Antec Overture 2 ATX Desktop Case

Reviews: Cases

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Kurtis Kronk
Brian
Antec
Nov. 10, 2005

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First Impressions

When I first set eyes on the Overture 2, I was taken aback by its styling. I've been saying for a long time that I can't stand the pre-mod fad which has such a tight grasp on the case market - to me it is the classy, understated designs like these that really stand out. The glossy black finish is gorgeous, the silver front panel looks really sharp and the chromed power button is a great touch. I was a little surprised, however, at the overall size of this case. Standing on its side, it is every bit as tall and deep as a mid-tower case, though it is only about half as wide.

From the front of the case you can see that there are two external 5.25" bays, two external 3.5" bays, one FireWire and two USB ports, two 3.5mm audio jacks (headphone/mic), a status LED, and finally, the reset and power button. All around the edge of the protruding front panel there are small air inlets - an efficient use of the space that doesn't sacrifice looks. In the bottom right corner you will notice Antec has subtly marked the case with their name.

On the top panel you will notice one very large CPU air intake as well as a smaller GPU intake. Antec's original Overture didn't allow any air to come in directly from the top panel, so this is a big improvement. I would guess that with a cooler such as Zalman's CNPS7700-Cu (120mm) installed in this case you would achieve lower system temperatures than what you would in most mid-tower cases; I say this because fresh air will be pulled straight in rather than relying on the lukewarm air making its rounds within the case.

On the left of the case you can see what would appear to be another air intake, but it is actually an exhaust for the power supply. You can remove the door and clean the filter if needed, though I don't think this feature is particularly useful. On the right side you can see two more exhausts, this time for blower fans under the hard drive cage.

The back of the Overture 2 is where you will find a 92mm TriCool exhaust fan, power plug, I/O shield, an air inlet, and the PCI slots. Note that two of the PCI slot covers have holes in them, presumably to let a little more air in for your video card(s).

On the bottom of the case are four rubber feet and the 120mm intake fan for the power supply. Along with the case you'll also receive a User's Manual, Warranty, some miscellaneous hardware (motherboard stand-offs, screws, zip ties...), an ADDENDUM to the user's manual, power cord, and they were even so nice as to include a microfiber cloth to keep the Overture 2 smudge-free (you'll need it).

Opening the Case

I was left a little disappointed with the experience of opening the case. Removing the panel proved easy enough, just take out a couple of thumbscrews and slide it backwards, and you're done, although the paintjob is highly susceptible to ugly smudges. The problem lies in replacing the panel. I'm not exactly sure what the underlying cause is, but it is difficult to get the panel back in place - it takes a little wiggling and a little force. Part of the problem, I suspect, is that the panel is a bit flimsy - likely because of the stamping it had to go through. You also have to be cautious when doing this because it is possible to scratch the panel on a small overhang in the front of the case.

The front bay covers just clip in place, so removing them is a snap (pun intended).

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Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: First Impressions / Opening the Case
Page 3: Inside the Case
Page 4: Quality Check
Page 5: Conclusion / Update

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18 User Comments

1 - Posted by Rich on August 24, 2005 - 2:08 pm

Antec makes some great cases. I have been a fan of their Minuet series for basic PC builds. It has the same good styling as the overture but it is a half-height case which limits components significantly.

2 - Posted by Kurtis on August 24, 2005 - 2:32 pm

this is a half-height case... and it didn't really limit the components that much, aside from the # of HDDs you can have. i could see running an SLI system in this case with ease.

3 - Posted by Rich on August 24, 2005 - 5:18 pm

I meant you could only use half-height PCI/AGP cards in the minuet. It is very thin

Minuet
3.8"(H) x 16.8"(D) x 12.75"(W)

Overture II
5.25"(H) x 17"(W) x 19.25"(D)

The minuet only supports microATX boards while the overture supports both ATX and microATX. I think the overture is the much more functional of the two unless you have no upgrade plans.

4 - Posted by Kurtis on August 24, 2005 - 5:54 pm

hm... that is thin. lol

come to think of it i have built a system in a minuet before and it is much more cramped.

