Zap's mini review: Lian Li Lancool PC-K7B

[Zap]

Update, now that I've lived with the case for a while...

The side panel screw holes are threaded differently from normal case screws, so you can't just slap on your favorite fancy anodized thumbscrews. If you want to use thumbscrews, you have to use what it came with, or you need to re-thread it.

The case suffers a tiny bit from fan/HDD vibrations. Not nearly as bad as many other cases, but the Antec Solo had basically zero vibrations due to the special HDD mounting and the anti-vibration panels it came with. Sometimes the new system seems to have a cyclical hum.

If it is really quiet and I lean back (system under desk), I can definately hear the system running. HDD seeks can be heard. Otherwise, when I'm watching anime or gaming it is pretty unobtrusive.

I was getting used to kicking the power button on the Antec case with my big toe to power it on. I find that I sometimes walk up to the system and get ready to kick it... but the power button is on top.

The top buttons/ports are handy, except I also use the top of my computer to hold an external HDD adapter.

Fresh install of Windows on an overclocked quad core with a VelociRaptor = really snappy performance. Even with the extra noise I'm pretty pleased with my upgrade. Note that for the past few years I've been on a "quiet freak" streak, so while I call this new system "noisier than the other one" most of my friends would consider it pretty darn silent.

 

[magicrat03]

All of Lian Li case's have always used fine thread thumbscrews for the side panels. I have a couple of the PC-K7B's and I think they are better than the Solo due to being more roomy and all 120mm fans. Easier to route cables in. With 3 120mm S-Flex E's(or even better if I had D's) and a 120mm Kama PWM on the Thermalright heatsink it is not all that noisy. It is not SPCR quiet but it ain't bad even when one is on the desk. I have replaced 3 Solo builds with this case and I do not miss them at all.

I can not feel any vibrations from hard drives(WD Blue 640 and 2 - Green 1tbs) but I do not have Raptors in them either. Nor did I ever use the bands to hold drives in the Solo's either. I did not trust them after initial reports of them breaking.

I use the top on one of my K7B's to hold a mac mini and matching external drive(on back of the case), and the power button/ports are still handy under the desk.

 

[Zap]

For "silent" the Solo is much better IMO than the two Lian Li cases I have in my household (PC-7BW and the Lancool). However, now that I'm not concerned with "silent" but am content with "quiet" I'm pretty glad I got my Lancool (PC-7BW is my wife's rig).

While not as quiet and not built like a tank, these cheaper Lian Li cases have the same classy looks.

IIRC the rubber band mounts that had problems were the initial ones in the P150 (which became the Solo). Besides breaking, they were too smooth and slippery, so drives would slide themselves out.