Antec P280 vs Fractal Design Define

[nerfyou]

I've generally been an Antec fanboy when it has come to cases. Ever since I new any better, I always put my builds in an Antec case. When I went to do some inital scoutting for my next build, I instinctivly went to Antec, and a P280. However, I happen to catch a glimpse of a FD Define case and went "Wow, that looks a whole lot like a P280". Is this a coincidence, or are they the same case udner a different name? Is there any difference between them?

 

[envy14tpe]

I think most cases are looking alike. Just the other day Case Labs complained that they were copied. The new look is either lots of front holes for air intake or a sleek look. I know what the cases look like but don't think they are that alike given the common trend. But the insides are different. The P280 has noise dampening foam which most cases skip.

I too like Antec cases and almost bought that 280 but didn't cuz of temps. It is quiet but hot.

 

[Outlander_04]

The P280 is a decent case with some weaknesses .
The top panel vibrates because it has no stiffening in front of the fans . Ok , but not excellent
Its also very large . Nearly full tower size

There are a bunch of FD cases in the Define series .
Are you looking at the R5 ?
Its a nice case .

 

[das_stig]

I am a Fractal man, but for my last build, took an Antec P100, due to needing 6x3.5 HDD bays and wanting a cheap case and very impressed, apart from the fans which I swapped out.

 

[nerfyou]

Thanks for all the replies so far!

Anyone happen to have any experience with watercooling in either the Antex P280 or any FD Define case? Any thoughts/feedback/recommendations?

 

[envy14tpe]

Thanks for all the replies so far!

Anyone happen to have any experience with watercooling in either the Antex P280 or any FD Define case? Any thoughts/feedback/recommendations?

If you are thinking water cooling and I assume temps matter then I'd get a Fractal case and drop a Corsair H100i GTX in it. Then replace the Corsair fans with some quieter SP ones.