antec p-160 any good?

[darkrelevance]

would you recommend this case to a first time builder?
is this case any good?
if not, does anybody have any other recommendation?

 

[akira34]

Originally posted by: darkrelevance
would you recommend this case to a first time builder?

No. The 'removable' mobo tray is a ROYAL pain to work with. It doesn't slide out like other QUALITY cases. Instead, you have to pull it out of the case like you would the mobo itself. Just shy of useless as far as I'm concerned.

is this case any good?

it's fair at best

if not, does anybody have any other recommendation?

Just about any Lian-Li or Coolermaster case is far superior to it.

To back my statements up, I HAVE used the mentioned case before, so I DO know what I'm talking about. I've also used cases by the other mentioned makers so I have first hand info there too. Any Coolermaster or Lian-Li case that calls out a removable mobo tray has it come out the back of the case. That's actually useful, unlike what the p-160 gives you...

Also, pretty much forget about using SATA hard drives with the sideways mounts. If you do, you'll be putting too sharp a bend in the cables, which is NOT recommended. PATA hard drives can get away with this, since the standard cable is made for such a bend.

 

[Operandi]

Like akira34 it's decent but Lian Li and Coolermaster are a cut above.

 

[rforum]

Originally posted by: akira34

Originally posted by: darkrelevance
would you recommend this case to a first time builder?

No. The 'removable' mobo tray is a ROYAL pain to work with. It doesn't slide out like other QUALITY cases. Instead, you have to pull it out of the case like you would the mobo itself. Just shy of useless as far as I'm concerned.

is this case any good?

it's fair at best

if not, does anybody have any other recommendation?

Just about any Lian-Li or Coolermaster case is far superior to it.

To back my statements up, I HAVE used the mentioned case before, so I DO know what I'm talking about. I've also used cases by the other mentioned makers so I have first hand info there too. Any Coolermaster or Lian-Li case that calls out a removable mobo tray has it come out the back of the case. That's actually useful, unlike what the p-160 gives you...

Also, pretty much forget about using SATA hard drives with the sideways mounts. If you do, you'll be putting too sharp a bend in the cables, which is NOT recommended. PATA hard drives can get away with this, since the standard cable is made for such a bend.

Opposing view: I have an Antec p160 and like it a lot. I found the motherboard tray easy to use. I also have two SATA drives which were easy to set up and are working wonderfully. Nonsense about needing to put "too sharp" a bend in the cables. Just get some flexible cables and you will have no problems. I really like the placement of front USB's, Firewire, etc., and they were very easy to install. My only complaint is that the open front vents can cause a noisey computer if precautions are not taken - I use VGA Silencer and don't use a front fan and noise is not a problem. Case is quiet and cool and great to work with.

 

[racolvin]

I also use the P-160 and I disagree slightly with Akira ...

The top-front mounted USB/Audio/Firewire ports are great, IMHO.

The removable mobo tray is just fine for the first install. Now if you're the type to want to remove your mobo alot, I would agree with Akira. For me, once I put it in there, its not coming out for a few years so the fact that it doesn't slide out the back isn't an issues for me.

Bends in the SATA cables? Not that I'm aware of and my box has 4 SATA drives that are side mounted like that. The bends in my cables are perfectly fine, not tightly bent or anything.

I do not use a front-mounted intake fan since my temps have not needed it. I would agree tho that if you do use it, your noise levels will be higher. That being said, I find my unit (see sig below) to be very quiet and very pleasant to work with.

On the whole, I am quite pleased with the P-160 and have recommended it to several friends.

R

 

[akira34]

Be aware, if your system doesn't function properly, crashes and won't restart, suspect the case is the issue. I had a p-160 arrive for a client build that had a faulty circuit board in it. Once I figure out it was the case (thought it was the PSU first, then the mobo or processor, returned all that only to find out it was the damned case) I had to RMA that (NOT cheap shipping to send it back to newegg) and wait for the replacement. All of that delayed the system delivery by about 2 weeks.

