Antec 902 v3 or Silverstone Raven RV02-E?

[rookie84]

Hi guys, need to know if anyone has experiences with both (ideally), or know of a comparison between the two in terms of thermal performance.

I'm from New Zealand and the Raven is about $100 more than the Antec. I would pay for the extra if the thermals are better than the 902. Keep in mind that I only air cool, so fitting radiators and water blocks are not a concern. I will also have 4-5 HDDs, so the original Raven 2 will not suffice.

Raven RV02-E here:
http://www.silverstonetek.com/raven/products/index.php?model=RV02-E
Antec 902 here: (I'm looking at the v3 which has USB 3 ports instead of USB 2)
http://store.antec.com/Product/enclosure-gear_for_gamers/nine-hundred-two/0-761345-15920-3.aspx

Thanks.

 

[davcon]

The 1200v3 is the competition for a Raven 2E.
They will be very similiar thermally with a slight edge to the Raven.
Here's a review of the original cases tested.
Note the 1200v3 will have the exact same cooling,nothings been changed.
The Raven 2E has updated fans so i would imagine it's even better.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article993-page6.html
And after perusing NZ retailers the Raven 2EW is a better deal for $20 more then a 1200v1 since i can't even find a V3 listed anywhere.
Personally i see the best value in the original Raven 2 which is being discounted since the release of the new E version and now the new Raven 3.

 

[rookie84]

The 1200v3 is the competition for a Raven 2E.
They will be very similiar thermally with a slight edge to the Raven.
Here's a review of the original cases tested.
Note the 1200v3 will have the exact same cooling,nothings been changed.
The Raven 2E has updated fans so i would imagine it's even better.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article993-page6.html
And after perusing NZ retailers the Raven 2EW is a better deal for $20 more then a 1200v1 since i can't even find a V3 listed anywhere.

Thanks for the speedy reply Davcon. I'm actually comparing the Raven to the Antec 902 v3 not the 1200 v3. I know it isn't a fair comparison (mid - full tower), but I was just too intrigued by the vertical design and the AP fans of the Raven 2E. I normally use mid towers

The Antec 902 v3 can be found in NZ here:
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentpop.asp?partid=14351

The linky you gave however is quite interesting. I'm assuming they are testing the v1's of both the 902 and the Ravens. Especially if their successors perform with similar margins of difference (one would assume anyway).

 

[davcon]

Thanks for the speedy reply Davcon. I'm actually comparing the Raven to the Antec 902 v3 not the 1200 v3. I know it isn't a fair comparison (mid - full tower), but I was just too intrigued by the vertical design and the AP fans of the Raven 2E. I normally use mid towers

The Antec 902 v3 can be found in NZ here:
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentpop.asp?partid=14351

I have the original 902 and it has been excellent both noise and cooling wise.
The only difference in the V3's are cpu cut-outs,USB 3.0 FP,and ssd mounts.
Nothing has changed in the cooling department.
Personally i can't see paying $379 for a Raven 2 E when you can get the original for $269.
Where i live in Canada the AP181 fans are $25 max,lots of places sell them for $20.

 

[rookie84]

I have the original 902 and it has been excellent both noise and cooling wise.
The only difference in the V3's are cpu cut-outs,USB 3.0 FP,and ssd mounts.
Nothing has changed in the cooling department.
Personally i can't see paying $379 for a Raven 2 E when you can get the original for $269.
Where i live in Canada the AP181 fans are $25 max,lots of places sell them for $20.

Thanks again for the quick replies. I should have mentioned at the start, I need more than the 3HDD slots the original provides 🙁 but you're right, it is hard to justify the extra cost from the original...

EDIT: just looked around for the fans, I can't get the 180mm size fans but I can get 120mm Air Penetrators. They sell for just under NZ$40. 3 of those will be roughly $120 extra and not quite the size... sigh, wish I just won Lotto, then I wouldn't have to balk at prices 😛