New Antec P280 - First Review ...

Looks like they've learnt from almost all the mistakes of the earlier P series cases.

However, 3 exhaust fans and no intake fans? I'd have to move one to the front if possible. Also, I dislike having to use the antec fans (as they tend to be carp), but it'll also mean you have to remove the fan controller and leave a gaping hole at the back.

Power buttons outside the case is a relief, and the size inside and cable management seems good. Inside doesn't look quite so clean as the Corsair 650D or similar though, and the exterior is subtle, but it doesn't look as nice as the P180/P182 in my opinion, mainly because there's some weird bezels and edges there, but all in all it's not bad.

What's the UK price then?
 
Overall its pretty epic, sound deadening mid tower with usb3 and supports XL-ATX :eek:

With the double 120mm in the roof you could have a 240 rad too.

Dunno about how they've done the top two fans from the outside though. I liked the way the p180 mini did the top fan, with a cutout in the thick plastic roof and recessed mesh (and is in fact the main picture for their entire range cos it looks that nice):

tmptj.jpg


vs

tmp2aj.jpg


Being cheap!


However, 3 exhaust fans and no intake fans? I'd have to move one to the front if possible.

You can stuff another two in the front.
 
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kinda glad to see they ditched the dual chamber setup.

having used a P180 for the past 5 and a half years, it was probably the one thing I hated about the case as it made working in it and cable management a nightmare imo.

could be tempted with the P280 to replace my P180.
 
Antec P280 Super Midi Tower Case - Gun Metal Black @ £119.99 inc VAT

CA-168-AN_400.jpg


The Antec P280 epitomizes cooling, quiet and sophistication. The durable polycarbonate layer prefitted deadens any noise and ensures Quiet Computing™. The P280 also boasts an new all black interior for a new updated feel from the older P180. . Additional features include two internal 2.5" SSD bays, and a mountain of 3.5" bays, excellent cable management and a special gunmetal gray finish for one-of-a-kind style.

- Supports up to XL-ATX Motherboards
- 9 Expansions Slots
- Quad GPU Support
- 6 Cable Routing Holes
- Bottom PSU mount with dedicated air filter
- Maximum Size CPU cutout
- Suipports GPUs up to 330mm long
- Top Power/Reset Buttons
- Front I/O Ports: 2 x Audio / 2 x USB3.0 / 2 x USB2.0
- 3 x 5.25" Drive Bays
- 2 x 2.5" Drive Bays
- 6 x 2.5" Drive Bays
- Top Cooling: 2 x 120mm TwoCool Fans
- Rear Cooling: 1 x 120mm TwoCool Fans
- Front Cooling: 4 x 120mm Fans (optional)
- Removable filters on PSU intake and front intakes

Only £119.99 inc VAT.

ORDER NOW
 
O crap, Was hoping I had a case for life with my P183.....this is making me drool

edit

Deff doesnt look as nice as my p183....but the inside is much better...damn.
 
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That looks great!

Especially when compared to all their last range of cases which were butt ugly! :p

Finally Antec are back in the game and look like they may work their way back to the very top again!

So for a future case for me it could be between this or the 650D......

Still stuck with an antec sonata 3 with just the 1 120mm fan at the back :o
 
So for a future case for me it could be between this or the 650D......
I'm in much the same boat, have a P180 right now and am looking at the 500R, 650D and now perhaps this, too.
Since I won't be building till Ivybridge I have plenty of time to decide, and hope that no more cases I like the look of come out.

Have a look at the product in all it's glory in this vid
Sorry Barry, but Antec are not selling it to me with that video, soft lighting and weird blur effects - I want to see the case as is, not seen through steamed up glasses.

No offense, just my opinion and all that, but I'd rather have some spotty geek showing me the in's and outs of a case than through the eyes of a fashion photographer.
 
Yup, I have been looking at new cases for a while as I want better cooling, much better cable management and for it to look damn nice and of course to be quiet and midi tower size, but unfortunately the last year there really have been/are very few cases that are out/released that don't appeal to me one bit, all have been butt ugly gamer type of cases that look like the popular haf x or ones that have horrible side windows, loads of lighting (gamer style) or just too plain looking etc. (of course IMO).

The only ones which I like the looks of are really;

- corsair 650D
- this new antec case
- and a few of li lian midi cases around the £80-120 mark

And I am in the same boat as well in some ways, I can't afford a new case just yet :(

Hopefully there will be more cases like the 650D and this antec case out in the future when I do finally have the money to buy one.


And I am sorry Barry, but I had to lol at this :D :p

No offense, just my opinion and all that, but I'd rather have some spotty geek showing me the in's and outs of a case than through the eyes of a fashion photographer.
 
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Will definitely be upgrading from my P182 to this or an updated version when the time comes. While the dual chamber design is a cool feature, it's lots of extra work to route all the cables and connectors between the decks. Every nook and cranny of the divider has a cable or three thread through it.

There is also no space in the lower chamber to put a 120mm fan at the front, so I am stuck with a 80mm fan which does the job bringing cool air over the HDDs but I have to run it at 100% for it to do so.
 
what was wrong with the p180 ?

i personally thought the p180 was/is still a very good case.

i had the p190 and loved it (best case ive owned)

new one look's like just any other case nowadays but the p180 had a different look inside which made it different from the other case's on the market.
 
I do like this case just stick two high cfm fans in the front and it should cool better then the 650d no? I do hope a window version comes out as well
 
Sorry Barry, but Antec are not selling it to me with that video, soft lighting and weird blur effects - I want to see the case as is, not seen through steamed up glasses.

No offense, just my opinion and all that, but I'd rather have some spotty geek showing me the in's and outs of a case than through the eyes of a fashion photographer.

Isn't that what these things are for? opinions? No Offence taken.

Have you looked at these?

 
Have you looked at these?


Yep watched a few video reviews after seeing this thread, and the P280 is certainly on my rapidly lengthening 'shortlist' of a replacement for my 180.

My first thought watching the official Antec video was not, 'that is an amazing looking case, I should investigatie further' (which it is, and I did), it was 'why has this photoshoot been done in a steamy bathroom?'.

I'm being flippant, and I know that the in-depth review stuff is left to review sites, and that's a good thing. The thrust of my comments is why obscure the case in your official release? it's certainly no minger and deserves to be shown unobscured.
 
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