Antec P150

[Operandi]

Discus, dammit.

Originally posted by: swtethan
link damnit!

whoops .

 

[swtethan]

link damnit!

 

[mindwreck]

pretty good case. i like it. the way the front audio and usb thing is arrange kinda reminds of me of the G5

 

[Diasper]

I like it and I'd probably get it. For me:

+ve regards P180
- Smaller
- Better looks (but see -ve of no case door)
- Very good cooling where it's a real step above the 3700 series. Also, I really like the idea of dual 92mm as if you have multipled hardrives they can be collectively better cooled while more air reaches your other components (but still see -ve of not as good thermals as P180)
- Better/easier cable management because for the positioning of the PSU (but see not as good thermals as P180)
- Pretty good PSU included although not arguably the best - it's pretty nice for those who need a new PSU. (Although perhaps the output voltages could be closer) Also, if hot air was ducted out of the back from the CPU and with a rear exhaust GPU solution, the PSU's efficiency could be improved as it has to deal with less efficiency sapping heat.



-ve regards P180
- While the thermal cooling is very good it isn't as good as the P180 - particularly with getting hot air from the CPU and also the PSU location because at the bottom much cooler air gets to the PSU which makes it run more efficiently producing less heat meaning the fans can spin lower while also causing some less power draw (and therefore bill). Of course, that could be fixed with a mod ducting the air out of the case from the CPU while attaching a Artic Cooling-esque GPU heatsink to exhaust out the back - but that's extra cost and effort compared to the P180. Also I wonder if the air in-take grills on the front bezel could benefit from being wider as the P180.
- There's no case door - something I really rather like as it keeps things simple and elegant. However, it's not a deal-breaker as the P150 does still look good. This is a matter of personal preference.


In all pretty damn good and I think I?d buy it over the P180. With a bit of duct modding it'd be brilliant.

 

[JBDan]

I really applaud Antec for this build...they have done their homework...have listened to customer feedback regarding quirks with the P180...as stated, it might not be for the "high-power" user or for the "bling-ding" case lover, but imo the case is classy in its well thought out thermal/acoustic/cable management design. Antecs R&D deserves some serious "brownie" points imo. I look forward to doing a build for someone w/ this case. Tx for the link Op.

 

[govtcheez75]

only if it was black and came with an optional PSU for about $60-80 less.

 

[GTaudiophile]

I am standing ready with my wallet open. If only newegg would hurry up and stock it. I have e-mailed them twice about this case.

 

[XARiUS]

Funny, that pic of the ultra clean wiring but thrown up on Tas's @ Machines blogged page... It's also where I saw one of those NeoHE PSU's which, I told some guy "Yeah I saw one floating around in a build somewhere around here.." lol...

Oh well! No wonder he got his hands on a NeoHE.. Bah, reviewers! ;-)

X

EDIT: Oh yeah, I almost forgot.. Good review, awesome case. Just lacks a little space for my tastes. I'd consider using this for client builds day in and day out if the price is right!!

 

[Skott]

I found the drive suspension interesting and the case is pleasing to look at. The biggest problem I see with the 150 is the psu. For the non overclocker it'll be adequate but for those that like to overclock anything less than 500w wont be adequate. I dont think Antec made this case for the serious overclocker though. Like the reviewer said, low - mid range uses.

 

[BW86]

I love this case. If only it was a little bit cheaper

 

[DVDdude]

PLEASE GOD, MAKE THIS CASE IN AN ALL-BLACK VERSION.

WHITE IS FOR IPODS!

 

[johnnqq]

optional power supply woudl be super but not likely

if this was like 40 less i would buy...

 

[Varun]

Originally posted by: Skott
I found the drive suspension interesting and the case is pleasing to look at. The biggest problem I see with the 150 is the psu. For the non overclocker it'll be adequate but for those that like to overclock anything less than 500w wont be adequate. I dont think Antec made this case for the serious overclocker though. Like the reviewer said, low - mid range uses.

A 430W PSU would likely be adequate for almost everyone. People have this wierd sensation that they require far more power than they really do.

