what's wrong with the antec p180?

[joecool]

So I'm building a new rig and am really torn between the P160 and the P180 - both have features the other one doesn't that I like. Anyway, I'm starting to lean to the P180 for it's clean and elegant good looks, it's high quality engineering and construction, and it's potential for cool quiet running. I'm aware of the potential PSU issue (ie, needs a really long mobo power cable), but there are multiple solutions to this. My question is, what, if any, other problems or drawbacks does this case have? Hit me with all the gory details!

Thanks, guys!

Joe

 

[johnnqq]

apparantly (i want to get one too), cable management is the only big problem. people DO seem to get frustrated with it. if only antec offered the p150 without a power supply...

 

[Maximilian]

Well i think the PSU cable length issue is an bit over exaggerated. Most PSU's will reach but they will make cable management difficult.

Problems with the P180:

Door is flimsy, a second magnet can fix that if your picky, dosent bother me personally.

Cable management can be difficult with older PSU's (and some newer ones) just google and see which ones will fit, chances are somone will have asked will xxx PSU fit into this case? on this forum or some other and there will likely be somone who has tried it and can tell you.

Clips that help hold the side panels on are plastic, and are really breakable. The case dosent need them though its fine if they simply break off, i did that.


Apart from that its a fantastic case, very well thought out, professionalism at its best.

 

[joecool]

thanks, soviet, anybody else? any glaring reason why i shouldn't get this case (i don't mind taking the time to do a bang-up job on the cable routing)

 

[0roo0roo]

p160 is just weak.

 

[joecool]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
p160 is just weak.

why? it seems like a reasonable case with a few spiffy features, like the stealth doors for optical drives and the location of all the external ports (front TOP of the case!) and the rotating port thingy seems handy, even if it is a little flimsy.

 

[demenion]

I have a P180.. its a good performing case but it just feels really cheap to me.

I will be going Lian Li when they come out with a new model.

 

[Sunrise089]

Another problem: it costs $125, so I can't afford it.....stupid ugly Antec SLK-3000B.

 

[ajikan]

I used to have a P180. traded my comp for a laptop.
I think overall it was really good but:

-The front door hinges are pretty cheap, if only they were metal..
-cable management. I had to spend hours putting everything together for optimal airflow and cooling

I think that's it.

 

[Shortass]

I have the p160 and I really love it. It's large, easy to build and modify in, is relatively cool, has a temp display, and is overall pretty sexy. I'm not sure if I'd buy it again due to the rather steep cost, but it's good to know I can keep it for a long time without worrying about some dumb problem with it. Oh, did I mention it's sexy as hell?

The P180 looks way nice though, I kind of want it >_<

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: joecool

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
p160 is just weak.

why? it seems like a reasonable case with a few spiffy features, like the stealth doors for optical drives and the location of all the external ports (front TOP of the case!) and the rotating port thingy seems handy, even if it is a little flimsy.

it needs a door. stealth drives are annoying and lame. ts just ugly, has the botched style of those cheap half ass generic cases.

 

[Griffyn187]

I've got a P180. Pretty much all that's already been said applies. Just a couple more things to add:

1) the door bows outward far too easily, not sure if I can fix that.
2) the shiny metallic surface scratches incredibly easily as well. I've already got a ton of 'lines' on it.

 

[Shadowknight]

My take on a few things:
1. The bashing of the cable mangement is overdone - the vast majority of builders aren't going to care about taking hours to make their cables pretty
2. You have to be careful about wiring the drives in the bottom drive cage so the fan blades aren't caught in the power and SATA cables
3. Always a chance something might spill on top of the case: no 120mm cap is no good. You can buy aftermarket caps, fortunately
4. Yes, the door bows out a bit: call Antec up and they will send you a replacement for free: they seem to have finally fixed the problem
5. re: the plastic tabs on the side panels: I've never had a problem with mine. Reportedly, some users have broken them due to their own error: All of the thumbscrews that come with the case are teh same length EXCEPT ONE. The one holding in the bottom drive cage is SHORTER than all the rest. Put in one of the other thumbscrews and the case won't close properly. At least one user got it to "close" but broke the plastic tabs as a side effect. So, make sure you put the correct screws in and you should be fine.