Accessories:

The accessories provided with the HTPC 500SA are shown below and include a quick install booklet, a CD with software and drivers, and a bag of screws, standoffs, and zip ties.


Installation:

The following components were installed in the nMEDIAPC HTPC 500SA ATX Media Center PC Case for this review:

» Foxconn 6150K8MA-8EKRS Motherboard
» AMD A64 3200+ Processor
» Micron 2x1GB DDR400 Memory
» Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum PCI Card
» ATI HDTV Wonder TV Tuner Card
» LG 18X DVD-RW Optical Drive
» Seagate Barracuda 80GB 7200RPM SATA II Hard Drive
» Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200RPM SATA II Hard Drive
» Sunbeamtech NUUO 550W Power Supply

Removing two thumb screws, the top panel slides off to reveal the inside of the case. The internal layout is a little different than a typical ATX case. The nMEDIAPC HTPC 500SA case has different cages for the components. The strangest thing is the hard drive cage is in the back and the power supply cage is in the front.


nMEDIAPC's instructions detail that the first thing to install is the optional MCE IR Receiver, in order to simplify the installation process before other components clutter the case. This item was not included with the review sample, but the image below shows the bracket which it would be attached to for use.


The hard drive cage is removed from the case with five screws (four on the left side of the case and one inside). The cage was a little bent but it wasn't hard to get it back the way it should be. Notice the teal colored rubber grommets in the below left image. These help to reduce vibration and noise, but they are only installed on one side of the cage. In the below right image two hard drives are shown installed into the cage.