setup and performance impression of P180

[mooncancook]

I finally had the P180 setup last night. I basically moved all the components [see my sig] from my existing Super Lanboy to the P180 except the case fans.

Setup Impression:

-- DFI NF4 owner beware!! The rear exhaust fan interfere w/ the audio module. I had to shave a little bit off the board to get it in.
-- Plugging the front USB, firewire, and audio to the mobo is extremely easy!
-- standard 80mm fan will not fit the VGA cooling duct unless you have a really narrow video card. Someone in another threat mentioned about intalling the fan inside the duct, that'll work but leaves too little space behind the fan for good airflow. I was lucky to had a really thin 80mm fan lying around that I removed from a SFF PSU, which fit perfectly.
-- Setting up is as easy as any other good quality case, but the finished product is extremely heavy. This will be a poor choice for a lan party machine because of it weight, size, and lack of handles. But it's not designed for lan partying, just be aware of that.

The cooling setup:
I tested with my existing Super Lanboy first. Then I moved all components to P180.
Antec Super Lanboy:
1x120mm intake fan, 1x120mm exhaust fan; 1xslot blower below the video card; well routed cables
P180:
2x120mm stock exhaust fan; 1x120mm stock intake/exhaust fan between PSU and HDD. 1x80mm thin profile exhaust fan for VGA duct

Noise comparison:
I don't have actual dB values for comparison so it's subjective. But my first impression w/ P180 is that it is not quiet in stock form. With all fans at low to mid level, it doesn't sound any quieter than the Super Lanboy, which I had all the fans running at about mid speed also.

Cooling Comparison:
CPU and system temp monitored by nTune
GPU/Chipset temp monitored by ATI Tool
Room temp at 75F

............CPU.....System.....GPU......GPU Chipset
(idle)
SLB........34..........41.........40........38
P180.......33.........41..........42........39
(load)
SLB.........38.........45..........57........44
P180........38.........45..........55........45

I only run 3Dmark05 to put load on the system. This is not a conclusive review. All i can say is I am not impressed with the P180 so far with what I've found. Its cooling and noise level is only on par with the Super Lanboy, while its weight and size is a turn-off for me. I do expect a bit more for a case with a MSRP of $160, but at least this case has potential. I think adding an intake fan, replacing stock fans with better fans and add a good fan controller will help a lot. Also this case is perfect for a fanless PSU. But all these will add a steep investment to a already costly case. Overall I give it a 7/10. I give the Super Lanboy a 8.5/10.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Nice review. Thx

I have a P180 coming this week to replace my current Super Lanboy. I'll update this thread with my observations too.

 

[mooncancook]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Nice review. Thx

I have a P180 coming this week to replace my current Super Lanboy. I'll update this thread with my observations too.

Thx. Hope you'll like your P180, and please post some of your findings too. Meanwhile I'm going to shop for a Antec Phantom fanless PSU and a nice fan controller and some fans to compliment this case.

 

[Romir]

The P180 has a noticeable effect on my raptor seek noises and vibration. I was thinking about replacing them with the newer fluid bearing version but will now wait for the next generation ones to come out. Aside from that, I haven't really noticed anything else out of the ordinary. Seasonic S12s work very well in this case. The amazingly low heat/air/noise output of them should minimize heated exhaust air that the VGA cooler will suck in.

EDIT: Having to find a thin and quiet 80mm fan will be annoying.

 

[Spike]

Hmmm, I am planning on replacing my Super Lanboy with one of these P180's as well, so this review is kinda of disturbing. Right off I would not set it up the way you did, I would use one exhaust and one intake in the upper compartment, my PSU (antec smartpower 500w) has a pull through fan system that will work perfectly in that lower section, I should not need a fan down there. Plus I all-ready have nice panaflo fans and a fan controller, so that should help. I don't think I would use the duct, but I would try to see what I think of it.