As for removing the mobo and such after the initial build... I do that at least a few times in the 'life' of a case (with me). With cases that have standard mobo trays, it's a snap... With the p-160 it IS a royal pain.

Maybe part of the hard bending on my SATA cables in it were partially due to the sound dampening materials on the side panels (was going for silence). With that on, the side panel was VERY tight. Even without that on the panels, using rounded PATA ribbons, the case was a tight fit (from before I moved to SATA drives).

Also, the side panels (especially) are not nearly as sturdy as from other manufacturers (either Coolermaster or Lian-Li)...

I purchased one of the p-160's thinking it would be as good as other Antec cases I had used. I was sadly disappointed with it. Which is why I didn't keep it more than about 6 months before dumping it. I went through another Antec case, before finding the V1100 I have now... THIS case I will keep for the long term...

BTW, I am VERY critical of hardware I use, either in my own systems or in ones I build for people. If it doesn't pass standards, it doesn't get used. If I'm promised it will be one thing and it falls short, it NEVER gets used no matter what the person wants. Becuase of this, every system I build is rock solid (as far as the hardware goes, I can't say the same about windows).

 

[racolvin]

Originally posted by: akira34

As for removing the mobo and such after the initial build... I do that at least a few times in the 'life' of a case (with me). With cases that have standard mobo trays, it's a snap... With the p-160 it IS a royal pain.

Absolutely. If you're gonna be taking it in and out several times, go for a case with the kind of mobo tray Akira described earlier - slides out the back.

Maybe part of the hard bending on my SATA cables in it were partially due to the sound dampening materials on the side panels (was going for silence). With that on, the side panel was VERY tight. Even without that on the panels, using rounded PATA ribbons, the case was a tight fit (from before I moved to SATA drives).

Yea, that would eat up some additional space, maybe what 3/4" or so, between the side panel and the cable? Yea, I can see how that would make it dicey as far as the cables go...

I wonder if someone makes 90 degree SATA cables?

R

 

[akira34]

The sound material is only about 1/8" thick... The round PATA cables don't lay as flat as their flat cousins, but they offer better air flow.

As for 90 degree SATA cables, the only ones I was able to find (locally, from a best buy of all places) were about $20 a piece... With, currently, four hard drives, that's too bloody much to spend in cables that you don't need to use with other cases. The case I'm using now has plenty of room between the ports on the hard drives and the side panel. Hell, I could probably rent out the space in there to a family from Japan.

 

[villageidiot111]

I have the P-160 and am very pleased with it. I got the windowed version with an extra fan in the front, and it works well. As far as problems with sata cables, I have had none. Actually, I have my sata cable facing the back so that there is less cable clutter to be seen. I like the thermal probes as well. One is in my video card heatsink, the other in my cpu heatsink. They both stay within about 4 degrees of what mobomonitor says.

If you are going to be constantly changing motherboards, then of course get something with a better mobo tray. And yes, if you buy a more expensive case like a lian li or a cooler master, of course it will be better.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Man, Lian-Li PC-6077 is the same price 🙂.

 

[columbiaflier]

Originally posted by: akira34
Be aware, if your system doesn't function properly, crashes and won't restart, suspect the case is the issue. I had a p-160 arrive for a client build that had a faulty circuit board in it. Once I figure out it was the case (thought it was the PSU first, then the mobo or processor, returned all that only to find out it was the damned case) I had to RMA that (NOT cheap shipping to send it back to newegg) and wait for the replacement. All of that delayed the system delivery by about 2 weeks.

So since you got one case that had a problem, they all probably have that same problem?

