Antec P82 Silent Mid-Tower Case Review

How Much Does it Cost?

The price is a little all over, but mostly as the stock seems to be (mostly) at smaller retailers rather than any of the big names stores like Amazon, Scan, etc. However, at around £65-75 it’s competitively priced. It’s not a bargain, it’s not overly expensive, and that’s about it really. Considering you get pre-installed noise isolation materials, three good quality 120mm fans and a built-in fan controller, it does give a good return on your investment.

Overview

Antec has made a lot of great cases over the years, and for a long time, their P-Series have been a big hit with system builders around the world. I know a lot of people out there are going to be shouting “oh but the airflow sucks” and well, no it doesn’t, but some of you may indeed require more. If you’re running two high-end GPUs or a Threadripper that does nothing but render video, then you’ll want a more airflow focused build with more fans, it’s that simple.

However, if you’re running a CPU at stock settings, which most are doing these days, and you’re running a GPU that has a decent cooler and isn’t being used for gaming 8 hours a day, this case makes a lot of sense. When I have important work to do in the office, silence is golden. Having a PC that is barely a whisper can be a real advantage, especially if you’re working in a noise-sensitive environment; streaming, radio, production, etc.

The fan control switch is a big advantage here, as you can stop the fans completely. Throw in a passive CPU cooler and a GPU with zero RPM fan modes and you can get total silence. Handy if your work involves monitoring noise levels and mixing. Just remember to turn the fans back on if you plan on running the hardware harder and warming things up.

The case features good build quality, and while a little bold and boring for some, I see it as a more meaningful design. This isn’t a case that is meant to get your attention with good looks. It’s meant to blend in and vanish. Not be heard, not be seen. Throw it under the desk and forget about it. It’s a tool, and its simple, durable and silent performance focus design is a reflection of that.

Should I Buy One?

If you want a high-airflow, tricked out gaming PC, then no, you’ll want the Antec P82 Flow. However, if you want a PC in your home office that doesn’t stick out like a hi-vis jacket at a black-tie ball, and stays quiet while you’re trying to focus, then the P82 Silent is a really solid investment. Simple, effective, and competitively priced.