Temperature Testing
| Lian-LI PC-V2110 Build Components | |
| Motherboard | Gigabyte X48 DQ6 |
| CPU | Intel QX9650 Quad Core Processor 12MB cache |
| GPU | ASUS 3870X2 4XDVI version |
| PSU | OCZ Pro X Stream 1000w |
| Cooling | Thermalright Ultra 120MM + Noctua NF-P12 120mm Fan |
| Memory | 4GB OCZ Flex II 9200 |
| Hard Drive | Western Digital Caviar 250GB 16MB Cache |
| DVD | Plextor 755A |
| . | |
We encountered no problems installing all of our components. Mounting the Thermalright Ultra-120 prior to installing the motherboard tray in the case was not an issue, and as you can see from the picture there is just enough clearance to allow mounting the fan on the CPU cooler on either side of the heatsink. Testing revealed that using the fan in push configuration was best as we found that the back top corner of the case becomes a heat trap if the fan on the CPU cooler is mounted in a pull configuration. We managed to tuck a few of the cables around the back of the front drive bays to keep things a little cleaner and to prevent airflow restriction to a small extent.
The next step was to fire up the system and check temperature deltas between idle and load during gaming and heavy processor loading. Initial tests were all run with a stock configuration using the 3-speed fan controller on each setting and monitoring for change after 30 minutes of system loading. The stock cooling configuration is fairly quiet at around a 1m distance; the sound of the fans at high is not overly disturbing. Most of the noise we experienced came from the annoying 80mm fan of the OCZ 1000w PSU. We used Prime95's torture test for 30 minutes along with 30 minutes of Codemasters excellent GRiD Racing to simulate a typical gaming session and monitored load temperatures using a combination of Everest and Riva Tuner.
Using the stock exhaust fan, a setting of low is just about able to hold a QX9650 and 3870X2 card at acceptable temps in a 16C ambient room. Higher ambient temperatures or rooms with less airflow may wish to opt for medium to high settings to keep temperatures at acceptable levels for long load durations. For a QX9650 at 4GHz with a processor core voltage of 1.34V, using a fan setting of high really is the only option. Even with the fans all set to high the back corner of the top panel does get quite hot during extended gaming sessions when using ASUS's 4XDVI 3870X2 card - mainly because the custom cooler on ASUS' card dumps all of its heat into the case.
We also tested with a Panaflo 120x38mm fan on high during gaming and monitored temperatures. We were surprised to find a 6-10C improvement in temperatures at the expense of added noise. Mind you, the fan speed controller really does come in handy as the fan can be set to low during light system load with no perceived increase in volume over the stock Lian Li offering.
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semisonic9 - Monday, June 30, 2008 - link
So this thing has two intakes and one exhaust, or only one intake?Also, is it just me, or do Lian Li cases never appear to watercool that well?
~S
bobtheterrible - Friday, June 20, 2008 - link
So after reading this I had to order one from newegg. I have 2 other older Lian-Li's at home already, and I love them.This new case is HUGE!
I couldn't believe how tall this thing was. If you're thinking of putting it under a desk, be sure to check your desks height first. Also the USB ports are located on the front top which is great if you have access to these, but kind of crappy if you're going to shove it all the way under a desk where it barely fits.
Quality of everything with this case is better than my other two Lian-Li's. I believe I have a PC-80 with a plexi window, and another larger one with a server board in it, but I don't remember the model # off hand.
This thing comes with tons of quality accessories.
It has plenty of space for HDD's, and I was able to easily fit 5-Raptor 300GB's in this case and still the thing runs silent and awesome.
Airflow is amazing.
Some of the fans on this thing are massive.
Anyways I'm happy with the purchase.
Thorsson - Friday, June 13, 2008 - link
I'd like to know the effect of taking the front door off, both in temp and noise. Can't see the point of those grilles if they're covered up, and the 140mm fan will just be circulating heated air. The effect of the Panaflo pretty much shows that circulation in the case isn't as good as it might be.Quality build, but paying this amount of money I expect top thermal and aural performance as well.
