THE ANTEC KS282 MID-TOWER COMPUTER
CASE
Last updated: 11/10//99
 The
Antec KS282 is a very attractive and well-designed, ATX mid-tower computer
case. It is available with 230 and 300 Watt power supplies. The
model with the 300 watt power supply (# 12281) is the one used for this
review.
The KS282's excellent air circulation, well-positioned
places to accommodate two optional chassis fans, and hefty power supply makes
this case an excellent choice for those who want to build a high-end, fully-loaded
computer--a gamer's delight.
 BENT
METAL. The KS282 is made from .8 mm steel and has a very solid
feel. Most of the edges are bent in to strengthen it and reduce the
possibility of cuts during assembly.
The case has two identical, removable
sides each of which lock into place with six fingers each at the top and
bottom, eight clips along the front, and two alignment tabs and two screws
at the rear. They are relatively easy to remove with the aid of indents
along the rear of each side and they slide into place with minimal fidgeting. There
is a U-shaped piece of metal with two holes on the right side of the back
of the case which passes through a slot on the edge of the removable left
side so the side can be pad-locked. When the right side is removed,
one sees another interior side which completely covers the chassis cavity
except for some holes to mount drives in the 5 1/4 bay. This pretty
much blocks assess to the guts of a computer built with this case from the
right side and strengthens the case. The sides are quite hefty with
thick folded edges and integral triangular braces at the top and bottom. There
is a wide band of ventilation holes from the top to the bottom at the front
of the sides. There are spring fingers every 2 1/2" at the edges
on the sides, top, and bottom where the sides come into contact with chassis
to maintain the continuity of the exterior of the case to reduce electro-magnetic
radiation (interference) (EMI) from the case . These springs do not
easily pop off the case like the snap on contacts used with many other computer
cases.
The interior of the KS282 is divided into
two compartments. The first occupies the top 5 1/2" of the case
and contains power supply and the 5 1/4" drive bays. With
exception of a large rectangular hole to expose the left side of the power
supply and permit access to, and provide storage for cabling, and holes to
mount the 5 1/4" drives, the left side of the compartment consists of
sheet metal from the front to the rear of the case. This strengthens
the case further.
The power supply sets on a flange on the bottom
of the left side of the compartment, tabs on the interior right side, and
screws to the back of the case. Again, the clean EMI design of this
case is apparent in spring-like fingers on the left an right side of the
compartment which grip the power supply and further assure integrity of the
Faraday shield. The top of the power supply is 1 1/2" from the top of
the case. This permits passage of hot air that may accumulate at the
very top of the case out a series of holes all along the back of the case
above the power supply.
The other compartment is clearly the motherboard
compartment and it is wide open. The only significant protrusion is
the 3 /12" drive bay which is easily removed by pushing a large leaver
on the left side of bay rearward. This case is roomy and "a dream" to
work with.
There are no chassis knockouts for Baby AT
motherboard, etc. connectors. I would suggest to Antec that there is
certainly room to punch some DB25 and DB9 knockouts just below the optional
rear chassis fan mounting position. I do use them.
The top on this case is removable and not
riveted in place like many other cases. It is secured at the back by
two screws and is easily removed by sliding it backward. Techs are
going to like this feature because they will not have to remove a CD-ROM
or DVD drive mounted in the top 5 1/4" drive bay to determine its make
and model.
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