Synopsis:
1. Introduction
2. The frontage
3. Other panels
4. Interior
5. Food
6. Assembly
7. Performances
8. Assessment
1. Introduction
Left its top-of-the-range cases often succeeds like excellent P180, the success which Antec in France knows is also and especially related to its models of entree/milieu of range - as in any sector - to known via series SLK. These cases have indeed like principal quality to democratize part of the know-how of Antec on the level of the control of the sound harmful effects, in a case with the simple but pleasant look, without ornament, for an accessible price. One of the most obvious examples is the SLK 3700 BQE, called the "Sonata of poor" and which remains a reference as regards silence to this level of price , indeed integrating a SmartPower food of 350 W relatively discrete although unfortunately thermobabbited.
3.5 years after its introduction, Antec decides however to replace it, and more generally the whole of the range SLK which becomes the NSK. We accomodate his smallest representative today being able to accept a mother chart standard ATX, the NSK 4400. A worthy successor?
2. The frontage
The NSK 4400 is characterized above all by a reduced size, Antec going until speaking about a mini-turn. The height reaches indeed only 42 cm, that is to say 1.5 cm to 2.2 cm less than the Centurions of Coolermaster , of size already contained. The door, which made the specificity of the SLK in version BQE (edition black and quiet), disappears unfortunately. The sign of a relaxation on the level of the control of the noise? Perhaps, but it should be noticed that this frontage does not present a large air intake in its lower part as it is usually the case.
Composed of silver plated plastic of good quality, it rather strongly slices with the tradition of the entirely black linked frontages or money at Antec. Indeed, the masks of the readers, but also the buttons and the framework basic contrast with their major black color. The unit remains rather pleasant, but is much less sober than before.
The distribution of the masks outsides is rather unusual and anachronistic: only 3 external peripherals 5"1/4 can be installed, whereas 2 sites are present for those at the format 3"1/2, become quasi-non-existent. There will thus be necessary to remain wise on the number of readers, writters, racks 5"1/4 and other controllers of ventilators, although it is necessary well to keep at the head that the goal of this case is not to compete with the high models of standard range Stacker.
This entered orientation of range is recognized on other levels on this frontage. Only two ports USB are present: the traditional audio connectors disappear, which is particularly rare although solving blow the thorny problem of their connection to the chart sound. Only the LED informing the state of the hard disk appears present above these ports; that testifying to the food of the configuration indeed surrounds the button of starting of a blue circle. More still than usually, that of restarting is particularly painful to activate, too end and requiring to be inserted too deeply to activate the interruption. Lastly, one notices all in bottom the square insert intended to receive the badge of the OEM assembling the PC (or that of Antec provides), but that one also finds on Sonata.
One will notice all the same a significant family tie with P180. This frontage comes out indeed from 1.6 cm of the true end before case, decorated via some false holes. In this thickness, one finds each side a series of oblong holes, acting only as air flow. Masked behind the frontage, they will transmit less noise than if they were directly present there.
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