Antec P160

wgragg · Post by **wgragg** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 7:36 am

I'm new to the group, but I noticed that Antec finally announced the availablity of the P160 yesterday or today. Hope it gets to stores soon. I am buying a new case and want to see this one.

Wendell

lenny · Post by **lenny** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:04 am

I was at atacom yesterday evening to pick up an order. They listed the P160 as available on their web site, but when I talked to one of the guys there he said it's not there yet, but should be "any day now - just keep calling".

Incidentally I think Antec has an office on the other side of the freeway from them...

As for the looks of the case, I'm withholding judgement till I can see a real specimen. But I agree with bigred - some will like it, some won't, and there's no need to trade harsh words just because others don't agree with you, unless they're forcing you to use it against your will.

miker · Post by **miker** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:06 am

Anyone that likes that case has tapioca for brains!

In Homer-voice: Mmmm , tapioca...... *Drool*

lenny · Post by **lenny** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:23 am

Must... control... Fist... of... Death...

wgragg · Post by **wgragg** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 12:33 pm

Well, tapioca would probably be a step up for me in the brains dept.....

Actually, it is not the looks that is attracting me to the case. I want to start working on a quieter PC, but would also like aluminum for it's weight. Also this has some of the features of the Sonata (which I have thought about buying). The removable mobo tray is also appealing to me as I hate to have to unscrew and maneuver the board out if I want to work on it. The temp display is also somewhat appealing, but isn't that big a deal.

Downsides for me are first the fact that no one has had a chance to really test it yet for silence or lack thereof. I had heard that alumium cases don't dampen noise as much as steel, so am curious about that. Also price is a bugger, but then again the Sonata isn't exactly the cheapest case I could buy either.

I promised my wife I would quiet my computer down and if I buy a product that works against me, my whole body may be tapioca!

Wendell

Edit: Oh, by the way, Provantage.com says they expect to have theirs in by tomorrow....for those who are chomping at the bit.

Sledge · Post by **Sledge** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 12:44 pm

Another nice feature of the case is the built in aluminum CDROM covers. You don't have to go buy new drives or paint your current ones.

That said, I won't buy one because I have made the decision to wait until my Athlon 64 upgrade next year when I will pretty much replace everything, case included.

lenny · Post by **lenny** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 2:04 pm

Sledge wrote:Another nice feature of the case is the built in aluminum CDROM covers. You don't have to go buy new drives or paint your current ones.

I've used something like that on a case once. If you have the right drives, they work OK. Otherwise, they jam when opening, flap doesn't close when closing, and gets on your nerves.

Looking at the photos it looks like it may not work with the Samsungs. Wonder if the buttons will line up well with drives with only 1 button (many CD/DVD writers).

wgragg · Post by **wgragg** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 2:46 pm

Well, that may be a killer for me. I don't need something that will keep me from opening my dvd writer.

bigred · Post by **bigred** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 4:37 pm

miker wrote:Anyone that likes that case has tapioca for brains!
In Homer-voice: Mmmm , tapioca...... *Drool*

MikeR... No need for insults... Your *opinion* is that you do not like this case, which is perfectly fine. But you have no right to insult those that do like it. So CORK it!

slashdotcomma · Post by **slashdotcomma** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 6:25 pm

I'm planning on building a new computer, but now it basically rests on a couple components including the case. I need something real light and cool and have been looking at:
Lian-Li PC6077 aluminum PC case
ANTEC P160 ATX CASE
but since I plan to put a lot of components and do a bit of overclocking, I would like it to have good airflow and be very quiet. Are the stock 2x120mm fans (or other fans) for P160's cool and quiet enough? Or would the Lian-Li PC6077 (w/ or w/out swapping/adding additional fans) be cooler and quieter? I would also like suggestions on replacing the fans and what speed should be set to respecitive cases. Since the prices are about the same, it doesn't really matter which case as long as its cool, silent, and light.

