Mid-Tower Mega Roundup
by Joshua Buss on September 8, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Antec P-180 (cont'd)
The P-180 has been designed from the ground up to be as quiet as possible, and for once, it seems that a manufacturer has not missed any minute detail. For instance, there are strips of silicone rubber lining where the power supply sits, minimizing vibration noises from its fan(s). They are visible in this picture aimed at the rear of the case that also shows the interior.
In another effort to keep noise levels to a minimum, all hard drive mounts inside the P-180 have really soft silicone-rubber grommets that extra-long bolts go through in order to secure the drive. In this shot of all the components that we removed, you can see the grommets on both hard drive cages.
The cages are also designed so that there is ample room in-between each drive for airflow. While this certainly is a valid concern, we think that it might have been nicer to be able to hold three drives in the top cage rather than use that whole space for only two drives. Another convenient add-on to the top cage is an accessory box for holding bolts and other spare parts.
To actually install the hard drives into this upper cage, the drive "sleds" are first removed so that the extra-long bolts can be used to go through the silicone grommets into the bottom of the drive. In practice, this - along with the dampening side panels - really does help to quiet a noisy hard drive.
And here is an attached drive ready to go back into the cage.
Yet another case in which Antec has paid attention to detail is how the rings that help one pull the cages out can be pushed into place so that they will not make any noise by rattling around. Also, similar to the rubber strips that we talked of earlier are the foam strips on either side that sit in-between the steel and the side panel to reinforce the side panels from reverberating in yet another way. Read on to find out how this intricate case keeps its components cool.
The P-180 has been designed from the ground up to be as quiet as possible, and for once, it seems that a manufacturer has not missed any minute detail. For instance, there are strips of silicone rubber lining where the power supply sits, minimizing vibration noises from its fan(s). They are visible in this picture aimed at the rear of the case that also shows the interior.
In another effort to keep noise levels to a minimum, all hard drive mounts inside the P-180 have really soft silicone-rubber grommets that extra-long bolts go through in order to secure the drive. In this shot of all the components that we removed, you can see the grommets on both hard drive cages.
The cages are also designed so that there is ample room in-between each drive for airflow. While this certainly is a valid concern, we think that it might have been nicer to be able to hold three drives in the top cage rather than use that whole space for only two drives. Another convenient add-on to the top cage is an accessory box for holding bolts and other spare parts.
To actually install the hard drives into this upper cage, the drive "sleds" are first removed so that the extra-long bolts can be used to go through the silicone grommets into the bottom of the drive. In practice, this - along with the dampening side panels - really does help to quiet a noisy hard drive.
And here is an attached drive ready to go back into the cage.
Yet another case in which Antec has paid attention to detail is how the rings that help one pull the cages out can be pushed into place so that they will not make any noise by rattling around. Also, similar to the rubber strips that we talked of earlier are the foam strips on either side that sit in-between the steel and the side panel to reinforce the side panels from reverberating in yet another way. Read on to find out how this intricate case keeps its components cool.
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RupertS - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
The power supply is a good part of the total value of the case. Also, some of the cases may work better (cooling, sound) with the power supply they come with.Hard to compare prices like this.
johnsonx - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
Ditto that... this complaint has been leveled before of course:Anandtech should at least mention what power supply is (or can be) included with the case, and give some sort of subjective rating of same. For example, the Aspire case is most often available with a 420W power supply (usually a mere $15 or so more than the PS-less version), but I've heard it's crap... but maybe it isn't; I'd like Anandtech to tell me.
Likewise, the Sonata II ALWAYS (AFAIK) includes a SmartPower 2.0 450... doesn't that add significantly to the value equation? (granted, it'd be better if it were a TruePower 380 like the old Sonata, but a SmartPower 2.0 is nothing to scorn)
ElFenix - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
everyone should read the reviews on SPCR before setting up a system on this case. the reviews are very thorough and tests it in multiple configurations, and it turns out there are things you can do to improve its thermal performance by quite a bit (such as duct taping over the holes next to the power supply)flatblastard - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
Duct tape on a brand new case? I don't think so..... Well, I personally wouldn't do it, but for modders/OCers I guess it might make sense.fass mut - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
what's the link to the article?ElFenix - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
all three articles, the first is over main features, the second is an absolutely silent computer, and the third is more mainstream rigshttp://www.silentpcreview.com/article249-page1.htm...">http://www.silentpcreview.com/article249-page1.htm...
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article254-page1.htm...">http://www.silentpcreview.com/article254-page1.htm...
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article255-page1.htm...">http://www.silentpcreview.com/article255-page1.htm...
jonp - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
Doesn't an ATX extension cable for $4 cover the power supply to motherboard distance concern? Granted, Antec could have included it with the case; but it's NO big deal to resolve. Shouldn't be an issued when deciding.mjz - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
i hate lian li cases. I spent probably 200 dollars on their case (2 years ago) and it vibrates too much, the sound is pissing me off. I guess it can't handle my raptor or something.Tamale - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
I too agree that way too many of these cases are kinda ridiculous looking, but someone said it best when they said "the Eclipse must look better in person"... it really does. I liken it to those fancy cd players from places like brookstone and the sharper image..It's flashy, sure, but at least it's kinda 'classy flashy', if you know what I mean. If that kinda look still doesn't please you at all, there's always cases like the P-180 ;)
mkruer - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
Considering that I have a PC-V2000 Plus. I am in a unique position to voice my opinion for everyone reading this thread. I will say that yes the cases Lian Li cases are overly expensive, but considering that they are the only “all aluminum” case manufacture, and they have arguably the best design, they can get away with it. The main issues with an “all aluminum” case is that because aluminum is light then steal and yet does not have the absorbing capacity of plastic, aluminum as rule of thumb tends to be louder. However there are three things you can do o improve the noise ratio of the system. First is to install sound absorbing foam in the case. This will cut down on high pitched noise. Next is to install quieter fans. The Lian Li fans are good, but they are only about average in the noise to air ratio. Finally and this is the biggest thing. In order to cut down on the “wan wan” resonance sound coming form the case you need to suspend the drive is a sling and not it the mounting bays. This by far reduces the most noise.