Review: Antec Aria Micro ATX Cube Case

GlitterKill · 08-June-04, 11:39 AM

The pimp with two hats, Lokie, serves as our lead news guy as well as one of our staff reviewers. Today he has an OUTSTANDING review up on the new Antec Aria SFF case. This looks to be a gem of a small form factor case.

Check it out here.

NoSlak · 08-June-04, 12:01 PM

Nicew Lokie, I just bought that case with an unoverclockable Asus mobo.
But I dig the case , I would like to see how your finished product turns out if you do cut some holes into it as I am giving this comp to a first year college kid who doesnt know a whole lot about comps and I want it to run flawless ( hes 2000 miles away).
I was glad to see someone doing a review on somthing I just put togethere for comparison.

AntiM · 08-June-04, 12:07 PM

Very thorough review Lokie, good job bro'.

Iateronmly · 08-June-04, 12:10 PM

Antec really should have designed it to use a 1U PSU. On that note mine is becoming a foot rest as of today after a week of use. There's 100 bucks down the drain.

Sparky · 08-June-04, 12:40 PM

Id be willing to take it off your hands lateronmly if youd be willin to let it go for some cash or a trade. BTW that was an outstanding review, and so far one of the best imo.

Lokie · 08-June-04, 05:45 PM

Thanks guys but she's on the shelf for a bit. I have other pressing bizness.

When she gets modded I will post pics of course.

TYCOON · 08-June-04, 08:37 PM

Good review....those small ass cases are horrible for cooling.

Spectrum · 08-June-04, 08:55 PM

Nicely written review. Good work!

godfoot · 09-June-04, 01:49 AM

Nice job Lokie, I have recently started researching SFF cases myself and it is nice to know that at least that one is quiet with better ventilation.
Perhaps if it were only used as a media PC it wouldn't get as hot?
I was thinking probably a music server, DVD player, and Folder at 50% CPU usage wouldn't keep it too hot, especially if you install said Modder's Mesh.

Kidblack · 23-June-04, 09:03 AM

Please continue your reviews with regards to SFF and micro ATx cases, jus in this manner. I've read alot of reviews and none have even mentioned Temperatures and Noise levels (with db readings). I was thinking of gettin one of these but the fact that the AGP is not near the panel has persuaded me not to get it... There is no way to cut a blowhole for ventilation for cards such as the 9800 Pros or XT's.... but enuff of that.. Great review, keep it up.!!!!!!

Lokie · 23-June-04, 08:12 PM

Thanks Kid, I try my best.

?? What do you mean no way to cut a hole for ventilation? Here is the proof. I 86'd the slot cooler for the blow hole. This is set as an intake; the other side is going to be exhaust.

Kidblack · 25-June-04, 07:10 AM

Lokie, what I meant was, it looks like the card nearest to the side panel is a PCI card (am I correct?). If it is then the blowhole will not have the same effect as having lets say a shuttle where the AGP card is nearest to the side panel , therefore, cutting a blowhole will give direct ventilation (assuming you cut the blowhole over the fan for the AGP card) thats what i meant by not cuttin a blowhole.. sorry for the confusion...

Lokie · 25-June-04, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kidblack


	Lokie, what I meant was, it looks like the card nearest to the side panel is a PCI card (am I correct?). If it is then the blowhole will not have the same effect as having lets say a shuttle where the AGP card is nearest to the side panel , therefore, cutting a blowhole will give direct ventilation (assuming you cut the blowhole over the fan for the AGP card) thats what i meant by not cuttin a blowhole.. sorry for the confusion...

Yeap you are correct, there is 3 PCI slots. Depending on your needs, it is possible for a blowhole. If you need to use a PCI slot say for a sound card, they provide you with a slot cooler to provide for the AGP. Not try'n to change your mind on your purchase just stating the possiblities with this case. I'm haven alot of fun with this case, doing blow holes and vents to improve the heat issue is proving excelant results. The highest temp on the cpu is now 127. New Mushkin ram and this beast is ready for 36 Hour LAN Madness '04

shyshadow · 30-June-04, 09:17 AM

ello everybody here at pimprig. I really really want to get this case for myself after can get some cash. for someone like me who is a little low on cash at the moment, what would be a motherboard that I can get for this case that is under fifty bucks? I want to go inexpensive, yet usable.

