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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Chuckles - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
I must say that as a computer geek, I prefer my computers to be able to work without space restrictions. Thus a side fan is really quite a pain. It means that I cannot set the computer against a wall on that side, which is where I typically put them. Its the one thing that really irks me about the Raidmax my PC is in. Apple and Antec (at least on the P150 and Sonata) have it right. Move airflow through areas that will always have clearance. The front and back of a computer will always have space to move air, likewise, if the case design is clever enough, the top and bottom can be made to always have air space. The sides are difficult to guarantee the airspace for without bulking up the width of the computer.Tamale - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
You bring up a good point, but plenty of people put their computers on their desks too, and a side fan not only isn't an issue for them most likely, but can also provide for cool air to come in more directly on critical componentsmindless1 - Saturday, January 14, 2006 - link
Side fan almost always necessitates a front fan to keep hard drives cool enough. Some ignore this and use the side fan anyway... ever notice that some people have hard drive after hard drive fail then swear company "X" makes crap drives? Heck in our forums right now there's a thread about seagates overheating but when they point a fan at it, suddely it runs ok!Rebel44 - Monday, July 31, 2006 - link
Yeah they are going to fry at least dozen HDDs before they realize what they are doing wrong.kilkennycat - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
Insufficient power for dual-graphics cards in combo with single/dual-core high-end processors.Extremely cramped. Difficult access for updates.
Constrained or near non-existent front-panel intake ventilation.
The failure of the P150 power-supply is not surprising. The power-supplies chosen to be bundled with many cases are not normally top-of-the-line.
Consider the Antec P160 instead --- somewhat larger, but far superior in many practical ways. ~ $110 @ Fry's and on-line. Aluminum. Screwdriver-less assembly except for the side-accessible hard-disk-tray shock-mounting. Slotted thumbscrews throughout. Removable motherboard tray, excellent cable-access. ample front-ventilation with intake filter, no silly front-panel door, front-panel individual flip-open shutters for dual CD/DVD-drives, tilt "front-panel" with dual thermal-monitor (very accurate too...) and including Firewire, dual-USB, microphone and headphone-audio sockets. Comes without any power-supply - great ! Power-supply choice can be tailored correctly for the intended computer application.
3 months ago I spent about 3 weeks of intermittent time looking at PC cases ( both on-line pictures and in-store physically disassembling/reassembling, much to the annoyance of sales-dweebs ) in price ranges from $250 to $50 before settling on the P160 for a very high-performance dual-SLI gaming PC. Just one externally obvious design defect - the huge on-off switch is far too easily accidentally pressed. I just left it disconnected and instead connected the far smaller and less-accessible reset-switch as the on-off switch. ( Pressing Reset is not recommended on a modern Windows PC anyway. A momentary press of the on/off switch normally triggers an orderly OS shut-down.) And I can just unplug the front-slot blue lights when/if I get tired of them. ( Sorry, I am just not into this "form-over-function" nonsense that has permeated the PC case industry. There are some pretty-looking but truly-awful case designs out there from even the stalwart case-manufacturers ).
BTW, in any further comparative reviews of PC cases, please give a tabular summary of the salient features/Specs of all the cases before plunging into individual detailed reviews.
huges84 - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
I too bought the P160. After searching for three weeks I decided that it was the best for me. The only downside was the high price point. Fortunately, CompUSA had the case on sale for $100 plus there was a $50 mail-in-rebate. They only had one left and couldn't find the box, so I talked to the manager and got it for $50 out the door.I have had this case for a year now and I agree with everything the above poster said. Including the fact that the power button is too easy to hit. I think that I too will switch to the reset button. The only other downside to this case is that the Firewire connector is a bunch of individual wires that you have to match up to the correct pins. That is a pain in the butt.
There are a few more good features to point out about the P160. The side and front panels are lockable (the front you have to lock from the inside with your own padlock or bolt). Also, the rear 120mm fan is mounted on silicon studs to reduce vibrations. And the front fan is a single 120mm instead of two 90mm fans. Also, if you want a side window, there is an optional one available.
I too would like there to be a features table for each case like we get with motherboard reviews.
LoneWolf15 - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
Antec's later models of the P160 provide both methods for Firewire, single plug and breakout, on the same cable. I'm using the single plug on mine. They also included two 120mm fans standard on the later models, whereas they only provided one early on. I have the side window model.I too agree that the P160 is one of the better cases out there (I also agree that the P150 is the only case in the review that'd stand a chance of entering my home). The only thing the P160 didn't have, I fixed: I now have a custom 120mm blowhole in the top that I made myself (picture at http://home.comcast.net/~dterborg/blowhole02.jpg">this link)with a 120mm Panaflo L1A mounted with rubber grommets to reduce noise. So my case has three 120mm fans instead of two. I've also quieted mine with sound dampening adhesive-backed foam sheets, and mounted my fans with gel inserts to quiet them further. It's indeed the case for everyone who needs the best of everything, without tacky looks.
kilkennycat - Saturday, January 14, 2006 - link
Where did you get the self-adhesive foam sheets ? I was looking at adding ~3/4-inch polystyrene to the 2 side-covers ( no window ), but your solution is simpler - no special polystyrene glue.LoneWolf15 - Monday, January 16, 2006 - link
It's called Pax-Mate. It's not the best noise-dampening stuff out there (and not nearly as thick as your polystyrene) but it's easy to measure, cut, and apply, and far less expensive (a kit of it can be had for $20 at FrozenCPU and some other places).I have totally different components now, but for a decent look at what I did, check out this forum thread on HardOCP (high bandwidth warning):
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=834825">http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=834825
Tamale - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
Opinion noted... and yes, these cases definitely are not for everyone, but many people are simply looking for a simple solution that's "good enough" for average components, and that's where the Raidmax really looks nice here.