Final Thoughts and Conclusions
Overall the new Eclipse P400S proved to be a nice case and a worthy addition to Phanteks’ case lineup. It forgoes some features found in more expensive enclosures but provides all the basics. The main focus is quiet operation and the P400S delivers, although at the expense of limited airflow. Sound dampening inside and a built-in fan speed control help keep the noise to a minimum. One of the P400S’s more unique features is the multi-color LED light-strip under the front panel which can add subtle but interesting lighting effects.
Some users may complain about the lack of drive bays; only four internal 3.5”/2.5” bays and no external 5.25” bays. However, this basic combination should serve the majority of users: one primary SSD and a pair of HDDs. And if you need more you can purchase add-in drive bays. External 5.25” drive bays are also of little interest to many users today. If you need an ODD burner you can always go with an external USB drive.
The inability to mount a liquid-cooling radiator (either single or dual fan configuration) on the top panel was a little disappointing but this isn’t a show-stopper as you can still mount a single 120mm liquid cooler on the back panel and a single, dual, or even triple fan radiator on the front panel.
It’s always a challenge to combine silent operation with high performance cooling. The Eclipse P400S enclosure provides a good foundation to build upon but ultimately it will be the parts that you choose to install into this case that will determine the final noise to performance benefit.
If your main goal is to build a very quiet, virtually silent PC then pay close attention to your choice for CPU/CPU cooler, VGA/VGA cooler, and power supply. Look for components that are designed to operate efficiently with minimal waste heat generation. With the right choices you can assemble a relatively powerful PC that can still operate with minimal noise and be virtually silent.
The MSRP for the Phanteks Eclipse P400S Silent Edition Mid-Tower case is $79.99 USD. Hopefully we may see this price drop a little as the enclosure enters retail channels.
Strengths:
• Very quiet with options for both air and liquid cooling
• Clean styling with a choice of three colors: black, white, or gray
• Selectable 10-color LED lights under front panel
• Available with or without a side window
• One 120mm intake fan and one 120mm exhaust fan included
• Sound absorption material on front, top and side panel
• 3-Speed fan controller included
• Support for single, dual, and triple fan radiators
• Two tool-free internal 3.5” HDD bays
• Two internal 2.5” SSD bays
• Front intake, PSU intake and top panel dust filters – easy to clean
• Oversized CPU back plate cutout for easy CPU cooler installation
• Up to 160mm (6.3”) of space for tall CPU coolers
• Allows installing extended VGA adapters: up to 395mm (15.2”) long
Weaknesses:
• Not enough clearance above mobo to install a radiator on top panel
• I/O panel on top harder to access when case is located under a desk
• Bundled fans are very quiet but don’t move a lot of air
Phanteks Eclipse P400S Silent Edition Mid-Tower Case
I would like to thank our friends at Phanteks for sending us the Eclipse P400S case to review – thank you.
Is the front face panel
Is the front face panel steel/metal or is it plastic? Which bits are ABS on this case?
The front face plate and trim
The front face plate and trim pieces are plastic.
That is not true for mine,
That is not true for mine, front panel is metal. The solid top vent covers are plastic, the HDD drive caddies, some other misc parts are plastic, the rest is metal.
I worry a little when I see
I worry a little when I see the power supply area closed in like that as I would normally install a fanless power supply in a case that size and would like the surrounding area to be totally open.
That lower section shroud is
That lower section shroud is removable if you don't want it or need more room.
It also has a downward power
It also has a downward power supply vent with an air filter.
Clean AF
Clean AF
Can you fit an HDD bracket
Can you fit an HDD bracket with an HDD in it with that front mounted liquid cooler?
Can u dit a 220 radiator to
Can u dit a 220 radiator to the top is the question then 🙂
I have phanteks p400s can you
I have phanteks p400s can you have front plate on the case while the h100i is installed there or will the airflow not work. And radiator not get cooled
I have the h80i and am
I have the h80i and am interested in this case. I want to mount it in the front like you did with the 100. Are the tubes long enough to do this?
good review, however some
good review, however some shots of the fan controller thats built into this case would be a really big help. it says the controller can support up to 11 fans by use of a splitter, but nowhere do they state whether or not the included fans are pwm or not, and on top of that whether the controller thats onboard can support pwm fans or 3 pin fans.
ive been interrested in this case as a cheaper solution to something like a carbide s as i like the full basement and provides a cleaner end look, but i dont want to have to buy a grid+ or corsair link to controll all fans seperately from the single PWM header on my mobo that my water pump will be hooked too directly. mobo can handle 82w BUT id rather not push it with the pump and 3 fans.
please pleas eplease finish this review or inform me of the lack of explination because phanteks website doesnt give any information on the onboard controller either
Hi, is hdd bay fixed only 2
Hi, is hdd bay fixed only 2 slots or you can screw another one between hdd bay & psu? My local store doesn’t sell those optional bracket. thanks
I have this tower and I have
I have this tower and I have mounted it with fan up but I wonder what si better: mounted with fan up ou fan down?
sorry “power supply” with fan
sorry “power supply” with fan up or down i wanted to say
Looks like your fans on the
Looks like your fans on the radiator are mounted backwards and working against the rear exhaust fan. The blades are curved to be pushing air out the front instead of pulling through the case… Whoops!