I want one. What more is there to say?

Of course, I'm also paying off a car and already have a perfectly fine box, so the likelihood of getting this case any time soon approaches zero.

its probably the nicest mid tower case ive ever seen.

but i'll probably never personally use it because the one tower case i have right now does everything i want it to and is already setup perfect, and the fact that i'll never personally build a system for myself using anything but SFF cases and SFF barebones.

but if i were to build a system for someone else, i would probably use this.

im still waiting to see some nice SFF HTPC styled cases from antec that dont suck.

The P150 costs 180$ and the P180 costs 160$?
A smaller case is more expensive than the bigger one?

The P180 comes with no PSU. The P150 comes with the excellent Neo HE PSU

Oh, sorry about that, my mistake.

Nicely written, Ralf - sounds like you had fun!

A couple of minor typos, both on page 6. Firstly, and secondly, I believe it's spelled "whoosh", not woosh

Which just leaves me with one problem. How to decide between a P150 and a P180...

Once again a nice review from Ralf, good work!

I have things I noticed from the review:

- I was wondering about the rubber band used in the HDD suspension. It is a nice idea, but I wonder how well that band lasts, any worries of it breaking after a year or two's use? I know it's not a problem for most SPCR users, but let's say a system built into a P150 goes into a relative's use and is left unattended for a few years. Will the band say snap, crackle and pop?

- Little info on the NeoHE PSU, but IMO it looks very nice considering a future fan swap. If I understood correctly, the PSU fan didn't ramp up above 6V? With a proper fan that kind of load PSU fan speeds are more than good. But let's wait for the PSU review...

Wow, I love this case. It implements two ideas that I've been wanting to see in a case: hard disk drive suspension system and no front vent holes, only side vents. I also instantly fell in love with the color scheme. Maybe I've fallen into iPod-fever (I recently bought myself a white iPod nano), but the case looks awesome to me. It's the first case released since my current Wave Master that I would considered buying (sorry, the P180 is just too ugly for me). Great review, and I look forward to reading more about the 430-Watt Neo HE power supply unit.

It looks like the lowest street price for P150 is $180. For P180 is $105 (techonweb.com) + $83 for Seasonic 430 (bestbyteinc.com). So, the difference is only $10-$15 after you add shipping.

According to the review P180 is slightly quieter:
1. Seasonic 430 is slightly quieter than ANtec Neo 430
2. P180 has slightly better thermal - meaning you can run the case fan with lower voltage (run at 5V, set on medium, for example) for the same temps.

P150 has elastic suspension and smaller size going for it.

So if you are perfectionist - stick with P180. If you want a smaller, more modern inside (love elastic suspension), less hassle with the door type - buy P150. Just be aware that price is practically the same.

Thanks to Ralph and Mike for an excellent review of an excellent case.

I didn't notice a weight stated for the case (minus PSU), do you know?

I'm trusting Antec researched the type of rubber used for the suspension. I know a few of the NoVibes copycat designs had trouble with rubber perishing and breaking. If that happens in the P150, a drive could be left dangling at an angle, for an extended period of time, with the owner blisfully unaware, and foreshortening the drives life (HDD manufacturers recommend mounting at 90 or 180 degrees, but not at angles). Just a minor concern....

If antec would make an HTPC case that used the technique/technologies in the P150, I would be so up for that.

I really doubt the P150 will be more than $150 online once the major retailers get them in stock. In fact I found a place selling it for $130 already (techonweb.com, the same place you quoted your P180 price from).

Great find Arcticfox !

The question is to go 90% of the way to a quiet PC with P150 for a cleaner simpler look or 100% with P180.

nice case, a real shame it isn't black as we all know black computers are faster.

I loved that link about how black computers are faster. Even if Antec made a black one (it'll be the same as the options on the Ipod nano), someone will be convinced a red computer would be faster. I mean, why else are most Ferrari's in movies and showroom floors painted red?

great review!

