Introduction

The One from Antec is an entry-level mid-tower case that costs only USD 55. Let’s see if you should consider buying it.

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Figure 1: Antec One case

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Figure 2: Antec One case

The left panel comes with a mesh for installing a 120 mm fan. Unfortunately, there is no air filter for this optional fan.

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Figure 3: Left panel

The Front Panel

The Antec One has three external 5.25” bays, with meshed covers and air filters.

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Figure 4: Front panel

You can install one 120 mm fan on the front panel of the One, but there is no air filter for it.

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Figure 5: Front panel

The case comes with two USB 3.0 ports and the traditional audio jacks on the top part of the front panel. The USB 3.0 port uses an internal connector. The case comes with an adapter for you to install this internal USB 3.0 connector on a USB 2.0 header, in case your motherboard doesn’t have a USB 3.0 internal connector.

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Figure 6: Buttons and connectors

The Top, Bottom, and Rear Panels

The Antec One comes with a 120 mm fan installed on its top panel, using a standard three-pin fan power connector. This fan spins at 1,200 rpm and produces an airflow of 42.6 cfm and a noise level of 23.7 dBA.

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Figure 7: Top panel

The bottom panel has an air filter for the power supply fan, but there is no air filter for the optional bottom fan.

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Figure 8: Bottom panel

The rear panel and the interior of the Antec One are painted black, which is great to see on an entry-level product.

On the Antec One, the power supply is installed at the bottom of the case.

The case comes with a 120 mm fan installed on its rear panel, identical to the one available on the top panel.

This case has seven expansion slots with solid covers. Only one of the covers is reusable; the others you need to toss away after they are removed from the case.

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Figure 9: Rear panel

Let’s now take a look inside the Antec One.

Inside the Antec One

Both panels are attached to the chassis using thumbscrews. The motherboard tray has a huge hole for you to access the backplate of the CPU coolers without having to remove the motherboard from the case, several holes for you to route cables behind it, and several clips for you to fasten cables using cable ties.

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Figure 10: Overall look

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Figure 11: A view behind the motherboard tray

In Figure 12, we get another overall look inside the case. Expansion cards are fastened using regular screws. The Antec One supports video cards up to 10.5” (266 mm) long and CPU coolers up to 6.1” (155 mm) tall.

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Figure 12: Overall look

The power supply is installed at the bottom of the case, and it can only be installed with its bottom fan facing down. As already discussed, the case comes with an air filter for the power supply fan.

There is space for installing an optional 120 mm or 140 mm fan on the bottom panel. If a 140 mm fan is installed, you can only install power supplies that are up to 5.5” (140 mm) deep. With a 120 mm fan installed, you are able to install a power supply up to 6.3” (160 mm) deep. If you have a power supply deeper than that, you won’t be able to install a fan on the bottom panel.

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Figure 13: Power supply compartment

The Disk Drive Bays

The Antec One has three external 5.25” bays, five internal 3.5” bays and two internal 2.5” bays. The 5.25” bays and the internal 3.5” bays use tool-less installation mechanisms.

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Figure 14: Disk drive bays

Different from other cases, internal 3.5” and 2.5” units must be installed from the right panel instead of from the left panel.

Installation of 3.5” devices is made by installing a ruler to each side of the drive and sliding it into the bay you want to use.

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Figure 15: Disk drive bays

One of the 2.5” bays is located on the bottom panel, while the other one is located on the top part of the main hard drive cage.

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Figure 16: The 2.5” bay located on the bottom panel

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Figure 17: The 2.5” bay located on the top part of the main hard drive cage

Main Specifications

The main specifications for the Antec One include:

• Style: Mid-tower
• Application: ATX, and smaller form factors
• Material: Zinc-coated steel (SECC) body
• Power supply: Doesn’t come with the product
• Available colors: Black
• Side panel: Meshed
• Dimensions: 18.2 x 9.5 x 20.9 inches (463 x 241 x 530 mm) (H x W x D)
• Net weight: 12.5 lbs (5 kg)
• Gross weight: 11 lbs (5.8 kg)
• Bays: Three external 5.25” bays, five internal 3.5” bays, and two internal 2.5” bays
• Expansion slots: Seven
• Maximum video card length: 10.5” (266 mm)
• Maximum CPU cooler height: 6.1” (155 mm)
• Fans: One 120 mm fan on the top panel and one 120 mm fan on the rear panel (1,200 rpm, 42.6 cfm, and 23.7 dBA)
• Optional fans: One 120 mm fan on the front panel, one 120 mm fan on the left panel, and one 120 mm or 140 mm fan on the bottom panel
• Extra Features: None
• More Information: http://www.antec.com
• Average Price in the U.S.*: USD 55.00

* Researched at Newegg.com on the day we published this review.

Conclusions

The Antec One is a good option for users on a budget. Its price is right, and we can definitely recommend it for users who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a computer case. We see as its main competitor the NZXT Tempest 210, which has a few advantages over the Antec One, especially the presence of air filters. On the other hand, the Antec One has two 2.5” bays and two USB 3.0 ports. (The NZXT Tempest 210 has only one of each.)

Strong Points

• Air filter for the power supply fan
• The 5.25” bay covers are meshed with air filters
• Two 2.5” bays
• A huge hole in the motherboard tray for accessing the backplate of the CPU cooler
• Holes for routing cables behind the motherboard tray
• Clips for fastening cables using cable ties

Weak Points

• No air filters for the fans
• Slot covers aren’t meshed or reusable
• No thumbscrews for fastening expansion cards