Thanks for the pointer on the DFI, that was the board I was looking at. Good thing it will be quite a while till I can get this whole setup as I am pretty broke right now

-spike

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Romir
The P180 has a noticeable effect on my raptor seek noises and vibration. I was thinking about replacing them with the newer fluid bearing version but will now wait for the next generation ones to come out. Aside from that, I haven't really noticed anything else out of the ordinary. Seasonic S12s work very well in this case. The amazingly low heat/air/noise output of them should minimize heated exhaust air that the VGA cooler will suck in.

EDIT: Having to find a thin and quiet 80mm fan will be annoying.

For a thin and quiet 80mm fan, I'm planning on seeing if one of these will do the trick for the video card duct:
Zalman ZM-OP1

 

[Cheezeit]

good job

 

[mooncancook]

EDIT: Having to find a thin and quiet 80mm fan will be annoying.

yes, thin 80mm if noisy, that's why i took it off the SFF PSU in the first place. I had to run it at lower speed. Also I think the fan aims at right above the back instead of the HSF of the video card. It would be much better if they lower the position of the fan a little bit.

For a thin and quiet 80mm fan, I'm planning on seeing if one of these will do the trick for the video card duct:
Zalman ZM-OP1

i think 15mm will fit. just make sure this one is compatible with standard 80mm fan slots

 

[mooncancook]

Originally posted by: Spike
Right off I would not set it up the way you did, I would use one exhaust and one intake in the upper compartment

I thought of that, but I am afraid it wouldn't work well because the two fans are right next to each other so the air drawn from the top intake fan might be immediately carried out by the exhaust fan. But you can definately try that. I just choose to run both exhaust fans at lower speed instead of running just one at high speed.

my PSU (antec smartpower 500w) has a pull through fan system that will work perfectly in that lower section, I should not need a fan down there.

yeah you can probably remove the lower case fan which will make power cable access a lot easier. My PSU fan is bottom mounted so it doesn't work as well, but i have a fanless Phantom 500 coming so that'll really help make this case whisper quiet.

Thanks for the pointer on the DFI, that was the board I was looking at

Don't let this discourage from getting a DFI board though, it's an easy fix with a hobby knife and there is really no danger in it.

 

[SpanishFry]

Originally posted by: mooncancook

Originally posted by: Spike
Right off I would not set it up the way you did, I would use one exhaust and one intake in the upper compartment

I thought of that, but I am afraid it wouldn't work well because the two fans are right next to each other so the air drawn from the top intake fan might be immediately carried out by the exhaust fan. But you can definately try that. I just choose to run both exhaust fans at lower speed instead of running just one at high speed.

my PSU (antec smartpower 500w) has a pull through fan system that will work perfectly in that lower section, I should not need a fan down there.

yeah you can probably remove the lower case fan which will make power cable access a lot easier. My PSU fan is bottom mounted so it doesn't work as well, but i have a fanless Phantom 500 coming so that'll really help make this case whisper quiet.

Thanks for the pointer on the DFI, that was the board I was looking at

Don't let this discourage from getting a DFI board though, it's an easy fix with a hobby knife and there is really no danger in it.

Can you fit a full length PCI (12") in the P180?

 

[mooncancook]

Can you fit a full length PCI (12") in the P180?

I'm positive it can. You can always remove the center HDD drive cage which will give you space all the way to the front of the case, but i doubt you'll need to.

 

[imported_X]

Thanks for the mini-review. Disappointing that the case isn't any better with noise/cooling, despite the increased hassle of installing your components. I think I'll look elsewhere for a quiet high performance case.

 

[mooncancook]

Originally posted by: X
Thanks for the mini-review. Disappointing that the case isn't any better with noise/cooling, despite the increased hassle of installing your components. I think I'll look elsewhere for a quiet high performance case.

Don't base your decision on my mini review though. Maybe running them long enough with heavy loads will give it more favor... You should read some thorough reviews from the pro websites to find out more. My main complaint is the weight. it's a PITA to move. It should have been built w/ all aluminum, I think the noise difference between a well-built aluminum case and steel case is negligible, while difference in weight is huge.