Cage Match: Four Open-Air ATX Chassis

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Antec Skeleton

The first chassis in our roundup isn’t really a test rack, though a useable test rack is contained within. Instead, the Antec Skeleton is designed as a portable gaming system enclosure that just happens to be open, for a unique combination of sex appeal and ventilation not found in traditional box-shaped cases.

Because the Skeleton is more of a case than a test rack, it has several nice features one would expect to find on a case (and not on a rack), such as front-panel FireWire, dual USB ports, eSATA, headphone, and microphone jacks. While it’s neither required nor standard for eSATA, we would like to see a few case companies adopt the USB-power-over-eSATA feature many  motherboard companies are using for better compatibility of eSATA thumb drives. The Skeleton is among the majority of cases lacking this feature.

Loosening two spring-loaded, affixed screws allows the internal frame to be slid out most of the way. A plastic locking tab can be depressed to remove it completely, though doing so exposes the user to grease from the roller slides.

Notice that the card bracket is attached to the top cover, rather than the frame. It must be removed in order to slide the internal chassis if cards are installed. Also notice that this is an eight-slot card bracket, supporting double-width graphics cards in a motherboard’s bottom slot.

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To prevent slide rail grease from touching our photo bench, we removed the top from the case, rather than removing the sliding frame from the outer frame to show what’s underneath the plastic (photo left). Removing three screws allows the motherboard try to lift out (photo right).

Lifting a metal latching tab allows the power supply tray to slide out. The power supply is secured to the tray using four standard case screws.

Mounting hardware and accessories include a fan for internal hard drives, four external drive trays, several packs of screws, and three reusable cable ties (two shown).

Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom
Thomas Soderstrom is a Senior Staff Editor at Tom's Hardware US. He tests and reviews cases, cooling, memory and motherboards.
46 Comments Comment from the forums
  • johnny_5
    When I had a desktop I would just leave the door off. It was unfortunately fairly noisy, but these would suffer the same problem anyways.
    Reply
  • 08nwsula
    the antec is the only frame that doesn't look incomplete
    Reply
  • kikireeki
    I though the point of having an open-air Chassis is to be simple and fast but these are far-cry from that! very cool nevertheless.
    Reply
  • Crashman
    kikireekiI though the point of having an open-air Chassis is to be simple and fast but these are far-cry from that! very cool nevertheless.
    I'm using the Torture Rack 2 right now to test several motherboards, I've added two push-through standoffs to keep them in place without screws.
    Reply
  • Onus
    Have you done any EMF testing on these? It seems to me that could be a considerable con on any of them.
    Reply
  • thackstonns
    I wanted the Banchetto 101, but found a skeleton for 100bucks new. A friend won it in a land contest and didnt want it. So I went with that. It is a good case the only thing that really pisses me off is I have to unplug all the front panel stuff to slide the tray out. Also I am building a bench for it to set on out of acrylic to house my radiators and pump. I cant figure out a good way to run the cpu waterblock though. The top cage does come off with 4 screws, But I have looked everywhere and cant find thumb screws that fit. Otherwise I would just use that instead of sliding it in and out.
    Reply
  • dragonsprayer
    whats wrong with a table or desktop with mobo box and antistatic plastin? works great less hassle! here is a photo from years and years ago! best desk to set up is martin lab testing set up (photo of martin lab persmission given to copy his stuff) - this is the s$#t!: http://s63.photobucket.com/albums/h138/4rothrocks/?action=view&current=Worklog15.jpg
    Reply
  • dragonsprayer
    part 2: we build every system on a mobo box with anti static, we burn in the cpu/psu/mob/gou at max oc in the bios for 24-72 hours - i.e. 920 is burned in at 4-4.4ghz air cooled. we have done this since 2003. then hard drives are hooked up and the system programed. this even done for water cooling built with air cooler then converted to water. The gpu, mobo, psu, cpu and hard drives are tested then installed in the case. The system is then run on orthos and 3dmark loops and other tests for up to 7 days. So the mobo box, anti static works great - stick hdd on there bags, use the mobo box from the system.
    Reply
  • jellico
    The Antec rack is the coolest, by far! The rest look like plain, old racks.

    Reply
  • duolc
    I use a Skeleton for my Case. Dust is an issue but a quick shot of air here and there and I can keep it under control.

    I Use an Asus Silent Knight CPU Cooler And It did not fit originally. I had to shave off one of the supports to make it fit.
    Reply