Corsair 650D vs Antec P280

[pvrbulls]

Getting ready to do a new build and can't decided on a case. Presently, I'm using a P182SE and have been very pleased with it. The only knock I have with it is there isn't quite enough room for the cables behind the motherboard tray. Right now I have tentatively narrowed my choices down to the Antec P280 and the Corsair 650D. The 650D has a couple of extra features that I really like, but the P280 is a bit less expensive and more attractive... to my eye.

I do no gaming and will be using an Asus P8Z68-V Pro Gen 3 + Intel i7 2600K + 16 GB GSkill. If the onboard HD3000 is any good, I won't even be buying a graphics card. Heat is not a problem. I want a quiet case with lots of conveniences.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ctk1981]

You might want to wait and see about the new corsair 550D which is targeted at the quiet crowd.

Corsair Obsidian 550D

 

[RavenSEAL]

^That

 

[stuup1dmofo]

Now I want to replace my 500r with a 550d just so i could get that extra sound proofing...

 

[pvrbulls]

Does anyone know if there is a way to duplicate the hdd/ssd dock on the 650D in say one of the 5.25" bays on the P280? That looks like it would be a very hand feature for creating back-ups to store off site.

 

[lsv]

Does anyone know if there is a way to duplicate the hdd/ssd dock on the 650D in say one of the 5.25" bays on the P280? That looks like it would be a very hand feature for creating back-ups to store off site.

You'll probably need a 3x5.25 to 5x3.5 caddy or something.

Also, don't get the 650D. Negative air pressure and not very quiet at all. I gave mine away to a friend because I had trouble selling it. The build quality is amazing and it will fit a 240rad up top and probably another 240 in the front with light modding but it's just not worth it when you can get a P280 for about the same price... or an R3.

 

[pvrbulls]

You'll probably need a 3x5.25 to 5x3.5 caddy or something.

Also, don't get the 650D. Negative air pressure and not very quiet at all. I gave mine away to a friend because I had trouble selling it. The build quality is amazing and it will fit a 240rad up top and probably another 240 in the front with light modding but it's just not worth it when you can get a P280 for about the same price... or an R3.

Thanks, for the info. Reading in this forum I have found several complaints about the 650D being noisy.

As for negative air pressure, the P280 is negative air pressure too... as is my P182SE! I don't have any problem with it that I know of. I did read one thread where one guy complained about the Antec TwoCool fans in the 650D developing a "rod knocking" noise. The TriCool fans in my P182SE are 4 years old running 24 hr/day and still doing great.

 

[ExcaliburMM]

I'd recommend the Fractal R3 personally. Great looking case, quiet, good cable options, and its been reviewed against most 'quiet' design cases and done very well.

I was thinking of a P193 myself until I saw the R3, and then when the P280 came out, I still wanted the R3.

 

[lsv]

Thanks, for the info. Reading in this forum I have found several complaints about the 650D being noisy.

As for negative air pressure, the P280 is negative air pressure too... as is my P182SE! I don't have any problem with it that I know of. I did read one thread where one guy complained about the Antec TwoCool fans in the 650D developing a "rod knocking" noise. The TriCool fans in my P182SE are 4 years old running 24 hr/day and still doing great.

Yep, 2in/3out 120's on the P280, if I had one I'd cover the top 2 exhausts and use the 2 intakes + rear exhaust for silence.

Honestly the post above says R3 and he's right.

I swapped my 650D for an R3 and I've never been happier. I run 3x120in/1xout all at around 4.5v. My case is not audible from under my desk. If I was to OC and increase fan speeds a bit I would be fine with it by my PC is for audio work and needs to be pretty much silent.

 

[gramboh]

Was just about to post a similar thread as I am starting to gather parts on sale for an Ivy Bridge build in April. I love my P182 other than it is too cramped to work in. The 650D is appealing but I don't want to spend that kind of coin if it is not quiet, that 550D looks really nice though.

I was disappointed to read that Antec dropped the build quality a bit on the 280 versus the 180/182/183.

Since I game on my computer I don't require total silence, but I want it to be quiet.

 

[lsv]

Was just about to post a similar thread as I am starting to gather parts on sale for an Ivy Bridge build in April. I love my P182 other than it is too cramped to work in. The 650D is appealing but I don't want to spend that kind of coin if it is not quiet, that 550D looks really nice though.

I was disappointed to read that Antec dropped the build quality a bit on the 280 versus the 180/182/183.

Since I game on my computer I don't require total silence, but I want it to be quiet.

If you're cramped for space in a P182 I would go with a P280. It's a bit bigger. The R3 is pretty cramped but works very well.

 

[pvrbulls]

If you're cramped for space in a P182 I would go with a P280. It's a bit bigger. The R3 is pretty cramped but works very well.

That's the conclusion I have come to. The R3 is just a bit less in features and room than I am looking for. The P280 can be had for only $112.30 at http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=65170&vpn=P280&manufacture=Antec

The 550D looks interesting, but I don't want to put off getting started any longer.

Thanks to everyone for your inputs.

pvrbulls

 

[gramboh]

I have to wait for Ivy Bridge anyway so I will likely get the 550D, even though it will probably cost $160CAD versus the $120CAD I can get the P280 for. The panels to seal the unused fans sold me, in addition to the look and sound dampening Corsair is using. /threadjack.

 

[Morphine06]

For the OP's usage, choosing between the 650D and the P280 I'd vote P280 without much question. I categorize the P280 as versatile (quiet or gaming or a little of both) and the 650D as enthusiast gaming with the choice of fans and fan speeds to bring the noise into tolerance.

I'm going with the 550D over the P280 or 650D myself. I like being able to remove the hdd cages that I'll never use. I like a front door and I like it being reversible and removable. I own 3 P182s and I liked the look of those. The P280 looks cheap with the different sheen plastics and beveled door hinge. The 650D and 600T both had one 200mm intake and that changed with the 550D. The 650D has the window if that's something you need, but I prefer the sound dampening. The feature:size ratio puts the 550D in my sweet spot as well. The P280 does have 9 expansion slots which could come in handy someday, but most likely only in a hardcore gaming machine. I'm not a fan of the Antec fans, but haven't personally compared them to the corsair. Although comparing the 550D is impossible with no reviews out there.