Lian Li PC-7FN

[Avalon]

Thoughts?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...%20li%20pc-7fn

I've always been a huge fan of Lian Li, especially due to their quality construction and all aluminum builds. I haven't had a Lian Li case in about 6-7 years, though. I saw this one on Newegg, and liked the typical Lian Li simplicity. I've got a $50 Newegg giftcard, so throwing down an extra $60 to replace my junk Coolermaster Cavalier case won't be an issue.

You guys think there is anything significantly better at that price point, or should I just go for it?

 

[JBDan]

I love the case, but there is one I think is more capable/flexible, and I like it even more. It is the PC-9F

If your going with a larger gfx card the 9F is more "card size" friendly with the additional capability of removing the HD cage (if it's feasible with your particular build hardware) for super duper airflow to your card and more

 

[Zap]

I concur with JBDan. Go for the PC-9F he linked to.

My wife has a PC-60FNW which is just like the PC-7FN, except with a window (the "W" in the model number) and with a different front. It is a very nice case.

I got a PC-8FIR for myself, and I like the layout slightly better. It has the same chassis as the PC-9F, except it costs more and comes with bonuses such as toolless capabilities, plus a different front.

 

[Avalon]

The only difference I can notice between the two is that the PC-9F has more 3.5" bays vs 5.25" bays, and an extra fan. Otherwise the internal layout is similar. The PC-9F looks slightly more brushed in the pictures, although it may just be the lightning, but if not, I do like that more. I have to say that I only have two hard drives and use a rather small Radeon HD4850, so I'm not sure if the extra space really matters.

Hmmm...

 

[Avalon]

My wife likes the PC-9F better

 

[Zap]

The PC-7FN uses one 140mm fan while the PC-9F uses two 120mm fans for intake. It will push more air than a single 140mm.

The difference in the finish is probably all camera. They all seem to look similar to each other IRL.

 

[JBDan]

Certainly get what YOU want and not what someone tells you to get. I just wanted to point out that other option just in case you hadn't seen it.

To add to Zap's info, iirc the 7FN does not have a removable HD cage. The 9F does. If you had a SSD and one other HDD you could remove the HD cage, install the SSD and HDD in the top bays, DIY suspension, or on a piece of foam on the bottom of the case, and this would open up the 2 x 120mm front fans with nothing in front (or rather behind) obstructing airflow. imo this is an excellent airflow setup one of the best, and would allow for a very quiet rig with the right fans and fan controlling software/hardware. Please note I am a silent PC fanatic/obsess-er.

Since you have the 4850 your right you don't need the extra room, but that being said your a candidate for an almost dead silent computer if that is your thing.

Don't you love how we all want in on your build

 

[Avalon]

Certainly get what YOU want and not what someone tells you to get. I just wanted to point out that other option just in case you hadn't seen it.

To add to Zap's info, iirc the 7FN does not have a removable HD cage. The 9F does. If you had a SSD and one other HDD you could remove the HD cage, install the SSD and HDD in the top bays, DIY suspension, or on a piece of foam on the bottom of the case, and this would open up the 2 x 120mm front fans with nothing in front (or rather behind) obstructing airflow. imo this is an excellent airflow setup one of the best, and would allow for a very quiet rig with the right fans and fan controlling software/hardware. Please note I am a silent PC fanatic/obsess-er.

Since you have the 4850 your right you don't need the extra room, but that being said your a candidate for an almost dead silent computer if that is your thing.

Don't you love how we all want in on your build

Definitely appreciate the info. I'm actually leaning more towards the PC-9F now. Just waiting for my bills to all be paid off this week and see what I've got left.

 

[AthlonAlien]

I am also looking to get the PC-9F, but I have two questions. Can one or both of the front 120mm fans be swapped out for 140mm ones? If someone would be using two optical drives in the top 2 bays and a card reader in the one below that... could they still mought a single HDD without using the entire cage?

-Thanks

 

[Zap]

Just waiting for my bills to all be paid off this week and see what I've got left.

Long week, eh?

