Lian Li G70B case - stock or modified cooling recommended?

[mwhals]

I am looking to get the Lian Li PC-G70B case for my next machine build. I am planning on putting a couple of Western Digital Raptors in it for the main drive and Photoshop scratch drive. I will also have a couple of storage drives internally and a SATA swap rack in the front for removeable backups. It will have an Intel Core 2 duo CPU, an ATI 1950 pro for video (or something close), 4 GB of ram, 2 optical drives, internal card reader and a floppy (yes, a floppy).

I am wondering if you think the case has adequate cooling in the stock condition (rear and front intakes, side exhaust) or should I do the following:

- Make side fan an intake
- Leave rear fan as an intake
- Leave the front as an intake
- Install two or three low speed 120 mm fans in the top for exhaust

The case will have an additional hard drive cage in the front with a 120 mm fan and the SATA rack has a 40 mm fan (won't be on unless a drive is in it).

Any ideas other than stock or my idea above?

As an additional note, I found the case for $30 less than Newegg at Performance-PCs where I have done business before. You can also get other views of the case at their site.

Mark H

 

[Boyo]

Great choice of cases. You will love the G70B. I would add a side intake fan, leave the rear fan as exhaust, the front as intake and if you want to add a 120mm blowhole, I would use it as an exhaust.

 

[mwhals]

Originally posted by: Boyo
Great choice of cases. You will love the G70B. I would add a side intake fan, leave the rear fan as exhaust, the front as intake and if you want to add a 120mm blowhole, I would use it as an exhaust.

Not sure I understand. Are you saying reverse the existing side fan to be an intake and then add another side intake? Also, you say leave the rear as an exhaust, but it is an intake in the stock condition. Maybe what you mean is the following:

- Rear exhaust
- Two side intakes (or were you saying flip the existing fan to be an intake)
- Front intake
- Top exhaust with one fan

Thanks,

Mark H

 

[Operandi]

From the description of what you intend to build something like the PC-101 would be a better choice.

 

[mwhals]

Originally posted by: Operandi
From the description of what you intend to build something like the PC-101 would be a better choice.

Inverted cases are not good for motherboards with heatpipes. I plan to use an Asus P5B Deluxe.

Also, the case is too small. I would have no 5 1/4" bays left since I am putting the following in the bays:

- floppy drive (yes, that is correct)
- Lian Li CR33 card reader
- DVD RW drive
- DVD ROM drive
- SATA hot swap bay for one drive

Mark H

 

[SolMiester]

Originally posted by: mwhals

Originally posted by: Operandi
From the description of what you intend to build something like the PC-101 would be a better choice.

Inverted cases are not good for motherboards with heatpipes. I plan to use an Asus P5B Deluxe.

Mark H

Really?, I planned on using a heatpipe mobo for my next build in the TJ06!
How would it be any different?

 

[aigomorla]

actually that comment is correct on the old ASUS boards.

The liquid used to cool the heat pipes would get stuck on the chipset side. And therefore heat up the chipset.

I think they fixed this tho, however i am not 100% sure. Anyhow i dont like inverted boards. I dont like the idea of having to go in the right side to open the pannel.

*should of thought of that when i inverted my TJ-07* But i am going to invert it back right. And no i dont get heating issues on my striker when the boards inverted. But i believe the premium, and delux had over heating issues.

 

[mwhals]

Only one person has tried to answer my original question!

Thanks!

 

[mwhals]

Bump.

 

[SolMiester]

Originally posted by: aigomorla
actually that comment is correct on the old ASUS boards.

The liquid used to cool the heat pipes would get stuck on the chipset side. And therefore heat up the chipset.

I think they fixed this tho, however i am not 100% sure. Anyhow i dont like inverted boards. I dont like the idea of having to go in the right side to open the pannel.

*should of thought of that when i inverted my TJ-07* But i am going to invert it back right. And no i dont get heating issues on my striker when the boards inverted. But i believe the premium, and delux had over heating issues.

Inverted TJ07?

 

[mwhals]

The TJ07 can be an inverted or normal case.

Now back to MY question that no one, but one person, seems interested in answering.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: mwhals

Originally posted by: Operandi
From the description of what you intend to build something like the PC-101 would be a better choice.

Inverted cases are not good for motherboards with heatpipes. I plan to use an Asus P5B Deluxe.

