New Case: Lian-Li

[tphss]

Hi,

I currently have a Silverstone case (Temjin TJ-05B) for my best pc, I am disappointed from it for sevrel of reasons:

1) Fitting is very avrage for a case in that price range (of plastics inside).
2) there is a mount hole for a 80mm fan to cool the HD's mounts, only very few 80mm fans fit.
3) the stupid front is locked with a key, that I lost, now I can't open the front to tighten the (stupid) sideway opening cover, neither to remove or add bay drives. I'm sorry, but who the hell needs to lock his case? specially the front?

I decided it's not for me, not the quality, not the Huge size and heavy weight.

I decided to go with Lian-Li, although I am open to other offers that can stack x3 5.25 drives, 4 HD's, have USB/Firewire front I/O and have a sliding MOBO tray.

I am looking for now at the: Lian Li PC-65B PLUS (140$) and the Lian Li PC-6077B (120$).
Any recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[TrevorRC]

The PC-65B has a HDD cage at the bottom, which will mount the 3 HDDs, not 4. However, I'd reccomend putting 2 in there, then 2 in the top/standard mounting spot [Provided you don't use a floppy.]

It can stack 4 5.25's.

I have it, love it, but a mid-tower just got too cramped for me [I run watercooling, so I lost use of 3 of the drives... and so on..]

Also, mine scratches WAY too easily, however, according to Galvanized Lian-Li modified their anodization techniques [Type 1 -> Type 2] and is now VERY resistant to scratching/etc.

Only complaints would be airflow. There is only 1 120 going in, and that's supposed to feed 2x80s[or a 120, depending on what your PSU has.] and a blower. If I were to stick with aircooling, and CONTINUE using this case, I'd get rid of the blower, cut a 120 on the side pushing IN, then use a PSU with a 120 and a GOOD 80mm outtake to replace the one that's there now. [undervolted, because I can't stand the whine thsose suckers make.]

Just my thoughts on the PC-65. I've never used the 6077, so I can't comment there.

--Trevor

 

[dBTelos]

The LL PC-6, has 80mm intake and exhaust, which I don't like and for this reason will never buy one. I like the PC-7 better.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

@$146 my next case atm is the Akasa Eclipse 62. Google reviews, Froogle price.
It is made by GlobalWin and looks better than the pics in reviews. Search the few postings
about it in this forum. You may have to go into the archives.

It is a common case in the EU and may have more than the one seller we have here in The States,
if your located in Canada.

It is wider than the typical ATX case and this permits a slide out tray with the ability to use 2x120 fans.

I have two Lian Li mid-towers and would not be reluctant to buy another Lian Li but want what the Akasa case offers.


...Galvanized

 

[pkme2]

I would recommend a PC-7B
I would add 2 more 120mm fans. One at top for exhaust and one more on side for intake. This would make this the coolest and quietest case ever. (if you used Yate Loons 120mm)
Add a Seasonic S-12 600W power supply and you'll have a starter rig to die for.
For $229 for case and PSU, this would give you a great beginning. Oh yes, add four YLs 120mm for $12 you'll be in heaven.

 

[TrevorRC]

First, he didn't ask for a PSU recommendation.... silence also wasn't on his list.

I'd look into Galvanized's suggestion. He's probably one of the most knowledgable members in C&C.

--Trevor

Edited for Clarity and to spare AAT members' parts from frying.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

n/m


...Galvanized

 

[TrevorRC]

You give yourself far too little credit. Most will agree with me.

As for my post....Eck, edited for clarity. Didn't mean to say you suggested the Yate idea, I meant look into the Akasa case.

70CFM at full load meaning 100% of the PSUs capacity, or at full load 100% of your computers ability to utilize it?

I don't think anyone except those who run a Quad SLi system could even touch the peak load. [Quad would actually overload it; 238W each X2 card o_o]

That'll be a nice bit to experiment on. Anyway, enough thread-jacking on my part. Don't take my suggestion, at least not until I try it first

I'll restate here, as well: Look into Galvanized's suggestion of the Akasa. I took a look at it, and the airflow looks superb, lots of 120s as well, so it's probably quiet to boot.

--Trevor

 

[Operandi]

The Akasa Eclipse 62: a AL case with a plastic bezel, how dose that make any sense at all?

I would have to suggest the Lian Li V1100.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: TrevorRC
You give yourself far too little credit. Most will agree with me.

