A Positive Look at the Antec Nine Hundred (900) Case

Hello, all. This is my first time modding a computer case, as well as my first system build. I'm pretty satisfied with the results. I drilled some holes for wire management and painted the inside of the case flat black. I also stealthed my two dvd drives and reverse mounted the hard drives.
System Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad (Q6600) @ 3.35ghz (25C idle)
4gb PQI Turbo pc5400 ram (yeah, I know it is slow)
EVGA 680i mobo
Raidmax 700 watt psu
Asus Silent Knight II cpu cooler
2 PNY 8600 GT's in SLI
2 WD 500gb hdd's
Razer HP-1 Sound card
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/P1010004.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/P1010014.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/P1010018.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/P1010020.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/P1010023.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/P1010041.jpg
http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/P1010052.jpg

Hi, I have an Antec 900 and i love the cooling in the case. But, I am not a big fan of the limited visibility the side window offers. I would rather have a large rectangular window that shows off the entire inside. But, I have no access to a dremel or anything traditionally used to cut a window. I do have a circular saw but i doubt that would work very well. What other options do i have? If i am really patient and am willing to put a lot of time in, which i am, could I drill a lot of holes and use edging and filing to make it look good?

I also do not have any friends or anything wiht any power tools that would work.

Greg... check this out!

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/71...4c11s496#blank

Thanks! I have seen that before but I could not tell if they were selling an entire side panel or just a window with trim and I would have to cut my own hole. Is it the entire side panel because if so that is perfect.

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Originally Posted by greglax26

Thanks! I have seen that before but I could not tell if they were selling an entire side panel or just a window with trim and I would have to cut my own hole. Is it the entire side panel because if so that is perfect.

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I contacted FrozenCPU in the past about this window they sell. It is not a full panel, but a lexan piece and trim. You will need to cut/jigsaw your existing panel.

I am in the process now of making my own A900 full windowed panel. It will not cost anywhere near 50 bucks and shipping either. I have the stock panel blue-taped and lined out, and I have the piece of lexan which cost me $14 from Home Depot. For rubber molding, I used a 6' piece from MNPCTECH.

I will post a pic or two soon, when I get around to the cutting of the panel.

Nice setup, Sturdius.

I'm curious, Will... but don't forget to LOoSE the feet :D

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Originally Posted by Sturdius

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/P1010052.jpg

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Dude, kick ass optical drive mod. :clap:

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Originally Posted by MetalRush

I'm curious, Will... but don't forget to LOoSE the feet :D

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I will loose the LED feet. I finally found a black set of rubber feet, that sit high enough to allow air flow under my case.

http://www.mnpctech.com/CaseFeet.jpg

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Originally Posted by Moe_Szyslak

Dude, kick ass optical drive mod. :clap:

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Thanks. I can't take complete credit for it though. Someone else on this thread had the same idea, so I borrowed it. I really wish I could remember their name so I could give them full credit for it. The only problem with that mod is that it will be difficult for me to ever upgrade to a sata drive if I wanted to, as I glued the faceplate to the drive tray.

Hey , The past days I swoped out my radiator and did some more wire work

here is my PC , I know that it doesnt look as hot as your guys PC's but I love it.

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3355/p1010059jk5.jpg

Saludos Modding Freaks. I have to say, you guys have some sexy A900's there :D

I myself own one, and I've done some modding on it inspired by this famous thread. I've done the slot loading drive mod, cable management at the back of the tray but I'm not done with everything.

I was wondering if any of you knew where to get a second 120 fan holder for the back of the drive cage. I contacted Antec regarding this, however they told me that didn't have any available. And I've been unsuccessful searching for it.

Here's what I've done till now:

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/3...0621oa2.th.pnghttp://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3...1010ot8.th.png
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/3...3423bn1.th.pnghttp://img210.imageshack.us/img210/2...2837rv0.th.png

Slot Loading Mod:
- Panasonic UJ-875 slimline slot loading Super Multi DVD burner.
- PA-CDST / APA-LS248 SATA to slim CD-ROM adapter (http://www.orbitmicro.com/global/sat...er-p-4633.html)
- Velcro to hold the drive in place inside case.

