Antec Dark Fleet DF-85 Review

👤by David Mitchelson Comments 📅20-08-10
Exterior

As with all cases shipped these days the Antec DF-85 comes in a padded box, designed with the typical Antec colour scheme the DF-85 features are listed on all four sides of the box. The notable features listed are SSD support, 3.5" drive hot swappable functionality, USB 3.0 and 'Fleet Release' doors.



Taking the DF-85 out of the box, we can rest assured the case will not sustain any damage as there is more than adequate padding from within. The case itself has protective film covering all clear plastic surfaces - side window (inside and outside) and the SSD docking station box.



Bundled with the case is an instructions sheet, warranty form and a bag with screws and cable tidies.



Firstly, the front panel. From left to right we have reset button, x3 USB 2.0 ports, x1 USB 3.0 port, headphone socket, microphone socket and a power button. Directly in the middle of these controls is an opening - from the top you can see a clear box. This is the SSD docking station, from here you can hot swap SSDs.



Now, quite a number of sites have criticised this case as being "hideous" in appearance. Of course, taste is down to personal preference. Personally I think it looks good. I did find the Twelve Hundred case a pleasant looking unit. The DF-85 is a mean looking case, those who like the military style enclosure with wide Perspex side panel and plenty of bright colours are going to really love the appearance of the DF-85. The front of the case has three distinct sections marked out as "Fleet Release" doors, each of these is covered in a metallic mesh surface with a fan control knob to the bottom right because behind these panels are 120mm LED fans.



Above this are three plastic arms that swing open allowing access to 5.25" drive bays.

To the rear of the case there are two areas marked out for two 120mm exhaust fans. These too are LED ready. To control these fans and the other two fans that are located on the roof of the DF-85 there is a fan control panel at the top of the case (as was found on the Twelve Hundred too). Beneath the rear exhaust fans we have loop holes which can be used for a custom water-cooling solution, or you can make good use of this feature by cabling power supply leads - as I will be doing. The only other noticeable features on the back are the bracket on the expansion bay section and opening for mounting the PSU. This bracket incidentally can/will be used for routing the USB 3.0 cable from the front panel to the USB 3.0 socket on the motherboard. Thumbscrews hold the side panels securely on.



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