Price-Point Comparing Three-Way Case Shootout
by Joshua Buss on January 13, 2006 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Benchmark Comparisons
To get as meaningful a comparison as possible between the different cases, we installed the same set of hardware into each one; our new standard ATX test bed. While our X1 and P150 did both include power supplies, we still wanted to test just the case to eliminate any other variables.
Continuing with the new ATX test bed we used for the HTPC comparison, we now have many points of measurement in the computer and can get a really good idea of how well the cases are performing in the temperature arena.
As always, however, temperatures alone don't tell the whole story. Since Antec makes it very clear that the P150 is all about silence, we tested the case with the tri-speed fan set to the lowest level. The noise levels from each case are summarized in the following table:
The E68's cooling performance is still amazing, but now, the reasons are slightly more obvious - the 120mm fan included with the case makes significantly more noise than the other two cases' solutions. That having been said, the E68 still was definitely within tolerable limits for us, and would certainly suit the majority of users fine, especially if they are used to keeping their computers under their desk and don't mind the aforementioned sound of simply "moving air".
Even focusing too much on the obvious winners from each category really isn't the right thing to do here either though; it's once when you take both charts into consideration that the P150 starts to finally strut its stuff. Compared directly to the just-as-quiet X1, the P150 keeps critical components - especially the GPU and chipset - slightly cooler. With only a single fan against the X1's two, this can only be explained by sheer good case design and a very efficient fan. However, hard drive temperatures aren't the best on the P150, so it'd be wisest to pair it with hard drives that are either known for running cool or for being able to withstand heat without any issues.
Finally, a couple of words about the included power supplies on the X1 and P150: our Antec test unit must have been defective, as it was causing boot problems in not only our test bed, but in another computer as well. When it was running, it was virtually silent - even quieter than our MadDog unit.
Update: It sounds like there IS a real issue going on with the Neo HE power supply included with the P150.. the silent PC forums make mention of it but the easiest place to see that there must be problems with it is in the newegg user reviews for the case.
The Raidmax power supply was also practically silent, and worked fine in the test bed under heavy loads for several hours, and in another gaming computer for a couple of weeks without any problems.
To get as meaningful a comparison as possible between the different cases, we installed the same set of hardware into each one; our new standard ATX test bed. While our X1 and P150 did both include power supplies, we still wanted to test just the case to eliminate any other variables.
| ATX Test Bed | |
| DFI LanParty UT 915P-T12 Pentium 4 530 Prescott 3.0ghz OCZ 512MB DDR2 x 2 Thermaltake Golden Orb II Maxtor 80gb IDE Hard Drive Chaintech GeForce 6600GT MSI DVD-CD/R/RW Combo drive MadDog MD-600SCPS PSU |
 |
Continuing with the new ATX test bed we used for the HTPC comparison, we now have many points of measurement in the computer and can get a really good idea of how well the cases are performing in the temperature arena.
As always, however, temperatures alone don't tell the whole story. Since Antec makes it very clear that the P150 is all about silence, we tested the case with the tri-speed fan set to the lowest level. The noise levels from each case are summarized in the following table:
The E68's cooling performance is still amazing, but now, the reasons are slightly more obvious - the 120mm fan included with the case makes significantly more noise than the other two cases' solutions. That having been said, the E68 still was definitely within tolerable limits for us, and would certainly suit the majority of users fine, especially if they are used to keeping their computers under their desk and don't mind the aforementioned sound of simply "moving air".
Even focusing too much on the obvious winners from each category really isn't the right thing to do here either though; it's once when you take both charts into consideration that the P150 starts to finally strut its stuff. Compared directly to the just-as-quiet X1, the P150 keeps critical components - especially the GPU and chipset - slightly cooler. With only a single fan against the X1's two, this can only be explained by sheer good case design and a very efficient fan. However, hard drive temperatures aren't the best on the P150, so it'd be wisest to pair it with hard drives that are either known for running cool or for being able to withstand heat without any issues.
Finally, a couple of words about the included power supplies on the X1 and P150: our Antec test unit must have been defective, as it was causing boot problems in not only our test bed, but in another computer as well. When it was running, it was virtually silent - even quieter than our MadDog unit.
Update: It sounds like there IS a real issue going on with the Neo HE power supply included with the P150.. the silent PC forums make mention of it but the easiest place to see that there must be problems with it is in the newegg user reviews for the case.
