Antec
Sonata II

     Taking the side panel off is as easy as one, two, three. Undo the two thumb screws on the back, unlatch the handle on the door, and finally swing the door away from the chassis. To install the motherboard, you'll have to remove the large cooling duct first. In case you don't recognize it right away, its that large black piece of plastic that takes up the entire left side of the case.

     The duct-work comes out pretty quickly with the removal of some large thumb screws. Obviously, it will go back into the enclosure last,  after all the hardware has been installed. The optional 92mm fan for the CPU goes at the very top. This is a similar arrangement that many system integrators have adopted over the years as the primary method of cooling a CPU. While this may not be an ideal arrangement for Overclockers, Home Theater PC builders may find this very attractive.

     To add to the allure, you can install another optional fan lower in the duct that will be positioned somewhere around the video card. This is completely optional, and if you decide not to use it then just leave the filler panel on the duct. If you do remove it, it pops back into the duct just as easy, with four plastic tabs. This second fan option is awesome for PC's that will be using a video card without active cooling. Both fans will sit flush in the duct as long as you use fans that are only 25mm thick.