Antec Dark Fleet chassis line to ship next month

[Matthew DeCarlo]

Antec is preparing to unleash the Dark Fleet chassis series, which consists of four members: the DF-10, DF-30, and DF-35 mid-towers, as well as the DF-85 full tower. Targeting enthusiasts, the quartet is roomy enough for the latest jumbo-sized graphics cards and multi-CPU motherboards, while its gusty "TwoCool" fans supposedly discard heat like nobody's business.

The enclosures also feature two "Antec-exclusive innovations" called Fleet-Release and Fleet-Swap. Fleet-Release is a front panel system with variable-speed LED fans, fan controls and filters in a single modular package that clicks into place. This gives quick and easy access fans, filters, and Fleet-Swap, which is a set of hot-swappable SATA drive bays.

The press release doesn't make it perfectly clear how the models differ, but only the DF-85 features lockable drive bay doors. All four Dark Fleet cases will be available through typical retail and e-tail channels next month, and they're backed by a three-year parts and labor warranty. Unfortunately, there's no word on pricing at this point.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/39102-antec-dark-fleet-chassis-line-to-ship-next-month.html

 

[KG363]

I'm not impressed

I would buy the HAF X over that for sure

 

[TomSEA]

I really like the look of the front "grill work" on this. I've had an Antec 900 going on 3 years now and it's been the best case I've ever had by far. Doing a new build next spring so considering the success I've had with Antec, I'll definitely keep my eye on these. Looking forward to the reviews on them.

 

[TorturedChaos]

I love Antec case's. Have 3 at work here and the tool-less setup is so easy to pop up the drive trays. And I love my Antec 300 black illusion I have at home.

I think this new case looks sweet, just hate to see the price tag. Have to pay for all that quality .

 

[Guest]

I've seen it advertised at 179$ CDN...

It does look pretty nice but i'd love to see Antec flip the HDD bays 90 deg. so that cables can be routed at the back...

 

[9Nails]

I'm a long time user of Antec cases, going back to the Sonata, P180 and P182 on recent builds. I appreciated the design and consideration towards heat, but the last 2 relied to much on plastic tabs which do break easily. I hope that the quality of how side-doors attach to the chassis is considered.

As Guest said, I'd also prefer a side facing drive insertion mechanism with cables routed behind the drives, but I think they keep it front to back for the high performance drives with heat sinks to get proper air flow around the cooling fins. (Think WD Velociraptor performance drives, etc.)

 

[Guest]

Looks kinda cool better then the HAF series which remind me of gas cans.
I have a 902 and i love it although it has a few design flaws.
The pita front air filter cages which i know is just a door swing access on the new design.
Also the useless side panel fan position that has no clearance if you have a decent hsu.
Looks lower in the new design so you can cool your gpu without hsu problems.

 

[LinkedKube]

Looks cool, I havnt owned an antec, only silverstone to anything of note at that size case.

 

[Guest]

The Dark Fleet is a major dissapointment for me. I'm a system builder and utlize the Antec 1200 and Silverstone Raven for all of my builds (in the past year or so). The DF series look decent because they [Antec] carried over some of the elements from the Antec 1200, yet, for this very reason, the DF seem like a cheap upgrade or step above the Antec 1200. I think they took a step backwards in this generation of enclosures. In comparison, the HAF-X is bulky, but pay attention to the overall design of the case; everything blends together nicely and CM added new features within the case. In comparing the HAF-X and DF, there is no question that HAF-X is the winner. Antec stands a better chance with the "Antec 1200 vs. HAF-X" showdown.

I think if Antec could somehow blend the design of the Silverstone Raven with the Antec 1200; you would see the most desired case/enclosure of all time!