Case Conundrum: Affordable Midtowers Compared
Antec P280
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The front panel features two USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports with a pair of audio jacks to keep them company. The power and reset switches have relocated and the top of the case can mount a pair of fans for 240mm radiator configurations. The P280 supports nine expansion cards rather than the typical 7-8, and that's a handy feature if you plan to use a multi-GPU configuration.
Inside, the P280 looks an awful lot like the Corsair 700D. There are significant motherboard cut-outs designed to ensure aftermarket cooler compatibility, and the included fans can be configured in low and high speed.
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The case uses internal foam padding to further dampen noise. A definite nice touch.
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The fan grill is easy to remove and clean and the foam padding on the door further quiets the system. The top-mounted pair of 120mm fans allows for 240mm liquid cooling mounting as well.
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The case's entire back panel--Note the rubber seals for water pipe housing and the external mount hardware for a reservoir at the top of the case. The 9 expansion slots are also visible.Building inside the case is easy and straightforward; cable-management options are excellent and there's ample room behind the case for routing wire.
I really like the P280's flat-folding drive door and the polycarbonate sides that reduce the case's weight. Nine slots means you've got room to mount an XL-ATX motherboard, though actual boards built on that standard are admittedly few and far between. There's room for a 240mm radiator up top, and there's plenty of room in back for working with cabling.
I'm less fond of the negative air pressure, but that's the only significant negative.
I really like the P280's flat-folding drive door and the polycarbonate sides that reduce the case's weight. Nine slots means you've got room to mount an XL-ATX motherboard, though actual boards built on that standard are admittedly few and far between. There's room for a 240mm radiator up top, and there's plenty of room in back for working with cabling.
I'm less fond of the negative air pressure, but that's the only significant negative.
