Price-Point Comparing Three-Way Case Shootout
by Joshua Buss on January 13, 2006 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Benchmark Comparisons
To get as meaningful a comparison as possible between the different cases, we installed the same set of hardware into each one; our new standard ATX test bed. While our X1 and P150 did both include power supplies, we still wanted to test just the case to eliminate any other variables.
Continuing with the new ATX test bed we used for the HTPC comparison, we now have many points of measurement in the computer and can get a really good idea of how well the cases are performing in the temperature arena.
As always, however, temperatures alone don't tell the whole story. Since Antec makes it very clear that the P150 is all about silence, we tested the case with the tri-speed fan set to the lowest level. The noise levels from each case are summarized in the following table:
The E68's cooling performance is still amazing, but now, the reasons are slightly more obvious - the 120mm fan included with the case makes significantly more noise than the other two cases' solutions. That having been said, the E68 still was definitely within tolerable limits for us, and would certainly suit the majority of users fine, especially if they are used to keeping their computers under their desk and don't mind the aforementioned sound of simply "moving air".
Even focusing too much on the obvious winners from each category really isn't the right thing to do here either though; it's once when you take both charts into consideration that the P150 starts to finally strut its stuff. Compared directly to the just-as-quiet X1, the P150 keeps critical components - especially the GPU and chipset - slightly cooler. With only a single fan against the X1's two, this can only be explained by sheer good case design and a very efficient fan. However, hard drive temperatures aren't the best on the P150, so it'd be wisest to pair it with hard drives that are either known for running cool or for being able to withstand heat without any issues.
Finally, a couple of words about the included power supplies on the X1 and P150: our Antec test unit must have been defective, as it was causing boot problems in not only our test bed, but in another computer as well. When it was running, it was virtually silent - even quieter than our MadDog unit.
Update: It sounds like there IS a real issue going on with the Neo HE power supply included with the P150.. the silent PC forums make mention of it but the easiest place to see that there must be problems with it is in the newegg user reviews for the case.
The Raidmax power supply was also practically silent, and worked fine in the test bed under heavy loads for several hours, and in another gaming computer for a couple of weeks without any problems.
To get as meaningful a comparison as possible between the different cases, we installed the same set of hardware into each one; our new standard ATX test bed. While our X1 and P150 did both include power supplies, we still wanted to test just the case to eliminate any other variables.
| ATX Test Bed | |
| DFI LanParty UT 915P-T12 Pentium 4 530 Prescott 3.0ghz OCZ 512MB DDR2 x 2 Thermaltake Golden Orb II Maxtor 80gb IDE Hard Drive Chaintech GeForce 6600GT MSI DVD-CD/R/RW Combo drive MadDog MD-600SCPS PSU |
 |
Continuing with the new ATX test bed we used for the HTPC comparison, we now have many points of measurement in the computer and can get a really good idea of how well the cases are performing in the temperature arena.
As always, however, temperatures alone don't tell the whole story. Since Antec makes it very clear that the P150 is all about silence, we tested the case with the tri-speed fan set to the lowest level. The noise levels from each case are summarized in the following table:
The E68's cooling performance is still amazing, but now, the reasons are slightly more obvious - the 120mm fan included with the case makes significantly more noise than the other two cases' solutions. That having been said, the E68 still was definitely within tolerable limits for us, and would certainly suit the majority of users fine, especially if they are used to keeping their computers under their desk and don't mind the aforementioned sound of simply "moving air".
Even focusing too much on the obvious winners from each category really isn't the right thing to do here either though; it's once when you take both charts into consideration that the P150 starts to finally strut its stuff. Compared directly to the just-as-quiet X1, the P150 keeps critical components - especially the GPU and chipset - slightly cooler. With only a single fan against the X1's two, this can only be explained by sheer good case design and a very efficient fan. However, hard drive temperatures aren't the best on the P150, so it'd be wisest to pair it with hard drives that are either known for running cool or for being able to withstand heat without any issues.
Finally, a couple of words about the included power supplies on the X1 and P150: our Antec test unit must have been defective, as it was causing boot problems in not only our test bed, but in another computer as well. When it was running, it was virtually silent - even quieter than our MadDog unit.
Update: It sounds like there IS a real issue going on with the Neo HE power supply included with the P150.. the silent PC forums make mention of it but the easiest place to see that there must be problems with it is in the newegg user reviews for the case.
The Raidmax power supply was also practically silent, and worked fine in the test bed under heavy loads for several hours, and in another gaming computer for a couple of weeks without any problems.
