Monarch Hornet SFF barebone

Reviews: Hardware

Motherboards | Power Supplies | Memory | Systems | Video Cards

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Brian Kristensen
Kurtis
Monarch
Sep. 16, 2003

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Overview

You are able to configure the Hornet as a barebone, or as a complete system, using the ordering process on Monarch's website. Monarch gives you the choice between either an AMD system or a P4 system. Both barebone systems come with the Hornet micro ATX case, a micro ATX motherboard, and a Flex ATX power supply.

With the P4 barebone system, you can choose between three motherboards: The Asus P4P800-VM, the Gigabyte GA-8IG1000MK or the Intel GLCLK. If you prefer an AMD system, you can choose between the Chaintech 7NIF2, the Chaintech 7NIL1 or the MSI KM4M-L. All systems come with an Achme Flex AM630BS20S 200W PSU. Note that the barebone system must come with a motherboard and power supply along with the case. If you just want the case, you are out of luck.

You also have several other options such as:

Side window
Case fans
Neon lighting
"Hornet" stickers
Processor
Thermal Paste
Heatsink / Fan
Memory
The Noise Killer fan controller
Warranty

If you choose to purchase a full system instead of a barebone, you will be able to choose between several video cards, sound cards, hard drives and other components.

One thing I just have to point out is the sticker logo on the front of the case. When you purchase the Hornet, it comes with a "Hornet" sticker and a "Monarch Computer" sticker on the front of the case. Now, you might be like me and prefer to have a nice clean case free of advertising... Sadly, that will cost five bucks extra. Yup, $5.00 USD to not put stickers on the front of the case. That bugs me a bit, but I found the stickers to be very easy to remove and they do not leave a residue behind. Basically, if you don't want the stickers, take them off yourself and save a few bucks.

Since the Hornet is built by Monarch, you will not get the retail packaging for any of the components such as the motherboard. To remedy this, there is a box containing any accessories included with the components you choose, along with a manual and other Hornet-specific items. Monarch has also done alot of the gruntwork of putting a system together, including connecting all those annoying USB cables and front panel connectors to the motherboard. There is an all-in-one connector for the front panel wires that makes removing the motherboard from the case a bit simpler. Instead of having to constantly disconnect and reconnect the front panel switches, LEDs and other junk (very technical term here), the all-in-one clip that only requires the use of a single connector.

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Page 2 of 6

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Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: Overview
Page 3: The Hornet Part I
Page 4: The Hornet Part II
Page 5: Performance
Page 6: Conclusion

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13 User Comments

1 - Posted by web56n on September 17, 2003 - 12:37 am

what was the price of the one tested?

2 - Posted by ELiTE KiLLaH on September 17, 2003 - 12:42 am

"The airflow throughout the case is definitely lacking, and I would like to see another intake fan to increase the internal temperatures."

increase sposed to be decrease??

3 - Posted by Brian on September 17, 2003 - 1:09 am

Lol, how did that slip by us? :-P

Kurtis read it over, he checked it, blame him!!!

*points to kurtis*

HIIIMMMMMMM!!!!!

4 - Posted by Kurtis on September 17, 2003 - 1:11 am

lololol

:oops:

5 - Posted by MaNiAk21 on September 17, 2003 - 2:19 pm

Hehe, awww... I missed it, damn school. :P Nice review though. :)

6 - Posted by JokesterX on September 17, 2003 - 3:49 pm

You can have my soul, it's not like I use it for anything. Actually with a little more air running into that case, seems like an ideal piece for a media server..... Imagine if you would, it fits in your stereo rack, have mp3's, jpg's, avi's, output to your main tv. Maybe a little IR remote setup? All that and a bag of chips. :twisted: Sounds like a plan to me. Oh yeah you can still have my soul, but I want something for it.....

7 - Posted by Brian on September 17, 2003 - 4:19 pm

I'll give ya Kurtis' soul. It's not much, but it should treat you well. I just got bored with it, but your soul is new and fresh, ready for the torment of a thousand deaths!

*evil cackle*

8 - Posted by DnD on September 17, 2003 - 5:52 pm

so ummm how much does it cost?

9 - Posted by Kurtis on September 17, 2003 - 7:23 pm

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant....

depends what u want in it...

10 - Posted by Brian on September 17, 2003 - 11:35 pm

If you look at the very top of our reviews, we put the general price of the item. We have been doing this for a few weeks now.

11 - Posted by ELiTE KiLLaH on September 18, 2003 - 8:07 pm

i see you finally listened to me :P

12 - Posted by Brian on September 18, 2003 - 10:00 pm

Hmm, you suggested that? *removing prices from reviews*

:-D

j/k :-P

13 - Posted by ELiTE KiLLaH on September 20, 2003 - 9:55 pm

lol
:P
i think i said that a while back...in the usb drive review maybe...

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