3 types of Antec PSUs, differences?

[sanyok]

1. True and True II
2. Smart
3. Neo

1. what makes them different?

2. I see that newer CPUs such that True II and Neo have no fan in the back, but one on top (supply or exhaust?), please explain this layout and its advantages if such exist.

[loki]

I think the differences are:

Neo Power - Higher end model, with detachable power cables
Smart Power - Temperature controlled fan to cut down on noise
True Power - Their basic PSU

Actually the fans will be on the bottom when you install them. The reasoning for just having one large fan is to try to cut down on noise, while still moving enough air. Modern power supply fans are always exhaust. This is because in a standard ATX case (the P180 is a little different) the power supply sits just above the CPU and all of the heat generated will rise to it. To remove the heat, the power supply must blow it out the back of the computer.

loki

[sanyok]

thanks loki, so nice to have you around here!
I like this Neo version, very attractive item, yet I'd wait to see if a 500W version appears before I upgrade my 520.

now:
>>the power supply sits just above the CPU and all of the heat generated will rise to it. To remove the heat, the power supply must blow it out the back of the computer.

oh I see, with newer PSUs, the fan on top is in intake mode, the the air is being exited throught the grill on the back of the PCU, is that so?

[loki]

Exactly. The power supply will pull the air above the CPU into itself and then exhaust it out the back. Have a look at the picture near the top of the page linked below.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article28-page1.html

loki

[sanyok]

ok we're clear with that.

what mobo do you have?
since we have the same case, you may be able to direct me on how to wire up the led/power/reset switches.

I hope there is a single piece connector however, what is it there with P180?

[loki]

I have a MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum, so I'm not sure if the motherboard pins are the same or not.

The P180 does have a single piece connector for the front panel audio ports, if your motherboard supports the Intel standard connector. This is what I was able to use. Otherwise it has half a dozen pins to connect the audio ports. For the power/led/reset part, they are all separate.

loki

[sanyok]

ok I hope it works out fine.

I called home earlier today, I have parts waiting for me.

[loki]

Let us know how it goes.

I'm waiting on a few parts myself. The new computer won't be running games or FS though.

loki

[navav2004]

Awesome News!!! I look forward to hearing how she goes together...

Don't worry about the switch connections...The manuel has a diagram and the MB is color coded...Apparently that must be an industry standard color arrangement...It seems scary but it isn't that hard at all...

Good Luck and Have fun!!!

[sanyok]

I'm gonna shoot all Antec's packing staff!!
when it came to installing a motherboard, I discovered that there are only three brass standoffs included with the case (the screws are plenty). What am I to do now?

[navav2004]

I have seen in the past some plastic feet used in lue of screws...There isn't anything like that included is there?? Ie: plastic stand-off's that "plug" into the MB screw holes...I don't like them...but in a pinch I would use them until I could replace them...Just a thought...

[sanyok]

the bag designated "for MB use only" contains only screws and 3 standoffs.

ok, if placed onto standoffs, the motherboard ends up higher then it should be... The case comes with a built-in standoffs (small ones), I placed the mobo on it and it fit the case nicely. I believe the built-in standoffs is the thing.
In the manual it syas however, that standoffs should be screwed in before mobo installation: "screw the brass standoffs into the threaded holes that line up with a mobo". Why do they make people rip the hair off their heads if no standoffs necessary? Why do they include 3 standoffs to confuse poor fellows even more?! da*n shmoobsters.
Or may I be wrong? loki has this P180 case, let's see how he had it set up.

Case is nice though, comfortable feautures concerning access of drives (I had a lot of pain in the neck accesing drives on other computes in home). Two problems are: old fassion screwed/unscrewed side access panel, as oposed to side door with a handle that is available on other Antec models, including my current case (full tower).
Very heavy, and this is a huge problem right there. Very-very heavy.
In a year 2005, we have all rights to expect a light weight aluminum case, not a cast-iron Titanic-tech steel construction.

[navav2004]

Yeah loki is the man for sure on this one...but just a thought...since they design these cases for several different MB's...is it possiable your's may not require the brass stand-off's?? While they may have been intended for another configuration...and the instructions are "generic" (ie: if you need them...screw the stand-off's into place) ?????? Just a thought...loki will know much better for sure!!

It sure sounds like a nice Case...Heavy is good...he he...Gimmie the cast iron Titanic-tech steel construction case anyday...You could have spent allot more..and got allot less...he he

[sanyok]

next problem:

there is no Crucial listed in the "qualified DDR400 vendors list" (mobo's manual).
I have Crucial RAM that I planned to reuse, obviously.

Vednors listed:
Kingston, Samsung, Micron, Corsair, Hynix, and some Infineon.

[loki]

All that means is that they have tested that RAM and found it to work. Your Crucial RAM should be fine. It probably uses the same chips as one of the other ones anyways.

loki

[sanyok]

>>since they design these cases for several different MB's...is it possiable your's may not require the brass stand-off's??

for several different mobos, they should have included an apropriate amounf of standoffs. If my mobo required standoffs, I wouldn't be able to continue constaction.

>>You could have spent allot more..and got allot less...he he

for sure, what would Dell charge me for this goodness, 3+ grand?
I saved more then half of that.
I had enough of Dell (my first PC, 2001), can't upgrade, can't customize, it's a one-time-use piece of shpootz.

[sanyok]

I hoped to hear something like that :)
please see the problem concerning mobo standoffs (see above).
You have the case, please let me know how you had yours done.

[loki]

I can't remember exactly how the standoffs worked for my motherboard. For my MB, I used 9 screws - 3 across the top, 3 across the middle and 3 across the bottom. You should have one standoff under each hole on the motherboard. I think all standard size ATX motherboards are the same this way.

Install the I/O shield and then set your motherboard in the case on the already installed standoffs. If the panel openings and rear panel connectors line up, you know you have the right height.

As for the weight, it was deliberate in order to make the case quieter. Thin panels tend to vibrate more and produce more noise. The triple layer ones on this case don't.

loki

[sanyok]

what is I/O shield?

he panel openings and rear panel connectors line up only if no standoffs are used. There's something built right into the case that looks like standoffs, I placed the mobo right on that (the clearance behind the mobo was kept), then used screwes.
What esle could I have done? I think this is it.

[navav2004]

None of my ram is on the approved list either...in any of three systems...all with ASUS MB's...No problems what so ever...

[loki]

The I/O shield is the small metal piece that fits around the rear panel connectors.

http://www.pcguide.com/byop/byop_IOIOitsIntoorOutoftheComputerWeGo.htm

If your motherboard lines up properly with the openings in the I/O shield and is screwed down with 9 screws, it should be fine.

loki

[sanyok]

I/O shield was the first thing I installed.
Already relocated 1GB RAM, drives and a sound card from this computer to the new one. Going to bed now. Tomorrow I'll wire it up and hopefully will have some time left to put Windows on that.
Appreciate you guys helping me out here.

[navav2004]

Soooooo...How is it going??? Did you get her together?? Do you like??

[sanyok]

just yesterday at 2pm I had Windows installed. I have more questions to go for which we need a clean blank of paper (a new thread), please see insede my new thread...