Edit: I think this is a really really nice case, especially the integrated drive suspension

 

[cooliodealio]

Originally posted by: Varun

Originally posted by: Skott
I found the drive suspension interesting and the case is pleasing to look at. The biggest problem I see with the 150 is the psu. For the non overclocker it'll be adequate but for those that like to overclock anything less than 500w wont be adequate. I dont think Antec made this case for the serious overclocker though. Like the reviewer said, low - mid range uses.

A 430W PSU would likely be adequate for almost everyone. People have this wierd sensation that they require far more power than they really do.

Edit: I think this is a really really nice case, especially the integrated drive suspension

Agreed. And depending on the brand and quality, even a 300W PSU is good enough.

 

[JBDan]

Originally posted by: cooliodealio

Originally posted by: Varun

Originally posted by: Skott
I found the drive suspension interesting and the case is pleasing to look at. The biggest problem I see with the 150 is the psu. For the non overclocker it'll be adequate but for those that like to overclock anything less than 500w wont be adequate. I dont think Antec made this case for the serious overclocker though. Like the reviewer said, low - mid range uses.

A 430W PSU would likely be adequate for almost everyone. People have this wierd sensation that they require far more power than they really do.

Edit: I think this is a really really nice case, especially the integrated drive suspension

Agreed. And depending on the brand and quality, even a 300W PSU is good enough.

Agreed again...and a 300W :thumbsup: provided the +12V rail is fairly "beefy."

 

[Snakexor]

remove the psu and drop the price the 80 dollars they would charge for the psu and im in

 

[cw42]

yea, drop the psu, paint it black... and u got one really sexy case. i love the implementation of the hd suspenders, and vinyl on the side panels.

<3 antec

 

[Nocturnal]

Hmm, that hard drive suspension thing is weird and turned me off to this case. I guess I don't really care about noise since I have a computer room designated for the computer itself lol.

 

[RalfHutter]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Hmm, that hard drive suspension thing is weird and turned me off to this case.

You don't have to use it, and can't even see it when the normal drive mounting sleds are in place. If it really bothers you, you can always remove the elastic bands completely.

 

[eastvillager]

Looks like a great case to me. If I were to build a rig for somebody else, this would probably be first on my list. Looks like the designers at Antec are having fun.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Hmm, that hard drive suspension thing is weird and turned me off to this case. I guess I don't really care about noise since I have a computer room designated for the computer itself lol.

hah, the drive suspension thing is the only thing i see going for this case

Id rather replace my bungee cord setup.

 

[Leros]

what about the fact that the rubber will deteriorate over time and harden. It could possibly crack.

 

[johnnqq]

and who keeps their computers for 10 years? (besides me)

 

[RalfHutter]

Originally posted by: JToxic
what about the fact that the rubber will deteriorate over time and harden. It could possibly crack.

Even if this will ever be an issue (there's been commercially available suspension kits for HDDs for years now, and even though I'm very close to this industry, I've never seen or heard of this type of suspension failing) there's certainly ways around it. A few that come to mind:

1) Take the unused rubber bands out of the case and store them in a cool, dry place, not under tension. Inspect the drive suspension for cracks/wear from time-to-time and replace the used rubber bands with ones from your stash if it seems necessary.

2) Order spares from Antec, store them in a cool, dry place, not under tension. Inspect the drive suspension for cracks/wear from time-to-time and replace the used rubber bands with ones from your stash if it seems necessary.

3) Leave one of the drive sleds in place underneath the suspended drive with a piece of foam (or whatever) sitting on it. If, god forbid, catastrophe strikes and the rubber bands undergo a sudden, total failure, the drive drops down an inch and lands on the foam padding.

 

[Operandi]

Personally I think this is Antec's best case yet. The HD suspension was really a surprise and an awesome feature; hopefully other manufactures follow up with something similar. I do agree that it should be offered without the PSU, and a black version is defiantly a must, almost every other piece of PC gear around my desk is black.

Oh, and the Antec logo on the bottom really bugs me, I have several friends who agree; anyone else here feel the same?