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yacoub - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
You also complain about "extra effort" when people looking at cases in the first place are DoItYourself-ers/BuiltMyOwn-ers. I hardly think unscrewing a fan to put some soft grommets b/w it and the case frame is so much effort that it negates the benefit. Considering this case already does the vast amount of what-was-formerly 'hard work' in making a case quiet, this case is truly exceptional. It even offers drive suspension standard (or grommetted drive sleds), a quiet fan w/ 3-speed adjustment, excellent airflow arrangement, silencing panels on the sides and top of the case, everything locks down so nothing rattles, and a quiet PSU. Seriously you can't ask for much more than that when it comes to quieting a system and this case offers all that stock without having to mod anything). That's hardly "extra effort" especially for someone who's already going through the effort of building their own system.Tamale - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
I must ask you then, why with all of these advanced quieting components did it still make just as much noise as the X1? Personally I blame the tri-speed fan, as even set to the low speed setting it moved enough air to make a noticeable "whooshing" sound... compared to the absolutely silent power supply included with the P150 I found this rather strange. It was the exact same reason the P180 wasn't as quiet as I was expecting it to be.. I wouldn't be surprised to see antec tune their 120mm fans a tad so that the low speed setting is really as quiet as it could be.yacoub - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
Also it's a joke for any Anandtech writer to complain about the price of the case when you guys do all your tests using FX-55/7800GTX/RAID Raptor God boxes (slight exaggeration to make a point). Anyone buying any of those over-priced aspects of a system can certainly afford to spend the money on a good case. I built a budget gaming system and I bought a P150 because for me it is very important to have a silent, stylish (not gaudy/kiddy), cool-running rig. That's more than worth the extra $$, imo.Tamale - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
It's not a joke to talk about price at all.. AT has always been a site about getting the best components for a particular user's needs, and unless your needs require you to have a more subtly styled case it's hard to recommend the P150 over the X1 based on factors such as noise, usability, and cooling performance. Just think back to our price guides or recommended gift items.. value-oriented products such as the 6800GS have historically gotten the highest recommendations - not the latest and greatest high-end uber-expensive stuff.Also, whether the people who are truly on the bleeding edge of style such as you and me choose to believe it or not, the cases that are a little more 'gimmicky' are still growing in popularity, not shrinking. Most people still haven't even heard of putting windows in computers, and think that kinda thing is "cool". It's no surprise at all that the elitist enthusiasts (including myself) who had a windowed case back in 2001 are going to look at those kinds of cases now and scoff at them, boasting "they're already out of style".. but a truly good reviewer has to take into account all these factors and write for the majority of all readers and even potential readers - not the majority of readers who are going to be vocal, or are forum regulars, and especially not for the majority of readers who have tons of money, time, and experience with working with cases... and I don't care how you try to slice it, the P150 does not fit in the category of "budget" when one could get a case like the E68 for $30... People seem to think that I don't even like the P150.. this is far from the truth.. I just feel that for that kind of a price premium it better offer the absolute best performance out-of-the-box, and this article is simply designed to open people's eyes a bit and be more careful with their money before automatically assuming that the more expensive a case is, the better it must be.
I was a little put-off by the manner in which the link to silentpcreview was posted because it immediately followed a comment implying that I didn't know what the P150 was designed for... if it wasn't meant as a passive attack on me then I apologize for my comment, but I have a hard time believing no one else read it that way.
Also, an excellent point was made about the X1's choice to put the USB ports behind the door and the implications of having a door covering the optical drives at all.. truly there are only certain users who will prefer to have a door, but for the ones who do the X1 is really a fine choice.
Lastly, the front fan mounting option in the X1 wasn't discussed at great length because the case performed quite well without it, but of course if one had more hard drives or hard drive temperatures were of utmost importance the option is there.
I hope I've cleared up some misconceptions, and helped at least a couple of you better understand where I'm coming from.
yacoub - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
The P150 is much quieter than either of the other two cases when properly configured. The operative words in that sentence are the closing phrase "when properly configured". A site like SilentPCReview is an excellent place to get more info about how to build and configure a truly silent system. It is not an advertisement, it is additional reading reference support for helping those interested in learning why it's the best of these three cases and how to use it to its full potential.photoguy99 - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
Tamale you have made a bad point.The link posted was not any sort of advertisement or exploitation.
It was simply relevant to the discussion and I believe actually adds value to AnandTech because the discussion becomes richer and more complete.
Please "show a little common courtesy" and not feel threatened by something that only enriches the forums more.
Thank you.
noxipoo - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
most users here at anandtech have been around for years, and we have always talked about other sites besides anandtech. I don't see a problem linking to another review on the site. In fact Brandon used to do it on the news part on the homepage. It is not advertising in anyway for another review link. As for getting the p150 quieter, I'd rather do that than have the Raidmax because of the looks.gplracer - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
I like the P-150 but where can you get white drives to match it? I would not want to put beige drives in it.yacoub - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
The covers over the bays actually rotate down out of the way when the drive opens. You never see your actual drives when they are closed. Hard to explain.ceefka - Saturday, January 14, 2006 - link
I put in a silver DVD burner and a silver 3,5" internal card reader. That doesn't look too bad either IMHO.