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Antec P180 Mid-Tower Case
 
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Kurtis Kronk
Brian
Antec
Dec. 21, 2005
Conclusion

After real-world testing for several months, I have very mixed feelings about this case. I think it's a beautiful design loaded with clever features around every corner, but I can't help but think Antec bit off more than they could chew with this one.

It quickly became apparent to me that a lot of the great features of this case just weren't of the full quality I've come to know and love from Antec. For me, this case still feels a bit like a prototype. I honestly think the problem is that Antec just tried to do too much with this case. The more features you integrate, the less attention each one gets. And there is also the issue of cost - it is very likely that Antec had to make compromises here and there in order to keep the price point at a level they feel consumers would be willing to purchase at.

For me, issues like rattling fans, loose pieces (spoiler), and "sticking' hard drive cages should not come up with a $130.00 case. What I struggle with is the fact that the Antec P180 comes with so many more features than, for example, Cooler Master's WaveMaster, which goes for about the same price. But, at the end of the day, I still prefer the WaveMaster over the P180. I think Antec would have been better off to spend more time and money on the design of this case to get all the features perfect and then set the price point at around $200.00 to compete with Lian Li's luxury cases.

I would love to see a new version of this case that addresses the quality issues I've mentioned, and I think the design would make more sense if the motherboard was mounted upside down in this type of case. For now though, I just can't bring myself to recommend the P180 over the other similarly priced cases out there. I wouldn't say it is a bad case, I just think Antec was overly ambitious with the features and didn't spend the time to make everything work well together.

Pros

Beautiful design
Chambered design for efficient cooling
Front I/O port
LOTS of features
Sturdy construction
Potential for silence

Cons

Issue with rattling fans
"Sticking' hard drive cages
Difficult wire management
Can be hard to install device in external 3.5" bay
Front door warps slightly over time and won't shut flush
Quality of many features lower than expected from Antec

 
<< Previous
Page 5 of 5
Home >>
Page 1: Introduction
Page 2: First Impressions & Opening the Case
Page 3: Inside the Case
Page 4: Quality Check
Page 5: Conclusion


9 User Comments
1 - Posted by J2T on December 22, 2005 - 8:05 am

I like the looks from the outside, but the inside just seems too cluttered for my liking. Also, I just can't see myself going back to a case without a slide out motherboard tray. It seems like they tried to somewhat copy the Lian Li V series cases, but forgot a few things.

2 - Posted by handrail on December 22, 2005 - 10:51 am

that's really sad. i love my slk3700amb antec case. i'm kind of disappointed in antec.

3 - Posted by PsychoSnowMan on December 26, 2005 - 7:05 pm

You recommended the Cooler Mater Wavemaster over this one, but that case uses 80mm fans and looks to have somewhat restricted front air intake.
I want to buy a new case in that range/style area. I was looking at getting the P180 until I read your review. The Wavemaster sure looks like a viable option, but is that the case you would recommend the most for that market area, or did you just offer it up as one possible alternative?

4 - Posted by Kurtis on December 26, 2005 - 8:05 pm

well, in my review i said that the wavemaster doesn't have as many features (including silence), but overall it is a higher quality case. if you just want the features, i suppose the p180 is the better deal, but you need to be aware of the problems i stated in the review. it's not a bad case, just isn't as good as i would expect from antec in the quality department - i had too many problems with too many of those features.

the wavemaster could be turned into a pretty quiet case if you take the effort to replace all the fans with quieter ones and have all silent components.

i think to get the quality we look for in cases with the featureset you see in the p180, you'd have to look towards cases from the likes of Lian-Li. Of course, that's a whole different price point.

what i recommend you do is go back to my p180 review and read closely each of the pages and jot down the issues i mention which you are concerned about. don't just skip to the conclusion and take my final recommendation as the law, you may not care that much about the individual issues i experienced.

5 - Posted by PsychoSnowMan on December 26, 2005 - 9:41 pm

Thanks, I did read through the entire article but I'll look through it again. They both look like pretty good cases I just need to make up my mind about what I want.

6 - Posted by Dyrewolph on December 26, 2005 - 9:50 pm

have a look at these fans if you're going for something quiet ^_^

that's an australian store but i'm certain you can get them elsewhere

http://www.pccasegear.com/category139_1.htm

7 - Posted by Kurtis on December 27, 2005 - 12:03 am

silenx, pfft.

just go with panaflo or papst. :)

8 - Posted by Dyrewolph on December 27, 2005 - 2:46 am

SilenX 80mm - 28CFM at 14dBA
Papst 80mm - 26CFM at 19dBA
Panaflo 80mm (low speed) - 24CFM at 21dBA

you can also get the SilenX in red blue or green led at the same specs...

9 - Posted by Kurtis on December 27, 2005 - 2:54 am

just because a manufacturer lists something in the specs doesn't mean it is true. every manufacturer has the right to test their products with some degree of freedom. they may have measured sound from further away etc.

papst and panaflo are just really well known for their quality and silence - though they also make some louder high-airflow fans too.

for that matter, nexus also makes some really quiet fans i think. silenx ones may be silent, they're just not as well known as the two i mentioned.

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