I love the removable cables and integrated suspension. Sure DIY suspension is o.k. but how often do you see a clean DIY suspension that can take THREE drives and keep them cool with intake air?

This is a nice looking case, perhaps the nicest looking I've seen in a long time. My complaints mirror Ralf's, but it looks like I'll end up using the Antec NeoHE 430 PSU even through the fan noise is a tad high (i.e. it will be my PC's new case come December).

I can just imagine it now. I'll buy this case, swap out my SP-94/5v 92mm Panaflo heatsink/fan combination for a XP-90C heatsink, get a 120mm nexus real silent case fan which I'll undervolt to 5 volts or so and mount on Rubber Grommets, place my WD3200JB hard drive on the suspension cables (this is coming from using EAR Grommets), and put the rest of the computer in it. Theoretically, the removal of the CPU fan and suspension of the hard drive should more than compensate for new fan on the PSU, whose Active Power Factor Correction will increase the battery life of my UPS as during a power outage it disappates whatever VA is drawn but not used and Cable Management will help with temperatures.



Ralf, have you ever used the Antec Phantom 350 before?

The only red computer I can imagine would be something like Sony 'My First Computer'

Great review and love the case (the suspension and side vents particularly) - it's just a shame about the hardmounted fan! If I got one I would swap the rear fan for a Nexus and add a front intake as well. It's not fantastic but a quiet PSU with modular cables has been overdue for some time. Well done Antec!

If this comes in black it will probably be my next case. Noe please make a black version

Ooooooh I want one. This is the answer to the hard-mounted drives, 80mm fans, and poor airflow in my server (SPACE).

Two, I want two. Replace both of my cases! I might even be able to get rid of my SmartDrive enclosure in my power rig if I suspend the Raptor! Would be nice to have proper air filters too.

<drool>

I wonder what the resale value of the Neo HE 430 PSU might be. I don't think I can part with the S12; I have been able to run my XP-120 passive with the air draw of 120mm bottom PSU and 120mm exhaust in my 3000b. This begs the question: Does anyone want to buy a Neo HE 430? Never been used - just like new...

Hello,

What are the dimensions of this case?

Regards,
Buddabing

the price if discounted really isnt that much. i mean, if you have a system like mine with cpu gpu all on reserator, i bet that thing doesnt ramp up with all the heat removed from the system.

looks like the case to get. im glad it isnt black. my black case just lacks any style. (solution series).

i wish it was like vinyl white gloss. that woudl be keen. i would put a thin window on it with a purple cathode inside.

80's rock 4eva

Greetings,



From the specs on the Antec site:



In the review, it mentions that it is about 1/2" taller than the Sonata.

.. awesome find! now $128 at techonweb.com! but dammit, how come it's already sold out!!
wasn't it just released or shipped out.. like today?

The answer, I believe, is due to the body.

I remember reading somewhere that red was a trigger to the body for sex. Therefore, the brain then see's the car as sexy.

I, however, prefer black and silver. Don't know why. I see red as too "mainstream" while I see black as very sharp and sleek. I also see the P180 in its silver form as being very cool looking. I don't get the whole "fridge" thing at all. Then again, like I said, I like silver and black.

Guess its just a contrast thing to me.

Actual measurements, courtesy of Your Humble Servant and my Calibrated Stanley tape measure:

17.25" high (from bottom of feet to top of case)

18.5" deep

8.1" wide

Because it was going to be reviewed simultaneously by the capable lads at SPCR-north.

Hi Ralf, you missed the last line!



The point of the "little info one the NeoHE PSU" was to point out I was making my own assumptions about NeoHE based on the PSU info given in this P150 review. So, "let's wait for the PSU review" AKA "Let's not pass the judgement before the actual PSU review".

Enough people gave their judgement about this case based on the press release.

Thanks for the review. It provides a lot of information about the case. This seems to be one nice case indeed. I am in the need of a mid tower case but I can hold out to wait for the the case to be available so I can take a look at the real case myself.