20 or 30 computers and have used Antec cases almost exclusively. I love their PSU's and their bargain cases are good.
I'll keep buying them. :)