The Raidmax power supply was also practically silent, and worked fine in the test bed under heavy loads for several hours, and in another gaming computer for a couple of weeks without any problems.
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Tamale - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
You know, several of those descriptions never did sit well with me.. and perhaps I am a little too biased towards the geekier look... I'll try to tone down my enthusiasm for the X1 a bit.As for the hard mounting vs. soft mounting, our maxtor IDE drive is very very quiet, and seeking noises couldn't be heard in the P150 at all even using the "hard" (silicone grommets) mount.
Seeking sounds were only barely audible in the E68 and X1.
strikermlc - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
I'm sorry, but the statement about the p150 falling short because it doesn't even have a "classy window" on the side is incredibly funny to me. Personally the p150 is the only one out of the three cases that would aesthetically have a chance of making it into an open living space in my home. I'm just as big of a gamer and hardware geek as anyone and I've been a daily reader of anandtech for years - but that comment in my opinion clearly reinforces that while anandtech should be held in very high regard for their knowledge of hardware - their aesthetic evaluations are clearly lacking.While the front of the raidmax case is not unforgivable - the side panel is. The window is downright tacky and the decorative arrows around the window are laughable - as if the window that will soon be displaying countless oversized glowing fans and other lights is incapable of attracting enough attention on it's own?
I realize everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And while I'm sure there are plenty of twelve year old anandtech readers drooling over this case, the window on this case is in no means and under no circumstances "classy" and it never will be. There have got to be plenty of adult readers at anandtech that will agree with me on this point.
True class is understated - and that's what I want my case to exhibit. Well designed functionality, quiet, crisp clean lines and quality materials - brushed metal and glossy paint are certainly fine, it doesn't have to be boring by any means. It just shouldn't fill the room with a whirling, glowing, fire-eating circus show.
Ah well, I've made my point. $0.02 from a graphic designer that loves his pc's and computer hardware just as much as the next anandtech reader, and unlike most graphic designers, regard's mac's as simply an overpriced novelty item.
Thanks and good night.
aaron
yacoub - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
Well stated, aaron. The P150 is the most mature looking of the three cases - the most gimmick-free. Everything about it is functional and meant to meet its design goals of the best quiet-computing mid-tower on the market. It succeeds.Erssa - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
I cannot believe that the amateur reviewer hardmounted the HDD instead of using the soft mount method, that would have subjectively really made a difference in sound levels.Very superficial review overall. I wonder what the reviewer would have said about the cases had he used a silent cpu cooler (even zalman 7700cu fan mated would have been good) and passive GPU. I believe it would have really turned out the table for antecs advantage. Sound measurements from the sides would have been a nice addition aswell. Since antec was the only case that had no ways for sound to escape from the side. Measuring noise from 6" doens't make too much sense either since nobody has his head 6" from the front of his computer. Something like 1m would have been nice, but that would have probably ment that combined with more silent combonents the sound measuring device would have proved itself inadequate.
Xenoterranos - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
That wouldn't have really been a case test then would it? It would have been a silent-cpu-cooler-and-passive-gpu-cooler-in-cases-x-y-and-z test.While I can't disagree on the technical merrits of the Raidmax case, those little blue triangles really turn me off. Maybe I'm just not aesthetically inclined.
Trippytiger - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
The Antec may be the most expensive of the group, but it seems to me that it also comes with the most trustworthy power supply of the three as well. I know I'd want to replace the power supply in that Raidmax case if I were going to use it.Tamale - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
You can get it without one entirely if you want for only $50. Also, heed my note about the Raidmax supply - it's been running strong (and still is by the way) in another decently-equipped PC here in my lab.mindless1 - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
It's been running, but what is "strong"? That it runs? The question with such PSU is not does it run but how long it does and what happens when it begins failing. If it does not last the life of the system, another PSU must be bought and all savings are negated.Tamale - Saturday, January 14, 2006 - link
By strong I simply mean steady voltages, even under load. And of course, length of life is an issue, but I've only had the power supplies for a few weeks, so I comment on that much, other than the fact that both Antec supplies I received have problems with the 3.3v rail.leofischer - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
I doubt the drives were suspended, because he says'Also note the rubber bands stretched across the sides of this cavity. While we're not 100% sure, we are fairly certain that this is an effort to help minimize vibrations from the hard drives that may cause additional noise within the case.'
duh..
Doesn't seem like he realised what the bands were for. I assume there is some kind of explanation accompanying the case or mention of the suspension method in literature, but I wouldn't know.