Product Listing

Antec Fusion Media Center Case

By Vincent Chang - 3 Nov 2006

Interior Design Part 2

Interior Design Part 2

Like so many modern casings, we were hoping for a tool-free installation. Opening up the cover, we were a bit disappointed that it wasn't so, but it wasn't too big of an issue. Or so we thought. Everything looked fine on paper, until we started installing the motherboard and other components. Due to its size, only microATX motherboards can be installed and even then, it was an exact fit with very little allowance. You would probably have to pull away some of the existing cables to find the space. Fortunately, the standoffs for the board have been pre-installed so that was one less step. However, our main grouse has to be reserved for the power supply unit (PSU) and the routing of its cables to the various components.

This is a preliminary and incomplete installation. After adding the motherboard, we also installed a graphics card and did some cable kungfu to wrestle them into place with the included cable organizers. Now imagine attaching other expansion cards like a TV tuner, the actual CPU and its fan, along with the memory modules. It's looking rather packed right?

First, the 5.25-inch optical drive cage was situated in very close proximity to the PSU, leaving very little working space for our hands as we tried to connect both the power and IDE cables to the optical drive. Like most Small Form Factor (SFF) PCs, this meant removing the drive cage, connecting the cables, then popping it back. Here's the tricky part. Since the hard drive cage was located in a separate compartment, we had to run the power cables for the hard drives from the PSU right below the optical drive cage and through a tiny gap between the two chambers before they could reach the drives. Confused already? Don't worry, it is very obvious during installation where and how they are supposed to go. The trouble is in the routing of the cables, which probably requires a PhD in cable management to twist and pull the cables into place.

An example of the work that lies ahead. Routing the cables, especially IDE cables through the small apertures between the chambers can be quite daunting.

And the same process has to be repeated for the power cables from the PSU to the motherboard as well. Besides the ATX connectors, the two TriCool system fans from Antec too needed to be connected to work. If you�re not going to be using onboard graphics, modern graphics cards will also require direct power themselves. In short, the installation was a time consuming process and we probably pulled more than a few hairs out of frustration. Antec included some handy cable organizers that we found very useful but they seemed like scant consolation in comparison to the overall hassle. If you plan to get this enclosure, SATA hard drives are practically a must as we found out the hard way. Their thinner cables are a godsend in such a cramped environment. The other point to note that is in direct relation to the lack of cable management in the Fusion is the fact that the main power and fan cables have to be stretched over the motherboard, hampering air flow and circulation. One positive note to take away from the experience though is that despite all the finger-work getting everything in order, we didn't suffer any cuts or scratches. This is because most of the edges were rounded and you're more likely to graze yourself on your add-on cards than the casing.

Since a PSU is included in the Antec Fusion, we really hope that future revisions of this enclosure will come with pre-routed power cables, or better yet, a modular PSU design so as to get rid of unwanted cable clutter altogether. This is our chief complaint of the case. It just seemed too much work getting all the cables neatly bundled and in the right places and you are unlikely to upgrade the system soon knowing what you must go through. Antec should perhaps follow Shuttle and its practice of pre-installing the cables in the factory or even have a custom and smaller PSU like that found in Shuttle's SFF enclosures. Space is a premium in the Antec Fusion and while that is expected somewhat for a HTPC casing, the thermal isolation chambers magnify the problem. It's not an insurmountable fault and we may just have been too pampered with easy, tool-free installations but if you intend to get it, set aside some time for installation.

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