Antec Mini P180

[The Cisco Kid]

Any one have any personal experience with this case? I'm looking to upgrade my video card and am VERY interested in this case!

Thanks!

 

[KollunZ]

well what are your exact questions for this case?

 

[The Cisco Kid]

Ah good idea

Well how's the cooling? WIll it fit a 9800GX2? Can a 120mm fan be positioned in both front bays? Can you put a 120m fan in the front top hard drive cage with hard drives installed? WiIl a 120mm fan fit in the bottom 2nd hard drive cage bay area with a 9800GX2installed?

How's the footprint compared to the Sugo SG01?

 

[ExtremeWays]

I am doing a build with this case right now, so I can answer some of your questions at least...

Well how's the cooling?

It has a monster three-speed 200mm fan up top, a three-speed 120mm fan in the back, and a split-chamber design that has the power supply separated from the main motherboard compartment. Plus there's plenty of room for a tall CPU heatsink... I'm using the Xigmatek HDT-S1283 without issue.

WIll it fit a 9800GX2?

Yes, I have a 9800GX2 in mine. You have to remove the lower hard drive cage though to make room. Be forewarned that the GX2 is HUGE and might block components of the motherboard. In my case (Asus PKE-VM HDMI), the top four out of six SATA ports are completely blocked. A couple left-angle SATA cables can help get at the top two, but the middle two are a lost cause, I think.

Can a 120mm fan be positioned in both front bays?

Yes, I believe so, but only with the drive cages removed.

Can you put a 120m fan in the front top hard drive cage with hard drives installed?

Nope.

WiIl a 120mm fan fit in the bottom 2nd hard drive cage bay area with a 9800GX2installed?

Yes, with room to spare. That's exactly how I have mine set up.

How's the footprint compared to the Sugo SG01?

Dunno.. I'm not familiar with the SG01.

 

[The Cisco Kid]

ExtremeWays,

Thank you very much for the detailed answer!

My 8800GTS KO also blocks many of my SATA ports, but I was able to find some very very low profile SATA cables that fit nicely under the card. Thank for mentioning this.

The cooling does look very amazing. I think I'll be putting a Noctua NH-U12P in the build, which I'm sure will compliment the Antec fans nicely.

How's the heat with the 9800GX2? The ability to place a 120mm fan in the removed hard drive cage must do an excellent job helping to move cool air into the case.

 

[Ockie]

I would not say that this case is a SFF, it's the same size as the antec 900. What defines a true SFF?

 

[BX_TECH_GOD]

I have the case also. Its definiely not a sff. I would hate to bring this thing anywhere to bulky for a mATX case. The cooling is definitely superb as stated above. I also have 1 extra 120mm fan intaking air in the front by removing the bottom hard drive bay. Theres also a vent at the bottom near the PSU bay. I definitely prefer this case over tool less options bcuz everything feels much more secure. Cable management is also great but there is not much room to work in. Not a big deal for me bcuz my hands arent too big lol. I can also fit my 3870 without removing the bottom dard drive bay if I wanted to by snaking the PCIe 6pin power adapter through the bay but there is very little clearence. I wish this case had a key lock but no biggie.

 

[Impulse]

It's a pretty lackluster design (as far as space usage) for being such a large case imo... I mean, there's non-SFF cases that'll take full ATX mobos which are actually smaller or about the same size (and can accommodate more HDDs w/a large vid card or have extra 5.25" bays, etc.). I wish Antec would make an updated Lanboy! Then again, there's nothing particularly wrong w/the one I'm using...

 

[The Cisco Kid]

Hmmm....some very interesting thoughts. Perhaps I should give the SG03 a look again? I have the bottom fan/ NT06 Lite cooling combo going and have heard you can do the same with the SG03.

I would like to stay SFF, but want the ability to put bigger cards in. The SG01e isn't giving me that option unless I modify it a bit, which I'd prefer not to do.

 

[BassTek]

I think I might get this case for my next build. Sure it's not the best use of space, but I like the cooling, look and general smaller size compared to my current 21" case. SPCR was running both the CPU and GPU fanless with the stock case fans and still had pretty good results for temps, so I might try something similar.

The SG03 is tempting as well though. I'm just not sure the other compromises it brings (cooling, drive bays) are worth it for the good looks and weight savings as I only lug my PC to a lan about twice a year.

 

[9mmx19]

Hm I didnt even know there was such a thing. I like the top grill thats a little different without being too ridiculous. Also comes in a sexy white. Still not sure about cases that have doors though.