Yes, the next iteration on the Antec 300 has finally been unveiled. Dubbed the Three Hundred Two (302), it includes many features fans of the 300 have been eagerly awaiting for what seems like an eternity.
The Antec 300 had for some time been the gold standard in budget gaming cases, due mainly to excellent build quality and eschewing over-the-top plastic trim for a functional and refined design. Whist remaining popular, the 300 was beginning to show its age as other manufacturers surpassed the chassis in features and bang-for-buck. The Antec 200 succeeded the 300 as their budget gaming enclosure, and for a while it seemed that the 300 would be forgotten.
The external features of the 302 haven't shown a huge change over the 300; apart from the curved fascia it appears to remain true to the 300 in most respects. Internally however the layout differs significantly: drive installation has gone toolless for both HDD's and 5.25" drives and cable routing holes have been added; additional ventilation is available behind the motherboard CPU cut-out to cool toasty components underneath the motherboard; and USB3.0 is finally added via an internal header.
The Antec 302 includes:
11 drive bays:
- 3 x 5,25" tool-less drive bays
- 2 x 2,5" drive bays (dedicated)
- 6 x 3,5" tool-less drive bays
Motherboards: Standard ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX
8 expansion slots
Maximum graphics card size: 318 mm (12,5")
Maximum CPU cooler height: 170 mm (6,7")
Cooling System:
- 1 x 120 mm rear TwoCool™ fan
- 1 x 140 mm top TwoCool™ fan
- 2 x 120 mm front intake fans (optional)
- 1 x 120 mm side intake fan (optional)
- 1 x 120 mm side exhaust fan behind motherboard (optional)
Enlarged CPU cutout
Front I/O ports:
- 2 x USB 3.0 with internal motherboard connector
- Audio In/Out
Unit Dimensions:
- 513 mm (H) x 229 mm (W) x 471 mm (D)
- 20,2" (H) x 9,0" (W) x 18,5" (D)
Package Dimensions:
- 565 mm (H) x 290 mm (W) x 525 mm (D)
- 22,2" (H) x 11,4" (W) x 20,7" (D)
Net Weight: 6,9 kg (15,3 lbs)
Gross Weight: 8,5 kg (18,7 lbs)
- 3 x 5,25" tool-less drive bays
- 2 x 2,5" drive bays (dedicated)
- 6 x 3,5" tool-less drive bays
Motherboards: Standard ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX
8 expansion slots
Maximum graphics card size: 318 mm (12,5")
Maximum CPU cooler height: 170 mm (6,7")
Cooling System:
- 1 x 120 mm rear TwoCool™ fan
- 1 x 140 mm top TwoCool™ fan
- 2 x 120 mm front intake fans (optional)
- 1 x 120 mm side intake fan (optional)
- 1 x 120 mm side exhaust fan behind motherboard (optional)
Enlarged CPU cutout
Front I/O ports:
- 2 x USB 3.0 with internal motherboard connector
- Audio In/Out
Unit Dimensions:
- 513 mm (H) x 229 mm (W) x 471 mm (D)
- 20,2" (H) x 9,0" (W) x 18,5" (D)
Package Dimensions:
- 565 mm (H) x 290 mm (W) x 525 mm (D)
- 22,2" (H) x 11,4" (W) x 20,7" (D)
Net Weight: 6,9 kg (15,3 lbs)
Gross Weight: 8,5 kg (18,7 lbs)
As you can see, the Antec 302 is clearly an evolution rather than a revolution. Not listed are any intake fan dust filters or anti-vibration PSU mounts, but as this is pre-release information it may be incomplete.
UK Retailer OCUK currently have the Antec 302 on pre-order for £64.99 with a stock due date of 29th February 2012.
Source - OCUK Forums
