The Interior Chassis:
 

   After removing the 2 thumbscrews holding the side panel on, you're greeted with a functional and clean interior.  The internal chassis is divided in to two separate chambers. There isn't much in the way of wasted space. The motherboard area will house any ATX or Mini-ATX motherboard comfortably. The only moving chassis parts are the two removable drive bays and an adjustable vent plate on the lower chamber.

   The lower chamber contains a removable bay, placement for the power supply, and one 12cm fan in the center. The upper chamber houses the motherboard, a removable drive bay, two 12cm fans, the 5.25 drive bays, and an empty slot for one more addition 12cm fan in front of the removable bay, which slides in and out easily for quick fan installation. The divided chassis concept is to bring cooler air from the front of the chassis directly into , via the front face vents and direct the cooler air past the drive bays through the hottest components and out the back and top.

Chassis Interior

Forward Interior

Upper Chamber

Lower Chamber

Lower Fan Tunnel

Rear PSU Chamber

  The chassis is designed to keep warm air flowing out efficiently, while pulling in cooler air. The chassis has three 12cm fans that have a 3-pin connector with a 4-ping Molex attached. There is one in the top panel-rear, one at the top back, and one centrally located behind the bottom removable drive bay. The placement of the top two 12cm fans is ideal for quickly removing the heat generated from the processor and upper chamber. There is an option to add a fourth fan in front of the top removable drive bay and another fan can be added to the upper removable drive bay, which you will see later on.

Lower Fan w/ Plate

Fans Centered on CPU

Aerocool Attached

   The 12 cm fans have a small white switch attached to each fan that controls the 3-Speed fan settings: Low, Medium, High. The 3 speed fans are graveyard silent at the lowest setting. The medium setting brought the fans to about 25db and moved a better amount of air and was the ideal setting for my requirements. The highest setting produced about 30db with more of a low pitched hum rather than the high pitched sound from cheaper fans. At the highest setting, the fans still managed to be quieter when compared to a regular 12cm bulk case fan.

3-Speed Switch

12cm Fan

Lower Middle 12cm Fan

   The drive bays don't have the many numerous screw holes that other bays have. It makes for a much cleaner and finished look and helps direct the air through the drive bays to the back of the chassis where its needed. A capable power supply along with the lower 12cm fan creates a bit of a wind tunnel for the lower section of the chassis via the lower drive bay. This should be more than sufficient air flow even if the bays are field.

Chenming Drive

Antec Drive Bay

Tray with Drive

   Antec was kind enough to put a key-ring and 1 thumbscrew on each drive bay to make for an effortless removal. The removable bays are tool less and have one thumbscrew securing them in, which makes for easy installation.  Little things like this help finish off a chassis. No one likes to pry or yank their removable drive bays as with the old school cases with removable drive bays. While side mounting the drive bays was a bonus, it still required a tug now and then to remove.

   The upper removable bay has a hidden small black box on the backside you can use for the extra key or what not. I'd ask what you hide in yours over in the forums, but I'm not sure I want to know.

Pull Rings

Removable Bays

Partially Pulled Out

Extended Drive Trays

Rubber Washers in Trays

Secret Compartment

   Another great feature that can finish off any case are the rubber stand-offs in the drive bays. When I powered up the hard drive it was extremely quiet and I sensed no noticeable vibration. This is a great cost effective idea that turns this case into more of a silent solution without the higher cost.

Rubber Standoffs

Drive Attached

Bay w/ Drive

Screws Come w/Case

Rubber Standoffs

Attached Drive