Cable Management:
- Knockout Punch from Harbor Freight

Does anybody know where I can get extra rubber plugs from the back of the computer? I'm talking about these things, if my explanation isn't doing the trick. http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/P1010007.jpg
I'd really like to use these to line the holes i drilled in my case, but I can't find them anywhere. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Sturdius

Does anybody know where I can get extra rubber plugs from the back of the computer? I'm talking about these things, if my explanation isn't doing the trick.

I'd really like to use these to line the holes i drilled in my case, but I can't find them anywhere. Thanks.

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I would try a auto parts store, ask them for the gromets used to run wires though the firewall of a car. They come in many diffrence sizes so be sure to bring, or know how big the stuff you are going to route though the hole is.

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Originally Posted by CadESin

I would try a auto parts store, ask them for the gromets used to run wires though the firewall of a car. They come in many diffrence sizes so be sure to bring, or know how big the stuff you are going to route though the hole is.

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Yeah, I've been through that route. I bought some 1/4" tubing and slit it down the middle to line the holes I cut. I really want the factory Antec grommets though, and I didn't see them on the "Spare Parts" section of the Antec website. Thanks, though. If anyone on this forum has any to spare, I'd gladly buy them.

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Originally Posted by outbreak42

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/2...2837rv0.th.png

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I like how you accented the "ANTEC Design" on the bottom floor of the case. How did you do it? Sanded the tops of the lettering after it was painted? I have to do that to mine soon.

MetalRush - I loosed the stock window and cut out a full 15"x15" window. I'll get a picture of it soon.

=>WiLL<= check PMs.

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Originally Posted by DaIceMan

=>WiLL<= check PMs.

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Oh, c'mon. I'm sure a lot of people wanted to know how you did it. You should show all of us.

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Originally Posted by Sturdius

Oh, c'mon. I'm sure a lot of people wanted to know how you did it. You should show all of us.

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huh? I had sent Will a PM like 2 weeks ago, I think he missed it.

@ Will: I did not say you had to loosed your window but those UGLY feet :P
But (new) pics are welcome :)

@ Sturdius: send me your home address m8, you can have mine. I don't use them and took them out (as you might have seen in my previous posting(s)).

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Originally Posted by Sturdius

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/P1010052.jpg

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Any chance on you sharing how you did that?:P

Anyone running a 9800GTX in this case ? I got scared as I ordered an Antec 900 case and I saw the length difference between 8800GTS en the 9800GTX

http://users.pandora.be/OAP2/9800_gtx_ssc_gts.jpg

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Originally Posted by Leeghoofd

Anyone running a 9800GTX in this case ? I got scared as I ordered an Antec 900 case and I saw the length difference between 8800GTS en the 9800GTX

http://users.pandora.be/OAP2/9800_gtx_ssc_gts.jpg

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It'll fit, a buddy of mine has the super long speciall edition Ultra's in his case, it fits fine. And AFAIk, the 9800GTX is the same or a tad bit shorter than the ultra in length.

i got an 8800 ultra and it fits just fine. should fit 9800gtx no prob.:up:

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Originally Posted by Goreg

Any chance on you sharing how you did that?:P

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Uh, sure. It won't be an extensive guide, as I don't have any pictures of the build process, but I can explain how I went about it.

Step 1: Remove the faceplate on your optical drive
Step 2: (Optional, but advised) Attach a piece of adhesive velcro to the drive tray (I used the "hook" side because it provides more surface area for the glue you will be later applying to bond)
Step 3: Line up the foam padding with the drive tray lip and make sure you have a good fit. If you glue the front panel on crooked, you are out of luck. Trace a square on the back of the padding so you know where to apply glue.
Step 4: Apply glue on the rectangle you just traced and apply to drive (hot glue is not advised, gorilla glue is). Then coat the edges if you feel like it. Keep in mind that if you do coat the edges, you will have to watch for drips. Some expansion will occur after drying, so you might have to cut off any excess with a razor.
Step 5: Allow to dry
Step 6:????
Step 7: PROFIT

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Originally Posted by =>WiLL<=

I like how you accented the "ANTEC Design" on the bottom floor of the case. How did you do it? Sanded the tops of the lettering after it was painted? I have to do that to mine soon.

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1 - I put blue painter's tape on top of the design making sure it took the shape of the letters.
2 - Grabbed a X-acto knife and cut around the letters.
3 - Painted inside of case as normal.
4 - Carefully took out the tape letters.

If you mess up the letter shape while taking off the tape, you can fix it with the X-acto knife.