I HATE MY PRESARIO! the case is too big, to much room for my small place, and it is hard to assemble. i dont know if the motherboard on my current presario pc will fit in it or not. But I am using a 2. ghz celeron processer, if that can help.

Lokie · 30-June-04, 07:04 PM

My son's comcrap was 9.5x10.5 still labled a microatx board but it wont fit in this box.

The max board that will fit is 9.6x9.6 (inches that is). Fifty bux for a micro atx board.hmmm..... For a celeron......This one would be the best bet for 52 bux from newegg. You can even upgrade later on down the road.

Remember that this case works best with a vent installed. I'm adding 3 total.

Oh!!!! Allmost forgot, Welcome to PR. I hope this helps.

bejande · 01-July-04, 09:02 AM

@shyshadow:
I just ordered the Antec Aria (package hasn't arrived yet), and I also didn't want to spend too much money on the components, so I chose the P4VMM2 motherboard by Elitegroup, which should be available for about 35,-$.
This board has some restrictions, e.g. it only supports PC2100/PC1600 DDR RAM and PC100/PC133 SDRAM. See manual here: http://www.ecsusa.com/downloads/manual_p4v.html

shyshadow · 01-July-04, 09:11 AM

well, thanks for the help guys. I do have a mATX board in my computer now, but truthfully, I am lazy and don't want to hassle with my only computer just so i can measure it.

now, i do have memory on my computer. 256 card. And i was either gonna get a 64 card or another 128. And i was gonna get a video card for my new aria case. Any suggestions? on my presario, it's onboard memory, where i takes away from the ram on it. (so worthless). for the aria, should i get an agp video card or a pci card, since there are 1 agp slot and 3 pci slots?

shyshadow · 01-July-04, 09:20 AM

Quote:


	The max board that will fit is 9.6x9.6 (inches that is). Fifty bux for a micro atx board.hmmm..... For a celeron......This one would be the best bet for 52 bux from newegg. You can even upgrade later on down the road.

@LOKIE

what about this? would this work? http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...135-154&depa=1

Lokie · 01-July-04, 05:27 PM

That would fit but the brand is not familiar, keep

08-June-04, 11:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
GlitterKill Pimp-of-all-Pimps Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Nashville Posts: 5,709	Antec Aria Micro ATX Cube Case The pimp with two hats, Lokie, serves as our lead news guy as well as one of our staff reviewers. Today he has an OUTSTANDING review up on the new Antec Aria SFF case. This looks to be a gem of a small form factor case. Check it out here.

08-June-04, 12:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
AntiM Aqua Pimp Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: P-"hoe"-nix Posts: 3,947	Very thorough review Lokie, good job bro'. __________________

08-June-04, 12:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
Iateronmly Smooth Operator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Eugene OR Posts: 5,256	Antec really should have designed it to use a 1U PSU. On that note mine is becoming a foot rest as of today after a week of use. There's 100 bucks down the drain. __________________ I'm the trouble starter, punkin' instigator.

08-June-04, 12:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sparky Apex Tech God Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sundance, WYOMING BITCH! Posts: 2,274	Id be willing to take it off your hands lateronmly if youd be willin to let it go for some cash or a trade. BTW that was an outstanding review, and so far one of the best imo. __________________

08-June-04, 08:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
TYCOON Apex Tech God Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: SCHOOLLLSSS Posts: 4,728	Good review....those small ass cases are horrible for cooling. __________________ AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ @ 2.7GHz DFI LanParty SLI-D 2GBs PC3200 @ PC3500 // 2.5-3-3-6 EVGA 7950GT 512MB @ Stock Audigy 2 ZS 36Gb Raptor (os) 2x300Gb WD SATA 16MB CACHE (storage) 450Watt OCZ modstream Coolermaster Wavemaster

08-June-04, 12:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
NoSlak Gridiron Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hovering over the Neg Rep Button Posts: 3,640	Nicew Lokie, I just bought that case with an unoverclockable Asus mobo. But I dig the case , I would like to see how your finished product turns out if you do cut some holes into it as I am giving this comp to a first year college kid who doesnt know a whole lot about comps and I want it to run flawless ( hes 2000 miles away). I was glad to see someone doing a review on somthing I just put togethere for comparison.

08-June-04, 05:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lokie Custom What? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Eau Claire,WI Posts: 6,817	Thanks guys but she's on the shelf for a bit. I have other pressing bizness. When she gets modded I will post pics of course.

