Antec shows off P280 prototype
The P280 takes it's design cues from the P180, a case we liked very much
The case clearly carries over some visual design elements from its predecessor, such as the large, metal door that can be opened a full 270 degrees to lie flat against the left-hand side of the case. The internal design of the chassis has been significantly changed however, with Antec opting for a single- rather than dual-chamber design.
This, Antec explained, was simply to make the cable routeing easier, as it’s no longer necessary to completely isolate the PSU in the way that the P180 did. This is because most PSUs use bottom-mounted fans these days so they can be easily isolated by placing them in the lower corner of a case with their own dedicated intake.
The drive bay focus of the case has also changed, with more 3.5in bays and fewer 5.25in bays now available. The cooling available has seen a revamp too with three of Antec’s new silicone-mounted fans acting as exhausts in the top and rear of the case. These are all powered by connections to a small PCB which requires a single Molex connection. In theory, this should lead to less cable clutter in the case.
The side panels of the case are lined with compressed polymer sheets which Antec claims offer the same amount of noise reduction as the triple-layer side panels found on the P100-series of cases.
The case we saw was only an engineering sample, but Antec said that it was ‘pushing hard' to have the case ready for release in time for Christmas. It also hinted that the MSRP was likely to be around the €100 mark which should mean the P280 hits UK shores at £70 to £80.
How did you get on with the original P180? Are you on the look out for a new, sleek-looking case? Let us know your thoughts in the forum.
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Discuss in the forums ReplySeriously. This is not Performance One series case. This is P-LanBoy. With this design change, it will be just one another case from some case manufacturer.
The P180 wasn't 'triple layer' in a lot of places, either. The bottom was bare metal, the top was metal with a bit of plastic stuck on it with what amounted to Copydex, and the front was the traditional bare metal with plastic moulding popped on.
Having said that, if it fits the hardware I want inside it, keeps all the bits cool and is quiet while doing that, I'll be tempted.
Expand ? What ?
1) NSK, ISK, Fusion, Skeleton, x Hundred series is OK for what it is. Some older cases are OK too.
2) P183 is a screwed up version of P182, because of those front openings. But it sort of acceptable.
3) When i first saw P193 my first reaction was "what the hell are they drinking, this is not a race car which needs extra wings". Yes, i talk about that thing on the side.
4) Sonata IV and Elite. Seriously ? The holes on the sides are horrible.
5) Lanboy Air is again in the "what the hell are they drinking" category. My feelings are best described by this Mod Men episode :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d55Qsxcogb8#t=0m52s
6) Dark Fleet - the only expression which can describe this series is "WTF".
In my opinion the last good ATX/mATX cases released by Antec were P182, Solo and Fusion Remote/Max. Since then, it's going downhill.
Or you mean the "P-Lanboy" comment ? Perfomance One series cases are quality products. Plastic hard drive holders ? Plastic and screwless 5,25" device mount ?
What is the point of having sound insulated side panels and front door, when you let all the noise escape through top fan mounts ? The difference between sound going out at back and at top is extreme.
PS: I hope the orange stuff is just because it's prototype.
Fractal Design FTW!
Actually, i think there's provision for two at the top of the hdd caddies. Take a look on hexus, they've a quick video peek of this case.
agree!
This is no successor to P1, this is a successor to Lanboy with covered up parts.
Isolated areas, and ability to use super long graphics cards (600T approach when not isolated bays).
That being said, the P280 looks just that bit too plasticky, although it's still better looking than most cases out there. What irks me are the new drive bays. I really liked the removable compartments in the P18x.
I'm wondering how the SPCR crowd will take to this updated version, though.
I wouldn't normally dig it, but this looks kinda nice. Will keep my eyes on that one.
However, Antec has still some good cases, like the ISK-100 or 300 for example, which is nice for low power miniITX-systems and the Antec Threehundred is still a real good budget-case at $50.
It just won't load the content, either on Safari or Firefox.
EDIT: I write this post, then suddenly I can get on easily..
That was such a great case.
Make the frame aluminum and you have pure heaven (it was awfully heavy).
I agree though, they have sort of lost their way. This looks more like a fusion of the 1200, and P183. While I have a 300, I don't like the 1200 and it's ilk. I want clean lines on a case, not this angular stuff with fans showing all over or those stupid orange clips. I get it, it's tooless, but seriously, some of this stuff is going too far. Screws are good! Besides, it's not like I swap fans daily or anything so who cares if I have to undo a screw or 4 to change one.
IIRC the founder of SPCR was heavily involved in the design of the P180, wonder if this one went through the same process.
