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Antec P180 Mini?

R

RanceJustice

Supreme [H]ardness
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Hello all. I've been spending quite some time searching for a proper SFF or minitower for my next build. I is going to serve primarily as a NAS, but will have some performance parts as well. Thus, I need both something that can fit a few hard drives (Minimum 3) without strife, and if possible has room for a better cooler than my old Silverstone SG01-E.

I've been seeing lots of people on other forums recommend the Antec P180 Mini. It is certainly large enough from what I see, but I wonder how it will stack up to "proper" LianLi models like the A05n, v351, and soon to be released A03 and A06F? My main concern is with the Antec's quality - the structure is made of steel instead of aluminum, and the plastic+aluminum+plastic side panels will surely be a bitch to mod compared to single, thin aluminum panels like on the LianLi. It seems to have more cooling than other models of its kind with several 120mm and a 200mm fan, but then again more does not necessarily mean better. I assume that the vast majority of heatsinks will fit in the P180 Mini just fine, up to and including the TRUE?

I've a few concerns about this case, but it seems that people in XS and elsewhere are raving over it so I thought I'd ask for everyone's opinions here.
 
I have one i use at the office as a backup server rig. I like the case alot. But i would not call it a small form factor case at all. Its a Mid Tower for sure.
 
It's huge for a SFF case, but if you're going to make use of the space it should be nice. As for concerns regarding modding... what would you do, add a window? Don't, it'll just make it loud.
 
The 182 is ATX though, correct? The 180M is mATX.

I just ordered a P180M last night (this one to be specific (I must have grabbed the last one, they were in stock when I ordered)).


They seem to be good cases.
 
Yes, but the P180 Mini is insanely large for a "SSF" case... the P180/P182 isn't that much larger physically, and you have more expansion options, as well as ATX motherboard support.
 
silent-circuit said:
Yes, but the P180 Mini is insanely large for a "SSF" case... the P180/P182 isn't that much larger physically, and you have more expansion options, as well as ATX motherboard support.
Click to expand...

The 180 also has the advantage of more HSF selections.
 
silent-circuit said:
Yes, but the P180 Mini is insanely large for a "SSF" case... the P180/P182 isn't that much larger physically, and you have more expansion options, as well as ATX motherboard support.
Click to expand...

I bought the same case Saturday it's awesome but I wonder how it will age...
 
Mini P180 has about 2x the airflow of a P182. It's the choice for a matx build with hot components. It can handle any heatsink. The panels are harder to mod, but are designed to attenuate noise. A MiniP based system will be relatively quiet compared to other matx cases, especially with hot components. If you remove the lower HD bay for a full sized gfx card(s) you still have 3 3.5 slots and 3 5.25 bays left. Like the full sized P1xx cases the PSU is separated from the rest of the system so it is kept cool and its fan will be less likely to ramp up. Can mount 3 120mm fans and 1 200mm fan. I used to have an Antec NSK 3480 and while I liked its size it required a ton of mods to keep my system at reasonable temps. I think the miniP should age well. There are 2 good x58 matx boards, and many good 775 based matx boards.

Cons: Big. matx boards only. Full sized gfx cards will require removal of the lower HD bay. P18x cases can use the new antec CP form factor PSU.
 
I guess I have some thinking to do - I'm primarily comparing the P180 Mini to the Lian Li PC-A03 - http://www.lian-li.com.tw/v2/en/pro..._index=310&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=63 -

Soon to be available in the states, it seems to be the only other mATX-built minitower that can handle a moderate sized heatsink, and doesn't have the PSU right over top of the processor area! (With the exception of possibly the LianLi A05n, and Silverstone TJ08?) How do you think it would stack up? Keeping in mind, I'm willing to mod in new fans in both models if helpful/quieter/better airflow.

I had no idea that an Antec steel-constructed case would be so expensive, by the way. Aside from that deal at newegg, I see the average price well over $100. LianLi A05n and A06Fs are around $99, so it surprises me to see an Antec so expensive!
 
