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PoweredBySoy
2[H]4U
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2005
- Messages
- 2,243
After ZipZoomFly took a good 6 days to get my new case to me (long live Newegg), I finally got it all together. I'm replacing a Cooler Master Praetorian. I was very happy with the Praetorian, but I was mainly bored and wanted to build something new with my computer, and I was aiming for a much quieter case. Hence the P150.
Let me start off with the bad. When I first got the case home, I spent the next couple hours transferring my parts from the old case, as well as installing the fans on the P150. Halfway through, I thought it might be a good idea to give it a power-test. I plugged the included NeoPower 430 into the wall and hit the power button. Nothing. Checking and rechecking my connections, I couldn't get it to power up. Quickly hooking up the main power leads from my old Truepower 480 brought the entire computer to life. So after 30 minutes of testing and retesting, I decided I had gotten a DOA psu. Let's just say I was upset.
Refusing to send the entire case back for RMA, I went to a brick-and-mortar store and picked up a NeoPower 480. Works like a charm. But now I'm stuck with a 430 which I plan on having Antec replace.
It took me a couple hours to get everying (re)installed and running smooth. After an evening of gaming with the case, my initial impressions are very good. I like this case a lot.
First off, it's quiet. Much more quiet than my Praetorian with 4 80mm high-speed Panaflo's. As of now, my 7800GT is the noticably loud component. I plan on installing an NV Silencer Rev 3 now. And I still have to mount the fans on rubber gromets. I'll do that next week. Then it should be even more silent.
During the build I put Vantec Stealth fans in. 2 92mm's up front and a single 120mm in the rear.
Build quality isn't quite as refined as Cooler Masters. But I must say I am a new fan of steel. The panels are very solid and heavy, I like it. Overall the case has to be a good 10 pounds heavier. No biggy. The paint may chip easily though. After being careful with it, I already have a little nick on the corner. The plastic door is solid and swings perfectly. The inside was very well thought out, and it was my main reason for choosing this case. Sound dampening material on the side panels, pleasant wire mangagement, harddrive suspension system, and large fans. And even though the color is controversial, I love the white and silver finish. Overall it may not be as sleek or noble looking at the Praetorian, I still think it looks great.
Unfortunately the case is running hotter than the Praetorian. I was hoping for opposite results. Under load, the video card is running 5 to 6 degrees celcius hotter (62) in this case, and the cpu is running 3 to 4 degrees hotter (41). Not temps to be worried about, but alas they are hotter. The cpu is a 3700+ San Diego. I thought the larger fans would make up for their low rpm's, but I guess not.
The dust filter up front does seem to hamper the inflow of air. Using the highly scientific technique of putting my hand inside the case, I compared air flow with the filter on and with it off. There is slightly more air coming into the case with it off. Although, it didn't have much benefit while testing temperatures.
Right now I have the filter off, so we'll have to see how much dust collects inside the case because of it.
If you don't have a whole lot of hardware, looking for something a little more contemporary looking, and desire silence - this case comes Soy approved.
Let me start off with the bad. When I first got the case home, I spent the next couple hours transferring my parts from the old case, as well as installing the fans on the P150. Halfway through, I thought it might be a good idea to give it a power-test. I plugged the included NeoPower 430 into the wall and hit the power button. Nothing. Checking and rechecking my connections, I couldn't get it to power up. Quickly hooking up the main power leads from my old Truepower 480 brought the entire computer to life. So after 30 minutes of testing and retesting, I decided I had gotten a DOA psu. Let's just say I was upset.
Refusing to send the entire case back for RMA, I went to a brick-and-mortar store and picked up a NeoPower 480. Works like a charm. But now I'm stuck with a 430 which I plan on having Antec replace.
It took me a couple hours to get everying (re)installed and running smooth. After an evening of gaming with the case, my initial impressions are very good. I like this case a lot.
First off, it's quiet. Much more quiet than my Praetorian with 4 80mm high-speed Panaflo's. As of now, my 7800GT is the noticably loud component. I plan on installing an NV Silencer Rev 3 now. And I still have to mount the fans on rubber gromets. I'll do that next week. Then it should be even more silent.
During the build I put Vantec Stealth fans in. 2 92mm's up front and a single 120mm in the rear.
Build quality isn't quite as refined as Cooler Masters. But I must say I am a new fan of steel. The panels are very solid and heavy, I like it. Overall the case has to be a good 10 pounds heavier. No biggy. The paint may chip easily though. After being careful with it, I already have a little nick on the corner. The plastic door is solid and swings perfectly. The inside was very well thought out, and it was my main reason for choosing this case. Sound dampening material on the side panels, pleasant wire mangagement, harddrive suspension system, and large fans. And even though the color is controversial, I love the white and silver finish. Overall it may not be as sleek or noble looking at the Praetorian, I still think it looks great.
Unfortunately the case is running hotter than the Praetorian. I was hoping for opposite results. Under load, the video card is running 5 to 6 degrees celcius hotter (62) in this case, and the cpu is running 3 to 4 degrees hotter (41). Not temps to be worried about, but alas they are hotter. The cpu is a 3700+ San Diego. I thought the larger fans would make up for their low rpm's, but I guess not.
The dust filter up front does seem to hamper the inflow of air. Using the highly scientific technique of putting my hand inside the case, I compared air flow with the filter on and with it off. There is slightly more air coming into the case with it off. Although, it didn't have much benefit while testing temperatures.
Right now I have the filter off, so we'll have to see how much dust collects inside the case because of it. If you don't have a whole lot of hardware, looking for something a little more contemporary looking, and desire silence - this case comes Soy approved.