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Very nice cool running / looking quiet Antec case
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: goranpaa
I just bought a new case, cuz I got really tired listening to my rather noisy 80mm fans.
I have tried many kinds of fans and configurations . But never did feel really satisfied. Low noise fans = less god airflow. High CFM fans = NOISE!!!. So finally I decided to retire my beloved Chieftech Dragon after nearly 6 years.
I did spend some time researching on airflow, case design and cases that would meat the demand for silence and good airflow.
Finally after reading tons of reviews, both professional and customer. I found that the most satified revievers, where the ones that got the Antec P180 (Silver) and P 180B = black. ( But do not get the SPCR version) This special edit, contains a fan duct for the videocard that is'nt worth paying extra for. Every owner of such a case have I have read about, have removed the duct very fast because it does'nt work as advertized. Besides, the newer P180 and P180b have some improvements over the SPCR version wich is older (8 months).
I ordered the P 180B case and got a mega heavy box to collect at the post office. Bring your car!
I though my Chieftech Dragon fulltower whas heavy lol! It whas kinda lightweight compaired to this metal monster. And still the Antec case is listed as "midtower". But the sheer size should make it a full tower really.
This case is a beauty! Very aestetic and "clean" But no window. I know there are some shops that have a windowed version too , for those who loves LED lighting and stuff.
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...roducts_id=3304
The case is sort of "upside down". You have the psu in a compartment in the bottom of the case, cooled by a 120mm Antec tricool fan. Also note you will have to flip the PSU upside down if you have one with bottom fan.
Have in mind if you go for this case. Get a psu with long cables or get cable extensions! Or you may find some of the cables wont reach the mobo. Preferably an Antec psu. And modular is also a good way to go. Luckily, my PC Power & Cooling 510W, had cables long enough.
The arrangement of the cables is something you should give a long consideration , as the case is split into some different compartments.
But besides that the mounting is hassle free. I include a review, so you can check out the case and it's features yourself.
I whas slightly nervous, fireing up the PC for the first time. Would it be quiet? Would it cool my hardware the way I wanted it?
YES! Very quiet. The noise is still very low, even if I crank up the included 3 x 120mm fans to full speed, and the 2 additional 120mm front case fan and videocard cooling fan ( Sunbeam 120mm, 46CFM. 26 DbA).
And if i lower the 3 X Antec Tricool fans to medium speed setting. I have to put my ear near the case to hear any sound.
I also got very pleased by the temperatures. I get 33C case temp in a 25C room load.
The cpu lost 5 C compaired to the Chieftech. The videocard is 50C overclocked load. This compaired to 57C to 60C max in the dragon case . And have in mind, that the old Chieftech case still is a case with good air flow.
I leave it up to you now to read the review, and make your own conclusions.
But I must say if you look for a really quiet and cool looking / running case? Look no further. This is the case you should get!
http://www.virtual-hideout.net/revi...80b/index.shtml
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16811129154
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16811129017
Posted by: Chriscross324
OMG very nice man, congrats! I've always wanted that case, especially that modded one 
Posted by: spacefonkey
since fans and cooling is the topic , i was wondering about normal CPU temperature when running FEAR at max ( i mean TOTAL max ) settings.
mine hits 35C ... is that normal ?
my case is chieftec dragon ( 5 fans built it ... i think its 1x120 .. 4x80)
i have a zalaman cpu cooler ..
i have a 480w psu with 2fans.
and of course the VGA fan .
total ... 9 fans in my case.... kinda loud.
Posted by: goranpaa
35 C if thats when running FEAR at max is very good. You must have a low room temp.
My overclocked 3500+ did run 50C in the dragon case with 5 X 80mm 31 CFM Vantec fans + 1 X 90, 52 CFM Sunon, at 26C (If I remenber the room temp correctly?) Running FEAR at max.
I think that is pretty normal. But all depends on CPU, VGA, amount of fans, what CFM the fans is able to push, case airflow and most important room temp. Does'nt really matter, if you have great fans and airflow if the room temp is sauna.
Also arrange the most powerful fans as exhaust in the back of the case.
Get all cables out of the way of the fans!
Posted by: goranpaa
 Quote:
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Originally Posted by Chriscross324
OMG very nice man, congrats! I've always wanted that case, especially that modded one |
Thanks! Yeah, it is a case really worth getting, even if it is kinda exspensive. But on the other hand, My Chieftech is as said nearly 6 years old. So if the Antec hangs on that long it have payed off well.
Posted by: goranpaa
Check out this photos taken with an IR camera of the P 180 ( left). And the Silverstone Temjin for $141. Have in mind that Temjin, is considered a case with good airflow. And think about how a case with bad airflow would look like. Look how hot those Radeon crossfire setup videocards gets! SLI is probably just as hot.
Posted by: matt.modica
Wow, even hotter than the CPU. What cards are those?
Speaking of heat/cooling, Its been hot with summer and all, so I decided to just take one of the bottom pannels off. It was the one covering up the heatsink/CPU and nearby fan. Then I just put the laptop back on the cooling pad and now I'm running 10 degrees cooler (44°C with overclock). The best part is you can't even notice that part of the bottom is off because you can't see it.
Posted by: goranpaa
Just watch out for the dust. And that you dont scratch anything in there.
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