DH Review: Antec P160 Aluminum

Zardon · May 26, 2005, 09:31 PM

An oldie but a goodie, this is the ever popular case from Antec, reviewed now on Driverheaven by Mike "Asmoday" Pettersson because we have been asked frequently in the forum if this case is still worth purchasing.

Also due to demand we will be reviewing several new cases in the coming weeks so keep your eyes peeled on Driverheaven !

"Well what do I have to say after using this case for a couple of days? Antec has managed to make one heck of product, it’s easy to work with, is aesthetically very pleasing and has good thermal capabilities, (the case temp never went over 5-6C above room temperature.). Other key points are the removable motherboard tray, a concept which should be more widely adapted by case manufacturers the world over."

read the review here

Drakon · May 26, 2005, 10:24 PM

Nice review, Mike. I do have to agree that they could have included another 120 mm fan, especially since a lot of the other manufacturers have at least 2 fans in their cases. But it's not a big deal though.

Btw, didn't know you owned a SLI motherboard. Someone is moving up in the world... lol

digerati · May 26, 2005, 11:06 PM

*drool* I wanted that case >.<

And good job with the review!

Tipstaff · May 27, 2005, 06:23 AM

I'm waiting for the Antec P180. Thing was supposed to be out already, and it's the only thing holding me back from redoing my PC.

If it takes any longer I think I'm gonna keep the microBTX P4 system I've been testing. Hell, I might keep it anyways, but, that's besides the point...

BTW: Great review. Best one I've read for this case. I would buy this case if it were not for the P180 coming out. That one I want bad. Real bad. Like, crack bad. <shiver>

-Tip

Danhill · May 27, 2005, 06:58 AM

Great Review Mike, seems to be a great case.

bananaman · May 27, 2005, 09:35 AM

nice review - was thinking about this case then thought "bugger it" and got my Lian Li

Also - on the case review front can you look at some HTPC cases, and maybe even do a review/project log/ thoughts on building and running an HTPC with a driverheaven flavour

nana

digerati · May 27, 2005, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

I'm waiting for the Antec P180. Thing was supposed to be out already, and it's the only thing holding me back from redoing my PC.

If it takes any longer I think I'm gonna keep the microBTX P4 system I've been testing. Hell, I might keep it anyways, but, that's besides the point...

BTW: Great review. Best one I've read for this case. I would buy this case if it were not for the P180 coming out. That one I want bad. Real bad. Like, crack bad. <shiver>

-Tip

Mmmmmmmmmmmm the P180 is definitely drool worthy lol

pr0digal jenius · May 27, 2005, 02:38 PM

very nice...that thermal readout is definately nifty

studbagel9 · May 27, 2005, 03:10 PM

How would you setup the front Audio ports if you have an expansion audio card like say, the Audigy 2 ZS Gamer?

OpusP.Gladiator · May 27, 2005, 07:00 PM

I've owned this case since the first month it came out...!!! Price hasn't changed much either...fortunately...

100% on the review, great job.... the only thing I think you failed to mention which is a bit curious to me... is since the HDD cage is turned 90 degrees the sata cables really need to be bent alot to allow the side panel to be attached! as there isn't that much of an air-gap!
If they had offset the cage just a bit more to the far side this might have made for a more perfect design...
oh yea, and allow for 5 HDDS instead of 4.... as I have a mobo with 6 sata ports and 2ide but have only installed 3 hdd's as a 4hdd raid configure with an independent os HDD just isn't easily feasible unless I take out one of my cdrw's Not gonna do!

But otherwise, the blue led's are bright so if you need 2 turn them off the 3-pin connector is handy...!!! Just my 2 cents IMO!

**dj_stick** · May 27, 2005, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studbagel9

How would you setup the front Audio ports if you have an expansion audio card like say, the Audigy 2 ZS Gamer?

hack up the cable and connect it to the J1 connector

micron · May 28, 2005, 01:56 AM

More case reviews!

Resistor · May 28, 2005, 10:10 AM

I really like the P160 but it looks a bit small to my liking.... The P180, looks like a different beast

[edit] Look what I had found Here

chicago · May 29, 2005, 02:34 PM

I have P-160WF spend the extra $10 and you get the the extra fan and also a clear side panel.

This is one of the best cases I have ever bought. I Plan on keeping this case a long time

Psyman · Jun 1, 2005, 11:36 AM

i've owned the P-160W for some time now, very nice indeed, cooling is adaquate and roomy, although i modded mine some, i took a dremel and cut out the crossbars behind the HD cage ( lots more room for wires and cabling) removed the bar from the window side for astetic looks- added a custom water cooling system with 2 rad's, 1 top, 1 rear (just enuf room on the top for a 120mm) the swiftech mcp350 just fits under the drives and runs quiet, i changed the fans to the coolermaster silent series , theres just a low hum for noise. (the windowed version comes with a 120mm Blue LED for the rear exhaust)

May 26, 2005, 09:31 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	DH Review: Antec P160 Aluminum An oldie but a goodie, this is the ever popular case from Antec, reviewed now on Driverheaven by Mike "Asmoday" Pettersson because we have been asked frequently in the forum if this case is still worth purchasing. Also due to demand we will be reviewing several new cases in the coming weeks so keep your eyes peeled on Driverheaven ! "Well what do I have to say after using this case for a couple of days? Antec has managed to make one heck of product, it’s easy to work with, is aesthetically very pleasing and has good thermal capabilities, (the case temp never went over 5-6C above room temperature.). Other key points are the removable motherboard tray, a concept which should be more widely adapted by case manufacturers the world over." read the review here

May 27, 2005, 06:23 AM	#4
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,773 Rep Power: 191 System Specs	I'm waiting for the Antec P180. Thing was supposed to be out already, and it's the only thing holding me back from redoing my PC. If it takes any longer I think I'm gonna keep the microBTX P4 system I've been testing. Hell, I might keep it anyways, but, that's besides the point... BTW: Great review. Best one I've read for this case. I would buy this case if it were not for the P180 coming out. That one I want bad. Real bad. Like, crack bad. <shiver> -Tip __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick. Last edited by Tipstaff; May 27, 2005 at 08:31 AM.

