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iON EC-2 Aluminum ATX Media Center/HTPC Desktop Case Review

Cases & PSU/Cases by SidneyWong @ 2007-08-20

If you have not heard of the name iON before, I am with you. iON is a brand under MGE, a manufacturer of PC products from Taiwan. This all aluminum Media Center HPTC case has an elegant look and will fit full size ATX board; it is marketed by Eagle Tech in the U.S.

Introduction

Introduction :

iONE is a division under MGE, a manufacturer of varieties of computer parts supplying the global market. Product coverage includes power supply, chassis, HDD enclosures, keyboards, wireless devices and speakers. Sales and distribution is under Eagle Tech in the U.S. Skyhawk is another brand under this umbrella of sales & distribution. It sounds complicated, but it is not uncommon to have multi-channels of sales of distributions amongst different brands within a corporation in targeting customer at all levels of interest and location.

Key takeaway: ion® stands for:

I-nnovative wireless technology
O-utstanding performance and reliability
N-easily networked cases and enclosures
E-legant and sleek design

The review unit today is in BLACK.

Madshrimps (c)

Description :

Ideal in a home theater setting, the top of the line EC series offers tool-less CD-ROM trays and opening chassis. Also, the EC-2 features an aesthetically appealing LCD display control with time, fan speed, temperature settings and power supply wattage. It also features a self-closing optical drive bay door. Available in black and silver, this ATX and Micro-ATX-compatible case offers:

A 450W power supply

Front panel IO ports including 2 USB 2.0 ports, IEEE 1394, S-Video, and audio jacks

Tool-less CD-ROM tray

Tool-less open chassis

VFD display panel presents time, fan speed, temp, and power supply wattage

Soft closing optical drive bay door

Sleek aluminum front panel free of dust, finger prints, and scratches

Madshrimps (c)

The single fan on the right rear is not from power supply. Although it looks like one, it is merely an exhaust fan from a long channel of air duct inside. The other side of the power socket is connected via a long cable to the rear of the case where the power supply is located. The left two fans are 60x25mm in size.

Comment from Sidney @ 2007/08/20

$100 rebate is still on.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scription=ec-2

Comment from jmke @ 2007/08/20

The 450W edition doesn't have the rebate

Comment from Sidney @ 2007/10/22

The case has absolutely no air flow going thru; finally got time over the weekend to do a minor mod by opening up 4 round holes at the right places on the cover.

Good result with no additional fan required; 7600GT dropped 8°C, CPU temp dropped 6°C. Load temp 7600GT 70°C, CPU 50°C (E4400 1.38V 3.0 GHz stock alum HSF) at 23°C ambient using SpeedFan 4.33.

Load temp from OCCT for CPU and playing UT3 for 45 minutes for GPU.

The case in reality is divided into 2 zones once a full height GPU is installed. With PSU being at the front of the case, the PSU intake will act as exhaust going thru the long tunnel routed to the rear of the case. The two holes near the top of the GPU will become intake.

On the right side, the two holes will act as intake for cooler air straight down the to memory modules and pulled by the exhaust fan at the rear. I use alum screen hot glued from the inside and "Sharpie" to blacken the the screen. The holes aren't noticeable from the front viewing angle.

Comment from jmke @ 2007/10/23

did the same mods with the first Antec HTPC case

their later revisions included my extra air in/out-take paths

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