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Antec Overture 2 ATX Desktop Case
Conclusion
I've really got to hand it to Antec. Year after year, they've remained one of my favorite chassis manufacturers. Not only are there designs beautiful and original, but they are also of great quality and remain user-friendly. This is the first time that I have reviewed a sub mid-tower case, and I'm glad for that, because it's a great example of what a case like this should be. Antec's original Overture was very similar, with one of the major improvements in the Overture II being the improved cooling. With a large opening directly above the CPU and video card, you won't have to worry about your critical components overheating. The only real gripe I have about the case is that the power supply fan is much louder than all of the other case fans. Were it not for this fan, my system would have been whisper quiet. As I mentioned earlier, however, I'm going to see if I can get a replacement PSU for the case to see if it is normal or an issue with the one I have specifically. Aside from that, it would have been nice to have more toolless features, but as I mentioned earlier, this probably isn't the sort of case you want to tool around in often anyhow. All in all, this is an excellent case that is sure to impress whether you intend to use it in an office or at home. If you're looking for a case that you can put on top of your desk, this case would be an excellent choice. Just make sure that you look at the specifications for the dimensions of the case to confirm that you have enough room, because this case is the equivalent of a mid-tower case sitting flat on your desk, cut to one half its usual height so it's by no means a small form factor PC. I'd also like to note that I wouldn't recommend it as an HTPC case because of the PSU fan noise, but it isn't marketed as such anyways. Pros Beautiful Great airflow and cooling Quality-built Enough room to build a very powerful PC Cons A little cramped Loud PSU fan PCI slot covers cut me, ouch! Update: 11/08/05 When I originally reviewed the Overture 2, one of my complaints was of an unusually noisy power supply fan. I thought this was an important point to note in my review in part because this is the sort of case people consider for an HTPC enclosure. Since the review went up I have received several emails from readers reporting the same problem, and a couple of emails from readers suggesting a simple fix. Here are some excerpts from some of the emails I received:
I wish I had read [your review] earlier as I bought that case and have experienced the same problem with an overly loud power supply fan. Have you succeeded in getting a replacement [PSU] and/or have you determined that the excessive noise is "normal?" I contacted Antec about the noise level of my Overture II case and received a very patronizing reply advising me that this is a "quiet" case and fans are necessary to remove heat! - E. Antkowiak (9/20/05) I contacted ANTEC support about the PSU and got this reply: "Comment: We assume that you are connecting the 3pin connector of the power supply into the motherboard. Doing so will cause the internal fan of the power supply to spin at a high RPM. Please don't make the connection. It is not an essential connection to make since it's sole purpose is just to monitor the speed. Please give us a feedback so that we can further assist you. Best regards." Now it's true I'd connected the PSU lead to the motherboard and disconnecting it certainly made the PSU far quieter. - Bill (9/21/05) I was noticing in your review of the case the problem with the loud fan on the PSU. I have the same problem and was wondering if Antec had resolved this yet. - Preston (9/26/05) I also bought a Overture I packaged Overture II. The UPC code on the box says Overture II as well as the documentation. It also has a very loud PSU fan, just as loud as my old clunker. Antec does market this as an HTPC box and that's why I bought it, for a quiet living room experience. It's supposed to be compatible with AMD Cool'n Quiet but the ASUS probe monitoring software I have always shows the PSU fan at about 2400 rpm. I have all the Cool'n Quiet features enabled and driver installed and it doesn't seem to do anything. - Lorne (10/15/05) Yesterday I installed my system in the new case and everything went fine. - Wim (11/8/05) While I was waiting to receive a replacement power supply, I decided to ask Antec a few questions to clear some things up. The following emails are between myself and Antec's PR firm:
ME: The review is complete and I'm about to post it, however I need to ask you to get me a replacement PSU for the Overture 2 (the same exact PSU that is in the case, including the DC-In extension) because I am fairly certain that mine has a damaged sensor or something. I have heard Antec's quiet PSUs before, and this one is quite loud at all times as if it is at load. Please let me know if this can be done so I can update the review later with more info about the PSU. Antec's PR: Just wanted to let you know that I'm going to check in with Antec regarding sending you the replacement PSU. ME: I received the Overture 2 replacement PSU. I've got a couple of questions for you though!
