Antec Performance P280 Case First Look at Computex

Subject: Cases and Cooling, Shows and Expos | June 3, 2011 - 12:15 AM | Ryan Shrout
Tagged: performance series, p280, computex, antec

Upstairs at the Antec booth at Computex 2011, a new case sat awaiting our eyes and cameras called the Performance Series P280.  A successor to the long-adored P180 case, the P280 will offer a host of tweaks and new features while maintaining a price point of about $130 on the street.

The fit and finish of the P280 should look familiar to anyone that has laid eyes on the P180.  This time Antec has added two internal USB 3.0 ports in addition to a pair of USB 2.0 ports on the front panel.

The door on this case has the same over-swing as the P180 to completely fold away on the side if needed.  There are three 5.25-in bays and a dual fan removable filter.

On the top of the case are pair of fans that use the newer rubber grommet style connection to lessen any kind of noise or rattle from them.

Both doors (and the top) of the P280 are lined with a very heavy compressed plastic that is used as a sound dampening device.  Antec claims this is more effective than the foam insulation siding that many case vendors are currently using or that Antec uses on the P180. 

Hit the "Read More" link for more photos and details on Antec's P280!!

Antec intros High Current Gamer Plus PSU and Solo II Chassis at Computex

Subject: Cases and Cooling, Shows and Expos | May 31, 2011 - 11:23 PM | Ryan Shrout
Tagged: solo, PSU, high current gamer, computex, antec

While at Computex 2011 we stopped by the Antec booth to see what the company had on display for new gear going into the second half of 2011. While we of course saw Antec's line up of existing cases and power supplies, and of course the SoundScience audio options, there were a couple of new items on the floor as well.

First up was a visit with Joerg Theissen, formerly of Enermax, and a showing of the upcoming Antec High Current Gamer Plus series of power supplies. Available in a 550 watt, 650 watt and 750 watt version, the updated "Plus" series innovates by building in very high amperages in each of the various 12V rails; up to 40 amps on each! This allows the power supply to supply power to current and future graphics cards even with the smaller 550 watt PSU capacity.

The Plus series is also going with a modular system that gives the user a very flexible expansion capability. While the red and black outlets for cables fit with what most users will use, you can in fact install up to 10 HDD cables on the power supply should you need it. Antec's goal with the new High Current Gamer Plus is to make a unit that addresses both the high end performance segment customers are used to as well as lowering the price to a point where it can address a large majority of the DIY market overall.

The second new item was the Solo II chassis, a low cost design that actually includes some impressive features. Built on a combination of steel and aluminum, the Solo II is one of the first designs we have seen with built in support for the Slim ODD form factor, right out of the gate.

Inside the case you will see only a few HDD cages though for a small case it does offer support for even the largest graphics cards in this way. You will also see a cutout on the motherboard tray for rear access to the CPU the brackets as well as some other openings for improved cable management.

The front of the case opens up to reveal a pair of filtered intake fans and behind them the hard drive bays. The Solo II offers both your standard screw-less tray design as well as elastic suspension based HDD mounting options, similar to those seen in the LanBoy Air.

Even though this is going to be a low cost case (estimate $99-129), Antec has included some noise reduction material that is a form of highly compressed plastic that they claim works nearly as well as the foam substance used on the Antec P180. It is installed on both doors as well as the top of the Solo II.

Overall I have to say that the Solo II looks like a great chassis for users that don't need a gluttony of space and also have to work on a budget.

Computex 2011 Coverage brought to you by MSI Computer and Antec