Antec P180? any better idea's ?

nevyn

nevyn

nevyn

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Joined
14 Nov 2003
Posts
367
Hi

Well Upgrade time is here

It's roll along the tchnology ;o)
My P4 Windows box will be upgraded to Core2 Duo.
The Duron based Linux server will be served by the old P4.
The Bin will serve the Duron nicely.

But I will need a new case for the shiny new Duo and stuff 'n stuff

So I like the idea of the P180's seperate zones for cooling, but the most important thing is this machine has to be quiet !

I don't like: perspex windows, glowing lights, Alien motif's or any garish bright colours.

So is the Antec my best bet?
Or do you guys have a better idea?

Yours
Nevyn
 
Check out-

Lian Li PC7+

Antec Solo

Akasa Eclipse

P180 is a great case, but it does need to be setup right.

Go to SPCR (Silent PC Review) for more info on silent cases.
 
any case can be made quiet depending on the components/fans that are installed. I have the P180 and yes its extremely quiet but im sure any other case can be made as quiet.
 
Ok I had a look and the Eclipse looks quite nice too

I am a little concerned about cabling on the P180 although I really like the idea that the PSU is in a seperate section. Anyone with one of these can give some recomendations on PSU that will have long enough cables ?

i will use either and ASUS or a Gigabyte board (that debate is in the other section)


Thanks

Nevyn
 
most will reach its only the 12v 4pin/8pin line that mayhave issues but those are easily extended.
 
You can buy a 24+4 pin extension cable on the net for £5 if you find the 4 pin isn't long enough.

Those that have worked for me (in an asus board):

Silverstone 750F
FSP Epsilon 700w (OCZ range)
Enermax Liberty 620w

Those that don't reach without the extension lead:

Tagan 430w
Hiper 580w

The P180 is a very nice case if you like the minimalist looks (and sounds!). Despite what others will say it is solidly built and although it did have some build quality issues raised in its early revisions they have been sorted out now. Antec also have the best customer relations/returns department I have ever dealt with. Things to be wary of are that it can get pretty cramped inside when you have lots of kit to install. The front door catches feel flimsy but they are not. The only ongoing problem I believe there is with this case is the side panel clips that if pushed to hard can snap. This isn't a problem for someone who builds/rebuilds once or twice a year but those who are constantly taking off the side panels should look elsewhere.

The case has taken quite a beating from me over the past 14 months but still looks pristine, quite a testament to its build quality as my case has been stripped down, modded, then rebuilt more times than i care to remember. I doubt other cases could stand up to the abuse I have given mine.

The Lian-Li cases are very much the favourite here and I'm sure that they are indeed very well made but I just cannot get on with the dull styling of the cheaper ones. The PC7+ for example looks little more than one of the beige boxes of yesteryear with a coat of paint. Admitted it is far superior before anyone starts bashing but looks wise :confused: To get a good looking lian-li (imo) you have to spend the £££'s. The V2000b is a very, very nice case but very expensive. You get what you pay for I guess.

The eclipse does exactly what it says on the tin and a case I was thinking of going to for my watercooled setup. Its big, spacious and if you can get on with how the front of the case looks then its up there with the best imo.

Basicly if you can afford to spend £140+ on a case then lian-li is the way to go imo. But the P180 or akasa eclpise will both serve you well for almost half that price.
 
Hi
I had a p180 for a while and got rid of after a month.It can be a real pain to set up and almost impossible to avoid a birds nest with the cables.I put akasa ambers in the top area and it was quite loud.The final straw came when i broke a brand new hdd clipping the fan back in :mad:
I went out and bought an akasa eclipse.This must one of the best case's to work with lot's of room inside and great cooling. ;) The only thing is the lack of front panel connections like mic and headphones and the front panel is a bit dull.
 
Thanks for your comments guys

I think I am sold on the P180, I have an older Antec case now that I like very much

I may be getting a Gigabyte DQ6 to throw in it anyone put one of these in
are the plugs in a suitable place for cabling purposes or should I really stick with an Asus

Nevyn
 
If you are willing to wait 2 weeks i think ocuk will stock these new Lian-Li i hope :)

http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/cases/Lian_Li_PC-A10/index.htm

1018.jpg
 
As said already, any case can be made quiet by using the correct components.

I built a friend's new system at the weekend with these components:

- Super Gayboy....sorry, LANboy ;) with 2 x 120mm fans
- Core2 Due 6600 with stock cooler
- Antec Trio 550w PSU
- Gigabyte DS3
- ATI 1950
- Seagate 7200.10 320gb
- Samsung DVD-RW

Thought I'd forgotten to connect some wires when I powered it up - it's almost completely silent, absolutely staggeringly quiet PC. Apparently he's already turned it off by accident, not realising it was already on! :D
 
Thanks for the heads up
**** edit*** (on the Lian-Li not the gayboy lol) ***/edit***

I need to buy before 1st November so think I will be out of luck

looks like a nice case though


Nevyn
 
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