Cooling Hardware

Usually when we have a product with as many features as the P160, we expect the product to pack an equal amount of power in all areas of the case. One of the most important areas is the thermal management capabilities of cases.

Antec includes a single 120mm exhaust fan at the back of the P160 with a total capacity for two. The included fan is rated at a speed of 1600rpm and as loud as 28dB/A. A removable fan mount has been implemented in front of the hard drive cage. We can see from the picture that there is a slide-out mount for the second 120mm fan. This makes it easier to install the fan, but it seems redundant since we don't usually replace case fans.

Now, we have seen cases with a single fan, even an 80mm fan will do fine when it comes to thermal conditions, but as technology progresses, components will only run hotter and produce even more heat. This heat will need to be moved away from the system components as quickly as possible and the P160 has the potential to do this with two 120mm fans. However, the stock model comes with only one fan as we have seen on various retailers' websites, forcing users to purchase another fan, thus adding to the cost of the case.


Inside the P160 Motherboard Tray
Comments Locked

53 Comments

View All Comments

  • Filibuster - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    I really love my P160, no regrets about getting it at all. I looked at the other brands and they either had a lousy layout or less features, or just looked stupid.
    I don't feel it is cheap or flimsy at all and frankly I'm glad it doesn't come with a psu so I could pick one I wanted instead of what would probably be a mid-level Antec unit.
  • vanionBB - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    You missed a few key things in this review.

    1. The drive bays with the rubber gromets reduce sound emissions by acting as shock absorbers for the hard drives. They do reduce sound of drive accessing by quite a bit. Also, the trays protect the exposed electric components on the bottom of most hard drives.

    2. The "wasted space" under the 4 drive bays is necessary for cabling, especially if rounded cables are used.

    3. He didn't even mention the removable, washable air filter in the front of the case.

    This case rules, I want one!
  • Zebo - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    #8 no joke about psu. IMO Antec 1040esque tanks were thier last good ones. They still make them, even an AMB model(s) with true powers inside which are cheaper than this one is powersupplyless.
  • Zebo - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    I disagree with author...This case is kinda cheap and flimsy. I seriously recommend Siverstone or lian li if you like aluminum. Has some lame plastic rotator port module that feel cheap too. Does'nt close right and does'nt blend.

    I used both and prefer my Lian Li PC-73SLB but an order of magnitude. Check out cooler masters if low priced aluminum is what you want.
  • bupkus - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    I got this on a real good sale at CompUSA a couple months ago. I returned it as I just didn't like the style of the front bezel. Also, at even that price I thought it should contain an Antec PS.
  • Michael D - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    Ahh, this is the type of case review I was looking for; an article of something nice and sleek without some silly, bulbous alien theme. :)

    Does anyone know how the P160 compares to the Lian Li PC6077 (the other aluminum chassis I'm looking at)?
  • Locut0s - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    Thanks for reviewing real enthusiast cases again!
  • cnq - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    Yeah this case has been out a while, but better a late review than never. I've got the one with a window frame; newegg has em at good prices usually.
  • Avalon - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    Good looking case. The price is out of my range, though, but not overly expensive.
  • jensend - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link

    Wasn't this case introduced in 4Q2003?

Log in

Don't have an account? Sign up now