Antec LifeStyle OVERTURE Chassis

I have only built a few rigs...

Strengths: Stylish, high quality looks; easy to add components.

Weakness: Mostly nitpicking: a little noisier than I'd thought it would be.

I have only built a few rigs before, and installing the parts on this one was relatively easier than the others. There's a few issues that keep me from giving it a 5-spot: I don't believe it's quiet enough to be a HTPC. I'm not sure if it's the PSU, case fan, or both, but if I had this running as a PVR in a small room, I'd definitely hear it during quiet passages. I don't have a cabinet w/doors...
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I have only built a few rigs before, and installing the parts on this one was relatively easier than the others. There's a few issues that keep me from giving it a 5-spot: I don't believe it's quiet enough to be a HTPC. I'm not sure if it's the PSU, case fan, or both, but if I had this running as a PVR in a small room, I'd definitely hear it during quiet passages. I don't have a cabinet w/doors (it's just a shelf really). If it was enclosed behind cabinet doors, it might be fine. The drive cage can easily be removed, except when I installed the retail P4 3.4C cpu fan, it nudges up against the cage when extracting it. Not a big deal, but I just need to be careful (always a good idea!). Case exterior and interior are well made (no sharp edges, everything fits well); easy to remove top panel; has easily removable and washable side vent. If you use this as a desktop, I wouldn't want to put too much weight on the top. A flat panel should be fine, but a big CRT might bow it. Maybe not, I'm not gonna try. There's also a 8"x2" vent on top, which needs stay unobstructed. I'd also recommend using round drive cables, as the ribbons were a little bulky for 4 drives I installed. Also, if you place it in a HT system, make sure your cabinet is deep enough. About 23" deep, 22" if you use a right angle power cord. Overall I'm happy with the quality. If I can make it quieter, it would exceed my expectations.

By hoseman666 - Sep 29, 2004

Antec has recently remodeled the...

Strengths: Ease of peripheral installation, optical bay slides out, fit and finish is great, looks nice.

Weakness: Poor cooling, if you have anything fast Processor or video card, fans will always be running fast.

Antec has recently remodeled the case to include an additional case fan, fins on the top of the cover and vented pci covers. Make sure you check the specs on the case, before you purchase it to verify that you're receiving the new version of the case. If you don't mind cutting holes in the case for additional fans and a vga cooler of the aiw 9800 pro. Some heat sinks may not fit due to the small...
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Antec has recently remodeled the case to include an additional case fan, fins on the top of the cover and vented pci covers. Make sure you check the specs on the case, before you purchase it to verify that you're receiving the new version of the case. If you don't mind cutting holes in the case for additional fans and a vga cooler of the aiw 9800 pro. Some heat sinks may not fit due to the small size of the case, which at times is initially crapped. Power supply vents into the case, so there's very little cooling going on. If you're going to use it as a HTPC, then make sure you don't mind the fan noise and have enough ventilation around the case. Processor temps with the case open is around 44*C idle, with a room temp of 77*F. At load with case open around 58*C. With case close, idle is about 50*C, and at load, around 60-65*C. Cooling is a major problem.

By sebastianiov - Aug 11, 2004

Excellent case. Top quality...

Strengths: Excellent. Fits perfrectly in with my home theater.

Weakness: None so far

Excellent case. Top quality workmanship.

380W power supply will handle all expansion needs. Installing additonal fans was easy. Case has lots of room for cooling. Plenty of room to work in the case. Fits perfectly in 19" rack.

I will definitely use Antec cases in the future.

By Mike K. - May 23, 2004

Very sturdy, very quiet, and very...

Strengths: Very quiet, rubber hard drive mounts, and plenty of room to work with.

Weakness: Very hard to remove the front bay covers, I always seem to bleed when I work on a pc and the front covers on this one were why. Price is a little high.

Very sturdy, very quiet, and very spacious compared to mini tower cases. I like the looks of this case and I am using it in a home theater type of environment where it blends right in. The power supply is very good, and very quiet.

By Nexgen LLC - Dec 12, 2003

I would say it is perfect if you...

Strengths: Its got a beautiful, sleek, black finish. Easy to install the MB. Drives install easily. It's the best looking desktop case I've ever seen. Solid, well constructed case.

Weakness: Manual could have been more detailed. It tends to run a little hot. Takes a lot of space on a desk.

I would say it is perfect if you could tip it up on its side. It will not hold a CRT on top but would support a LCD. Unlike another reviewer, all the cables were well within reach of any spot I needed on the MB. For those needing Firewire and USB2 in front and back, the feature sure is handy. I put a micro ATX in it and it fits fine. My Abit KV-80 suits it well. There is space, however, if I want...
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I would say it is perfect if you could tip it up on its side. It will not hold a CRT on top but would support a LCD. Unlike another reviewer, all the cables were well within reach of any spot I needed on the MB. For those needing Firewire and USB2 in front and back, the feature sure is handy. I put a micro ATX in it and it fits fine. My Abit KV-80 suits it well. There is space, however, if I want to expand to ATX. If it came with stands that allowed me to tip it up, I'd give it a 5-star.

By ausbury - Apr 27, 2005