Lian Li 1100plus vs 1200plus

[JB77]

Hi
I am a relative newbie builder and want to build to high end system. Looking at Lian Li cases V1200plus vs V1100 plus.

V1200 seems to be best on cooling but if possible would take the silent V1200 Plus.

- are these cases doable for newbie builder
- Any views on if the cooling of the V1100 plus could manage hotter systems
- Any views on the two cases in general

 

[krotchy]

first off.
The V1000 and V1100 are the same size.
The V1200 is extra long (seriously its big), but aside from the depth of it is identical to the V1000.

Ive used several top-tier LL cases, and to be honest, I dont like the V1100/2100. The door area is unventilated and all intake is through the bottom of it, or the side/rear depending on the fan config. It is quiet, however I dont think optimal cooling is achievable.

The V1000 on the other hand is really easy to cool quite well. It will be noisier since its completely open, but its not a big deal IMO since it allows several low speed fans to optimize it.


oh yeah, and as far as newbie builders go, these cases are both cake to work with. The hard drive mounting system is beyond simple. The PSU plate makes sliding the PSU in nice and easy. The doors come on and off with easy thumb screws and the included motherboard standoff tool is nice for tightening them.

One note, watch out on the V1000/1100 with modular supplies though, as you may need to remove 3 of the hard drive rails to get one in. My favorite power supply with the V1000/PC-101/V1100 is the Seasonic S12+ 650W or 550W. Both fit and are nice quality. The 1200/2000/2100 can all fit a 1KW Enermax Galaxy Modular if need be. I used a 1KW Galaxy in a V2100 and 2 V2000's for a couple builds.

 

[JB77]

Thanks a lot!

So would you say a V1000 would be sufficient/when should I go for the V1200?

As it stands I am leaning towards the following spec (appreciate feedback)

680i SLIi
QX6850 with
dual 8800 GTX or something similar
2 gb ram

Based on that do you think

- is the standard cooling sufficient
- what power source would you recommend

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

i like my PC-V1100plus (black) but stock, i don't think it offers enough air-flow. so what i did was buy a Lian Li hard drive enclosure that supports 4 drives, fits into 4 5.25 bays and cools the drives with a 120mm fan, granted it doesn't offer much more cooling but it adds more ventilation. i think the big thing is to have a stronger fan pulling out the hot air - but honestly i am still not satisfied in my temps but overclocking and ambient temps don't help either... so, as for the case and its cooling architect, it needs better cooling in my opinion

and as for the PSU i can't tell you what exactly to buy but i love my Enermax Infinity 720w... but its a shame to spend 215 on a PSU


good luck, i hope my experiences with this helps

529th

 

[Fallen Kell]

Personally I like my Lian-Li PC-201B (it is a beast, but very usable), but the V1000 series is also nice. The new PC-B25B looks like it could solve the problem of the front intake being restrictive on the previous series by using 2x120 fans instead of just one, but I am not sure how well the 8800GTX will fit in there (they might be too long).

 

[LOUISSSSS]

any of those cases are doable for any builder. i've build over 5 complete systems for myself in the past 5 years and i'm currently loving my V1000 plus. its much better than any cooler master with plastic interior parts that can be snapped if u bend it the wrong way.

i suggest going for the biggest case u can (in this case the v1200 is bigger than the v1100)

both are pretty okay on cooling with stock fans but i've upgraded to 2 x (120x38mm) 3200rpm fans to cool my dual 150gb raptors/7200.10 and get some rear exhaust going

 

[Kindjal]

I use to have a V1000 but changed to a V1200Plus. I needed the larger PSU bay that the V1200 has - the V1000 was too cramped with a Corsair HX620 (modular cables). The extra length of the case is great for maintaining an uncluttered interior. I've been able to route a lot of cables behind the left hand side panel.

The V1200 does have an additional fan above the main PCIe slot which I believe helps overall air circulation.

Moreover, I have been able to reverse the rear fan to pull air out of the case (default blew air in) which helps with my Zalman CNPS9700 (also blowing air out the back of the case and right in front of the rear fan).

The V1200Plus comes with a duct on that same rear fan that can direct air onto the CPU as well as the mobo itself (obviously only useful if you have a short CPU cooler with the fan sucking air in).

The V1200Plus may require longer SATA cables and/or power cables. I use long sata cables and some extensions on my PSU cables so I can hide a lot of wiring behind the rear panels.

The reverse design of the case could cause problems with large CPU heatsinks. The PSU compartment wall can cause interference. I have been able to use the Zalman CNPS9700 on my Abit IP35 Pro without a problem but I have read that others have had problems with the same cooler on other motherboards.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions about the V1200.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: JB77
Hi
I am a relative newbie builder and...

Welcome to AnandTech!

If I was you, I'd take a step back and reconsider your choice of cases...

I've seen this a zillion times - n00b buys Lian-Li, thinking they discovered something great, only to find out everything is upside down and backwards.

Do a little more reading, my friend!

 

[VinDSL]

To the rest of you.. shame on you!

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2002.

Misery loves company

People who are unhappy may get some consolation from knowing that others are unhappy too.

Leave the poor n00b alone...

