Antec P183 vs mini P180

[JackyPerformance.com]

In everyone's experience, which case is typically quieter if you're putting similar components in the build:

Antec P183 (mid-tower)

or

Antec mini P180 (micro-atx)?

[BlackWhizz]

I think they dont differ a lot. Just size and that the mini is more cramped and it has a 200mm top fan which generates a ginormous underpressure.

[netmask254]

Generally Mini P180 is regarded as better cooling performance comparing with P18X, due to its 20cm top fan. Even with a passive heat sink, the top fan can cool a moderate 65W CPU well.

The problem is that the top fan's noise is loud even in lowest speed (400rpm, ~23dB) and there is no other replacement for it. I suppose it suffers the similar top obstacle problem (http://www.silentpcreview.com/article945-page5.html) which will increase the fan noise by few dBs. If you decided not to use the top fan, it has almost the same performance with P18X. I do like Mini P180 for compactness and appearance.

[bozar]

If you are really sensitive with acoustics, go with P183, you can cover up upper vent more easily and it's spacier.

[Antec_Rep]

In everyone's experience, which case is typically quieter if you're putting similar components in the build:

Antec P183 (mid-tower)

or

Antec mini P180 (micro-atx)?

Hi JackyPerformance.com,

In person, you can't really notice the difference between the P183 and mini P180 but on paper the P180 is a little quieter than the P183. I'd personally recommend the P183 just so you have more room to work with and its future proof (if you plan on upgrading in a few years, bigger mobo, better CPU and video card etc).

Antec