Also, the case is too small. I would have no 5 1/4" bays left since I am putting the following in the bays:

- floppy drive (yes, that is correct)
- Lian Li CR33 card reader
- DVD RW drive
- DVD ROM drive
- SATA hot swap bay for one drive

Mark H

A friend of mine has the Asus P5B in the Lian Li V600 (an inverted case) and it works just fine. As long as the heat pipe is designed properly it shouldn't matter if the board is inverted or not.

 

[mwhals]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: mwhals

Originally posted by: Operandi
From the description of what you intend to build something like the PC-101 would be a better choice.

Inverted cases are not good for motherboards with heatpipes. I plan to use an Asus P5B Deluxe.

Also, the case is too small. I would have no 5 1/4" bays left since I am putting the following in the bays:

- floppy drive (yes, that is correct)
- Lian Li CR33 card reader
- DVD RW drive
- DVD ROM drive
- SATA hot swap bay for one drive

Mark H

A friend of mine has the Asus P5B in the Lian Li V600 (an inverted case) and it works just fine. As long as the heat pipe is designed properly it shouldn't matter if the board is inverted or not.

There is still the size limitation. I am open to other cases, but I will start another thread if I decide to look for something else. I just like the room for expansion in the G70. As to heat pipes, I always hear that Asus doesn't have wicks in theirs.

 

[Boyo]

What I meant was making the original side fan an intake, making the rear fan an exhaust along with a top blowhole as exhaust. Then make the front fan intake. That would offer the best cooling for your rig. The G70 is a great case.

 

[mwhals]

So does anyone else agree with this:

- Side fan switched to an intake
- Rear fan switched to an exhaust
- Front fan stays as an intake
- Lian Li EX-34 will add another 120 mm intake
- Add a 120 mm exhaust to the top

Thanks,

Mark H

 

[Boyo]

I totally agree with that setup. I don't know that you will need the extra 120mm intake if you are getting the blowhole. I think your case will be cooled sufficiently with 4 fans rather than 5. But it's your case and if you feel the need for one more fan(which is more noise) then go for it. It looks like a decent set up to me.

 

[mwhals]

I need the front EX34 because of the fact I will have 4 to 5 hard drives, two or which are raptors. I didn't want to jam 4 to 5 hard drives in the 6 drive cage and block off a lot of airflow. I want to keep the raptors in the bottom rack and the storage drives in the EX34. It just works out that it gives me another 120 mm fan. I also want to be able to add more internal drives and back them up with a front mounted SATA swap rack.

Boyo, I want to thank you for being virtually the only one that really seems to read and answer my questions. I am sure there are others, but they don't seem to be making themselves known.

Mark H

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I have the case, and I setup my cooling as follows:
front 120mm = intake
rear 120mm = exhaust
side 120mm = intake
top 120mm = exhaust (was modded by Performance PCs)

The included can fan used for the side panel is a bit weird, as it doesn't use standard mounting (fan) screws. So you have to either use their fan (and it can only go one way BTW), or work some other screws in there. Shouldn't be too bad at all, but it is a bit of an issue.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: mwhals
I need the front EX34 because of the fact I will have 4 to 5 hard drives, two or which are raptors. I didn't want to jam 4 to 5 hard drives in the 6 drive cage and block off a lot of airflow. I want to keep the raptors in the bottom rack and the storage drives in the EX34. It just works out that it gives me another 120 mm fan. I also want to be able to add more internal drives and back them up with a front mounted SATA swap rack.

Boyo, I want to thank you for being virtually the only one that really seems to read and answer my questions. I am sure there are others, but they don't seem to be making themselves known.

Mark H

I tried searching for this "EX34", and I couldn't find anything, but I'm guessing it is a 4-in-3 or 5-in-3 SATA enclosure? Just another bit of FYI, they don't fit without some slight modding. I have two Supermicro M35T 5-in-3 SATA enclosures, and I planned on putting on in my G70B. Well, there is a slight problem, because the G70b has tabs that hold 5.25" devices every two bays. Due to these tabs, any 3-bay device (that is full depth) won't fit without cutting them out. Minor mod with a dremel or other rotary tool, a few reinforced cutting disks, and something to clean up the cut afterward (I used the sandpaper rolls or whatever they are called). I took pics of the entire project thus far, so let me know if you need any further info...

