Enter the Mini-ITX.com online store

Reviews

January 26, 2003
Chyang Fun E-Note

January 4, 2003
Lian Li PC-402A

November 4, 2002
Netbox Cubit

October 24, 2002
EPIA-M Preview

October 12, 2002
Jetway B860T

October 9, 2002
RealMagic XCard

October 3, 2002
Morex Cubid 2688R

August 17, 2002
Morex Cubid 2677R

August 9, 2002
G-Alantic 610i


Chyang Fun E-Note Review
Posted on January 26, 2003

Introduction

Chyang Fun Industry Co.,Ltd. based in Taipei, Taiwan has been manufacturing and assembling PC cases and server housings since 1987. Chyang Fun make a number of Aluminium and Plexiglass cases supporting Mini-ITX and Flex-ATX form-factors, varying the designs slightly to support different motherboards in their barebones systems. Their earlier CF-7989 aka "MiniCube" is a very popular case, supporting the EPIA 5000 and 800 motherboards. This variant of their CF-S688 case design - the "E-Note" - is their first case to support the more powerful EPIA M motherboards.




Contents

  1. First Impressions
  2. Opening the Case
  3. The Drive Cage and Front Connectors
  4. The PSU and PCI Riser Cards
  5. Conclusion
  6. Well, not quite - How to silence an E-Note
  7. E-Note Gallery

First Impressions


The E-Note measures (WxHxD): 11.25" (285mm) x 4.5" (115mm) x 15" (380mm). Unlike the MiniCube, which is an aluminium frame and skin with a plexiglass front attached, this is a true hybrid of the elemental forces of metal and plastic.


The E-Note is constructed as 4 load-bearing sides fitted to an aluminium/plexiglass base, with a removable aluminium/plexiglass top. The front of the case is an aluminium sheet covered with 8mm thick plexiglass, with cutouts for the switches and sockets and 4 satisfyingly large bolts.


At the front of the case are the power switch, bright blue power LED, amber disk activity LED, reset switch, 2 x USB 2.0 sockets, microphone socket, earphone socket and Firewire socket.


The black corrugated aluminium sides could potentially have some heat sinking properties if attached to a processor, but actually serve a more decorative purpose.


One advantage of this case is it can be easily mounted sideways.


At the rear of the case we can see the PSU socket, large cutout for the motherboard I/O sockets, above that vents for the unique cross-flow fan, and on the far right the PCI blanking plate (pre-screwdriver).



Board Finder
Case Finder
Mini PC Finder