As for my post....Eck, edited for clarity. Didn't mean to say you suggested the Yate idea, I meant look into the Akasa case.

70CFM at full load meaning 100% of the PSUs capacity, or at full load 100% of your computers ability to utilize it?

I don't think anyone except those who run a Quad SLi system could even touch the peak load. [Quad would actually overload it; 238W each X2 card o_o]

That'll be a nice bit to experiment on. Anyway, enough thread-jacking on my part. Don't take my suggestion, at least not until I try it first

I'll restate here, as well: Look into Galvanized's suggestion of the Akasa. I took a look at it, and the airflow looks superb, lots of 120s as well, so it's probably quiet to boot.

--Trevor

Trevor you smearing the fudge around again?

 

[pkme2]

Originally posted by: TrevorRC
First, he didn't ask for a PSU recommendation.... silence also wasn't on his list.

I'd look into Galvanized's suggestion. He's probably one of the most knowledgable members in C&C.

--Trevor

Edited for Clarity and to spare AAT members' parts from frying.

Since many others also read these threads I don't need your flame. My opinion is to offer advice,
The OP can use it or lose it. The info is for him or whoever. Keep your thoughts to yourself.

 

[thestain]

The Akasa is a very good case. I have taken it apart every which way... removable everything and I am really glad I bought one. When I was considering buying it, I almost did not because of the appearance in the pictures and the plastic bezel Operandi
mentioned, but I am sure glad I did. That plastic bezel is a lot nicer than the front of most cases.

Overcool.com is a good place to buy one, but they were out of stock last time I checked.. ten percent discount on your first order.

Akasa is coming out with a new Case called the Mirage.. also very good.

A perfect case for me would be Akasa coming out with one even wider.. it is about an inch wider than a Lian Li. Wider is better. and.. I would like a couple more inches of height. The front bezel is ok with me, but a hard drive cage like the Lian Li -PC 80 would be nice.

For the same price I would take a Lian Li PC-80, but would really miss the flexibility the Akasa offers. The Lian Lian Li G70 would be a close call. Like I said.... I am feeling height deprived at the moment.

The Stain

 

[TrevorRC]

Originally posted by: pkme2
Since many others also read these threads I don't need your flame. My opinion is to offer advice,
The OP can use it or lose it. The info is for him or whoever. Keep your thoughts to yourself.

In that case, let me make sure I go to every thread in this forum, regardless of the topic or what the OP is interested in, and tell people how fantastic the EN-0560 and PC-G70 are.
Not literally going to do that, but get the point.

I wasn't flaming you; flaming would be "You're an idiot, quit posting the same garbage over and over. The OP didn't ask for that."
Don't see a fire where there isn't any heat.

A comment is [and what I posted was]: "The OP didn't ask anything about PSUs or silence, why bother?"

JediYokel
Trevor you smearing the fudge around again?

Yoda, what am I smearing? I asked GY a question, threw out a solid number about power consumption. [The GX2s really do consume 283W. Want a link?]
X1900XTX's [which are known to consume more than GTXs, which is why I'm using them in my example] consume 120W; so 2 of those in crossfire, fully loaded, is 240W; throw in another 100W for a CPU, add in periphs, motherboard and so on and you still have trouble pushing 450 on the 12V rail.
.....unless you're running Quad-SLi. Which is exactly what I said.

BTW Yoda, did you see the thread about a 510 blowing up? :laugh: Not that it's common [Which it isn't, by any means] just thought it was slightly amusing.

--Trevor

 

[tphss]

The PC-7 Does not have a sliding MOBO tray that I want.
I don't need a PSU as I already have a Antec Truepower 500W.

Any other suggestions for good cases with the specs I need? I don't mind spending a little more in order to get a case with very good FIT of parts and general quality and such (unlike the silverstone).

BTW, about the scratches and fingerprints, the Silverstone TJ-05B finish is HORRIBLE, you see everything and everything scratches it!

 

[you2]

The Lian pc-60 plus has 2 120 fans and 2 80 fans and sliding mobo trade. It is $117 at directon. Note this is not the pc-60 plus ii (see li-lain website for the dscription between the two - the only thing substantial is that the plus has a custom exhaust fan and hte plus ii has a more conventional side fan. The difference in cost is about $30 but depends where you order et all.