 

[mwhals]

The EX34 is a lian li part that fits in the case easily. I have one in my other case currently.

As to the Lian Li side fan, is it a better idea to just replace it with one attached to the window? I am getting the Performance-pcs G70 with their window, so it is already cut for a 120 mm fan.

Mark H

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: mwhals
The EX34 is a lian li part that fits in the case easily. I have one in my other case currently.

As to the Lian Li side fan, is it a better idea to just replace it with one attached to the window? I am getting the Performance-pcs G70 with their window, so it is already cut for a 120 mm fan.

Mark H

Okay. So is it a 2-bay device? Do you have links so I could check this out? Just curious about it.

If you are already getting a window, then yes, I would mount the fan to the window. It would definitely be easier mounting it in that manner. The way that the mounting setup is for the side fan is decent, but only if you use the enclosed fan, and only in the direction they intend. Changing out fans and the like makes the mount a PITA.

 

[mwhals]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
Okay. So is it a 2-bay device? Do you have links so I could check this out? Just curious about it.

If you are already getting a window, then yes, I would mount the fan to the window. It would definitely be easier mounting it in that manner. The way that the mounting setup is for the side fan is decent, but only if you use the enclosed fan, and only in the direction they intend. Changing out fans and the like makes the mount a PITA.

The EX34 is a three bay device for 4 hard drives. There is also a EX23 which is a 2 bay device for three hard drives. The larger one has a 120 mm fan and the smaller one has an 80 mm fan. Performance PCs sells them in black and silver. Newegg used to sell them. At Performance PCs site, go to the "Case Parts, Mods & DIY" menu and then "Bay Hardware" and then "5 1/4" and you will find them in the list of devices. Below is a link to a silver EX34.

Silver Lian Li EX34

I will get a 1200 rpm Scythe S-Flex fan for the side panel instead of the "patented cooling kit" fan of Lian Li.

Mark H

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: mwhals

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
Okay. So is it a 2-bay device? Do you have links so I could check this out? Just curious about it.

If you are already getting a window, then yes, I would mount the fan to the window. It would definitely be easier mounting it in that manner. The way that the mounting setup is for the side fan is decent, but only if you use the enclosed fan, and only in the direction they intend. Changing out fans and the like makes the mount a PITA.

The EX34 is a three bay device for 4 hard drives. There is also a EX23 which is a 2 bay device for three hard drives. The larger one has a 120 mm fan and the smaller one has an 80 mm fan. Performance PCs sells them in black and silver. Newegg used to sell them. At Performance PCs site, go to the "Case Parts, Mods & DIY" menu and then "Bay Hardware" and then "5 1/4" and you will find them in the list of devices. Below is a link to a silver EX34.

Silver Lian Li EX34

I will get a 1200 rpm Scythe S-Flex fan for the side panel instead of the "patented cooling kit" fan of Lian Li.

Mark H

EDIT: NVM. Wow, I took a look at the pics. The thing is a lot different. And I see how it might not have a problem fitting. Interesting.... And it is strickly a bay--no backpanel or hotswapping... Very interesting. I might see about getting one of these if my Supermicro enclosure is too heavy for the case... Cool--thanks.

 

[mwhals]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
Okay... Pretty much the same thing as the one I have, with the exception of the fan size difference. How comes the tabs on the 5.25" bays aren't a problem for this one? The tabs actually stick out into the bay. I'm a bit confused, so I hope you don't mind me asking more about this.

If you click the picture on the site to get a bigger view, you will see how the part that slides into the bay will miss the tabs since it is designed such that no part is heigher than a standard bay. I read a review on Newegg when they carried it that said the part fit in a G70 perfectly. My current 2 bay device is in a Lian Li 6077. I will have the 3 bay device in a Lian Li G70.

Mark H

Edit: I see you already did that and beat me in posting.

 

[mwhals]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
EDIT: NVM. Wow, I took a look at the pics. The thing is a lot different. And I see how it might not have a problem fitting. Interesting.... And it is strickly a bay--no backpanel or hotswapping... Very interesting. I might see about getting one of these if my Supermicro enclosure is too heavy for the case... Cool--thanks.

It will match your case and look much better than the Supermicro.

Mark H