Updated P380 Chassis Is Highlight Of Antec’s CES 2015 Antics

Antec’s presence at CES 2015 may be, in this writer’s opinion, a bit muted than most, but the company does have a few things to show and talk about at this year’s show.

It showed off a few chassis, including the P70 for entry-level users, the compact P50 for mATX and smaller systems, and the flagship P380. The P380 was actually first introduced at Computex in 2014, but the example Antec brought to CES has been updated and revamped per consumer feedback offered on that first Computex prototype.

Based on the photos available, the P380 looks like a modernized version of the iconic P180. As such, it is designed for quietness, Antec has specified the use of noise- and vibration-dampening high-density polycarbonate material in the side panels for its latest version of the P380 (it’s done the same for the P70 and P50 as well, actually).

Antec has also endowed the P380 with a touch of the avant-garde. For example, the it has no provision for installing 5.25″ optical drives, given that use of these types of devices is dwindling in modern systems. Instead, there is a bay for slim-type optical drives instead. A side benefit to not allocating space to 5.25″ optical drives is that the P380 can use that room for eight tool-less drive bays for 3.5″/2.5″ storage drives.

Another interesting detail is the side-facing I/O panel. Finally, the P380 has a built-in hub that can power up to three fans (not coincidentally, the chassis comes equipped with two roof-mounted 140mm fans and a single 120mm rear exhaust fan). All told, the P380 can host up to seven fans.

Antec says that the likely SRP for the P380 is around $250; it should be available in March. The P70 actually already appears on Antec’s website, but indications are it’s not yet available for sale. When it does, though, SRP is circa $70. And as for the SFF-optimized P50, pricing and availability information is scarce at this time.