Remonster

jamenta, when you get your P180 and have the side panel off knock on it with your nuckle and see how little noise it makes compared to other steel or aluminum panels, Antec really knocked one out of the park with this case.

Anyways I cut away the fan grills like I said and it helped A LOT, I highly reccomend all of you with pretty much any case do it, just keep ignorant children away from your case and be careful when you're moving it while it's on, you can cut yourself easily lol.

jamenta

I think I will do as you suggest remonster - off with the grills! Thanks. By the way, I like your rig - we seem to have similar tastes. You have a nice 2ms monitor - I just purchased a 5ms for $190 but what I'm really liking about my new LCD is the Widescreen - really adds to gaming.

PS: Thermaltake has just come out with an upgrade to the Big Typhoon. The new VX version boasts more CFM and pressure, and has an adjustable fan. Stays at 16db for regular operation - and jumps only to 24db for max.

Remonster

Yeah I have seen the Big Typhoon VX a few times now but am not that impressed, why? It's the exact same but with a VERY BAD mounting system and a controllable fan, I'll swap out the fan on my BT if I feel the need (not likely) but the mounting system really killed it for me, who would ever want push pins over the ultrasecure screws and backplate system on the original? I just don't understand the logic there, save 5 minutes installing it and risk breaking your motherboard or having the BT simply fall off.

jamenta

Apparently many people were having problems with the screws as well.

I can see your point about not upgrading if you already have the Typhoon - just swap out the fan of your old one - if you want the adjustable extra rate -and get same deal maybe even better for less. OTW, it does look like nothing else has changed except the fan and the mounting system.

For a new purchaser (me) then it appears to be a good deal although you have me worried now about the new mounting. I have an an AMD socket 939 - which I believe will be OK.

Chozart

It seems that the mounting system works fine... not much to worry about that. It makes installation easier, and I believe the construction is sturdy enough.

Also, the fan is different, as in more powerful.

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apachegank

i have no problem with my case....still best quiet case for me....

Judge420

I got the P180 case and I love it. Got it just for the fact that the PSU heat is kept away from mobo and cpu and videocards. Yes wiring was a little tricky, but if you plan things out carefully have some good wire management then I think the payout is a great, cool and quiet case with a sleek look.

Pics:
Side Shot, Side shot in action, Top view, Open front view

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CPU-Z VALIDATION - 3.2Ghz,1067Mhz DDR2

Some pic's of my beast - Side View, Side Action, Inside, Front, CPU-Z, Sandra Benches, PCmark05, 3Dmark06, Super Pi, Antec 900 Review, Temps with Scythe Ninja

Chozart

nice

Hey, are you using that upper HDD bracket?

This would help a lot:


As you see, I removed that upper bracket, improving airflow, and temps in the top chamber. Also, I now removed the lower chamber center fan, and zip-tied a 92mm fan to the front of the case (on the inside). This makes cabling a little easier (can keep HDD power cables down, and can use both openings for whichever cables it's most convenient)

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Judge420

Hmm, I use the HDD bracket to hold that xtra gpu fan, you think I would be better served just moving the thunderblade up front and taking out the xtra tri-cool thats there now? Figured I'd inject that cool air right on top of the gpu's for the love. I was thinking about diong something with the bottom chamber fan but I have the cables route decently now and don't really feel like getting down and dirty again quite yet.

Your setup does look much more spacious without that HDDbracket and clean wire management. Whoa, never really noticed how long my dvd burner is til I looked at yours as well, maybe I should move that up top...

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CPU-Z VALIDATION - 3.2Ghz,1067Mhz DDR2

Some pic's of my beast - Side View, Side Action, Inside, Front, CPU-Z, Sandra Benches, PCmark05, 3Dmark06, Super Pi, Antec 900 Review, Temps with Scythe Ninja

Chozart

With that extra fan mounted there, you might have some advantage of airflow over the video cards (mostly the top card as far I can tell), but I think the general airflow is limited as a result. If you have time, just play a little with different set ups, until you find something that you like.

You do indeed want to move that optical drive up. Also, maybe a round cable is an idea? It seem to me that yuor Zalman is a little restricted there.

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