Antec Fusion HTPC Shootout

Antec Micro Fusion 350

• Low profile desktop height fits in any environment
  
• Dual chamber structure for HDD and motherboard to separate heat and reduce noise
  
• High quality aluminum plate front bezel with LCD display
  
• 2x80mm side fans to exhaust air from CPU and VGA card
  
• IR receiver for compatibility with Windows MCE and Vista
  
• Universal power input and Active PFC
  
• 80 PLUS Certified 350W power supply delivers stable and reliable power while saving you money on your electric bill
  
• Removable HDD tray with extra soft silicone grommets in a separate chamber for maximum quiet and cool operation
  
• 80mm intake fan to cool the HDD
  
• 2 drive bays - 1x 5.25" and 1x 3.5"
  
• 4 Expansion Slots
  
• Cooling System
  
  • 2x80mm TriCool 3-speed exhaust fans in motherboard chamber (standard)
    
  • 1x80mm TriCool 3-speed intake fan for HDD cage (standard)
  
  
• Adjustable air buide directs cool external air through CPU
  
• Motherboard: Micro ATX form factor (9.6"x9.6")
  
• Front-mounted ports provide convenient connections
  
  • 2xUSB 2.0
    
  • 1x eSATA
    
  • Audio In/Out (HDA and AC' 97)
  
  
• Case dimensions
  
  • 4.5"(H) x 15.1"(W) x 16.1"(D)
    
  • 12cm (H) x 39cm (W) x 41cm (D)

The Fusion Micro 350 is the smallest of the three cases we're looking at today. It is just 12cm tall and therefore can only use low profile expansion cards and requires a low height CPU cooler. The front consists of a aluminum bezel where the VFD sits on the left side behind a dark acrylic window and on the left side is a cover for an optical drive. On the bottom we find an eSATA port, two USB ports, and jacks for a headset and microphone. On the bottom-right side are reset and power buttons. The right side of the chassis has two small 80mm fans that exhaust air from the case. Looking at the back we see space for a Micro ATX motherboard and the preinstalled power supply. The left side has two openings for cooling, one near the power supply and the other towards the front with a fan that helps cool the hard drive.

The inside of the case is a tight fit; a micro ATX motherboard will just barely fit but with little to no extra room. The optical drive sits above the memory, and you will want a shorter model so that it doesn't interfere with the CPU cooler. The optical drive bay can be removed by lifting it up and pulling it out of the chassis. To the side of the CPU are two 80mm fans that will help keep that area well ventilated. There are small brackets of black plastic that you can use to build a small air guide. The chassis is designed so there is a little bit of fresh air coming from the back of the case that will travel through the CPU cooler and then out again. There is space for one hard drive at the front of the chassis right behind the VFD. A preinstalled fan blows air onto the hard drives to cool it during operation.