The rest of my pc's specs (the duplicates are the ones I'm debating on, and whether it's cost effective or not):
400 watt SilenX PSU
Intel P4 (2.8GHz 512KB L2 Cache, 800Mhz FSB, PGA478)
MSI Neo-FIS2R
Asus P4C800-E Deluxe
Abit IC7-G
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 - 6.1 Surround Sound (SB0240)
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS PCI Internal Sound Card Retail
All-In-Wonder Radeon 9800 Pro 8X AGP 128MB DDR w/ TV-Out & DVI
ATI 128MB All-In-Wonder Radeon 9700 Pro Video Card, Model# 100-713001 -Retail
POWERCOLOR RADEON 9800PRO 128MB RETAIL
Visiontek Xtasy 9800PRO 128MB
Plextor INT DVD+/-R/RW 8X/4X/12X DVD WRITE/DVD RE-WRITE/DVD READ
Samsung SM-352B 52x/24x/52x/16x (Internal, EIDE)
CORSAIR MEMORY XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series, (Twin Pack) 1GB(2 x 512MB) 2x(64MX64) TWINX1024-3200C2 PRO Matched Pair .Retail
Kingston HyperX KHX3500K2/1G 1GB Kit DDR434 PC3500 Memory w/Heat Spreader Retail ***(Free 2nd Day)***
SONY 1.44MB Floppy Disk OEM
Barracuda 7200.7 120GB (Serial ATA, ATA/150, 7200 RPM)
THERMALRIGHT SLK-947U SOCKET COOLER
Zalman CNPS7000-Cu P4 478/AMD Athlon 64 Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler (I'm really doubting on this one, since I'm going to move my pc alot)
Arctic Silver Ceramique

lenny · Post by **lenny** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 10:37 pm

/.,, I'm getting off-topic here, just want to mention that some people reported the 7200.7 has AAM disabled, and is pretty loud when seeking as a result. Also, you may want to consider the CNPS7000-AlCu which is a whole lot lighter.

If you create a new thread in General Discussions more people will look over your list and offer suggestions.

chylld · Post by **chylld** » Thu Nov 13, 2003 11:00 pm

Again off topic: get the CNPS7000A-AlCu - i'm not sure if the cnps7000-alcu will fit on athlon 64's.

Back on topic: wgragg: I'm not sure about where you live, but I can get the Sonata here for 170. P160 costs me 250 (or a bit less), plus PSU = roughly 350, probably more. The Sonata is less than half the price of the P160! ouch.

miker · Post by **miker** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 5:35 am

bigred wrote:
miker wrote:Anyone that likes that case has tapioca for brains!
In Homer-voice: Mmmm , tapioca...... *Drool*
MikeR... No need for insults... Your *opinion* is that you do not like this case, which is perfectly fine. But you have no right to insult those that do like it. So CORK it!

Uhh whatever. Way to read the thread dude. If you look at the post directly before mine, I was referring to this comment from YOU and lenny:

lenny wrote:As for the looks of the case, I'm withholding judgement till I can see a real specimen. But I agree with bigred - some will like it, some won't, and there's no need to trade harsh words just because others don't agree with you, unless they're forcing you to use it against your will.

My comment was a direct response to lenny's comments, as lenny and I have joked with each other before on this forum. Did you not see the big smiley emoticon things? Lighten up. Get some bran in your diet. It is, after all, just a case.

Also if you read this comment, you will see I am interested in seeing a real life sample for final judgement. I am one of those folks who are not 100% satisfied with my Sonata and considering alternatives.

miker wrote:Maybe they will stock it at best buy, so we can all take a "real" look at it.

Now, don't you feel silly?

bigred · Post by **bigred** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 5:58 am

Hmm, indeed I do. I guess I forgot about my comments since they are about a month old now. Plus due to the beauties of the internet you can't perceive sarcasm and whatnot. So, sorry about the misunderstanding.

slashdotcomma · Post by **slashdotcomma** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 6:10 am

I will post my list later in another forum, but right now the two cases are on sale and I can order them for under $140 each. So I really need to buy the cases now, I don't want to get caught with rising prices.

Talz · Post by **Talz** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 8:47 am

chylld wrote:Again off topic: get the CNPS7000A-AlCu - i'm not sure if the cnps7000-alcu will fit on athlon 64's.

The normal Zalman 7000 is just fine, the A model only adds support for Athlon XP.

wgragg · Post by **wgragg** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 12:46 pm

chylld wrote:Again off topic: get the CNPS7000A-AlCu - i'm not sure if the cnps7000-alcu will fit on athlon 64's.

Back on topic: wgragg: I'm not sure about where you live, but I can get the Sonata here for 170. P160 costs me 250 (or a bit less), plus PSU = roughly 350, probably more. The Sonata is less than half the price of the P160! ouch.

I live in College Station Texas. About 90 miles from Houston. A nuumber of retailers are saying they should get this today. I just wish one with a storefront would get it so I could drive down there and look this weekend.

