Two of the biggest problems with high-spec desktop PCs are noise and ventilation. State-of-the-art hardware often generates a lot of heat, and if not properly cooled it can overheat and burn out much earlier than it should. Excess noise is a particular problem for large hard drives and can be distracting, especially for other people in the same room as the PC. This can be a thorny issue for many desktop PC cases, but Antec’s award-winning Solution Series first desktop chassis addresses both issues as its number one priority. With a unique triple chamber structure, the NSK2480 is designed to isolate heat and noise, ensuring a long life for your hardware and a quiet environment for computer use.
The three chambers inside the NSK2480 serve to enclose the hard drive and power supply, silencing noise and preventing heat from spreading to the rest of the machine. To aid chassis cooling are two side-mounted 120mm TriCool fans, offering three speed settings to ensure optimal operational efficiency. Many desktop PC cases require three or more cooling fans to vent the heat, but the construction of the NSK2480 means that two are more than enough, further reducing the noise output from the chassis.
Despite dividing the internal architecture into three parts, the NSK2480 does not skimp on connectivity. The chassis is compatible with Mini-ITX and Micro-ATX motherboards, houses two 5.25 “drive bays with front access and two internal 3.5” bays that feature silicone grommets to further reduce vibration and the noise output. The chassis also houses four expansion slots, and the front also has two USB ports and audio jacks. Although there are many desktop PC cases on the market that offer more drive bays and expansion slots, these are often unnecessary when building a standard machine. Unless you’re building a supercomputer, the NSK2480 should have more than enough connections to meet your needs.
In addition to internal innovations, a lot of effort has gone into making the Antec NSK2480 look good too. The 0.8mm cold rolled steel casing looks sleek and sophisticated, and it wouldn’t look out of place in your living room as part of a complete home entertainment system. The use of steel also makes it more resistant to scratches and dents than comparable aluminum desktop PC cases, so it should maintain its shine after years of use. If you want a chassis that innovates inside and out, you can’t go far wrong with the NSK2480.