Conclusion
Our time with the PC-V2110 has certainly been pleasurable to this point; we have no major gripes with the case and think it will fill the role demanded from it admirably. However, we do feel that Lian Li should bundle a cross flow fan for the graphics card area of the case, which will increase its appeal to multi-GPU system builders. A more powerful stock exhaust fan also would have been nice, though we accept that Lian Li had quiet operation in mind.
Using the case's stock air-cooling you'll find quad-core processors with a single graphics card solution have just enough leeway for a moderate to high overclock and comfortable temperatures. For those looking to water-cool, the PC-V2110 has ample room in its lower chamber for modification and use of the acclaimed Thermochill PA 120.3 radiators, which will involve the removal or hacking of the hard drive cages. Alternately, if you can't handle taking a jigsaw to a $385 case, a rear-mounted external radiator may be used with tubing fed in through the holes in the top panel of the case.
There is certainly competition in this price class. A few models from Lian Li offer variations in certain departments, mainly airflow related changes appealing to particular usage scenarios like the PC-P80 for gaming enthusiasts. Silverstone cases are also no slouch in this department or price class with cases such as the mighty TJ-07 on offer with pleasing aesthetics and optimized airflow for overclocking enthusiasts, and Gary still swears by his Cooler Master Stacker cases.
There's no doubt that users who see a case as a necessity rather than a stylish addition to their living space won't find the price of the PC-V2110 attractive. Especially as some of the perceived advantages of owning a top-end-top-price case have begun to filter into lower price bracket offerings - ergo all aluminum construction, quick release side panel mechanisms, removable motherboard trays, and independent hard drive and PSU chambers are becoming more common additions to cases at midrange price points (upwards of $150).
For those that demand ultimate quality and class, the PC-V2110 qualifies as the stylish statesman of PC cases. It's ready to accept a hefty processor and high-end graphics card out of the box with no difficulty. If you're willing to add a few more extra fans, it can hold pretty much all the computer you want to throw at it. If you have the money to burn and find yourself partial to Lian Li quality and styling, you won't be disappointed with the V2110.
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aeternitas - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - link
If you want to see what im comparing this to; http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents....">http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents....HexiumVII - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - link
Please post shots of the case while filled to the brim, like maxed out hard drives please!!Googer - Thursday, June 12, 2008 - link
Here's a Video (several thousand pictures) of the Case.http://www.vimeo.com/1004500">http://www.vimeo.com/1004500
aguilpa1 - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - link
I have no doubt the build quality is exceptional as I have the V1000B myself but this has no circulation to it? Plus it looks like they still haven't figured out how to make a removable mobo tray? If Anand plans to make this a test case I would think that would be priority. I have had to change mobos enough to know its important.Rajinder Gill - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - link
Sorry, page 3 has been updated - the tray is removable.Stock airflow is designed with silence in mind and is adequate in most cases. We'll probably end up water-cooling everything as I have a couple of spare PA 120.2's which should fit in the base nicely with a bit of modding..
regards
Raja
yyrkoon - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - link
Removable motherboard trays do not make a good case, although I personally would not mind one as well. I have probably the 'cheapest' in the Lian-Li line (the PC-G50), which as far as I know is no longer made, but dahm the case is less than 16" tall ! Cramped, but it looks nice, unlike those embarrassing cases another user mentioned, and its very compact, which is why I bought it aside from the fact that it uses(or can use) 3x 120mm Fans with the Lian-Li 4in3 HDD bay add-on.I also own an Antec P182 case, and while I think it is very well built especially considering layout(and I do like it), it just seems so much like a monster by comparison, and it is only a few inches taller . . . I guess my full tower 'lovin' days are over with.
strafejumper - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - link
looks decent to me, most cases especially "gaming cases" look incredibly bad to me, like embarassingly ugly to have in your house. This one looks pretty good although i've never owned a lian-li so i don't think i fully understand whats good about them.Currently i still have this chenming/chieftec case: http://www.case-mod.com/images/chen_black_lg.jpg">http://www.case-mod.com/images/chen_black_lg.jpg - add a light in the window, a modular psu, and a couple decals and it looks great, i've had it a long time and no plans on changing it.
This is kind of the best case i've seen though hp blackbird : http://h20435.www2.hp.com/gallery/files/Gallery-De...">http://h20435.www2.hp.com/gallery/files/Gallery-De...
i really like how it is suspended and a nice low angle in the air instead of resting on some plastic feet, and the arm that suspends it is really sturdy (i think i read someone stood on top of the case and it was fine.) I Gotta fit one of those in the budget one day just for the case :)
Noubourne - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - link
I have not seen anyone mention a Panaflo for a very long time now. I have a couple of those 120x38s sitting around, and they really can push the air.I have since switched to Yate-Loons though, and I am very happy with their performance.
I liked this review. Good to see what some increased airflow will allow in this case. I would like to see even more of that kind of thing in the future with some noise measurements added on.
I'm currently running an Antec 900 and it's a very open design like some others, but the large exhaust fans really reduce the amount of noise generated by the machine. I've had more closed designs in the past that do a good job of keeping the noise contained.
At any rate - the ability of a case to cool and keep quiet are always my two main considerations. I'd love to see case reviews compared on those two points using standard methodology to get an idea of how different cases perform.
Rajinder Gill - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - link
Hi,All good points that we should consider. It's been a long time since we looked at cases and the excuse of needing a new one for the motherboard stuff kinda rifled into reviewing one.
I still love the Panaflo's, they are unique in some ways. I had a spare lying around so ran with it and now it finds home for the exhaust on the V-2110.
The noise measurements are one area I should have looked into and it was on my mind, so certainly worth adding to anytihng down the pipe in the future..
I approached this a little nervously with it being my first case review and all. Also had some video that I did not quite cut but will endeavor to do so on future reviews. Thanks for the approval anyway :)
regards
Raja
just4U - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - link
Raja, others have been a little perplexed by the new hard drive setup by Lian-Li (looking at other reviews) In your opinion, Is it any better then their old design?