Mid-Tower Mega Roundup
by Joshua Buss on September 8, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Benchmark Comparisons
To get as meaningful a comparison as possible between the different cases, we installed the same set of hardware into each one, our standard ATX test bed.
We have compiled the results of all the head and noise testing into a master chart. Cases with variable-speed fans were tested first on their highest setting and then on their lowest setting to get the two different audio measurements. The "Exhaust" column refers to the temperature of the air coming out of the unit's main rear exhaust vents, where if there were more than one fan, the highest temperature was used.
So, are you really getting what you pay for with these units? It certainly seems that this is the case with the P-180 and PC-V1000, as they both pull away with the best temp/noise numbers, but for nearly half the cost, the X-Cruiser puts up great temperatures as well, thanks to its CPU shroud, albeit at the cost of a bit more noise.
Interestingly, the F3323 also looks like an amazing deal from this chart, but those numbers must be taken with a grain of salt as we used a particularly high-performance fan, which although doesn't show up as a loud unit on our dBa meter, does make a rather audible metallic-sounding whine. If the type of noise isn't much of a problem, perhaps the greatest lesson to take away from this entire review is: all that a case really needs to cool rather well is one, high performance fan. For most users, however, the use of several quieter fans would be more ideal, and this is where a design such as the P-180 really comes out with a major advantage.
One other interesting point to elaborate on is the difference in dBa ratings taken from different sides of the cases. For most users, the top and front measurements should be the main ones to focus on. Notice how the V1000 is only quieter than the Antec cases when their fans are set to full-blast. This is probably due to the blower and 120mm running at their stock voltages. With the use of a fan controller, this noise could be controlled much better. In addition, it does look like using the air deflector inhibits the power supply's ability to exhaust air easily, as it has the highest PSU air temps.
To get as meaningful a comparison as possible between the different cases, we installed the same set of hardware into each one, our standard ATX test bed.
| ATX Test Bed | |
| Chaintech VNF3-250 AMD Athlon 64 3200+ OCZ PC3200 512MB DDR x 2 Zalman CNPS7000 Copper Western Digital IDE Hard Drive Sapphire 9800XT AGP8x |
 Click to enlarge. |
We have compiled the results of all the head and noise testing into a master chart. Cases with variable-speed fans were tested first on their highest setting and then on their lowest setting to get the two different audio measurements. The "Exhaust" column refers to the temperature of the air coming out of the unit's main rear exhaust vents, where if there were more than one fan, the highest temperature was used.
| Heat and Noise Comparison Chart | ||||||||
| Case | Component Temperatures (idle/full load) | Air Temperatures | dBa Measurements | |||||
| CPU | GPU | N. Bridge | PSU | Exhaust | Front | Rear | Top | |
| X-Cruiser | 45 / 54 | 64 / 71 | 34 | 33 | 31 | 42 | 55 | 58 |
| F3323 | 42 / 53 | 63 / 69 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 40 | 42 | 41 |
| Trio | 44 / 54 | 67 / 72 | 36 | 36 | 29 | 41 | 42 | 41 |
| Sonata II (low) | 45 / 59 | 67 / 72 | 34 | 34 | 30 | 41 | 40 | 39 |
| Sonata II (high) | 43 / 57 | 66 / 71 | 33 | 34 | 29 | 54 | 62 | 57 |
| Centurion | 48 / 59 | 67 / 73 | 36 | 35 | 34 | 40 | 42 | 40 |
| P-180 (low) | 47 / 58 | 66 / 71 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 38 | 39 | 39 |
| P-180 (high) | 44 / 55 | 64 / 69 | 31 | 29 | 28 | 60 | 62 | 61 |
| Eclipse | 43 / 56 | 64 / 70 | 31 | 34 | 32 | 40 | 41 | 40 |
| PC-V1000 | 42 / 55 | 64 / 72 | 38 | 36 | 32 | 44 | 58 | 40 |
So, are you really getting what you pay for with these units? It certainly seems that this is the case with the P-180 and PC-V1000, as they both pull away with the best temp/noise numbers, but for nearly half the cost, the X-Cruiser puts up great temperatures as well, thanks to its CPU shroud, albeit at the cost of a bit more noise.
Interestingly, the F3323 also looks like an amazing deal from this chart, but those numbers must be taken with a grain of salt as we used a particularly high-performance fan, which although doesn't show up as a loud unit on our dBa meter, does make a rather audible metallic-sounding whine. If the type of noise isn't much of a problem, perhaps the greatest lesson to take away from this entire review is: all that a case really needs to cool rather well is one, high performance fan. For most users, however, the use of several quieter fans would be more ideal, and this is where a design such as the P-180 really comes out with a major advantage.
One other interesting point to elaborate on is the difference in dBa ratings taken from different sides of the cases. For most users, the top and front measurements should be the main ones to focus on. Notice how the V1000 is only quieter than the Antec cases when their fans are set to full-blast. This is probably due to the blower and 120mm running at their stock voltages. With the use of a fan controller, this noise could be controlled much better. In addition, it does look like using the air deflector inhibits the power supply's ability to exhaust air easily, as it has the highest PSU air temps.
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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 itZepper - 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 coveredYou 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.