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Antecs have expensive design features like isolated PSU chambers, composite side panels, optimized airflow, lots of fan options, removable fan filters, and are generally designed to quietly keep hot components at reasonable temps. You can compare the PC-A03 to the NSK3480. The NSK3480 has an isolated PSU chamber and takes a 120mm rear fan vs. 80, but has few drive mounts, and 2x92mm front fans vs 1x120 (but it's a smaller case). If you have hot components then get the miniP180 - few cases can match its 200mm top fan.
 
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Its a good thing to think about. It is going to be a nice little server box and secondary system. Say, does anyone know if the white version yellows with time, and if the inside is really white? The black one looks very uniform in pictures, but the white I'm not so sure about. Still, the white seems rather unique. I've my share of black and silver cases!
 
Love my P180M

I took the 120mm fan off the back and used it on my TRUE Cu, system is very quiet and the layout is fantastic for cable management and airflow.(200MM fan ftw!) Of course its no normal M-ATX case its rather big but I wouldn't switch it for anything.
 
All right! I just ordered a white model I found extremely cheaply, for $80 shipped from Provantage! I figure I have enough black cases, and the size of the P180 Mini will be useful, as I'm going to need at least 3 HDDs, and nice cooling.

Now, onto mods and cooling. If this thing can fit a TRUE, it can fit anything, yes? Maybe I'll go for a TRUE, Xigmatek, or Noctua. Also, has anyone considered replacing the fans? I know that CoolerMaster makes a 200mm LED fan set that seems to have the same dimensions as the Antec fan, and 120mms should be easy to find.
 
The stock fans aren't bad. You would only "need" 1 120mm front fan if you ran a full length GFX card. If you must, I recommend Nexus or Sythe S-Flex. You can fit any sink in this case. Most builds can be cooled with the top 200mm fan, and moving the back 120mm to the heatsink as Silvr6 did. Try it stock and if it suits your needs then you win, no extra money needed.

I recommend removing the white fan grills in the front. The silentpcreview article on the mp180 is good, you should read it before you start your mods.
 
Thanks! I'll move the grills. Oh, how is the fan controller connected to the fans? If I was to substitute any of them, would they still be able to hook up?
 
Any idea about how you disconnect the fans from the fan controller? I've the case sitting in front of me, and it appears you need to pop one of the little tabs up, but there's nothing about it in the manual or in the reviews I've read.
 
i have my WHS in the 180 mini and i love it. I have a 3-in-2 trayless hotswap enclosure in the bottom 2 5 1/4"s and a single trayless in the top. that gives me 9 drives 4 in hotswaps. The drives in the case stay around 37* (750gb GPs) and the ones in the hotswaps are around 42*. The higher heat is because the bottom 2 5 1/4" slots are with the PSU and do not get any ventilation from the monster 200mm Fan. It is a quite case and i enjoyed building my rig it was easy very easy and painless to build.


but it is definately not a SFF case :)
 
Thanks guys! Can anyone tell me exactly how you're supposed to remove those plastic vent slats? There's no instructions, and I'm afraid I'm going to snap something.
 
Xaeos said:
Thanks guys! Can anyone tell me exactly how you're supposed to remove those plastic vent slats? There's no instructions, and I'm afraid I'm going to snap something.
Click to expand...

In front of the filters? Just push them and they'll click open (not sure if that's what you meant).
 
NichoTL said:
In front of the filters? Just push them and they'll click open (not sure if that's what you meant).
Click to expand...

I meant to remove them from their hinges entirely. Many reviews have stated that this lowers the temperature significantly, even with the door closed, but don't seem to note exactly how this is done.
 
Xaeos said:
I meant to remove them from their hinges entirely. Many reviews have stated that this lowers the temperature significantly, even with the door closed, but don't seem to note exactly how this is done.
Click to expand...

Just pull at the top near the hinge. It's like a little ball type hinge, it will pop out. You might just need to put a little pressure near the hinge.
 
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