LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B is very disappointing, alternatives?

[gft]

I got a LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B, hoping for a medium sized case that is relatively quiet and well designed. I really wanted to like it, but I can't forgive a couple of awful design flaws.

The angle between the motherboard tray and the back of the case is > 90 degrees. This causes my 6870 to not screw in at all. I stripped a screw trying to force it in. My X-Fi PCI card fits, but only if I lifted it out of the pci slot slightly. Additionally, the sideways facing hard drive bay, which I otherwise like, is too close to the right side of the case, causing the power cables to push against the side of the case. These two flaws make the case unacceptable to me, and I already have an RMA and shipping label ready to return it.

A cheap case that I like, that is also discontinued, is the Rosewill R5717. Basically, I got the PC-K7B because it looked like a fancier version of the Rosewill.

Other than warning other people off of the K7B, I'm curious to see if anyone knows of a case I might like - something < 18 inches high, not a ton of holes for noise to escape, and big quiet fans. Basically I want the opposite of the my main computer's current case.

 

[Zap]

The angle between the motherboard tray and the back of the case is > 90 degrees. This causes my 6870 to not screw in at all. I stripped a screw trying to force it in. My X-Fi PCI card fits, but only if I lifted it out of the pci slot slightly. Additionally, the sideways facing hard drive bay, which I otherwise like, is too close to the right side of the case, causing the power cables to push against the side of the case. These two flaws make the case unacceptable to me, and I already have an RMA and shipping label ready to return it.

For problem #1, just slightly press in on the back of the case while screwing in the screw. Works for me.

For problem #2, you basically need to have the drive cables pointing out the side that you insert the drives from. If you want the cables on the other side, just flip the drive bays around. It is held on by a couple of screws.

 

[gft]

For problem #1, just slightly press in on the back of the case while screwing in the screw. Works for me.

I tried this, and I also tried screwing in the video card first, which worked, but then after pushing the video card into the PCI Express slot, it broke the retention lever due to the force of the video card being pulled away from the motherboard. This was while I left the motherboard's screws loose.

 

[Zap]

There must be something else wrong with your PC-K7B then. Mine is off, but only about 1-2MM at most and that is with the motherboard centered on the standoffs.

Have you looked into Antec cases? Their "New Solutions" line (models start with "NSK") are decent for low noise.

 

[gft]

Thanks for pointing me towards Antec. In fact, I ordered an Antec Solo. It looks like I should have just gotten it in the first place. I was worried that it wouldn't fit my 6870, but from what I can find, it should fit. It's 9.5 inches if I remember rightly.

 

[Zap]

The Antec Solo is one of my favorite cases. I'd still be using it if it weren't for the fact that it can't hold graphics cards over 9.5" long, and even a shorter graphics card blocks one or more drive bays. Right now it is doing duty as my server.

 

[caseblue]

I just built up a new Sandy Bridge computer for myself using this case and think it's absolutely fantastic. Perhaps the misalignment issue was a defect on your unit and clearance at the back of the drives was tight but certainly no problem at all to deal with. I have three 3.5" HDD and two 2.5" SSD in the rack.

The only mod I've made was to replace the rear exhaust fan to a 80 CFM unit because the two fans on my A70 CPU cooler were pushing much more air than the stock Lian Li fan could move. Depending on how far I OC, I may also put a 120mm fan in the top panel. My Seasonic PSU fan only runs at high temps so it doesn't help with air exhaust much at all.

Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience with the case but I love it and highly recommend it for anyone looking for a smaller form factor and/or a simple/understated aesthetic.

 

[you2]

I've been looking at lian-9f and silverstone ; but I think right now I'm leaning towards the lian-9f. Cavet my choice is from what i've read as I have not actually seen one but the current lian case i have had no issues and seemed well made. I think the lancool cases are suppose to be a bit er not as nice.

 

[d33pblue]

I just built a machine with the PC-K7B and my motherboard tray fits fine. No problem installing my video card. I do agree that the drive bay is a little close to the door. I don't plan on opening my case too much though so it's not a deal breaker for me.

It's really a beautiful, and very quiet case. I'm happy with it.

 

[nyker96]

If you fancy quiet cases, the smaller mid tower version of P183, the P180 mini is worth a look. well designed very quiet. But if you can tolerate some noise, then your options are many. Haf 922s or the Corsair Graphite 600T are both excellent choices. You can also find a bunch of other mid tower from other manufactures in that category.

I personally prefer the bottom PSU placement over the PC-K7B's top PSU design because it vents heat better.

 

[gft]

I received my antec solo today, and transferred my computer parts into it. Although the case is a bit cramped, and my video card blocks one hard drive spot, I like it a lot.

I can see why some people would break off the reset switch, since you can push it in farther than is necessary to make it work, and it's only attached to the front panel by plastic.

It's cramped, but it's small, and quiet. Hopefully I don't have to change the power supply any time soon. I'll probably buy some quiet fans to get some air going over the hard drives.

One thing that seems strange, is from the pictures I thought that the fancy hard drive suspension system used really thick rubber bands. Mine uses elastic material that reminds me of a nylon rope. I wouldn't trust them.

 

[gft]

In a game, with 2 of 4 cores active, my video card is running 70 degrees C. I expected this case to run a bit hotter, though maybe some extra air flow will help. I didn't check to see what setting the fan that came with it is on. I left it on its default speed.

 

[Zap]

One thing that seems strange, is from the pictures I thought that the fancy hard drive suspension system used really thick rubber bands. Mine uses elastic material that reminds me of a nylon rope. I wouldn't trust them.

It is basically a bungee cord, which is woven nylon around a rubber band. I know Antec went through a revision once since earlier ones failed. IDK which version mine are. They work okay, but if a drive is used in it after time they stay stretched a bit. The other caveat with them of course is that drives can slide out if the system is tilted. Happened to me once, carrying my computer. Also, the drive cables can pull a drive out.

Since the white Antec HDD grommets are IMO the best in the world (for ones included with cases), I usually just use those. If your HDD is so noisy that it takes the suspension to quiet it, then time to get a new HDD is what I say.

 

[zagood]

For the Solo, I'd highly recommend adding at least one fan in front, and ditching the dust filter. It's very, very restrictive.