The reason I'm asking all these questions is that I was very surprised when I got emailed by numerous people who reported the same problem with the unusually noisy power supply fan. I was initially told that it was just the first batch, but I'm starting to think that I was misled, and this problem wasn't caught until I brought it up - and I'm not entirely sure it has been rectified. While this may not seem like such a big deal! wow, a noisy power supply fan! you must consider that the customers purchasing this case are doing so because they know Antec makes great looking and well-built near-silent cases. A couple of the people who emailed me had intended to use the case for an HTPC case in their living room, but were shocked at how loud it was once they had everything setup. As a last resort they emailed me for help and advice on what to do. All that said, apparently there is a little work-around! Unplugging the 3-pin cable trailing from the PSU from the motherboard results in fan speed dropping to normal RPMs, as reported by one of our readers, and confirmed by another (I had sent my PSU back already). Still, I would sincerely hope that Antec would take a little more care in the quality check process to make sure such things don't happen. If you could do a little poking and prodding at the people at Antec and get some answers to my questions I would really appreciate it. Thanks again. Antec's PR: I've copied Antec's answers to your questions below. Please let me know if I can help with anything else.
Antec's Answer: "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 TheTechLounge 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."
In the end, I did receive a replacement power supply, and it did solve the problem. At first I wasn't sure if the replacement was just hand picked or if all the new cases had the same power supply, but upon receiving W. Pollet's e-mail, it appears that the newly manufactured cases do not have this problem. If you got one of the cases from Antec's first batch, I would advise you to simply unplug the 3-pin connector trailing from the power supply to solve the noisy fan problem - it won't affect anything except for your ability to monitor the fan's RPM. I'd like to close with a word about Antec's technical support - it would seem that sometimes you will get good help and other times you won't. One of the reader's that emailed me reported that he got a helpful response whereas another said he was patronized by their techs, saying of course there is noise, fans are there to remove heat. I don't particularly like hearing stories about bad tech support, especially when it's from a reputable company such as Antec. I would suggest that Antec try to do a better job at keeping all of the techs informed of potential problems with their products so that they can be more sensitive to the customers' needs.
Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: First Impressions / Opening the Case Page 3: Inside the Case Page 4: Quality Check Page 5: Conclusion / Update 
Add Comment
7 User Comments 1 - 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. 2 - Posted by
Kurtis
on September 8, 2005 - 11:21 pm So you have the same issue? I was told by Antec this was a problem with their first batch on the line, a faulty PSU temp. sensor. They are going to have me send the PSU back so they can evaluate the problem, and then they'll send a replacement. I haven't had the time to rip that PSU out of the case and send it yet, but when I get a replacement I'll let you know how that goes.
3 - 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.
4 - Posted by
Kurtis
on September 20, 2005 - 12:09 pm I'm about to go out of town for the rest of the week, but do me a favor and email me about this problem and I'll talk to Antec for you next Monday. I also received my review sample in an Overture 1 box, and had the noisy PSU as I reported in the review. I assumed the packaging was just not ready so they shipped it in the Overture 1 box... Don't mess with the PSU, we'll get it sorted out for you when I return. Email me: kurtis@thetechlounge.com Make the subject something like "ANTEC OVERTURE 2 PSU PROBLEM - HELP" Oh, and I should also mention that I sent back my PSU to Antec late last week so they can see what the problem is. Supposedly a faulty sensor on first batch, but they should be sending me a replacement PSU, so we shall see. 5 - 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? ;-) 6 - 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. 7 - 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 Add Comment To add a comment without being a member, you may omit the password field, but you must enter your name (or nickname) along with your comment. * Denotes required fields. |
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