Antec NSK2400 review
The NSK2400 is designed primarily as a media center case, and as such supports only mATX. I had considered building a media center computer (also known as an HTPC), so I picked it up when Fry’s had it on sale (oddly enough, my current case is an Antec case Fry’s had on sale).
The case layout is excellent. It has a separated area for the hard drive, for the motherboard, and for the PSU, with vents or exhaust fans for each of these area’s. They also use the rubber mountings to reduce vibration noise found in other Antec cases, like the Solo.
NSK2400 Layout
NSK PSU mounting
Air flow is very good, with 2 120mm exhaust fans in the main area. They also provide vents in all the major area’s, as well as cutout vents under the case. The case is mounted on 4 metal stands with rubber bases, although in a very thick carpet airflow could become a problem.
PSK Fans
Build quality is excellent. The case has a sturdy silver front, and a black painted steel for the rest.
It is the front that I have the most serious complaints with. The case has only 2 USB and 2 Audio ports in front, while other higher end models have Firewire or E-SATA. While E-SATA is not important for an HTPC, Firewire could be, although its lost popularity in recent years.
Another problem is the expandability. The case has only 2 5.25″ bays and no 3.5″ bays, which means you may be hard pressed to find a card reader, which are normally in the 3.5″ bays. And the mATX form factor limits you to 4 expansion slots.
But overall, this case is well constructed, and well designed. The limited front options prevent it from receiving a Recommended, but it does recieve a well deserved Pass.