08-June-04, 08:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
Spectrum Former GameApex Editor Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,669	Nicely written review. Good work! __________________

09-June-04, 01:49 AM	#9 (permalink)
godfoot A George Orwell fan...sorta Join Date: May 2003 Location: "Truth is not determined by majority vote." Posts: 9,948	Nice job Lokie, I have recently started researching SFF cases myself and it is nice to know that at least that one is quiet with better ventilation. Perhaps if it were only used as a media PC it wouldn't get as hot? I was thinking probably a music server, DVD player, and Folder at 50% CPU usage wouldn't keep it too hot, especially if you install said Modder's Mesh. __________________

23-June-04, 09:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
Kidblack Apex Techie Wannabe Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2	Great review Lokie!!! Please continue your reviews with regards to SFF and micro ATx cases, jus in this manner. I've read alot of reviews and none have even mentioned Temperatures and Noise levels (with db readings). I was thinking of gettin one of these but the fact that the AGP is not near the panel has persuaded me not to get it... There is no way to cut a blowhole for ventilation for cards such as the 9800 Pros or XT's.... but enuff of that.. Great review, keep it up.!!!!!!

23-June-04, 08:12 PM	#11 (permalink)
Lokie Custom What? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Eau Claire,WI Posts: 6,817	Thanks Kid, I try my best. ?? What do you mean no way to cut a hole for ventilation? Here is the proof. I 86'd the slot cooler for the blow hole. This is set as an intake; the other side is going to be exhaust. Attached Thumbnails

25-June-04, 07:10 AM	#12 (permalink)
Kidblack Apex Techie Wannabe Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2	Antec Aria Lokie, what I meant was, it looks like the card nearest to the side panel is a PCI card (am I correct?). If it is then the blowhole will not have the same effect as having lets say a shuttle where the AGP card is nearest to the side panel , therefore, cutting a blowhole will give direct ventilation (assuming you cut the blowhole over the fan for the AGP card) thats what i meant by not cuttin a blowhole.. sorry for the confusion...

30-June-04, 09:17 AM	#14 (permalink)
shyshadow Apex Techie Wannabe Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8	caseness ello everybody here at pimprig. I really really want to get this case for myself after can get some cash. for someone like me who is a little low on cash at the moment, what would be a motherboard that I can get for this case that is under fifty bucks? I want to go inexpensive, yet usable. I HATE MY PRESARIO! the case is too big, to much room for my small place, and it is hard to assemble. i dont know if the motherboard on my current presario pc will fit in it or not. But I am using a 2. ghz celeron processer, if that can help.

30-June-04, 07:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
Lokie Custom What? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Eau Claire,WI Posts: 6,817	My son's comcrap was 9.5x10.5 still labled a microatx board but it wont fit in this box. The max board that will fit is 9.6x9.6 (inches that is). Fifty bux for a micro atx board.hmmm..... For a celeron......This one would be the best bet for 52 bux from newegg. You can even upgrade later on down the road. Remember that this case works best with a vent installed. I'm adding 3 total. Oh!!!! Allmost forgot, Welcome to PR. I hope this helps.

01-July-04, 09:02 AM	#16 (permalink)
bejande Apex Techie Wannabe Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1	Cheap Mobo for Antec Aria @shyshadow: I just ordered the Antec Aria (package hasn't arrived yet), and I also didn't want to spend too much money on the components, so I chose the P4VMM2 motherboard by Elitegroup, which should be available for about 35,-$. This board has some restrictions, e.g. it only supports PC2100/PC1600 DDR RAM and PC100/PC133 SDRAM. See manual here: http://www.ecsusa.com/downloads/manual_p4v.html

01-July-04, 09:11 AM	#17 (permalink)
shyshadow Apex Techie Wannabe Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8	well, thanks for the help guys. I do have a mATX board in my computer now, but truthfully, I am lazy and don't want to hassle with my only computer just so i can measure it. now, i do have memory on my computer. 256 card. And i was either gonna get a 64 card or another 128. And i was gonna get a video card for my new aria case. Any suggestions? on my presario, it's onboard memory, where i takes away from the ram on it. (so worthless). for the aria, should i get an agp video card or a pci card, since there are 1 agp slot and 3 pci slots?

01-July-04, 05:27 PM	#19 (permalink)
Lokie Custom What? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Eau Claire,WI Posts: 6,817	That would fit but the brand is not familiar, keep