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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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BigandSlimey - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
These guys http://www.atechfabrication.com/products/HTPC_case...">http://www.atechfabrication.com/products/HTPC_case... have been designing their cases in conjunction with the HTPC guru's at avsforum. I'd suggest anyone planning to build a HTPC to go to http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=...">http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=... and do some reading, there's a lot to consider.I'm also surprised at your omission of the Ahanix cases http://www.ahanix.com/ahanix_product_list.asp?cid=...">http://www.ahanix.com/ahanix_product_list.asp?cid=... which IMO look a lot better than any of the options on your article.
See also: http://www.origenae.com/products_htpc.htm">http://www.origenae.com/products_htpc.htm
http://www.silverstonetek.com/product-case.htm">http://www.silverstonetek.com/product-case.htm
ceefka - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
Those Origenae look very nice. I meant the X15 in my earlier comment. This one will cost around 500 bucks. Expensive, but very pretty.lukecon - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
All well and good on the review love AnandTech's review but I think you guys forgot something - The TV tuner in your system - I mean it is a Home Theater PC.Tamale - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
The tuner shouldn't really pose any additional problems with a particular case, and the 6600GT we use gets as hot or even hotter than most video cards with built-in tuners.Perhaps the cooling in an HTPC would be changed dramatically though if another expansion card is also in the system.. hmm.. I'll have to think about that one. Thanks for the comment.
BigLan - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
Actually, tuners can get pretty toasty, maybe not as hot as a video card, but they don't have active cooling on them. An MCE-500 dual tuner stuck in the last slot with no airflow could be a problem.If you are adding a soundcard as well, it can also impede airflow which exacerbates the problem.
tkr2099 - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
Very nice review! I'm planning on building a HTPC this holiday season, so this review could not have come at a better time. Thank you, Anandtech, for another extremely well written and helpful review!tayhimself - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
IMO Silverstone especially and less so Ahanix are specialized HTPC vendors. Either you didnt know this, didnt bother to do research, or didnt get a free sample from them. None of which is a terribly good thing.AFAIK no 3R systems cases have been available in North America since about 3 years ago when newegg carried a few. Theyre a Korean manufacturer of quality cases that are quite popular in Australia (I'm in Canada FYI).
Also, why the POS power supply along with the lousy thermaltake heatsink with a hot P4 system? Not too many people are building HTPCs with P4s, and they tend to use better components than Mad Dog and ThermalTake (no offense to the *bling* obsessed).
The measurements dont jive with the subjective measurements as a 9 dB difference between the loudest and quietest is almost twice as loud.
A poor review, that doesnt belong on AT. I could probably write a better review and I've never done one before.
MPE - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
I could probably write a better review and I've never done one before.Cop out - not to mention inconsequential, immature, ad hominem, and probably false.
tayhimself - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
ad hominem? Go to http://dictionary.com">dictionary.comceefka - Tuesday, November 22, 2005 - link
Isn't that just perfect? If you can get these temperature numbers with P4, you know that a 90nm s939 is going to do just fine.There are so many cases to chose from. Even with built in LCD screens (not cheap btw). Maybe AT can inlcude HTPC's in their entry/mid-range/high-end reviews and builds. On the other hand, this could be a totally different category by itself. You'd also have the opportunity to chose platform.
This brings forth the next question: How long before Apple makes a Home-Pod, HTPC based on Mac ingrediënts. They should be able to make/develop one by now.