Lian Li PC-800B
Next up, we have the PC-800 in black (thus the “B” at the end of the model name) from the well-known manufacturer, Lian Li. This HTPC has a rather different feel to it, as it’s much taller, but also quite a bit skinnier than the other cases in this roundup.
Click to enlarge.
The case’s perforated front also contributes to its unique look, and should do a lot to help keep the components cool without creating excess noise.
Click to enlarge.
Like other Lian Li cases, the PC-800B shows many signs of an attention to detail; in this close-up here, notice the scalloped edge of the lid. Besides simply looking nice, it also helps to make removing the lid and handling the case in general much easier.
Click to enlarge.
The bottom left of the front of the HTPC case is adorned with the port cluster, power and reset buttons, and HDD activity and power LEDs. Once again, the standard complaint of the ports being too close applies here, unfortunately. In this picture, the chrome finish of the feet can also be appreciated.
Click to enlarge.
At the bottom right is a company symbol made with great detail, just like the entire front perforated surface. Even the drive bay covers share the same carefully applied brushed finish.
Click to enlarge.
Finishing up our look at the PC-800B, we didn’t even bother showing more detailed pictures of the sides as they’re starkly void of anything characteristic, quite opposite to the the back. In examining it, we can begin to get an idea of how this case is arranged.
Click to enlarge.
The total width of the unit is pretty much only the height of a standard ATX motherboard, which is definitely a different approach to the dimensions of an HTPC. To bore this idea out, let’s go ahead and pop the hood. In typical Lian Li fashion, the cover removes exceptionally smoothly, after loosening a single thumbscrew that holds the latch along the left edge in place.
Click to enlarge.
Right away, the main difference becomes obvious: the vertically-mounted hard drives. The other substantial difference is the orientation of the power supply. Instead of the power cord coming out the side as in the Overture and Mstation, it comes out of the PSU facing the front, with the leads coming out of the back. This should make installation particularly simple.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
26 Comments
View All Comments
warped6 - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
I purchased one of these back in the late spring. I too tried putting the DVD in the bottom position and it didn't fit. I then found out that it wasn't meant to hold an optical drive. It's meant to hold a VFD display so you can have the extra little door open to see the display. You can see this on there web site.Unless there is a short optical drive that I haven't found yet.I also replaced all of the fans with quieter ones. That helped quite a bit as far as noise.
I've been very happy with the box, now if I could just get the software to work the way I want it too and so the wife can deal with it, I could move it into the living room. :-)
bearxor - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
I know a lot of people are complaining because you reviewed some fairly low-end HTPC cases, but these are all in the price range that I'm looking at, which is 90-130. I was settled on a Cooler Master case, but after reading what you guys wrote about the Tenor, I might just go with it. I had decided against it because of the blue LED lights, but like you said, I could just disconnect them.Not all of us are willing to spend 200-300 dollars on just a case for our HTPC, this review was for us.
bschuler2004 - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
I still contend the best HTPC is a HTPC out of sight controlled via RF remote. Why even have a pc in the living room? Your cable company doesn't put it's Video On Demand servers in your living room.. why would you? It just doesn't make sense. Plus, then you can use any case, can be as loud as you want.. cuz nothing in the living room is as quiet as an Svideo,Rca, etc cable.. You save money, space, and alot of headaches.BigLan - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
I agree, to a point. My HTPC is a generic mid-tower which has similar dimensions to my sub. It doesn't really look too out of place except fot the blue LED in the power supply.I've been thinking more and more that the ideal setup would be a non-descript PC box on the floor or hidden, with an external usb DVD drive (or two) and the remote control receiver placed near the amp/receiver.
Most of the current htpc cases seem to appeal to the bling factor, which I learned the hard way meant loud fans and inadequate cooling.
PDubya - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
On page 5, the "removable cap" looks to be recessed, so I'm guessing you could place some filtration medium in that capped area. Just my two cents.Tamale - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
but that's the exhaust.. I'm still not sure what good putting a filter on the exhaust side of the power supply would do...bldckstark - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
I agree that putting a filter on the exhaust side would be useless, but the cover is there for some reason. I have several machines here at work that have covers very similar to this that are used for air intake filters. Was the PSU checked for air flow direction? Maybe they reversed it in this application.bldckstark - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
The users manual states in the cooling section that you should not "block the air intake vents on the top panel, the front left side (at the filter) or the back (ventilated PCI slot covers." They are calling it an intake. This is the EC manual, not the US version. They are quite different, and there is no mention of the cover in the US version.http://www.antec.com/us/support_productInfo_detail...">EC users manual in English - pdf
Check page 6 under "Important Notes On Cooling"
UrQuan3 - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
I understand that this review is geared more towards gaming rigs in the livingroom than for video recording/playback machines, still I'd like to know about some of those systems as well. I've been looking at picking up either an ATX P4 or a mini-ITX Pentium M machine from http://www.hushtechnologies.net/">Hush. Just wondering if anyone has tried one.OrSin - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
500 is the low end of those case. They you pay extra for stuff like a reset buttom.Crazy over priced. I could see going as high $ or even alittle more if you want the front display, but $500+ ?. I guess if I spent $10,000 on Theathe systems it would not too bad. But $500 you could just hide a regular systems in the wall or something.