5 - Posted by mike on August 24, 2005 - 7:18 pm

i have a minuet as well. get a lot of comments on it.

6 - Posted by Rich on August 25, 2005 - 7:25 am

Antec's paint finishes are some of the nicest I have seen, especially for the price they charge.

7 - Posted by handrail on August 25, 2005 - 8:24 am

werd. antec's cases rock. i love my SLK3700AMB.

8 - Posted by Guest on September 8, 2005 - 7:12 pm

how did the replacement PSU go with the noise problem

I have requested a replacement PSU so I can see if there is a problem with mine or if this is normal. I'll update the review later regarding this issue if I do receive a replacement.

9 - Posted by Guest on September 19, 2005 - 4:27 pm

My Overture 2 came in an Overture 1 box (reference to a 380W PSU on the box art) and it's really noisy. I'm wondering if it was one of the first batch, though I only bought it about a week ago. I was thinking of replacing the fan but dismantling it all would be kind of demoralising.

10 - Posted by Solburn on October 26, 2005 - 8:54 am

I bought the case last week. I'll be using it for HTPC because its a very nice looking Desktop with full pci slots, enough room for a Zalman 7700 and its fits pretty nicely by Audio cases but does not cost a fortune.

My PSU fan doesn't sound loudly at all. I connected the PSU fan connector on my motherboard, so the speed maybe controlled by the motherboard?. But on the otherside i hear a very annoying buzz out of the PSU it self. Its not loud but for a HTPC is pretty annoying. Does anybody else have this problem? Or cant you hear it over the loud PSU Fan? ;-)

11 - Posted by Kurtis on October 26, 2005 - 12:36 pm

This from Antec:

"We have received some complaints about Overture II not being quiet. Upon investigation these usually turn out to be related to the tachometer (fan speed connector) issue the Tech Lounge is asking about. Disconnecting the tachometer reduces the power supply fan speed to its normal range and quiets the case, and yes, our Customer Support people know to tell people about this simple fix. This issue is not a problem for cases manufactured after June 2005."

You apparently received one which was manufactured after June '05. You're sure the buzz is not the sound of the fan? Try unplugging the 3-pin connector trailing from the PSU and see if the noise persists and let me know what the outcome is.

You don't need that 3-pin connection plugged in, all it does is let you monitor the RPM of the PSU's fan with your BIOS or software.

12 - Posted by Kurtis on November 11, 2005 - 1:33 am

This articles has been updated with new information about the replacement power supply sent by Antec to replace the faulty unit that shipped with the original review sample which caused excessive noise.

13 - Posted by pgotera on November 28, 2005 - 4:13 pm

I have the case Overture 2, and the fan of the power supply is noisy. I read the article, i send one message to Antec,explaining the problem. I am to the delay of the answer.

I have disconnected the cable of the fan of the motherboard but it has increased the temperature. I have had to return to connect the fan to motherboard.

14 - Posted by Kurtis on November 28, 2005 - 5:24 pm

It increase the temperature because it is no longer spinning at full speed - you can't have both low temperatures and silence with air cooling, at least not in this specific situation. If you unplug the cable, as long as the fan is still spinning, the temperatures won't be a problem.

15 - Posted by pgotera on November 29, 2005 - 12:43 am

The problem is that the fan no spin, when disconnecting the cable. All the night been has disconnected, and the temperature has raised the 60 centigrados degrees.:-(
I am scared to fuse the power supply.

16 - Posted by Kurtis on November 29, 2005 - 1:37 pm

the fan shouldn't completely stop spinning - did you actually look to verify that it stopped spinning, or are you assuming it stopped because you can't hear it?

if it actually STOPPED spinning, you need to get in touch with antec to get a replacement PSU.

17 - Posted by Dyrewolph on November 30, 2005 - 3:08 am

which cable are you unplugging?

18 - Posted by Jimbo on December 31, 2005 - 7:31 am

Searching for help on noisy Overture II.
Had already exchanged PSU, similar packaging and PSU confusion (Overture I), to the review.
Just emailed Antec Techsupport for advice, found this review, will try the solution.
Thanks for the help

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