Considering buying a phanteks p400a DRGB

[Balint_Burjan05]

Hey guys I'm considering upgrading my case to a phanteks p400a DRGB version and I just want to ask you to tell me if it is worth it or not. If not could you give me case options that are a great value and have a tempered glass side under 100$. Thanks in advance for any replys.

[SpookyCitrus]

The regular p400a mesh without RGB, it's the same case without RGB and it's cheaper. The Fractal Design Meshify C is usually around $90-$100 and is a fantastic case and is my go to. You can also look into the p300a mesh.

[-rascal-]

12 minutes ago, SpookyCitrus said:

The regular p400a mesh without RGB, it's the same case without RGB. The Fractal Design Meshify C is usually around $90-$100 and is a fantastic case and is my go to. You can also look into the p300a mesh.

 

The Meshify C is an much older case.

I just helped a buddy of mine build a Ryzen 3000 system in the Meshify C like ~2 weeks ago.

It's a nice case, but some minor quirks and inconveniences...which are resolved in newer case designs.

 

Like @SpookyCitrus mentioned, the regular P400A mesh would be good.

Tried to grab a P400A for a second friend (brother of the guy I mentioned actually) for HIS Ryzen build.

Ended up grabbing a Lancool II instead, due to no availability of the Phanteks P400A here.

[SpookyCitrus]

22 minutes ago, -rascal- said:

 

The Meshify C is an much older case.

I just helped a buddy of mine build a Ryzen 3000 system in the Meshify C like ~2 weeks ago.

It's a nice case, but some minor quirks and inconveniences...which are resolved in newer case designs.

I'd recommend the Meshify S2 to OP which is the improved upon C, however it's quite a bit more than the meshify Cs current asking price and out of their budget. In some instances the Meshify C can be scooped up for -$90 as I got mine probably 6 months or so ago for $85.

[Juular]

10 hours ago, -rascal- said:

The Meshify C is an much older case.

It's a nice case, but some minor quirks and inconveniences...which are resolved in newer case designs.

Like the case design choices depend on it's age or what ? There's pretty weird new cases too, what are those quirks you're talking about specifically ?

 

OP, in addition to Meshify C and Phanteks P300 other people have mentioned already, there's also Cooler Master H500 series.

[-rascal-]

8 hours ago, Juular said:

Like the case design choices depend on it's age or what ? There's pretty weird new cases too, what are those quirks you're talking about specifically ?

 

OP, in addition to Meshify C and Phanteks P300 other people have mentioned already, there's also Cooler Master H500 series.

 

Improvements / innovations that trickle down in chassis layout, and design over time.

Compare a Cooler Master HAF 932 that released in 2008, versus a "successor" H500 series from 2018...NO comparison.

Even the NZXT S340 Elite vs H500 that replaces it in NZXT's line-up (4-year difference vs 10-year difference between the Cooler Master cases).

 

Well...compared to the P400A...

 

Both at stock out-of-the-box configurations, the P400A mesh performs better than the Meshify C in temperatures (54.3*C vs 48.2*C CPU temperature over ambient).

It is right neck-and-neck with the Cooler Master H500P Mesh at stock configuration, and 1*C below the Meshify C with 2x Noctua AF-14's mounted to the front.

When 2x Noctua AF-14's are mounted to the front of the case, and a NF-F12 is mounted to the rear (same fan configuration on the Meshify C) difference in CPU temperature over ambient can be a great as 6*C. GPU temperatures difference between the two can be as high as 8*C over ambient.

 

https://www.gamersnexus.net/hwreviews/3511-phanteks-p400a-digital-rgb-case-review-airflow-mesh-panel-testing

 

Wiring of the front panel controls / buttons are attached on the Meshify C, where as on the P400A, they are separate.

If you are to pull the front panel on the Meshify C, you need to support the front panel to keep tension off the wiring for the power / reset / audio / USB.

On the P400A, you just pull it off, and don't have to worry about it.

 

Thumbscrews on the Meshify C are fastened into the chassis via machine from the factory -- they cannot be removed by hand.

Where they can be removed by hand on the P400A.

** We noticed this on the expansion slot thumb screws, and the PSU mount thumb scews **

 

Premounted motherboard stand-offs in the P400A.

** You need to be careful on the Meshify C, and or the motherboard stand-offs can be cross-threaded, we noticed this **

 

The rear bracket to mount the PSU must be removed, fastened to the PSU, and the PSU is installed by sliding it in from the back on the Meshify C.

The rubber anti-vibration mounts, and how the PSU must be installed, the screws to mount the PSU to the chassis doesn't easily line up on the Meshify C.

To mount the PSU in the P400A, it is slide in from the side, and fasten down the 4x rear screws.

**This was one of the problems we encountered on the Meshify C, damaged the threads a little bit**

 

Under 20mm of clearance between the motherboard tray and rear panel on the Meshify C.

25mm of clearance between the motherboard tray and rear panel on the P400A.

 

Rear SSD mounts on the Meshify C bolt onto the removal metal plate, then that get screwed in, over the motherboard / socket cut-out hole.

The rear SSD mounts on the P400A mount below the motherboard/socket cut-out, via slide-and-lock, leaving it unobstructed / open.