The Basics:

The front of the nMEDIAPC HTPC 500SA ATX Media Center PC Case is very sleek and is constructed of brushed aluminum (I am glad to see it does not have a glossy finish that will show fingerprints and dust).


On the left hand side are the power and reset buttons, in the middle is an IR window for a MCE receiver hidden inside of the case, and on the right side is an optical drive bay cover labeled for DVD usage. Just below the opening for the optical drive is the included vacuum fluorescent display. The below right image shows the backside of the case, where there are dual 60mm fans above the I/O shield, seven expansion slots, and an 80mm fan for hard drive cooling.


The sides and top of the case provide many ventilation holes for air to flow, as shown in the following images. In the below right image, on the left of the case, dual USB ports and one Firewire port are visible. There may be an issue with using these connections if the HTPC case is inside an entertainment center or rack.


The bottom of the HTPC 500SA has four large, built-in feet with rubber inserts to minimize vibration and that won't scratch the surface that the case is placed on.