Lian-Li PC-30

[evlyons]

I was looking for a mid-size case and ran across the Lian-Li PC-30. From the looks of things, it looks like exactly what I need. However, from the review I read at Tweaktown (http://www.tweaktown.com/document.php?dType=review&dId=220&dPage=1), I noticed that it only had two 80mm fans located in the front. It doesn't look like there is a place for an optional fan in the rear. The intended case will house an ABIT KR7A-133R and a XP-2000.

My questions are:

1.) Does anyone have the Lian-Li PC-30 and have any cooling problems?
2.) Are two front 80mm fans adequate for cooling, if I have a Thermalright AX-7 and 80mm Delta fan)?
3.) Anyone have any other feedback on the Lian-Li PC-30?

Thank you for your feedback,
-earle.

 

[Trapman7]

I just bought the Lian Li PC65 and I highly recommend it. It has everything the PC30 does plus a clear window, extra 80mm fan in the back and a slide out hard drive and motherboard trays. Check it out at www.big008.com. It is only $15.00 more and this is the best price I found on the web.

 

[bozo1]

MPC Parts usually has the lowest prices on Lian-Li stuff. Only $2 cheaper than big008 for the PC-65 but over $25 cheaper for some models.

 

[dolph]

ok, apparently the review i read was not correct. so now, yeah!
btw - "sotrickedcomputers.com" i couldn't get to. is it misspelled?

 

[drewdogg808]

i can vouch for mpcparts...i just ordered a lian li pc-65 on mon...got it on weds! this case is awesome.

 

[kingz]

I have a pc30, and its the best case i've own so far. it does accept regular ATX motherboards, even though it is a mini tower. i ordered my pc30 from sotrickedcomputers.com, and had them add a 92mm blow hole to the top to help exhaust the hot air.

 

[ChrisADuffy]

I have the PC-31, it does house standard ATX mobo's. This case is the same as PC-30 except for the color scheme, Review here at Dan's Data.

There is a place in the back where 3 60mm fans can be mounted for exaust, so you will have 2 80mm intake in the front, 1 80mm exaust from the psu and 3 60mm exaust from the back. That should be good enough, it not, you can add an HD cooler like this one.

 

[evlyons]

I was a little thrown off because on the www.coolerguys.com website they mentioned the following:

Specifications

. One 80mm ADDA in the front
. One 80mm ADDA fan in the rear
. ATX style case

My main concerns were the ability to hold an ATX size motherboard and the cooling. According to the Dan's Data article (http://www.dansdata.com/pc31.htm) it states it has the ability to house (3) 40mm fans in the rear:

"You could mount three 40mm fans here over the expansion card area for a bit more exhaust power, but I frankly doubt whether it'd make a great deal of difference. The twin front fans, especially on full power, should have about three times the air-moving ability of three 40mm units. So a respectable breeze will blow out of these holes whether or not you put more fans there."

Somewhat a little confusing because of the conflicting information. I just wonder if (2) front 80mm fans have the ability to cool this mini tower? The (3) 40mm exhaust fans might just cause some resistance on the exiting air flow.

 

[evlyons]

Another question that came to mind, is with the PC-30, do you connect the case fans to your PSUs or to the motherboard?

 

[ChrisADuffy]

evlyons, Sorry about that it is 40mm fans and the two 80mm intake fans in the front(bottom) do connect to psu via molex.

 

[evlyons]

Is that the preferred way to hook up case fans, to the power supply, rather than the motherboard? Do you have the two 80mm fans daisy-chained together and than connected to the psu? Or do you have each one going to a seperate molex connection on the psu?

Thanks,
-earle.

 

[ShinSa]

If you really want to put in an extra fan for exaust, look for a PSU with an intake fan.

An enermax PSU is a perfect example. It's 90mm intake fan will sit right on top of the CPU. Although I really cant recommend an enermax psu for pc-30 since their cables are so long and it'll be cramped.

I beleive Antecs true power psu has a design simmilar to the enermax's. If antecs psu has shorter wires, that'll be the way to go.

 

[ChrisADuffy]

I agree with shinsha concerning the exaust as 3 40mm fans won't give you that much but you could go with an enermax or an antec true power and the 40mm's.

Concerning the intake, the two 80mm's are already rigged up so they connect to the psu which is a good way to go so you don't tax the motherboard more than necessary.

The case is like a work of art and easy to work with, thumbscrews thoughout.

 

[Witchfinder]

Evlyons - I personally wouldn`t buy a case for an Athlon system without an exhaust fan by the CPU - even from Lian-Li! - they`re fine for Intel Socket-370 systems and look neat but I`d recommend one of the PC60 variants for your setup, I couldn`t believe how much difference a top notch case makes and the PC60 may SEEM expensive but it`s worth every damn penny,

For me it`s cooling ability has ridded me of screaming Delta syndrome (lower temps even with a slower fan on a barely competant heatsink), I expect the CPU would get frostbite if I fit an AX7 with am 80MM delta on and at least handle a heatwave with a Panaflo on

I`m knocked out with this case, it`s superb

 

[ChrisADuffy]

Also, here is a review by AMDZONE which seems to cover everything. If you can pick up an enermax or antec true power psu. This way you have the power of two fans sucking air out the back. The psu in the pc-30 or pc-31 is sideways with the intake fan on the psu sucking hot air right off the cpu area if you use a psu with dual fans.

 

[sodcha0s]

I have been looking at THIS case. Seems to me it may have better cooling than the pc65, just doesn't have the cool side window. I also think it looks better than the Lian Li, but I guess that's all personal preference. I'm still undecided, but I am leaning towards this one, in black. Comments?

 

[Witchfinder]

there seem to be quite a few Lian Li clones springing up, most of them are virtually carbon copies but with better fans etc though whether they actually cool better than the original is another matter.. reports on these would be helpful to others ..

I don`t like the idea of a side exhaust fan for noise reasons, even if the fan itself doesn`t produce much, it will let the noise from the CPU fan out more than even two rear ones (or the ones I`ve heard did anyway)

 

[ShinSa]

<< I have been looking at THIS case. Seems to me it may have better cooling than the pc65, just doesn't have the cool side window. I also think it looks better than the Lian Li, but I guess that's all personal preference. I'm still undecided, but I am leaning towards this one, in black. Comments? >>



I saw that case at a computer show for 60 bux. It's not 100% aluminum. Lot of it is aluminum paint.

A good looking case nevertheless and a great bargain. Im thinking of buying one for my second system.