2nd build...advise

drifter106

Golden Member
Mar 14, 2004
1,261
57
91
Hello,

This will be my second build. Last Xmas I put together a system utilizing a stacker (very happy with it). Thought about getting another one but have heard good things about the p180. Before I settled on the stacker I was going to get a p160 and hind sight tells me I made the right choice. Stacker had so much room, sturdy, and has a nice look to it.

My question is to those people who may have had experiences with both. Kinda leaning towards the p180 but not really sure it can hold up to what the stacker provides. Not overly concerned with the $ factor, but my emphasis is getting something that will work as good or better. It will house an x2 system with 2 hd and 2 dvd players. In researching I find it will handle everything that I want it to do (ports and accessability).

I have even thought about switching the mb, ram and cpu of my current system and putting it in the p180. Nothing is in concrete yet.

Didn't want to crap on anyones thread so I thought I would just start a new thread in hopes of getting some honest responses.

thanks

jd
 

Mellman

Diamond Member
Jul 9, 2003
3,083
0
76
I'm looking at the P180 - honestly it seems like an amazing case. If you don't mind it being "plain" I think thats the best part about it. personally I am not a fan of those cases with flashy fronts and 500 LED's. The P180 has form and function and I'll be placing my order as soon as ebuyer stops raising the price on it! gone up $10 in the past 8 hours!

It sounds like the P180 will also hold all your gear and then some - and still be quiet.

-Matt
 

CraKaJaX

Lifer
Dec 26, 2004
11,905
148
101
I actually just ordered a P180 last night. It IS an amazing case, there have been numerous threads about it by alot of people. The 2 chamber build with the PSU on the bottom is definetly good when it comes to cooling. The 3 layer panel keeps sound out pretty well. I only useless thing about the case is the VGA duct... never really read up on it too much but everyone who has one claims it's useless and doesn't use it. I can't wait until mine gets here, but the P180 gets my vote.
 

JBDan

Platinum Member
Dec 7, 2004
2,333
0
0
OP, the P180 imo is simply a unique, superquiet, excellent cooling, multi configurable, not too big, big enough, classy, well made case.
 

cr0ssfire

Senior member
Sep 10, 2005
379
0
0
I say go with the P180. Performance - the name says it all. I've poured over reviews for the case and I just finished scouring the SPCR fourms for topics about it really seems like the reaction to the case is overwhelmingly positive. I plan on getting one myself because you really can't get a much better case in the P180's price range. Its cooling potential is extremely difficult to match (let alone beat) and although its styling is conservative, it's got a certain edge to it that really makes it look great. Sure, you're going to be missing out on the flashy blinky blinkies, but flashing lights don't do anything to keep your expensive hardware cooler. I never really saw the point in decking out a case in all kinds of "bling" when you're just going to shove it under a desk. :p
 

j511180

Senior member
Mar 22, 2005
335
0
0
I also have a P180, but I'm not as thrilled with it as everyone else seems to be. The stock fans are noisy (atleast the top 2, I never used the bottom one). It feels somewhat cheap to me with all the plastic parts. The front door on mine is bowed outwards, but it's really just a cosmetic issue 'cause the door still closes...and no, I didn't bend it - it was like that when I took it out of the box.

On a positive note, the P180 did a good job of keeping the hard drives quiet. I've sinced moved everything back into my POS Silverstone case after I did some Dremelin' and jigsawin' to it and as i"m typing this I'm running a spyware scan and my hard drive sounds like a damn garbage disposal. I hate computers.

I have no experience with the Stacker.




 

JBDan

Platinum Member
Dec 7, 2004
2,333
0
0
Originally posted by: j511180
I also have a P180, but I'm not as thrilled with it as everyone else seems to be. The stock fans are noisy (atleast the top 2, I never used the bottom one). It feels somewhat cheap to me with all the plastic parts. The front door on mine is bowed outwards, but it's really just a cosmetic issue 'cause the door still closes...and no, I didn't bend it - it was like that when I took it out of the box.

On a positive note, the P180 did a good job of keeping the hard drives quiet. I've sinced moved everything back into my POS Silverstone case after I did some Dremelin' and jigsawin' to it and as i"m typing this I'm running a spyware scan and my hard drive sounds like a damn garbage disposal. I hate computers.

I have no experience with the Stacker.

I axed the tri-cools... 1st thing I did....they are noisy.... Yea the door thing...mine is bowed too (most peoples are), but just bend it back ;)
 

cronic

Golden Member
Jan 15, 2005
1,782
0
0
its no secert that i am a huge fan of the stacker. IMHO i don't think the p180 is even in the same league as the stacker. the space that the stacker offers gives you so many options. not to say that the p180 isn't a good case, i just prefer the stacker over any thing elese out there.
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
126
Originally posted by: JBDan
Originally posted by: j511180
I also have a P180, but I'm not as thrilled with it as everyone else seems to be. The stock fans are noisy (atleast the top 2, I never used the bottom one). It feels somewhat cheap to me with all the plastic parts. The front door on mine is bowed outwards, but it's really just a cosmetic issue 'cause the door still closes...and no, I didn't bend it - it was like that when I took it out of the box.

On a positive note, the P180 did a good job of keeping the hard drives quiet. I've sinced moved everything back into my POS Silverstone case after I did some Dremelin' and jigsawin' to it and as i"m typing this I'm running a spyware scan and my hard drive sounds like a damn garbage disposal. I hate computers.

I have no experience with the Stacker.

I axed the tri-cools... 1st thing I did....they are noisy.... Yea the door thing...mine is bowed too (most peoples are), but just bend it back ;)


I really hated the fans that came with my Aspire***note*** had I been a member of this forum sooner I would have bought a different case!!***

As it is I replaced all the Aspire fans that came with the case!!
I also bought a 120mm tri cool...talk about noisy.....lol....
 

Shadowknight

Diamond Member
May 4, 2001
3,959
3
81
If you want to take a look in person, CompUSA has these in stock now. Go over there and take a look at a floor model.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
man you cannot go wrong with either case... you will truly be elite if you have both a P180 and a CMstacker in the same house, they are awesome cases both.

Go for the P180, you won't regret it.
 

CraKaJaX

Lifer
Dec 26, 2004
11,905
148
101
If you're not happy with the fans, just buy Nexus' or something. It really is a good case.. yes, the stock fans are not the best but you can always upgrade to make them better. JB also showed me this to help the noise problems.