Wendell

pandamonium54 · Post by **pandamonium54** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 8:47 pm

Does anyone know when (approx) it should be available for online ordering? (none of this backorder business)

wgragg · Post by **wgragg** » Fri Nov 14, 2003 9:05 pm

Nextag listed one online shop that claims they have it in stock.

http://www.a2zcomp.com/buy.asp?REF=18&SKU=535176

I'm not sure if they really do. Directron.com changed their eta from 11/15 to 11/25, which does not bode well.

Wendell

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Sat Nov 15, 2003 4:39 am

pandamonium54 wrote:Does anyone know when (approx) it should be available for online ordering? (none of this backorder business)

A reliable source told me it has been delayed. I don't know for how long, only that it has been delayed.

wgragg · Post by **wgragg** » Sat Nov 15, 2003 5:24 am

It seems funny that 3 days ago, Antec made an announcement that it was avaiilable in stores and now it is delayed again. Oh well, I've been leaning more and more against it anyway. I'm kind of looking more at the 3700bqe now.

lenny · Post by **lenny** » Sat Nov 15, 2003 8:26 am

http://www.atacom.com claims to have it in stock now. But I recommend calling them to confirm. They allow local pick-ups (Fremont just off 880) and do have a small display area with many cases, but not sure if they're displaying the P160.

chylld · Post by **chylld** » Sat Nov 15, 2003 1:28 pm

wgragg wrote:It seems funny that 3 days ago, Antec made an announcement that it was avaiilable in stores and now it is delayed again. Oh well, I've been leaning more and more against it anyway. I'm kind of looking more at the 3700bqe now.

If it's being delayed this much and this often, you begin to think that maybe there were some design flaws which are hard or impossible to remedy... if I were looking to buy this case I'd wait until a few reviews were out.

If you think about it from silentpc perspective, you can achieve your goals with an SLK3700BQE. You're paying an extra (or at least I'd be paying an extra) AUD150-200 to change steel for aluminium ("aloominum" for you yankees) and the convenient swivel panel thingy at the top front. Possibly also there is room for a 120x120x38mm fan in the front. But apart from this and the improved (?) aesthetics, is it really a worthwhile case from a silentpc perspective?

Can't wait til SPCR reviews it

wgragg · Post by **wgragg** » Sat Nov 15, 2003 5:52 pm

All excellent points. Unless this is aluminum to beat all aluminum, I will be buying the BQE in the next few days.

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Sun Nov 16, 2003 5:22 am

chylld wrote:
wgragg wrote:It seems funny that 3 days ago, Antec made an announcement that it was avaiilable in stores and now it is delayed again. Oh well, I've been leaning more and more against it anyway. I'm kind of looking more at the 3700bqe now.
If it's being delayed this much and this often, you begin to think that maybe there were some design flaws which are hard or impossible to remedy... if I were looking to buy this case I'd wait until a few reviews were out.

Hopefully it doesn't turn into another Antec Fusion. Anyone remember that one?

canthearyou · Post by **canthearyou** » Sun Nov 16, 2003 10:25 am

I think Fusion had a nice appearance. Seems to me it would fit in with most stereo/video systems marketed these days. Oh, well.

Steve

klas · Post by **klas** » Sun Nov 16, 2003 11:39 am

computerstop.com has P160 in stock, at least that's what my friend said when he visited the store. He also mentioned that it doesn't come with any fans.

UPDATE: Just called them up to make sure it was true and they do in fact have it IN STOCK, price is $129.99

They don't have it listed online however, so I am gonna go to the store later today or tomorrow to check it out

and Ralf you need get rid of your "reliable sources"

Post by **Ralf Hutter** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 2:58 pm

My reliable source told me that Antec is finally starting to ship P160s now. When they'll get to the dealers is a question that I can't answer.

klas · Post by **klas** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 3:18 pm

Ralf Hutter wrote:My reliable source told me that Antec is finally starting to ship P160s now. When they'll get to the dealers is a question that I can't answer.

haha, I've purchased it 2 days ago

lenny · Post by **lenny** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 3:21 pm

klas wrote:haha, I've purchased it 2 days ago

Opinions, impressions, pictures please.

Where are you located?

Edit: Never mind. A little reasoning leads me to conclude - near Bellevue or Seattle, WA.

Antec P160

Silent but cool, any suggestions?

I know, but I need help on the case right now