Antec Overture 2 ATX Desktop Case

Reviews: Cases

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Kurtis Kronk
Brian
Antec
Nov. 10, 2005

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Introduction

If you look through all of our previous case reviews, you will notice a pattern that goes something like: mid-tower, mid-tower, full-tower, mid-tower! Until now, we've reviewed only tower chassis, with no consideration for their little brothers, the desktop and HTPC cases. Today shall forever be remembered as the day that Kurtis reviewed a desktop case. Okay, so maybe it's not that big of a deal, but it's certainly a change of pace.

Today on the review bench is Antec's Overture 2 ATX Desktop case. Being that this is the second "Overture" desktop case, we will also take into consideration what changes have been made since the original. If you don't already know, a desktop case is one which lies flat on your desk, usually with a monitor sitting on top of it. This is the standard configuration you see in many workplaces, particularly those with pre-built PCs from the likes of Dell, HP, etc.

Because of size constraints, you may not be able to fit an exceedingly high-end system with a large array of hard drives into the case. By the same token, it likely isn't a good idea to do much overclocking in order to avoid overheating. All that being said, Antec is renowned for their quality and design, and you can be sure that I've got high expectations for this beauty.

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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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