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Mid-Tower Mega Roundup

 by Joshua Buss on September 8, 2005 12:05 AM EST
48 Comments | Add A Comment
48 Comments
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.


Click to enlarge.

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.


Click to enlarge.

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.

Antec P-180 Antec P-180 (cont’d)
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  • Phantronius - Friday, September 9, 2005 - link

    My P180 is the last case I'll ever buy. I love you Antec!!!

  • leviathan19 - Friday, September 9, 2005 - link

    the 1200 is deeper yes but is still mid tower class it fixes the psu problems and more space is always better for work with it

  • Zepper - Friday, September 9, 2005 - link

    Re. cases that come with PSUs. Either rate the PSU too or deduct the portion of the price that the PSU represents from the case price so you are comparing apples to apples price wise.
    . And I don't care for the looks of a lot of the cases on the market either. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. My case is a Silverstone Berserker which many think is fugly...

    .bh.

  • kmmatney - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    I don't see why people make such a big deal out of aluminum cases. In my experience, they are flimsier and louder than steal cases, and more prone to rattle. I don't see why anyone would pay so much money for one...

  • at80eighty - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    DRTFA yet, so forgive me if its been covered

    You guys have any leads on cases with more fans?

    with the new VGA's and CPU's i think a cooler case than a cooler-looking case is a better investment..

    any pointers people?

  • johnsonx - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    RTFA, and no forgiveness for you!

    The Antec P180 is a quiet cooling dream I think. I looked at one on display over at Fry's and just about wet myself. Then I looked at the price tag and decided to stick with my old, free, boring, beige case. But if the price is no objection, I can't imagine purchasing anything else.

  • at80eighty - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    thanx mate! the p180 looks pretty sweet! the price is OK (just about) for me :)

    plus it doesnt have that HEY LOOK AT ME IM AN ATTENTION WHORE!!! look.

    /hope this case shows up in my part of the world :-(

  • Cygni - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    I saw one case that i would even consider putting next to my desk.

    If you are supporting the case mfts making these hideous beasts by buying them, i personally hate you.

  • leviathan19 - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    why they used this one the 1200 is a better version and fix the psu problem...

    there is missing the pc75b and the TT shark those are nice cases too

  • OvErHeAtInG - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link

    The 1200 is much deeper, for extended-atx boards I think. Definitely not something I would get except for a big duallie rig.
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