Googer - Thursday, June 12, 2008 - link
Rajinder,I have an oversized PSU and have no intentions of getting rid of it, does the Lian Li PC-V2110 accommodate a PC Power and Cooling 1KW-SR?
Googer
Rajinder Gill - Thursday, June 12, 2008 - link
Hi Googer,The HD cage is around 24 CM from the start of the PSU bay and the PC&P supplies are around 23 CM long. However, you can use the back section of the PSU mounting plate, as the cables from the PSU will then clear the HD cage as there is a recess at the back of them. Or you can remove the HD cage altogether. Either way, it will work.
regards
Raja
abnderby - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - link
Lian li makes a nice case no doubt BUT full towers dont make easy placement of the box. In all of the different cases I have had and there are many. The best case has been my SC5300 5U server case by intel.The only drawback of my case is the fans which are like jet engines. And one of these days I will find some quieter fans for it with the same airflow.
What would be nice to see in these tests is a full case. e.g. all slots and drive bays full with eatx dual socket motherboard etc...
Then run your tests and see what the temps are.
Also why all of the useless 5 1/4 slots??? who uses all of those today? I have never been able to use more than 3 2 dvd's and floppy.
currently i run a intel se7505vb2 with 2 3.2 1mb 533 fsb xeons and 4 gb ddr, I know anand has this (hot board) with a scsi 160 raid to 4 scsi 73's hot swap and a sata raid to 6 sata 320's hot swap. with HD2600xt 512 audigy 2 win tv pvr150,
according to my "sensor readings my ambient motherboard temps are between 26 and 29 degrees celcius, cpu's are still warm i am getting new coolers finally which should help out.
but all in all the 5300 and 5400 if you can find better fans are much better than any case out there.
How about it Anand give it a try???
Duane
araczynski - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - link
nice, but even if i was rich, i think i'd rather buy a third or fourth backup graphics card to sit and collect dust rather than put it into sheet of aluminum. but hey, to each their own.BPB - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - link
As a guy who's cut up his hands more than he'd like to admit working with Antec cases and the like (and I do like the Nine Hundred, I just wish it were better), I decided to go with the cheaper version of this case, the PC-V2010B. It cost $320, but I know I'll use it for years and years, and it's a joy to work with. I will probably onlu use Lian-Li or possibly Silverstone going forward. The Silverstone TJ07 does look nice, and it reminds me of my new Lian-Li.aeternitas - Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - link
The innards look alright. Not a bad design.The outside, is horrible (for $400).
You cant just use brushed metal and make-believe its going to cover up the gaping flaws in a classy well rounded design. It looks like it should be home inside of a dark corner in a server farm room. Not my desktop.
It just looks ugly. Not as ugly as those plastic hot pink neon cases, but for 400$ it might as well be.
- Where is the etched metal logo/everything? I see a cheapass stick-on.
- Why do I see bare screws on the outside of the case? I can get the industrial look for half the price.
- Why the cheap metal door on top? Thats only asking to be in the way and get bent.
- Why does the door swing the wrong way? (think about how you typicaly set your PC for the innards to face you for easy access - Door swings in the way, not out of the way)
- Ect ect
Thanks for the review, but Lan-Li has always been the wannabe top class in case design and has always tried to do it with a bunch of etched metal and poor outward design around it. Its like old Honda designers trying to copy something from BMW.
I think i'll look twords Silverstone.
splines - Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - link
I can't disagree that Silverstone make great cases - they do, and just like Lian-Li you're paying the difference over commodity cheapo cases that look like ass and cut your hands up.But I do think it's important to note that Lian-Li was doing this long before a lot of these other companies decided to make a premium enclosure and frankly if I ever need to replace my PC-65 it will be with another Lian-Li case.
They do solid, classy and well-designed cases that are worth the money if you want something that will last you years. And you can ask anyone who's ever owned one that they are not in the slightest like a cheap-knock off.
I get the feeling you either don't own or never have owned anything like a Lian-Li and your arguments are based off what you see in these pictures. I'd suggest you go look at one, or better yet get a chance to actually work with one before you make too many rash assumptions.