I keep mine under the desk and because the case is that heavy (and I'm disabled), I can't lift it completely off the floor when moving it, so I have to drag it slightly....and the case feet come off.
Surely they must be able to design better feet for the case?
At home my brother has a P182 mini, which has one of the filters on the bottom (like this one does) and its always a pain to get them out. luckily my mother keeps the house cleaner than i do my room...
With 2 fans on top, or 2 big holes if you remove them ? No, it won't be silent, nor quiet.
The noticed it's waste of space and make installation trickier? I've never understood how the damn dividing wall was supposed to REALLY help anything. With a passively cooled power supply and with the extra fan in the middle it made some sense, but other than that it was just stupid.
I like the looks, thank god they got rid of the P183 door vents. That said I don't like the orange bits, the vented expansion slot covers(just draws in dust) or the fixed drive cage with plastic HDD-holders.
Then again, the original P180 needed some modding to be really good as well. And while I like how Fractal Design blocks the unwanted fan vents, it's still better to have extra ones than not many enough. It's hardly a surprise that Antec can't - or doesn't want to - make a case just for the 2% (stats from my arse) of users that are the most enthusiastic about silence. They make a case for the 20%, many of which don't mind, or can live with the roof vents.
After all it's the stuff that's inside the case is always going to make the difference, not the case...
This is overall a fail in my book... what happened Antec???
There not all about silence, they are about balancing low noise with high performance. If you want silence you want one of those fan-less radiator cases.
I still use a modded P180 - been very happy with it - not sure why I need to replace it tbh.
Don't like the looks of this personally.
I got bored of the looks, which is why I'm no fan of the P280 or the Fractal R3 (be original ffs). Theres plenty of middle ground between the P180 and something fugly like the Darkfleet or HAF cases, surely someone can try?
You do realize the original had a roof fan as well - and a fugly one at that. So what exactly is the big deal? If you don't want a roof fan, just block it, just like you had to with the original. Again, it's much easier to block unwanted holes than drill new ones when you need extra airflow.
somebody didnt pay attention in physics. Just a single strip of sound absorbant material tactially placed can help dampen sounds, sounds 'bounces' and the more it reverbirates the more audiable it is. it's not about sealing it in by covering all the holes to stop it escaping, it's about absorbing it with materials placed near sources of sound.
I'm not saying adding dampening to the other areas dosn't help, it does of course. What I'm objecting to is your earlier notion that having sound absorbent side panels is pointless if the roof of the case isn't also done, simply put, it dosn't work like that, it would help yes, but just having one side panel would also help alot.
I have to agree here.
While Antec separated everything for cooling reasons, it also helps contain the noise from each area. Stand in an empty warehouse and every noise is heard throughout. Put up a few walls, or impediments to the sound and it quiets down fast, even if they don't reach the ceiling. An empty case is like a big acoustic chamber just waiting to echo anything inside. If the sound is stopped before it ever gets to the roof, you won't hear it no matter how open the roof is.
For example, the separate drive chamber helped dampen the noise from reaching the main chamber, any noise that did make it through, was further dampened by the main chamber before it had a chance to exit the top. Every bit of damping adds another level before the sound gets out. You can add as much damping as you want to an R3, and it will be hard pressed to equal the noise damping of a 180 because you are dealing with a single larger chamber.
As for roof vents, I'm a bit opposed to them pointing straight out. No matter what you do, any grill there is going to create noise (fans blowing against anything creates some noise). It may be low, but it at least has the potential. Which was part of the reason for the "snorkel" on the 180. It deflected that noise towards the rear of the case. I didn't like the look of it, but it was effective.
This is the reason why I'm sticking to my Coolermaster Cosmos as it's so much easier to slide in and out from under my desk, despite it's size and weight. I'd urge you to have a look at it, or its successors.
Feet are easily changed.
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9_510&products_id=16642
the ultra clean lines have been replaced with bevelling and glowing things, it no longer has the 'wind tunnel' for the PSU unit, and no longer has the removable HDD bays.
it's good to see they've gotten rid of the slatted mini doors that covered the front fans as they just restriced airflow and even the case designer recommended they be removed, and i'm glad they've thought about access to the back of the CPU area, meaning easier cooler changing, but (and i know they can't stay the same for ever) i can't help but wonder why not just go with a dramatic change or keep the stuff they know was popular?
for me, there are other cases on the market that match the look and feel of the p180 much more than antec seem to have managed here
It is very quiet and does provide great cooling, but working with it has been a bad experience.
I'm going to be making a new build soon and have my eyes on the Fractal Design Define R3.