Written: 7/4/99
Written by: Calvin "Vader" Tong
Price: $81.95US ($119.99 Canadian)
AMK-0334 Case supplied by: AMK Services

One of the most important component to chose when building an overclocked computer system is the type of case you will use. Most computer cases need some form of modification to get it to work really well. This normally involves adding more fans or cutting a few holes to get better air flow.

Enter the AMK-0334 overclocker's case. The first case I've ever came across that needs no mods what so ever to produce proper air flow in an overclocked system. What makes the AMK-0334 so great is that all the mods (the fans and "blow holes") are done for you.

The AMK-0334 is a 19 inch ATX case. It's dimensions are 19.5" high, 15.25" deep and 7.5" wide. There are three 5.25" drive bays, two 3.25" drive bays and one 3.25" internal drive bay. Inside the case, all the metal have rolled edges so you don't cut your fingers. The motherboard tray also slides out, making installation of components allot easier.

The power supply used in the AMK-0334 is a 250 watt unit. You can upgrade to a 300 watt unit for $13 more. The fan on the power supply have already been set to blow air out instead of in.

The ATX specs calls for the power supply fan to blow air into the case. The idea behind blowing air in was the CPU was located directly below the power supply fan in an ATX layout and it seems like a good idea to blow air at it. This way you might be able to get away with just using a heatsink without a fan on the CPU, since the air is supplied by the power supply fan.

This works well when you first fire up your computer. However, as the power supply gets hot, it's no longer blowing cool air at the CPU. Blowing hot air at the CPU is not a good idea. Reversing the power supply fan to take out hot air that the CPU gives off is a good idea. If your power supply fan blows air into your case, flipping the fan around so it blows out can lower your case temp by as much as 10F.

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