Recently, we were in search of a new PC case to fulfill the role of arduous performance oriented motherboard review testing. We decided to step up from our trusty Lian Li PC75 to something more current. We have been looking for a something that is a little more friendly to the continual chopping and changing of vital system components that we subject our lab PC cases to at least a couple of times a week. Naturally, as previous Lian Li case owners we were drawn to their newer offerings, especially the revised V-Series that was unveiled at CeBIT in Hannover earlier this year. There, Lian Li publicized a few shake-ups to their entire consumer case line-up; notable additions to the vast lineup are gaming cases known as the Armorsuit series and new cases for the HTPC buffs among us.
For the V-series of cases, most of the revisions are centered on functionality rather than radical changes in aesthetics. The clean look that is synonymous with Lian Li remains intact. Internal graphics card holders, hard drive cages, and intake fans all receive a work over to ensure the ease of use of these components remains in line with the demands of today's user. The new V-series features standard ATX motherboard tray orientation while the "upside-down" ATX motherboard tray is still available in the V "Plus II" series of cases. At the top of the list to replace our aging and battle worn PC-75 is the PC-V2110 (ATX). It's a full tower case offering plenty of room for us to go wild without cutting ourselves or spitting out several new swear words every time we swap components.
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Lian Li is one of those companies that enjoys fierce user loyalty. It's a situation where if you've owned a case from them in the past, the first port of call for a new purchase is likely to be another case from Lian Li. Make no mistake, the PC-V2110 is an expensive case aimed at the connoisseur; we don't know if we qualify as real life connoisseurs of all things fine, but it's nice to delude ourselves that perhaps we are.
At this end of the spectrum, ease of use, construction quality, airflow, expansion potential, and overall aesthetics rule, not necessarily reflecting return per dollar of cost. If a case can do all of the above well while managing to still look good, we have ourselves a winner. We felt it only fair to put our thoughts down on paper today to reveal what we think is good and what could perhaps be improved.
With the initial pleasantries out of the way, let's move on to the nitty-gritty of specifications and features.
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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.