Antec P20CE E-ATX PC case full review

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Antec has launched the P20CE, a new case model that is spacious and designed for professional use. This model is capable of accommodating E-ATX and even dual-socket boards, making it ideal for high-performance systems. Unlike the P20C version, the P20CE does not feature a glass window. However, it boasts a mesh front with an integrated filter for the three 120mm fans that come with it. The interior is thoughtfully designed to accommodate multiple storage elements and a large number of cables.

Design of the Antec P20CE

The Antec P20CE follows a standard mid-tower design and is relatively square in shape, with a height and depth of 490mm that is sufficient for E-ATX capacity. At present, this model is only available in black, although the P20C variant has a tempered glass left side. The case’s opaque steel plates are symmetrical and identical, with tab-shaped screws that fit into the front edge and two manual thread screws at the rear for attachment. Two holes at the back in the shape of a handle make it easier to remove the sides.

The case’s mesh-style front is the most eye-catching feature, with a metal plate that sports a triangle pattern and is secured to the chassis with four pressure points. Underneath the front plate lies a high-density dust filter on a plastic frame, which allows air to flow cleanly towards the three pre-installed fans in the front. For aesthetic details, a yellow border has been added without RGB, and the Antec logo is situated at the bottom.

Moving to the top of the case, there is a large opening that can accommodate radiators up to 360mm or 280mm, supporting the 120mm and 140mm format. This area is covered by a magnetic dust filter grille to keep dust out.

The opening is shifted to the left to make room for the motherboard and the front I/O panel, which houses several elements, including the power button, reset button, hard drive and power indicator LEDs, 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A ports, 2x 3.5mm jacks for headphones and microphone, and a USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C port.

At the rear, the case follows the usual distribution with a fan area and motherboard ports on top, seven expansion slots in the middle of the chassis, and a lower power supply space. The power supply space has a removable frame and a washable and removable dust filter to protect against dust. The expansion slot area has screwed covers from the inside, which means that the anchoring for expansion cards will not be accessible from the outside. This model does not have vertical GPU mounting.

Finally, at the bottom of the case, there is an opening for the entry of air towards the power supply, which is also protected by a high-density, washable and removable dust filter. The hard drive cabinet is anchored with two possible positions and is supported by four legs with a padded surface.

Interior and components layout

The Antec P20CE’s interior can be accessed by removing the side panels, revealing the usual layout of the main area, PSU cover, and rear area for cables. This primary compartment is compatible with Mini ITX, Micro ATX, ATX, and dual-socket E-ATX boards.

Two columns of cable pass-through holes have been arranged, with three for ATX boards and two additional ones for E-ATX boards. All of these holes have black rubber covers to improve insulation, and there is a large open area to work on the socket without removing the motherboard. Three more holes with rubber covers are located in the lower area, and two smaller holes without protection are situated at the top.

The PSU cover area can accommodate 120mm fans, but it would be more useful to use it for 2.5″ storage with possible brackets. Another hole is included for passing the power cable to the GPU, and a cutout behind the front is provided to accommodate radiators.

The available space in the Antec P20CE can accommodate graphics cards up to 375mm long, with a reduction of about 27mm if a front radiator is used. This case also features a pre-installed mounting system for horizontal installations of graphics cards. For air coolers, the maximum height allowed is 170mm, which is a significant space considering that the chassis is only 220mm.

Cable management and storage

Moving to the back of the Antec P20CE, there is an available thickness of approximately 25mm, depending on the specific area. This space has two pre-installed velcro loops that hold the cables coming from the I/O panel, leaving space to include the ATX, among others. Cable management is basic and does not include channels or advanced elements, similar to any generic chassis.

The free area behind the motherboard has the capacity to install two 2.5″ HDD/SSD units directly attached to the rubber points with the included screws. It is a simple system that works very well and keeps the unit firmly in place. For 3.5″ units, there is a bay cabinet under the PSU cover with a single removable plastic tray and a second anchor on the ceiling. Here, two 2.5″ units can also be installed.

Cooling features

In terms of cooling, the Antec P20CE comes with three 120mm fans located at the front that support PWM control with 4-pin headers. No technical data is provided about them, but in tests, they have proven to be quieter than most generic units found in other cases.

The total capacity for fans will be:

Front: 3x 120 / 140 mm
Top: 3x 120 / 2x 140 mm
Bottom: 2x 120 mm
Rear: 1x 120 mm

While if we opt for liquid cooling, it supports:

Front: 280 / 360 mm
Top: 280 / 360 mm
Rear: 120 mm

If we intend to mount an all-in-one cooling system, the front of the Antec P20CE is a feasible option that supports push and pull configurations, thanks to the space on the PSU cover of about 65mm.

The most common option is to place the radiator at the top, which provides enough space for 140mm formats and doesn’t cause any problems for the motherboard’s components or cables. However, we don’t consider this case an attractive option for custom water-cooling builds, as it lacks the necessary space for water reservoirs and may not be aesthetically pleasing.

Final toughts about the Antec P20CE

In conclusion, although the experience with the Antec P20CE might seem positive, it does not represent a significant leap forward for the brand. The case’s discreet and professional-looking exterior design with good air intake and exhaust integrating dust filters are key features. The I/O panel is equipped with three high-speed USB ports, one of which is Gen2.

The cable management holes are well-distributed and feature rubber grommets. The case can accommodate E-ATX and dual-socket boards, making it an ideal workstation tower, particularly the model without glass. However, we would have appreciated a thicker rear space to store cables or brackets for hard drives on the PSU cover. In fact, additional hard drive bays would be beneficial for workstation builds.