Upgrade from Antec P183?

E

EmptyWallet

Gawd
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Jul 9, 2001
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What's another awesomely quiet and cool case I can upgrade to from my P183?

Seems my GTX580 fits a little snug in it.
 
Don't bother, seriously. There aren't any cases worth your effort to depart from P183, I tried and looked for weeks. The FT02 is the only one I would even consider going to but it needs HD cage redesign badly, but I so want this case, cheapest at Amazon. I may transition to it if they update it ever. But like I said the P183 is still an awesomely narrow and good looking case and great from many many aspects.
 
I used to run a P180 and when time came this September for my new build I purchased an Antec P280. I'd recommend you take a look and see if that will suite your needs.
 
I'd say go with Fractal Design R4, it's a very well built case. I went from Antec P180 to P280 but I did not like it because the case was not as sturdy and cheaply made compare to the original P180 series. The Fractal Design R4 I'm using now is very well made, on par with P180 quality with better technology and it's cheaper than P280
 
I still haven't purchased anything.....so any more suggestions that might differ from October?
 
Any news on this? I've been eyeing the Corsair 550D, the P280 and considering (less silent) others like the Corsair 500R or 650D… Prices vary a bit but not by that much!

Would love to get opinions as well… :)
 
My last build was with a P183. My latest one which I'm working on now uses a P280. The P183 was good but I didn't like the front panel and the lack of cable management features. The P280 fixes both of those. The inside is roomy with lots of holes for cable management and the front panel doesn't have the weird cutouts anymore. It was only $90 too form NCIX.
 
I like the P193 V3 over the 280. Same "low noise" design as the 180/183, but larger inside (and outside). Has an additional external side fan too.

Pretty expensive, though; currently $183 at Amazon.
 
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Fritingo said:
I like the P193 V3 over the 280. Same "low noise" design as the 180/183, but larger inside (and outside). Has an additional external side fan too.

Pretty expensive, though; currently $183 at Amazon.
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The P193 looks truly awful IMO. I'm really glad Antec toned down the design for the P280. Even the grill openings on the front of my P183 are kinda ugly and they allow some extra noise to get out as well.

The Fractal Design Define XL R2 looks really great. Also like how the interior is configurable. I would like to front mount my H100i in my P280 but it doesn't look like the front drive bays can be moved...
 
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I would say either the Fractal R4 or the Fractal XL R2 would make for an excellent upgrade.
 
I have a P280. Antec is releasing the P280S in the Spring. Buying it as soon as I can find a store with them in stock.
If you can wait, I suggest the P280S.
 
So many good cases out there, and for $30 - $65, I never advocate spending more than that unless you don't want to mod your case for custom watercooling.
 
after loving my P180B and never finding a suitable replacement, along with my recent addiction to watercooling (stacking a 480mm rad with push pull fans on the roof of the P180), Im moving up to either the Corsair 900D or Caselabs ST10,
 
stratosrally said:
If you're willing to go bigger - and still not have to spend any more, the upcoming (February) release of the new Fractal Design Define XL R2 will be out - for a list price of only $129.99.

Comes with 3 x140mm fans:

http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&category=2&prod=111

It's big, but if you like subtle styling and quiet cases - IMHO you can't beat it for the price.
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Dang that one looks amazing! My dilemma is that I know of Antec's build quality (e.g. no sharp corners, etc) and I have no idea how good Fractal's cases are from that standpoint… :eek:
 
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Check around for reviews on the Define series - they're plenty good quality and get great reviews. The Define R4 (mid-tower with 7 expansion slots) just won in a big comparison at Tom's Hardware. Best for cooling/noise reduction.
 
I went P182 -> Fractal R3 and find it to be a slight downgrade, or sidegrade at best. Noise is my primary concern, though.
 
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