Antec NX300 Mid Tower Gaming Cabinet User Manual

1. Product Overview

The Antec NX300 is a mid-tower gaming cabinet designed to accommodate ATX, Micro-ATX, and ITX motherboards. It features a tempered glass side panel for showcasing internal components and an integrated LED control button for managing lighting effects. The cabinet comes with one pre-installed 120mm ARGB fan at the rear to assist with cooling.

Figure 1.1: Front view of the Antec NX300 cabinet, highlighting the integrated RGB lighting strip on the front panel.

2. Features and Components

2.1 Key Features

• Materials: Constructed from SPCC steel and plastic, with a tempered glass side panel.
• Motherboard Support: Compatible with ATX, Micro-ATX, and ITX form factor motherboards.
• Front Access & Controls: Includes Power button, Reset button, LED Control button, MIC/Audio jacks, 2 x USB 2.0 ports, and 1 x USB 3.0 port.
• Fan Support: Supports up to 3 x 120mm or 2 x 140mm fans at the front, 2 x 120mm fans at the top, and 1 x 120mm fan at the rear.
• Pre-installed Fan: One 120mm ARGB fan is pre-installed at the rear.

2.2 Internal Layout

Figure 2.1: Internal view of the Antec NX300, showing the main compartment for motherboard and component installation, along with the power supply shroud at the bottom.

2.3 Rear Panel

Figure 2.2: Rear view of the Antec NX300, illustrating the I/O shield cutout, expansion slots, and the pre-installed 120mm ARGB exhaust fan.

3. Setup and Installation

3.1 Preparing the Cabinet

1. Place the cabinet on a stable, flat surface.
2. Carefully remove the tempered glass side panel by unscrewing the four thumb screws. Set the panel aside in a safe location to prevent damage.
3. Remove the opposite metal side panel by unscrewing the two rear thumb screws and sliding the panel backward.

3.2 Motherboard Installation

1. Install the I/O shield provided with your motherboard into the cutout at the rear of the cabinet.
2. Align your motherboard with the pre-installed standoffs. Ensure all screw holes on the motherboard match the standoffs.
3. Secure the motherboard using the appropriate screws.

3.3 Power Supply Unit (PSU) Installation

1. Position the PSU into its designated compartment at the bottom rear of the cabinet.
2. Ensure the PSU fan faces downwards (if there is a bottom vent) or upwards (if no bottom vent).
3. Secure the PSU with screws from the rear of the cabinet.

3.4 Storage Drive Installation

The NX300 supports 3.5-inch HDDs and 2.5-inch SSDs. Refer to the internal layout for drive bay locations.

Figure 3.1: View behind the motherboard tray, showing cable routing channels and mounting points for 2.5-inch SSDs and 3.5-inch HDDs.

1. For 3.5-inch HDDs: Slide the HDD into the drive cage located under the PSU shroud. Secure with screws if necessary.
2. For 2.5-inch SSDs: Mount SSDs onto the dedicated trays behind the motherboard tray or on top of the PSU shroud. Secure with screws.

3.5 Cable Management

Utilize the cutouts and tie-down points behind the motherboard tray to route cables neatly. This improves airflow and aesthetics.

4. Operating Instructions

4.1 Front Panel Controls

• Power Button: Press to turn the computer on or off. Hold for several seconds to force a shutdown.
• Reset Button: Press to restart the computer.
• LED Control Button: Press this button to cycle through various ARGB lighting modes for the pre-installed rear fan and the front panel LED strip.
• USB Ports: Connect USB devices to the USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports.
• Audio Jacks: Connect headphones and microphones to the MIC/Audio ports.

4.2 ARGB Lighting Control

The pre-installed ARGB fan and front panel LED strip are controlled via the dedicated LED Control button on the front panel. Repeatedly pressing this button will cycle through different color effects and static colors. If your motherboard has an ARGB header, you may be able to synchronize the cabinet's lighting with other ARGB components using motherboard software, provided the cabinet's ARGB controller supports passthrough or synchronization.

5. Maintenance

5.1 Cleaning

• Exterior: Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe down the exterior surfaces. Avoid abrasive cleaners.
• Dust Filters: Regularly check and clean any removable dust filters (e.g., front, top, bottom). Rinse with water and allow to dry completely before re-installing.
• Interior: Use compressed air to remove dust buildup from internal components and fan blades. Ensure the system is powered off and unplugged before cleaning the interior.

5.2 Airflow Optimization

Ensure proper airflow by keeping the cabinet's vents unobstructed. Periodically check fan operation to ensure they are spinning correctly and quietly.

6. Troubleshooting

6.1 System Not Powering On

• Verify that the power supply is properly connected to the wall outlet and the PSU switch is in the 'ON' position.
• Check all internal power connections, including the 24-pin ATX power, 8-pin CPU power, and GPU power cables.
• Ensure the front panel power switch cable is correctly connected to the motherboard's front panel header.

6.2 Fans Not Spinning / LEDs Not Lighting Up

• Confirm that all fan power cables are securely connected to the motherboard or fan controller.
• Check that the ARGB cables are properly connected to the cabinet's LED controller or the motherboard's ARGB header.
• Press the LED Control button on the front panel to cycle through lighting modes.

6.3 USB Ports Not Functioning

• Ensure the USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 headers from the front panel are correctly connected to the corresponding headers on your motherboard.
• Check device drivers for your motherboard's USB controllers.

7. Specifications

8. Warranty and Support

8.1 Warranty Information

Please refer to the warranty card included with your product or visit the official Antec website for detailed warranty terms and conditions. Warranty coverage typically applies to manufacturing defects and may vary by region.

8.2 Technical Support

For technical assistance, troubleshooting beyond this manual, or inquiries regarding parts, please contact Antec customer support. You can find contact information on the official Antec website or through the retailer where the product was purchased.

Manufacturer Contact Information: Antec Inc. 8F, No 107, Jhouzih St, Neihu District, Taipei City 114, Taiwan

Importer Contact Information: Acro Engineering Company, 522/1 Jonapur Village, New Delhi - 110020