Antec Performance One
by Purav Sanghani on February 13, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Final Words
The P160 has some great features including the tool-less drive bays and expansion slots, the rotating auxiliary module with the integrated simple temperature monitor, as well as the security features that will appeal to almost all enthusiasts out there.
The P160 performed well in our thermal benchmarks, producing an average of 29-30 degrees of ambient heat. With the added 120mm fan at the front, the range of temperatures between 27 and 33 degrees was reached throughout the case. The individual components also ran, on average, 1-2 degrees cooler than those of the past few cases, including the Nemesis series from NZXT as well as the MGE Viper and the Gaming Bomb II from Chenbro.
Even with the added fan, sound performance did not suffer at all. On average, the fans produced about 44-45 decibels with the sealed chassis. The P160 did just as well as the Gaming Bomb II's sound performance.
The external look was also easy on the eyes and we believe that many will accept this model over any of the pre-mod cases that we have reviewed. By far, Chenbro's Gaming Bomb II appealed to us the most with all of the SilverStone cases coming in at second in aesthetics. Though the P160 doesn't have the curves that the Gaming Bomb II had, we are getting exactly what we pay for - we're not dropping over $200 for a case when we can get the P160 for only $125.
Given the combination of features and looks as well as the price for a 1.2mm aluminum chassis, the P160 is a great value for novice users all the way up to the enthusiast class who desire the high quality that Antec can provide. We recommend it over the higher priced aluminum models out there as well as the pre-modded cases that we have looked at in the past.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
53 Comments
View All Comments
Filibuster - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link
I really love my P160, no regrets about getting it at all. I looked at the other brands and they either had a lousy layout or less features, or just looked stupid.I don't feel it is cheap or flimsy at all and frankly I'm glad it doesn't come with a psu so I could pick one I wanted instead of what would probably be a mid-level Antec unit.
vanionBB - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link
You missed a few key things in this review.1. The drive bays with the rubber gromets reduce sound emissions by acting as shock absorbers for the hard drives. They do reduce sound of drive accessing by quite a bit. Also, the trays protect the exposed electric components on the bottom of most hard drives.
2. The "wasted space" under the 4 drive bays is necessary for cabling, especially if rounded cables are used.
3. He didn't even mention the removable, washable air filter in the front of the case.
This case rules, I want one!
Zebo - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link
#8 no joke about psu. IMO Antec 1040esque tanks were thier last good ones. They still make them, even an AMB model(s) with true powers inside which are cheaper than this one is powersupplyless.Zebo - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link
I disagree with author...This case is kinda cheap and flimsy. I seriously recommend Siverstone or lian li if you like aluminum. Has some lame plastic rotator port module that feel cheap too. Does'nt close right and does'nt blend.I used both and prefer my Lian Li PC-73SLB but an order of magnitude. Check out cooler masters if low priced aluminum is what you want.
bupkus - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link
I got this on a real good sale at CompUSA a couple months ago. I returned it as I just didn't like the style of the front bezel. Also, at even that price I thought it should contain an Antec PS.Michael D - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link
Ahh, this is the type of case review I was looking for; an article of something nice and sleek without some silly, bulbous alien theme. :)Does anyone know how the P160 compares to the Lian Li PC6077 (the other aluminum chassis I'm looking at)?
Locut0s - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link
Thanks for reviewing real enthusiast cases again!cnq - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link
Yeah this case has been out a while, but better a late review than never. I've got the one with a window frame; newegg has em at good prices usually.Avalon - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link
Good looking case. The price is out of my range, though, but not overly expensive.jensend - Sunday, February 13, 2005 - link
Wasn't this case introduced in 4Q2003?