 

[trOver]

i own an 1100, and its great. I have 8800gts with stock case cooling, and it runs fine. Along with 4 harddrives, and an overclocked E6600

 

[o0erick0o]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: JB77
Hi
I am a relative newbie builder and...

Welcome to AnandTech!

If I was you, I'd take a step back and reconsider your choice of cases...

I've seen this a zillion times - n00b buys Lian-Li, thinking they discovered something great, only to find out everything is upside down and backwards.

Do a little more reading, my friend!

I agree with Vin regarding reconsidering your choice of cases. Many manufacturers offer great cases for significantly less than what it costs to purchase a LL and it is a little disorienting working on a reverse ATX case, but you'll quickly get over it. The learning curve on using an reverse ATX Lian Li case isn't that steep.

With that said--if you're DEAD SET on purchasing a Lian Li--I currently own an A05 and V1200. I'm very happy with both. With respects to my V1200, it provides the depth of a full tower case without the added height. Ample cooling and, of course, plenty of room. I considered the V1000 (and V1100 for it's silencing properties), but in the end I went with the V1200. Here's why:

1. I don't want to open a case door everytime I want to turn on my computer. I don't access my optical drives often. If I do have to access the optical drives or my media reader a lot, i.e. burning CDs or DVDs or pulling photos off of my SM card, I may consider taking the door off, which would defeat the purpose of me buying a case with a door. It's an easy process, simply push the blue tab and off it comes, but why convert your car to a convertible when you could've bought a 'vert to begin with. Sound deadening material can always be added to the case and overall noise depends on the components you use anyway (i.e. fans, hard drives, etc).

2. The V1000 and V1100 have plenty of room but I simply wanted more. The price difference between the V1000 and the V1200 wasn't that much more. It gives me the option to install an E-ATX motherboard in the future and I don't have to worry about making sure long video cards fit.

Go for the V1200 if you use a long power supply (you'll have to modify the V1000 to fit long PSUs) and if you want more 'elbow room'.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

I hate to do it but, i partially agree with VinDSL. I agree that there are lots of other great cases out there for a lot less but, I love Ll cases. I've used about 2 a year for the last 4 years straight and they are VERY well built and very featured cases. Personally speaking, I love the PC-7B. It is one of my all time favorite cases.

But, I don't love it any more than my Cooler master 532 thats half the price and with teh iStar version without the colums I may love the PC7B less now. I've used a CM elite 330 and it's a great junker case. I don't mean it's junk, i just mean that for a $35 case you better expect something slightly less robust. I've not yet used a CM RC690 but, it's on my short list for my next personal build.

Point is, there are a lot of great cases out there. If you like the V1x00, I say get it, I HIGHLY doubt you'll be dissapointed so long as you take the time to do your homework on this case. Either way, good luck.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: JB77
Hi
I am a relative newbie builder and...

Welcome to AnandTech!

If I was you, I'd take a step back and reconsider your choice of cases...

I've seen this a zillion times - n00b buys Lian-Li, thinking they discovered something great, only to find out everything is upside down and backwards.

Do a little more reading, my friend!

well i've bought 3 LL case's and have discovered something great. theres nothing wrong with the upside down motherboard. It leaves the now hotter-than-cpu GPU's on the top of the case where the rising heat is easily exhausted out.

it allows GPU coolers to work better since all that heat the new GPU's spit out won't be trapped under the video card's PCB in conventional motherboard orientations.

i've also worked in a TT case. Crap. And a CM Centurion 5. Close to Crap, but better than the TT. Both of those cases use cheap plastic materials where quality aluminum should be used.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS

Originally posted by: VinDSL

Originally posted by: JB77
Hi
I am a relative newbie builder and...

Welcome to AnandTech!

If I was you, I'd take a step back and reconsider your choice of cases...

I've seen this a zillion times - n00b buys Lian-Li, thinking they discovered something great, only to find out everything is upside down and backwards.

Do a little more reading, my friend!

well i've bought 3 LL case's and have discovered something great. theres nothing wrong with the upside down motherboard. It leaves the now hotter-than-cpu GPU's on the top of the case where the rising heat is easily exhausted out.

it allows GPU coolers to work better since all that heat the new GPU's spit out won't be trapped under the video card's PCB in conventional motherboard orientations.

i've also worked in a TT case. Crap. And a CM Centurion 5. Close to Crap, but better than the TT. Both of those cases use cheap plastic materials where quality aluminum should be used.

out of curiosity was it a base centurion 5 or what model? and what parts of the centurion 5 that were platic did you think should have been aluminum?

 

[LOUISSSSS]

i THINK it was the base centurion.. i dunno what other editions they have

the 5.25 drive bay clips pretty much sucked and the PCI slot locks sucked

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
i THINK it was the base centurion.. i dunno what other editions they have

the 5.25 drive bay clips pretty much sucked and the PCI slot locks sucked

IMHExperience the 5.25 drive locks are stiff but, do their job as well as any others. I'll agree that the PCI locks are a little flimsy, they hold any single bay card just fine but, those video cards with larger heavy heatsink will definately need a screw. In both problems that you described though, they can be pretty easily removed and screws can be used in their place. Those are pretty minor to be calling them close to crap, IMHO.