Quiet ATX Case

[HaggisBones]

First post ... so "Helloooooo Hexus peops"

I'm looking to replace my beige oven with something that takes a little more care over my PC components and doesn't give me a chance of getting an ASBO for disturbing the peace.

Trawling around with google for what seems like an eternity I have picked out two possibilities but would like to canvas the Hexus community for their opinion. Especially as one of the cases has already been reviewed by Hexus. So, onto the current contendors:

Antec P180 - £79 from Ebuyer
NZXT Lexa - £79 from Yoyotech

Now, my main stipulations are that the case should be quiet, have good cooling and should cover the drive bays. I prefer the minimalistic kind of look . I briefly considered the Akasa Eclipse 62 but was decidedly unimpressed by the look of it .

The PC spec is really not that demanding at the moment but I would like to think that the case will allow an upgrade in the future. I have an Antec UK Smartblue 350 PSU so hopefully the cables should be long enough for the P180.

How do you all rate these cases? Are there others I should consider and if so why?

Let the debate begin

P.S. I did have links in to the Antec and Nzxt pages but as I'm only a noob poster here I wasn't allowed to use them. But I'm sure you are all resourceful enough to find the appropriate cases anyways

[Lu-tze]

The Antec P180 is the standard for quiet cases at the moment, and has recently been updated to address the few complaints people had with the original (namely the front panel, which is now the same quality material as the sides; the 38mm fan in the PSU compartment is now a 25mm like the rest; and the gpu fan duct has been replaced with a 25mm fan mounted to the adjacent hdd caddy).

The fans are speed adjustable, so you can turn them down if your components don't produce much heat.

This is the case i would buy if i were looking to upgrade.

[kalniel]

Antec Sonata II?

[dave87]

I was going to say the Antec Sonata? or the p180 SPCR version?

[Lu-tze]

double post

[Lu-tze]

The P180 is a superior case to the Sonata II, though the sonata is a good case in its own right as it includes a PSU for £80. The SPCR edition of the P180 is only different in its colour.

[HaggisBones]

Thanks for your replies people. I was aware of the recent updates to the P180 case from the SPCR forum. It probably is the strongest contendor at the moment tbh. I built a friends PC up based around a Sonata II and was very impressed with the build quality and noise level but felt that the case was let down by the front panel which was very plasticky. Very noticeable against the beautiful finish on the sides . There are fewer reviews of the NZXT case but they do suggest that it is also a quiet and well made case .

Keep those thoughts coming!

[FatalSaviour]

As Lu-tze says, the front panel on the P180 has now been updated, so any case you buy in the future should have the same triple layering (aluminium on the inside as well) as the rest of the case.

It's a good case.

The P150 is also a good choice, due to it's HD suspension system (if you get the updated suspension mounts )...though I'm not sure what you were specifically looking for when you asked for the drives to be covered...whether this is by drive bezels (which the P150 has got), or by a door (which it doesn't )

[HaggisBones]

Another case to consider: Gigabyte 3D Aurora

Seems to get good reviews too

FatalSaviour, I prefer a door but drive bezels are sufficient. I don't want to have to match my drives colour to the case. I think I prefer the look of the P180 to the P150 but thanks for the suggestion.

[scrandman]

You could save a few bob by going for the Antec SLK3000B - good airflow, build quality and very reasonably priced. You can add a good PSU of your choice too. Only "issue" is that the door is quite flimsy, but then it's the same with the Sonata too.

[amjedm]

Another case to consider: Gigabyte 3D Aurora

Seems to get good reviews too

FatalSaviour, I prefer a door but drive bezels are sufficient. I don't want to have to match my drives colour to the case. I think I prefer the look of the P180 to the P150 but thanks for the suggestion.

Isn't the HD cooling a bit restricted on the Aurora?

I have an Eclipse and the P180. The Eclipse is easier to work with due to space. You sure you won't reconsider?

[Syfer]

Antec Sonata 2 is a great case. Good build, good airflow, easy to work on, quiet operation, nice finish & looks good (so long as you don't connect up the annoying blue LED's on the front!)

I did have issues with the supplied Smartpower 450w PSU. First one was doa, second died after about 30 seconds of first switch on, third one lasted about 2 days then died while playing a game!

Was a real pain to return them every time as they would not accept just the PSU, they wanted the whole thing back! I had to order another one & swap the case every time!!

Ended up giving up with the Antec PSU after the 3rd failure & replaced it with a Hiper R Modular 580 but I kept the case, would not want to change it really. Kind of annoying though as the retail price for the PSU on it's own is around £40 & I paid £70odd for the case & PSU.

Does anyone know if this case can be purchased without a PSU?

[HaggisBones]

Amjedm,
The Gigabyte case has a 120mm fan blowing straight onto the HDDs so not sure why it wouldn't cool them well?

Other cases I've considered and turned down:
Antec SLK3000B - Just not my taste in the looks department
Antec Sonata II - Plasticky Front Panel
Thermaltake Tsunami Dream - Noisy and no speaker (need those POST codes )
Thermaltake Armour - No Drive Bezels or Front Panel
Akasa Eclipse 62 - No drive bezels or door
Akasa Mirage 62 - too expensive

Anymore for anymore?

[amjedm]

Amjedm,
The Gigabyte case has a 120mm fan blowing straight onto the HDDs so not sure why it wouldn't cool them well?

HD cooling isn't as good as it is on cases where the HD aren't at 90 degrees angle. Can't remember if the Aurora was in Custompcs test of cases recently.

[dancingmatt]

I was considering the Lexa too but I've read that its hard drive cage can be a little noisy, and more importantly there are problems getting some components to fit.

Take a look at their forums (nzxt.com/forum etc.) and there's a section dedicated to it, and there are threads of what does and doesn't fit.

My main reason at the mo for not choosing it, is I'd like to see one in the flesh. Because from photos, I just can't decide if it's going to look nice or like one big ugly poor mirror.

Anyone know if the later/improved P180 models have a stiffer door, and whether my 31cm long 7900GX2 will fit in it?

DM

[HaggisBones]

Thanks for the info Amjedm. Guess I will rule the Gigabyte one out too.

dancingmatt, I know exactly what you are talking about as regards the look of the Lexa. It could be fantastic or it could be a sequin short of a Come Dancing set. I guess I quite liked the idea of a window but I'm thinking the P180 (black version) is probably going to win.

Can anything beat the P180 for looks, cooling and noise in the same budget?