:roll:

 

[akira34]

Originally posted by: columbiaflier

Originally posted by: akira34
Be aware, if your system doesn't function properly, crashes and won't restart, suspect the case is the issue. I had a p-160 arrive for a client build that had a faulty circuit board in it. Once I figure out it was the case (thought it was the PSU first, then the mobo or processor, returned all that only to find out it was the damned case) I had to RMA that (NOT cheap shipping to send it back to newegg) and wait for the replacement. All of that delayed the system delivery by about 2 weeks.

So since you got one case that had a problem, they all probably have that same problem?

Didn't you see the 'if' in that line?? That was the very FIRST case I've ever used that had a faulty circuit board in it. I figured 'it can't be the case, Antec makes great cases'... So, I went through RMA hell for the mobo and processor (both were perfectly fine), swapped out the PSU, which also turned out to be 100% before going with the case. When I originally received the hardware, I had built in a 1 week 'buffer' between the hardware arriving and the delivery date. With all the returns and crap, it did delay delivery by 2 weeks (on top of the buffer).

Personally, you couldn't give me one of those cases. Or even one that shares the same ciruit board type affair in it. I unloaded my own p160 (the reason I picked it up for the customer in the first place was the one I had was fine) as soon as possible after that.

With all the return shipping and such, trying to get the system delivered even CLOSE to the originally promised date, made me lose money on the build.

If you feel lucky, go ahead and get the case. Just don't be surprised if you get locks, crashes, and other nasty effects from the case. I'd sooner put my nuts into a meat grinder than use another case like that.

 

[columbiaflier]

Originally posted by: akira34

Originally posted by: columbiaflier

Originally posted by: akira34
Be aware, if your system doesn't function properly, crashes and won't restart, suspect the case is the issue. I had a p-160 arrive for a client build that had a faulty circuit board in it. Once I figure out it was the case (thought it was the PSU first, then the mobo or processor, returned all that only to find out it was the damned case) I had to RMA that (NOT cheap shipping to send it back to newegg) and wait for the replacement. All of that delayed the system delivery by about 2 weeks.

So since you got one case that had a problem, they all probably have that same problem?

Didn't you see the 'if' in that line?? That was the very FIRST case I've ever used that had a faulty circuit board in it. I figured 'it can't be the case, Antec makes great cases'... So, I went through RMA hell for the mobo and processor (both were perfectly fine), swapped out the PSU, which also turned out to be 100% before going with the case. When I originally received the hardware, I had built in a 1 week 'buffer' between the hardware arriving and the delivery date. With all the returns and crap, it did delay delivery by 2 weeks (on top of the buffer).

Personally, you couldn't give me one of those cases. Or even one that shares the same ciruit board type affair in it. I unloaded my own p160 (the reason I picked it up for the customer in the first place was the one I had was fine) as soon as possible after that.

With all the return shipping and such, trying to get the system delivered even CLOSE to the originally promised date, made me lose money on the build.

If you feel lucky, go ahead and get the case. Just don't be surprised if you get locks, crashes, and other nasty effects from the case. I'd sooner put my nuts into a meat grinder than use another case like that.

Actually, I don't care for the case. It looks ugly to me. I just find it amusing that you happened to come across one bad one, so suddenly you swear off the case. There is always going to be one rotten egg in any bunch, but I'm not going to stop using eggs because I might come across a bad one.

 

[imported_Poozler]

Originally posted by: darkrelevance
would you recommend this case to a first time builder?
is this case any good?
if not, does anybody have any other recommendation?

it's a good case

 

[akira34]

If you had a bad egg, then got sick because of it, wouldn't you at least tripple think either getting them from the same store, or buying that brand? If you wanted to return the eggs and get ones that were 'known good' would you expect to have to pay for those to be sent back? Also, if you had someone important coming over, expecting something where you'd need the eggs and then you had to wait/delay for 3 weeks wouldn't YOU get pissed off too?

