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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bobbyto34 - Tuesday, January 17, 2006 - link
Silentpcreview is the first website that posted a review on the P150 (nearly 2 months ago). They got it long before the case was available in stores. Perhaps is it also because the guy from spreview worked with antec on the p180 (that's what they said in their P180 review).Sure we can criticize this test of the PC 150 because they use stock cooler. But if it says that the antec tricool is cleary audible at minimum speed and that a 150$ case makes as much noise as a 40$ case + silent PSU...
I prefer to know the product that i'm buying, specially if it costs 150$....
GameManK - Sunday, January 15, 2006 - link
...I still think it's a little ridiculous to compare noise measurements when using a stock cooling 6600gt and a Thermaltake CPU cooler... and is there a fan on that DFI too?? yuck. And of course the PSU.. no offense to AT, but I'd like to see a silentpcreview.com review of it.This review didn't use the hard drive suspension in the P150, and though I did suspend my drives in my Sonata, I don't really know how much of a difference it actually makes (my maxtor hdd is also quiet, and i never tried hardmounting the wd); there is no way that this review could have shown the benefits of using the suspension, or even the silicon grommets, in the P150 over the hard mounting in the other cases because the test system used components that are significantly louder than (decent) hard drives.
JoshuaBuss - Monday, January 16, 2006 - link
Our stock 6600 GT cooler, thermaltake cpu cooler, and PSU were all hand picked for being exceptionally quiet... the grommets did an exceptional job of isolating the hard drives - perhaps seeking noises would've been a few fractions of a decibel less in the fully suspended mode, but it simply wasn't the issue when it came to the noise emanating from the P150.. the tri-speed fan was a great deal louder than our hard drive.BPB - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
The Antec is $113.99 before shipping at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82...">Newegg right now. That's with the power supply. That seems pretty reasonable to me. Problem is, I don't need a power supply. I have the 450W already. Sell the power supply on eBay and the price could end up being around $50. I said could end up.BPB - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
Oops! Forgot to mention that the $113.99 is after rebate. So it's $157.98 with shipping, $132.98 after rebate.Jynx980 - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
Some of these comments are pretty harsh. Its a mini review comparing various price points and people seem to be expecting a lot more. Eleven pages for three cases seems more than adequate. One suggestion I have would be to make your user name the author name the same for the comments. The name 'Tamale' doesn't seem to have anything to do with the article and I only noticed it from the email association.Tamale - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
I'm still working with the site administration team to get "Joshua Buss" as a registered login name.mindless1 - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
Forgive me if I've overlooked it, but in the noise comparisons the Antec and Raidmax are comparable, BUT does the Raidmax have a comparable filtration system?That is a huge issue, as one who has used filters for years I can assure you that any filter remotely fine enough to be effective has a significant impedance to airflow and to have one case filtered better (or at all) that still achieves same noise levels is no small feat.
However, it's flawed. One can't design a case such that there's only passive intake and throw a filter on the front else it causes more air intake through the drives and port holes, accelerated dust accumulation in them and all the other seemingly minor gaps. Therefore, it's necessary to install the two front 92mm pusher fans and have them at high enough flow rate that the case has positive pressurization so filtered air is exahaust out the drives and gaps rather than sucked in. Those front fans will also signficantlly increase noise levels perceptible to the user, unfortunately, thuogh a bit of dense foam bonded to the front bezel (interior wall) will help.
It's not quite clear what kind of lighting was used to take the pictures, but it is disappointing that the two shades of white (plastic and paint) on the Antec didn't match up. IMO, two different shades of the same color (when off as much as in the picture) is even worse looking than if they had aimed for an entirely different color. Personally I hate glossy paint too, it never holds up as well and gets fingerprints on it.
overall, despite these things the Antec looks like a winner to me. In fact if I didn't know better I'd think they lifted a few ideas from various case mods I've posted over the years. Either way, I thought they were good ideas, they proved to be too, and I'd certainly want them on a case I bought instead of having to DIY.
Tamale - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
Good observations... the lighting we use is chosen carefully so that it can bring out differences in materials somewhat moreso than normal.. that being said, the difference you're noticing in these pictures has been exaggerated and wouldn't be as noticable under normal lighting conditions. There still is a difference though, which is understandable since one surface is metal and the other is plastic, but I doubt you'll find the case unattractive. The finishes are very nice.bob4432 - Friday, January 13, 2006 - link
a maddog psu? that is the best you as a reviewer have laying around? give me a break, at least throw in a old antec one or something, maddog - isn't that compusa generic stuff?