I am also looking to get the PC-9F, but I have two questions. Can one or both of the front 120mm fans be swapped out for 140mm ones? If someone would be using two optical drives in the top 2 bays and a card reader in the one below that... could they still mought a single HDD without using the entire cage?

The fan cutout is form-fitted for 120mm fans, plus it doesn't have the screw holes for 140mm fans. That being said, looks like maybe the bottom one can be modded for a 140mm fan with minimal work.

You can always get creative with the HDD mounting.

 

[AthlonAlien]

One more question...

Can the case hold 38mm fans (instead of the standard 25mm) in the front, rear, or top?

-Thanks

 

[Zap]

Front - likely no, because the drive bays are in the way (unless you remove them).

Rear is yes.

Top is maybe, depending on whether it interferes with anything on the motherboard (big VRM heatsinks?) or the CPU cooler.

 

[Avalon]

Long week, eh?

Yeah, was pretty close to pulling the trigger after pay day Friday, and then Sunday the wifey got in a little fender bender, her car crumpled like paper and I had to buy her a new car.

Suffice it to say it's going to be a bit longer before I can finally grab something now

I did take a look back on Newegg today and saw the PC-9F was still at $139, but the PC-7FN is now on sale for $99.

 

[gdday4]

To add to Zap's info, iirc the 7FN does not have a removable HD cage. The 9F does. If you had a SSD and one other HDD you could remove the HD cage, install the SSD and HDD in the top bays, DIY suspension, or on a piece of foam on the bottom of the case, and this would open up the 2 x 120mm front fans with nothing in front (or rather behind) obstructing airflow. imo this is an excellent airflow setup one of the best, and would allow for a very quiet rig with the right fans and fan controlling software/hardware. Please note I am a silent PC fanatic/obsess-er.

I went all the way with the B10 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...226&Tpk=pc-b10 which is essentially the same inside, but is ridiculously expensive. I am very happy with it, I like the door to help with the quiet. I removed the drive cage, put the SSD on the shelf above the top fan (velco) and put the HDD on foam padding on the floor with velco to keep it in place. It works great and I have wonderful cooling. You can't go wrong with either the 7FN or 9F. At the current price I'd recommend the 7FN unless you are doing a hard to cool build. You could probably drill out the rivets for the drive cage if you wanted to go that far.

 

[you2]

I went with the 9f myself; but for the life of me I can't remember why. it was $20 less and the 7fn was $20 more when I made the purchase so the prices were closer; the 9f has usb3.0 front connectors (minor; esp if you go with the asrock mb or purchase a usb3 bracket). The extra 5 1/2 inch bays were worthless to me (on the 7fn). There was some other issue that had to do with the internal layout. While I prefer the usb3.0; second fan, no led lights and removable cage for todays $40 difference I would probably go with the 7fn.

 

[Avalon]

Just a note, on a random whim I was looking at case prices today and saw the PC-7FN is on sale for $69.99 free 3 day shipping w/promo code. As luck would have it, I found a Newegg giftcard for $75 that was buried in my inbox back from around Christmas.

Awesome when unexpected awesome things happen, and I'm very thankful too...so broke after that car!!

 

[Zap]

Just a note, on a random whim I was looking at case prices today and saw the PC-7FN is on sale for $69.99 free 3 day shipping w/promo code.

That's a HOT price! Half of what I paid for my wife's PC-60FNW.

 

[x26]

I love the case, but there is one I think is more capable/flexible, and I like it even more. It is the PC-9F

If your going with a larger gfx card the 9F is more "card size" friendly with the additional capability of removing the HD cage (if it's feasible with your particular build hardware) for super duper airflow to your card and more

I have 2 9f's Love them long time...

 

[compman25]

Just a note, on a random whim I was looking at case prices today and saw the PC-7FN is on sale for $69.99 free 3 day shipping w/promo code. As luck would have it, I found a Newegg giftcard for $75 that was buried in my inbox back from around Christmas.

Awesome when unexpected awesome things happen, and I'm very thankful too...so broke after that car!!

Thanks. Didn't need another one, but for that price I had to buy a couple. Now what to do with them?