I'm not overjoyed with the lian pc-60 (but i had a $10 off coupon so it was 107 plus shipping). The major thing I dislike about it are that it lacks the sliding rail for the 5 1/4 drives (all my preiovus cases have this) and the wires to the front port headphone/mic were a little too short to reach the back of the motherboard (where the connectors are on my mb) so they were useless. I guess other than that I don't really have any complaints. The system runs cool enough and is not too loud - but is not silent. The case is solid enough but was definitly not a bargin. My kingwing 424 was $50 (though to be honest I don't thinik it has hte ventilization/cooling that modern game systems require).

Other than that it meet your reuqirements - it can take 3 5 1/4 - it can also take 4 3 1/2 (though I'm not sure i would put all 4 in the hard disk cage - i think i would put one or two in the floppy drive holder for better vent - and it has usb/firewire on the front.

 

[tphss]

What about the Lian-Li PC-V1000? does it have sliding rails for the 5.25's?
How is this case for my needs? there is also the PC6070 Plus (silent case), is it truely silent if i stick some powerfull fans?

The noise doesn't bother me that much, but since this PC will be in my room, and probably will stay on for a while at a time, maybe i'm better off trying to find something more quiet.

I don't mind spending 200$ even on the case, i'm tired of spending money on cases I need to compromise something. I need it to match my needs. And other then the specs I want in my first post, sliding rails for the 5.25's as you2 said would be very nice as well.

Thanks!

 

[tphss]

Ok,
I checked on what's available near me, cause I need the case fast...

So now i'll have to compormise the sliding MOBO tray on some of these:
1) Silverstone Temjin TJ04B
2) Antec P180
3) Lian-Li PC-61 Black

Please help me decide between these 3! Thanks.

 

[peleejosh]

out of those three i would choose the lian-li and mod the front to use 2 92mm fans instead of the 2 80s

 

[tphss]

Can you specify maybe a few reasons why you would pick the Lian-Li over the others? I read reviews about all of them, all got a 9/10 grade and editors choise/pick...

 

[nealh]

I own a P180 and really like it but beware this case has poor airflow when the door is closed IMHO

it is quiet, though

 

[Banzai042]

What do you mean poor airflow when the door is closed? There are vent holes along both sides of the door assembly specifically so airflow is in no way impeded when the door is closed. My only complaint sabout the p180 is that the the case itself isn't long enough, so things feel very cramped, and i'd rather have the fan mounting point for the lower bay in the very front of the case.

 

[nealh]

well those vents do not work well..placed a PA160 radiator behind the intake fan and cooling was awful(airtake in definitely impaired by the vents) with door closed..the amount of air entering the case sucks ...pure and simple...I used YL 120mm, Panaflo L1A and M1A fans as base comparison

I modde the lower front to take a 120mmfan..also need to mod my YL loon to fit as well

I am sorry Antec is wrong you do not get adequate flow..even for air cooling..my temps in FL in this case were not good

I love the case but they need better air intake solution

 

[Shadowknight]

Originally posted by: Banzai042
I'd rather have the fan mounting point for the lower bay in the very front of the case.

The reason it's in the center is to cool off a passive PSU if it is used. In a normal ATX sysyem, it gets some airflow from the exhaust fan pulling air across the bottom. With the bottom PSU chamber in the P180, having a fan blowing directly on the passive PSU is the only way it'll get some form of airflow.

 

[En Sabah Nur]

i have the PC60A Plus and after replacing all the fans (except the PCI area turbine thing... i added a sort of duct to it though) with quieter ones, i'm pretty happy.

pros: keeps everything cool. the plus version has the 120mm fan in the front instead of 2x 80mm which is probably quieter. the fan in the back isn't a normal 120mm fan, in case you were curious. it might not be quite as efficient, but it's a good design i think. looks nice and straightforward... seems just very well designed.

cons: a little noisy with stock fans. hdd cage in front of the 120mm fan makes hdds more audible.

 

[tphss]

The PC-61 is different then the PC-60 isn't it?
The truth is I like the Silverstone TJ04B exterior design best, i'm runing OC so I wondering if the P180 will run hotter then my current setup with the Temjin TJ05..

The price difference is: The Silverstone TJ04 is cheapest, the Lian-Li PC-61 is 25$ more and the Antec P180 is 85$ over the silverstone.

*Edit*:
Forgot to ask: I have the OCZ 520W PSU, with a fan in the back and on the bottom, will I have problems mounting it in a case with bottom PSU mount design (like the P180)?