Made a bad HTPC case choice?

[badbob]

I think I've purchased a wrong type of case for the HTPC. Antec P182, having problems fitting it on racking/floor etc.
I couldn't find any HTPC cases with the height to fit a Scythe Ninja, MATX board with plenty of HD spacing (with silicon pads) and all case fans are in 12cm size. And I want plenty of room to work, not cramped inside.

The only case that comes close is the (I presume expensive) Silverstone CR-02 and even then front fan is two 92mm, not a single 120mm.

http://www.silverstonetek.com/produc...pno=cw02&area=

[Stolly]

The P182 is one of the finest cases money can buy, but its way too big to be a HTPC case in my opinion. As for room to work in, sure, but how often are you going to work in it ? Will you be contstantly tinkering and upgrading or wil you just build it and leave it.

[dvdnoddy]

http://www.mediapc.tv/index1.html

The Antec Fusion is a big case that will take 12cm fans and a lot of people have wrote about it in this forum.
The only issue I think was that the early versions didn't have an integrated IR receiver but this has been addressed with the latest models but check which model you are buying.

I brought a ready made A-4800/F Media centre from these guys above but they do a Fusion Barebones kit. You can also buy the case from others but just check it has IR.

[badbob]

mates got that fusion it's not tall enough. Also only space for two hard drives. Also doesn't have sides like the 182 (which is a bit strange, I would have thought use the same type of panels for the Fusion.

In fact I think the 182 is still too small, to plug in sata and power cables you need childs hands.

[Jaseb1]

Dont buy an antec fusion case they have serious problems with the vfd/ir receiver, like the previous post said the v1 fusion did not have ir where as the fusion v2 does but it was just cobled together thats why they have problems.

regards Jase

[james.miller]

its not antec's fault, its those vfd's in general. i've got a soundgraph iMon ultra bay (same company, uses the same remote) and the drivers or horendous. i dont even bother using it now.

drop the scythe ninja and the need for 120mm fans all round and your choices will open up. there are plenty of htpc cases that would serve you well and stay cool and quiet