Now I have the Antec Fusion case with VFD module, with volume control knob and remote control! I also decided that I just didn't like the noise coming from the stock AMD CPU cooler so I hooked up my Thermaltake Rhythm liquid cooling system to the Antec Fusion and now I have a perfectly quiet HTPC system that does everything I want it to do.
Introduction
I would like to thank Antec for supplying the review sample.
- I recently got myself an Antec Fusion case (v1) with a VFD. I'm happy with most of it, except the VFD. It works very randomly and most of the times not at all. This is after suspend/hibernate. Directly after a clean boot (with PSU disconnected to discharge) it works fine.
- The height of 140mm is a little more than the Micro Fusion, which allows Antec to install two 120mm fans next to the CPU. The front looks similar to the Micro Fusion, with the only noteworthy.
- Designed for Media Center and Home Theater PCsDesigned specifically for use by Media Center and Home Theater PCs, the Antec FUSION features an aluminum plate front bezel with a Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) and Volume Control to complete your media center experience.
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Antec's website has a very refreshing 'About Us' page, with the following text:
The year was 1986. Starbucks had only a few stores. Don Johnson was actually cool. The average PC had less memory than today’s cellphones. And in Fremont, California, a little company named Antec was born. Antec’s first employees never imagined that their upstart firm would rise to the very top of the high-performance computer components industry. But rise it did. And rather swiftly, too.What is the difference between Antec & Veris?
So what can Antec do for you? That depends on who you are. If you’re a computer user, and you’d like to upgrade your existing computer or build a new one yourself, we’ve got the computer cases, power supplies, cooling fans, lighting components, and accessories that you need. If you’re a system builder or VAR, we’ll help you deliver reliable and cost-effective systems to your customers. And if you’re a retailer, we’ll help you reach an explosively growing market: namely, “do-it-yourself” computer users who enjoy building and upgrading their own computers.
How do we do all this? Our product lineup includes a wide variety of unique computer cases, such as the elegant Veris series of Media PC cases and accessories, ultra-powerful Performance One series, sturdy Server line, and the cost-effective New Solution Series. Our world-class power supplies – including the Neo Power, TruePower Trio and EarthWatts lines – have won countless international awards for their reliable performance. Our flexible rackmounts are ideally suited to the demanding ISP, telecom, and networking markets. And for those of you who’d like to add a little visual flair to your computers, we offer an eye-catching range of fans, lights, and other PC accessories.
We’re headquartered in Fremont, California, with additional offices in the Netherlands, Europe. We’ve also established distribution partnerships throughout Australia and Southeast Asia. So you’ll find Antec products in over 25 countries. But no matter how large we grow, we’ll never forget our mission: to give you the power you need to create the computer you really want. That’s the Antec way. That’s the Power of You.
While we have not mentioned the new brand name 'Veris' within this review, this is what Antec will be calling their HTPC range of cases, as well as different accessories like the A/V rack cooler and the HDD enclosure they displayed at CeBIT 2007 this year. The addition of the new name should give buyers a better overview as to what these items are geared toward. We refer to the new case as the 'Antec Fusion', but it may be called Veris Fusion in the near future. For further information on Antec's newest products, take a look at our CeBIT coverage here. We have decided to keep it simple for this review and have not used the Veris brand name within the review, but will do so as soon as the packaging or item itself reflects the name change.
Color | Black/Silver |
---|---|
11 Drive Bays | 1 x 5.25' 2 x 3.5' |
Material | Aluminum front & SECC Steel |
Weight | 17.4lbs/7.8kg (net) 20.5lbs/9.2kg (gross) |
Form Factor | Micro ATX (9.6'x9.6') |
Expansion Slots | 4 standard slots |
Case Fans | 2 sidemounted 120 mm TriCool™ 3-speed fans |
Dimensions | 5.5'(H) x 17.5'(W) x 16.3'(L) 14(H) x 44.5(W) x 41.4(L) cm |
Power Supply | High-efficiency 430 Watt ATX12V v2.0 power supply Universal input Active PFC and high efficiency design |
Switches | Power, Reset |
Front Access | USB, Audio, FireWire |
Antec Fusion Vfd Reviews
Value and Conclusion
- The Antec Fusion sells for just under 160€ or just under $170 USD. This is a very good price, considering you get a great looking case, including a VFD and Antec power supply.
- Great price
- Everything included - VFD & PSU
- 430W high quality power supply
- Solid Soundgraph VFD
- Very unique and functional compartments
- HDD mounts on rubber spacers
- Solid front and build quality
- Two 12 cm fans included
- White Power button LED
- Fans are loud on any setting - except 'low'
- Installation of HDDs somewhat complicated
- Everything is a tight fit
- Not all CPU Coolers will fit
- Sliding door between motherboard and PSU compartment cannot be secured with everything installed
- No remote control/IR receiver
Antec Fusion Vfd Driver
The Antec Fusion may not surprise you with its front looks. It does have some similarities to an A/V receiver, which makes it the perfect addition to such a setup in a living room. The case really shines once it is turned on. The VFD, solid build and white power LED are certain eye catchers. The biggest downside are the two included 12 cm fans. While it is commendable that Antec included these, they are quite loud and push immense amounts of air. It would have been wiser to include silent fans, which just simply create an air flow. The inside layout of the Antec Fusion is quite unique and does take a bit of time getting used to, but the result is a very clean motherboard compartment while the HDD area does not receive any active airflow. Speaking of hard drives - the installation is definitely not the easiest, but Antec makes up for that with rubber spacers which should absorb all the vibrations of the drives.
The Antec Fusion is a well priced, complete and beautiful case which will blend much better with your A/V rack than most other cases out there. We can definitely recommend this case, as the fans can be exchanged, the price tag is much smaller than similar offerings from other companies and it comes complete - with 430W power supply and VFD.
The Antec Fusion is a well priced, complete and beautiful case which will blend much better with your A/V rack than most other cases out there. We can definitely recommend this case, as the fans can be exchanged, the price tag is much smaller than similar offerings from other companies and it comes complete - with 430W power supply and VFD.