May 27, 2005, 06:58 AM	#5
Danhill DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 4,112 Rep Power: 0	Great Review Mike, seems to be a great case. __________________ MOBO: [color=white]ASUS A8N-SLI Premium[/color] CPU: AMD 64 3200+ (Venice) @ 2,50 Ghz MEM: 2 x 512 DDR 466, VGA: 2 x 6600 GT in SLI, HDD1: WD Raptor HDD2: Maxtor Diamond Plus 9, Case: Antec Plus View 1080, PSU: ThermalTake PurePower 500W, MX 1000, Dell 2001 FP, Aud. 2 SZ

May 27, 2005, 09:35 AM	#6
bananaman banana muncher Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: London Posts: 1,254 Rep Power: 64	nice review - was thinking about this case then thought "bugger it" and got my Lian Li Also - on the case review front can you look at some HTPC cases, and maybe even do a review/project log/ thoughts on building and running an HTPC with a driverheaven flavour nana __________________

May 27, 2005, 03:10 PM	#9
studbagel9 Rolling the Hard Six Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lock Haven, PA Posts: 767 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	How would you setup the front Audio ports if you have an expansion audio card like say, the Audigy 2 ZS Gamer? __________________

May 26, 2005, 10:24 PM	#2
Drakon DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Floatin'... Posts: 4,957 Rep Power: 0	Nice review, Mike. I do have to agree that they could have included another 120 mm fan, especially since a lot of the other manufacturers have at least 2 fans in their cases. But it's not a big deal though. Btw, didn't know you owned a SLI motherboard. Someone is moving up in the world... lol

May 26, 2005, 11:06 PM	#3
digerati Everyones life has worth Join Date: May 2003 Location: My Yellow Bug Posts: 3,779 Rep Power: 0	drool I wanted that case >.< And good job with the review!

May 27, 2005, 02:38 PM	#8
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	very nice...that thermal readout is definately nifty

May 27, 2005, 07:00 PM	#10
OpusP.Gladiator '42' Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Oregon!!! Posts: 300 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Gee why didn't U ask me? I've owned this case since the first month it came out...!!! Price hasn't changed much either...fortunately... 100% on the review, great job.... the only thing I think you failed to mention which is a bit curious to me... is since the HDD cage is turned 90 degrees the sata cables really need to be bent alot to allow the side panel to be attached! as there isn't that much of an air-gap! If they had offset the cage just a bit more to the far side this might have made for a more perfect design... oh yea, and allow for 5 HDDS instead of 4.... as I have a mobo with 6 sata ports and 2ide but have only installed 3 hdd's as a 4hdd raid configure with an independent os HDD just isn't easily feasible unless I take out one of my cdrw's Not gonna do! But otherwise, the blue led's are bright so if you need 2 turn them off the 3-pin connector is handy...!!! Just my 2 cents IMO! __________________ http://img52.exs.cx/img52/7799/opus.jpg AMD X2-3800 (Manchester), Oc'd to 2.25 on stock cooler! DFI Lanparty-UT-SLI-D mobo, OCZ Platinum pc3200xtc @ 2.3.2.5.1T, MSI 7800gt @440/1100, Soundblaster X-Fi Fatal1ty, 2 wd 36g raptors, 1 maxtor 250g eide, Coolermaster case with Handle Logitech g15, 20.1" Sceptre LCD, Antec neo2 500w PS"

May 28, 2005, 01:56 AM	#12
micron DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: OKC Ok. Posts: 186 Rep Power: 0	More case reviews!

May 28, 2005, 10:10 AM	#13
Resistor Get it Going.. Join Date: May 2004 Location: Brisbane ..Oz Posts: 750 Rep Power: 0	I really like the P160 but it looks a bit small to my liking.... The P180, looks like a different beast [edit] Look what I had found Here Last edited by Resistor; May 28, 2005 at 12:06 PM.

May 29, 2005, 02:34 PM	#14
chicago DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	I have P-160WF spend the extra $10 and you get the the extra fan and also a clear side panel. This is one of the best cases I have ever bought. I Plan on keeping this case a long time

Jun 1, 2005, 11:36 AM	#15
Psyman DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 17 Rep Power: 0	i've owned the P-160W for some time now, very nice indeed, cooling is adaquate and roomy, although i modded mine some, i took a dremel and cut out the crossbars behind the HD cage ( lots more room for wires and cabling) removed the bar from the window side for astetic looks- added a custom water cooling system with 2 rad's, 1 top, 1 rear (just enuf room on the top for a 120mm) the swiftech mcp350 just fits under the drives and runs quiet, i changed the fans to the coolermaster silent series , theres just a low hum for noise. (the windowed version comes with a 120mm Blue LED for the rear exhaust)