Oh, and I've sworn off of products due to higher than acceptable failure rates. I had a 50% failure rate for hitachi desktop drives... Not using them anymore. Have the 33% failure rate on the p160, not using that anymore (or any cases from Antec with the same board or promised features, they should stick to simple, solid cases). I'm moving off of Western Digital drives since the pair I have had in my rig for just a couple of months are having 'issues'... I've also seen another WD PATA drive fail (badly) in the past 6-9 months. I might give WD drives another go, after they come out with a new generation of them. Then again, I might just stick with Seagate. I've not had a single failure/issue with any Seagate drive. I've had several SCSI (10,000rpm Cheetah's), PATA and SATA drives. Not to mention the 100GB drive in my laptop...

BTW, with QC these days, you shouldn't get anything that fails that fast. Same with eggs and such... As long as you're within the date stamped on them, you should be fine.

 

[columbiaflier]

Originally posted by: akira34
If you had a bad egg, then got sick because of it, wouldn't you at least tripple think either getting them from the same store, or buying that brand? If you wanted to return the eggs and get ones that were 'known good' would you expect to have to pay for those to be sent back? Also, if you had someone important coming over, expecting something where you'd need the eggs and then you had to wait/delay for 3 weeks wouldn't YOU get pissed off too?

Oh, and I've sworn off of products due to higher than acceptable failure rates. I had a 50% failure rate for hitachi desktop drives... Not using them anymore. Have the 33% failure rate on the p160, not using that anymore (or any cases from Antec with the same board or promised features, they should stick to simple, solid cases). I'm moving off of Western Digital drives since the pair I have had in my rig for just a couple of months are having 'issues'... I've also seen another WD PATA drive fail (badly) in the past 6-9 months. I might give WD drives another go, after they come out with a new generation of them. Then again, I might just stick with Seagate. I've not had a single failure/issue with any Seagate drive. I've had several SCSI (10,000rpm Cheetah's), PATA and SATA drives. Not to mention the 100GB drive in my laptop...

BTW, with QC these days, you shouldn't get anything that fails that fast. Same with eggs and such... As long as you're within the date stamped on them, you should be fine.

Whatever you say, dude.

 

[alien42]

i am happy with my p-160, but i also got it for $60 after rebates from compusa

 

[Mucker]

Just let Akira be. He likes to flaunt his Lian-Li from his ivory tower, or is that mid-tower? Everything other case is trash in his opinion. Fact of the matter is that there are many people who are very happy with the P160, just search around. I got in on the CompUSA deal for $60 but returned it because the shippers banged it up pretty good and they had no more in stock. I was impressed with the quality for $60.

It worked out though because I picked up the Super Lanboy for $39.99 the next week from CUSA that was in perfect condition. The SLB is great, the airways are are unobstructed, the 120mm's are quiet with a fan controller. Killer for $40! I believe the P-160 has a much better front I/O placement than the Lian-Li. Why the heck LL put those ports nearly next to the floor puzzles me. Not everyone can afford the LL, but I'll tell you what, for the money, you can't beat Antec at all. Plus I am not the type to sit and stare at my case. Save your money, buy an Antec, and you'll have some cash to upgrade other components, plus, you won't know the difference.....

m 🙂

 

[CraigRT]

I agree with Mucker, but akira still has some good points.. only if however you are prepared to spend that kind of money on a Lian-Li.

I was contemplating a P-160, but I think it looks awful... case wise it's good enough for me. My Wavemaster is a gorgeous case, but case-wise, as in working with it, its nothing more than generic in features/layout... but boy is it exceptional build quality. There are lots of tossups in this type of world, and for the average user, any Antec is a lot better than a Lian-Li/CM, just because as Mucker said, most people don't care THAT much what it looks like, and for the $, Antec has a good enough quality case for MOST anyone.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Agreed :thumbsup:

 

[Pollock]

I think Akira is taking it a bit far...the P160 is a very high quality case that you can't go wrong with. And I don't know who changes their motherboard more often than 6 months, let alone every other day.

 

[TheDude20165]

Does anyone know if you can remove the feet on this case?