I thought it would be wise to start a thread for P180 owners so that users don't have to wade through seven pages of hype before the information.
Mine arrived today and my transplant is complete.
Before I post some pics, here are things that may be useful for others who are about to build in it:
Useful Tips
- Thumbscrews are not all the same size, the internal thumbscrews are low profile, the side panels will not fit on if you use the wrong ones inside.
- Use the correct motherboard screws, they are the small ones with a very plain head. I saw on another forum that someone fried their motherboard by using the wrong ones.
- Screws are behind the upper harddrive cage in an attached plastic box.
- Remember which side panel is which, they should not be put on the wrong way round as this may damage the case.
- I recommend not installing a floppy drive an using the bay to hide cables.
My thoughts
It is a very big case. It is taller and wider than my wavemaster, however I think it looks just as good. I feel the front door is a little flimsy, it is mostly plastic in construction with just a thin aluminium sheet covering, and the side grill that can fold to allow the door to open 270 degrees I was also worried about breaking, but it is still intact
.
The case is of a very good built quality, even the foam padding it came in, I thought was very high quality and useful to keep for transport. It is a very heavy case, definately not for regular moving. I am now less worried about it being stolen at uni next year as moving the fully installed computer at any speed is nigh on impossible.
As you would expect the case is also very quiet. I removed the (very very thick) 120mm fan from the bottom before even using the case, as I think this will only be needed with fanless psu's. The case really does cut out vibrations, and the gel mounts on the harddrives are very nice indeed, and of a very high quality. The fans three settings are very good. The low is very quiet, the high pushes LOTS of air, and the medium is a nice in-between.
Installation takes an age. Leave at least three hours. A lot of stuff needs moving to do a full install, and everything has to be done very carefully. However it is worth it. I found spare cables could be put in a spare drive bay and it doesn't look too untidy (removing the bottom fan and routing some cables up through the second hole through this gap helps).
A few little things I didn't like. I was unable to put my audigy in the bottom PCI slot as my power cables were in the way, not a very big problem. I was however very disappointed that on a £100 case designed for quietness, one of the fans supplied was rattling! I have now removed it and replaced it with the fan from the bottom. However I shall be contacting Antec about the matter.
PSU/Mobo Compatability
I will add to the list as other users post.
Confirmed
Enermax Noisetaker (specifically 485W) with Asus A8N nForce4 Premium (all A8N are same board layout though, so should work on all in the series)
ALl cables reach all connectors, including the P4 12V which should fit over any PCI cards and reach. I used an extender to make the routing more tidy by bringing it down to the right alongside the motherboard power connector. On a side night, a Thermalright XP120 also fits this configuration nicely.
Jeantech 500w psu and Asus A8N nForce4 Delux (all A8N are same board layout though, so should work on all in the series)
Akasa Paxpower psu and Asus A8N-E - P4 12V lead too short
Images
Feel free to request an image of anything to do with the case, and I'll do my best to get one (by do my best I mean, if it involves dismatling much of my setup I will probably say no)
The empty case
Fully installed system (sorry about the corruption, I think twain did something weird during the transfer)
Case under my desk
Lower harddrive caddy (holds 4 drives)
Mine arrived today and my transplant is complete.
Before I post some pics, here are things that may be useful for others who are about to build in it:
Useful Tips
- Thumbscrews are not all the same size, the internal thumbscrews are low profile, the side panels will not fit on if you use the wrong ones inside.
- Use the correct motherboard screws, they are the small ones with a very plain head. I saw on another forum that someone fried their motherboard by using the wrong ones.
- Screws are behind the upper harddrive cage in an attached plastic box.
- Remember which side panel is which, they should not be put on the wrong way round as this may damage the case.
- I recommend not installing a floppy drive an using the bay to hide cables.
My thoughts
It is a very big case. It is taller and wider than my wavemaster, however I think it looks just as good. I feel the front door is a little flimsy, it is mostly plastic in construction with just a thin aluminium sheet covering, and the side grill that can fold to allow the door to open 270 degrees I was also worried about breaking, but it is still intact
.The case is of a very good built quality, even the foam padding it came in, I thought was very high quality and useful to keep for transport. It is a very heavy case, definately not for regular moving. I am now less worried about it being stolen at uni next year as moving the fully installed computer at any speed is nigh on impossible.
As you would expect the case is also very quiet. I removed the (very very thick) 120mm fan from the bottom before even using the case, as I think this will only be needed with fanless psu's. The case really does cut out vibrations, and the gel mounts on the harddrives are very nice indeed, and of a very high quality. The fans three settings are very good. The low is very quiet, the high pushes LOTS of air, and the medium is a nice in-between.
Installation takes an age. Leave at least three hours. A lot of stuff needs moving to do a full install, and everything has to be done very carefully. However it is worth it. I found spare cables could be put in a spare drive bay and it doesn't look too untidy (removing the bottom fan and routing some cables up through the second hole through this gap helps).
A few little things I didn't like. I was unable to put my audigy in the bottom PCI slot as my power cables were in the way, not a very big problem. I was however very disappointed that on a £100 case designed for quietness, one of the fans supplied was rattling! I have now removed it and replaced it with the fan from the bottom. However I shall be contacting Antec about the matter.
PSU/Mobo Compatability
I will add to the list as other users post.
Confirmed
Enermax Noisetaker (specifically 485W) with Asus A8N nForce4 Premium (all A8N are same board layout though, so should work on all in the series)
ALl cables reach all connectors, including the P4 12V which should fit over any PCI cards and reach. I used an extender to make the routing more tidy by bringing it down to the right alongside the motherboard power connector. On a side night, a Thermalright XP120 also fits this configuration nicely.
Jeantech 500w psu and Asus A8N nForce4 Delux (all A8N are same board layout though, so should work on all in the series)
jonph said:
Akasa Paxpower psu and Asus A8N-E - P4 12V lead too short
TMHatter said:
Images
Feel free to request an image of anything to do with the case, and I'll do my best to get one (by do my best I mean, if it involves dismatling much of my setup I will probably say no)
The empty case
Fully installed system (sorry about the corruption, I think twain did something weird during the transfer)
Case under my desk
Lower harddrive caddy (holds 4 drives)
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. I can see that it should just slide back and lift straight up but it just doesnt want to. It would have been nice if these lugs were metal as I cant see mine lasting that long!