Which case? CoolerMaster or Lian-Li?

[Batman5177]

i've got 2 cases in mind:

Cooler Master ATC-201B-SX2

OR

Lian-Li PC-65

any comments on which one is better?

 

[OulOat]

CM, no stamped fan grills to cut out.

 

[ShinSa]

That coolermaster has sharp edges and it's mostly made of steel.

Lian Li just feels more refined and better priced with the beautiful aluminum look..

 

[hmsrolst]

I believe that that model of Coolermaster is all aluminum. I have an all aluminum 201C that has no sharp edges, and the fit and finish easily trumps my Lian Li.

 

[Nerdwannabe]

Originally posted by: ShinSa
That coolermaster has sharp edges and it's mostly made of steel.

Lian Li just feels more refined and better priced with the beautiful aluminum look..

CM case are made with 100% aluminum. I believe it's T6063, same stuff as the aluminum heatsink material.
the case edge isn't sharp at all, I could slight my hand through the edges without causing any scratch.

For Lian Li's case, if the plastic protector comes off, you better wear a baseball glove to work with that case.
Also, Lian Li's aluminum is also different than CM one.

But Lian Li is cheaper to get, so you get what you pay for.

 

[Nerdwannabe]

sorry, double post.

 

[Malladine]

I have an all aluminum 201C that has no sharp edges, and the fit and finish easily trumps my Lian Li.

You must have received a psuedo Lian Li then. Or perhaps you dreamt this? hehe, j/k

Seriously, I can not imagine a better quality case than a Lian Li.

 

[pulse8]

I've had a PC-65 for about a week now and I love it.

 

[Skooch]

I've owned 3 or 4 Lian Li cases (one PC60, and three PC65 models). I now own only the Coolermaster 201C-SXK which is an all silver model similar to the one you are considering, but without the top cooling fan. I think that unless someone wants an ALL black aluminum case, or if they don't have the money to purchase the Coolermaster case, then the Lian Li is a good aluminum case option. However, if they have nothing against the Coolermaster (design, color, etc.) and they have the money, I think the Coolermaster is an excellent case and a better choice overall. Having used both manufacturer's cases for 6 months+ or more each, my preference is for the Coolermaster case. I think it is just a slightly higher quality case, the aluminum is thicker and the case has a better overall fit and finish. The only Coolermaster case I know of that has any major steel parts in it is the model ATC-710, which is basically a Chieftec/Antec case with a different faceplate on the front.

 

[hmsrolst]

I just want to clarify that I really like my Lian Li; it's just that I find it not up to the Coolermaster.

 

[Anubis]

save some $$$ buy a Antec case

 

[jagr10]

I vote for coolermaster too. Nice sophisticated designs and appears to be of better quality. I own the 710 model and am happy with it. In most cases (no punn intended) you get what you pay for.

 

[PaperclipGod]

Coolermaster for sure.

I just got my ATC-201 in the mail a week ago... and christ... this thing is beautiful. Best looking and best designed case i've ever layed eyes upon.

I've never owned a Lian Li, however, so i'm a bit biased.

 

[Batman5177]

thanks for all your replies!!

after some research, i've found that the lian-li offers some advantages:

1) removable power supply backplate. however i think this is a useless feature.

2) easy removal of the front panel. does anyone know if the coolermaster's front panel removes just as easily? and is the front fan filter easy to clean?


again, thanks for your responses. now i need to find a low price!

 

[Poohbee]

I'd recommend the Cooler master. It has a better quality finish and construction. It has a removeable back panel for the power supply and a removeable front face plate. To remove the face plate all you need is a hex driver. Incidentally the filter is behind the plate.

Contruction wise the CM is so much better than lian li. the alum. used is thicker and better fitted. If you take a lian li case and push-pull from opposite corners you will see it start to "flex" and warp. Same with the door panels... The door panels are so thin I would be cautious in mishandling them. On the other hand the Cooler master case structure is very rigid and doesn't warp or "flex" like the lian li. The door panel itself is thicker than the lian li by a large margin. The finish on the exterior is similar to that of car paint/finishes with a clear coat applied.. The aluminum inside is nice and clean matte finish. The edges won't cut you or scratch you, unlike the lian li. Incidentally, the lian li uses those plastic edge guards to protect you from getting cut

overall Cooler master is the way to go. It's pricey, but you do get waht you pay for and you will never find a better well made and stylish case.

 

[Vonkhan]

baaaah!!!


XASER!!!

 

[PaperclipGod]

xaser is ugliest case ever created

 

[Vonkhan]

i agree ... its so bufugly ... thats its beautiful

 

[Bound_Vortex]

Coolermaster all the way. I keep finding my ATC-111C-SX1 easier and easier to work with. It seems like the designers were thinking from a perspective of the user. I have no idea what the person was thinking about the case being all steel and the sharp edges. 100% aluminum and smooth edges...(maybe the poster was admiring the look by saying they were "sharp"). In fairness, I have never worked with a Lian Li, but after my experience with coolermaster, I have no desire to have a Lian Li.

 

[Malladine]

Bah, Coolermaster are just plain worse than Lian Li.

CASE WAR! :evil:

 

[beatle]

ATC-201 for life! I got mine up and running today and it's incredibly well made. I was able to check out both the Lian Li's and the ATC-201 @ compusa before buying from newegg. The aluminum on the cooler master is thicker and seems much more substantial than the Lian. The top blowhole, sturdy motherboard tray, and thick front plate are all nice touches.

A note to those wanting to clean the front filter: you do not need to remove the front plate! If you take off each side of the case and look at the side of the case just behind the plate, you will see 2 screws on each side that hold the front filter assembly to the case. You can then slide it straight out without removing the front plate.

Also, the top blowhole also has a filter on it. I suggest removing it.

 

[KYDave]

I recently bought that exact same Cooler Master case from Newegg that you're looking at. I love it! I also went to CompUSA and they had this case without the side window and some LianLi cases. Looking at them side by side made me like the CM case a little bit more. But I don't think you'd be dissapointed with either brand to be honest.

And just as some have posted its easy to change the filter on the front or top fan. I didn't see an easy way to take off the whole front face plate, but I didn't really look very closely once I realized how easy it was to take off the grill covering the fans.

The only gripe I have about it so far is that my Antec True430W PSU didn't quite fit. The PSU faceplate was in the way of the power cord plug in slot on the back (but just by a tiny bit). I just loosened up the screws on the plug a bit and it moved over easily to allow a smooth install.

Dave

 

[Superself]

Originally posted by: Nerdwannabe

Originally posted by: ShinSa
That coolermaster has sharp edges and it's mostly made of steel.

Lian Li just feels more refined and better priced with the beautiful aluminum look..

Also, Lian Li's aluminum is also different than CM one.

But Lian Li is cheaper to get, so you get what you pay for.

Lian Li = cheap? I think not. As a matter of fact, Lian Li's aluminum is of high quality all around.

 

[Nerdwannabe]

Originally posted by: Superself

Originally posted by: Nerdwannabe

Originally posted by: ShinSa
That coolermaster has sharp edges and it's mostly made of steel.

Lian Li just feels more refined and better priced with the beautiful aluminum look..

Also, Lian Li's aluminum is also different than CM one.

But Lian Li is cheaper to get, so you get what you pay for.

Lian Li = cheap? I think not. As a matter of fact, Lian Li's aluminum is of high quality all around.

Lian LI = cheaper to get, lower price, not cheap as poor quality.

 

[jagr10]

Why are we all arguing over this? lol

Both companies make good cases. It's just a matter of personal preferance.