Antec 1200- No weaknesses for air cooling applications?

[Aryton Senna]

I've been taking a look for the ultimate case for air cooling. It seems this case has the best airflow potential especially with the conventional intake and exhaust fan arrangement. (three 120mms purely up front and two 120mms out back with a 200mm top fan looks like it will deliver the most efficient air pull through)

Does the Antec 1200 fit the bill or is there something better?

Other than looks does anyone have a problem with Antec 1200 layout? (Should I get a special PSU with air intake in front or on top since this case mounts the PSU on the bottom?)

[cabbspapp]

It's not the best case for wire management from what I've seen. The CM HAF 932 has really good cable management features and offers good airflow.

[Marin]

It's not the best case for wire management from what I've seen. The CM HAF 932 has really good cable management features and offers good airflow.
The 1200 is definitely good for cable management. Just most people don't take their time with it when managing cables.

[Linchpin]

I would have to say the biggest issue with the 1200 is a lack of depth.

[Aryton Senna]

I would have to say the biggest issue with the 1200 is a lack of depth.

How does that affect things? Would there be a problem when using Big Video cards in SLI?

[Linchpin]

How does that affect things? Would there be a problem when using Big Video cards in SLI?


The cards fit in fine however you would probably be unable to use the middle hard drive cage which I personally find to be the easiest for cable routing. Besides a bit of extra depth would've generally made the case way more versatile.

[Marin]

The cards fit in fine however you would probably be unable to use the middle hard drive cage which I personally find to be the easiest for cable routing. Besides a bit of extra depth would've generally made the case way more versatile.

I've seen the fan holder used with the HDD cage while two 4870's were in crossfire. Also pretty sure there is enough room for a 4870x2.

[Dr_Swizz]

The Antec 1200 has great airflow, but you will have to make some kind kind of duct inside the case to actually make all the air do something useful :-)

There are however many minor issues with this case (no vibration damping & awkward mounting system for the harddrives, all the cables for the fans is a mess etc). If you can live with these issues and/or are willing to fix them yourself the 1200 is a great case.

A PSU with the air intake in the front is preferred if you intend to use multiple graphics cards.

[fox3]

I have a 1200 with a 4870x2 and WD velociraptor in the middle cage w/ out any interferance. There is about 1" clearance, still enough room to use a right angle SATA cable. A little more depth would have been nice for sure but is not "cramped". Just close enough to get by without a problem.

Wire management was not a problem at all and the fans cabled nicely, with some sleeving you won't see a thing. For air cooling this case is designed pretty good, I am not sure why you would need to duct anything if you keep your wires neat.

I mounted the Corsair 1000HX upside down at first with the fan up but could not get used to the LOGO thru the side window in that position so I flipped it and it has not given me any problems to date. It sits about 3/8" to 1/2" off the base. I bought a fan guard and planned to drill a hole but so far so good.

If you plan to liquid cool there are better cases out there.

[Ral3l3it]

The air flow is great the fan filters are easy to clean and is it per painted sexy black with the wire management holes all ready cut. Like some of the other posters said I wish it at least an inch longer you can fit the big cards but the hard drives are going to have to go on the top or bottom.

[sandman331]

I do own this case and I agree with pretty much everything here... Although I find it a little awkward to swap hard drives because the wires to the front fans stop you from pulling the HDD cage all the way out the front (as I have neatly tucked them away - there is alot of room on the right side of the case to fit all your wires - I can adequately fit all the wires from my non-modular Silverstone Zeus 750). But this case is good enoguh to warrant the addition of a hot swap cage if you need to get to your hard drives easily.
Also, even though it takes a little time, I do like the extra security and lack of vibration due to full thumbscrews everywhere instead of often flimsy toolless designs. Fan filters are also sweet. An extra inch of depth would give make this case unbeatable, it just seems awkward in such a tall case.
I prefer the front intake PSU as there isnt the danger of screws and dust settling in my PSU if it is fan up. If I had one of these PSUs I'd carve a hole in the bottom of the case, grill it, and possibly raise the case.

Very very good airflow and cooling, although it doesnt let me run my 780i northbridge passive with a solid OC, which I wish it did... that fan is very noisy, noisier than the full stock cooling on the 1200.

[IronWarrior]

Best one you can get is a LIAN LI PC-P80 : http://lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=131&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=61

[sandman331]

If, of course you want to spend three times as much money for more or less a very similar case.

[Linchpin]

Best one you can get is a LIAN LI PC-P80 : http://lian-li.com/v2/en/product/product06.php?pr_index=131&cl_index=1&sc_index=25&ss_index=61


It also costs way more and for all that money Lian Li can't even be bothered to provide any cable management features.