The V2100B is just the V2000B with a door, and no silly side window.
Be careful with which power supply you buy for this case - the PC Power & Cooling 850W unit I got didn't fit, because it was too long.
Also be careful with which CPU coolers you use if your motherboard has a CPU on the bottom edge, as there is almost _no_ clearance between the motherboard and the case. I had to replace the Zalman CNPS7000B I was using. On the other hand, this is the first case where my Extended ATA montherboard didn't feel cramped (this thing is _huge_!)
Other than those minor issues, I've been extremely happy with the case. My 8 500G SATA drive array is running along quite nicely.
Who would use IDE for this.....And with a lot of 2 port expansion card?
Also, the cables that you used are out of spec. (40 cm max I think)
This case is meant for SCSI.
I used IDE 'cause it's all I have on hand. More importnatly though, it takes up significantly more space than SATA cables, making it apparant how well the case can handle that much cabling.
I love my PC-V2100, been a wonderful home to my AMD SLI system for over a year now. Build quality is excellent but I have but one gripe. The USB cables for the front panel are not nearly long enough to reach my motherboard. Perhaps they have fixed this in an updated model.
the front panel cords in the PC-201 are very long.. you'd have to route them all over the place for them not to reach pretty much anywhere on a motherboard.
I liked the article, always fascinated with cases. One thing I would have liked to see was an E-ATX motherboard though- it would give a better idea of the case flexibility. I would think most people buying this case would be putting a workstation class mobo in it. I've been looking for a good box to build a dual opteron rig around and this looks like a contender. Thanks again!
Would have been nice to see some temperatures on the cpu/video between the cases and other popular enthusiast cases. Overall, nice article and quite a nice case.
I have this case. Never had an issue with it other then the rubber wheels not staying on when moving the system around. The only thing I would like to comment on, is that if you are building a “quite system” there are a few things you can do to improve that subjective score of 3.0/3.5 of 10 to 7.5 to 8.5. first remove the drive mounting (you can unscrew it) and suspend the drives is a harness. This will eliminate 99% of the reverb from the case while the drives are on. Next replace the 120mm fan. I don’t know why but the fans that are included with the case are not that grate for making a quite system.
Finally at the front of the case where you would mount CD Rom drives. Place it some foam. It really doesn’t effect the air flow but it will deaden any sound that my be coming from the mother board.
I have very sensitive herring and if I can leave the system on full boar and still go to sleep then I know that its pretty dang quite.
That reverb has been driving me nuts lately. I replaced a drive and moved a couple to different places, and it seems to have gotten a bit better, but still shows up now and then.
There are really only two options to fight the reverb. One is to get a heavier case, (steel works the best, on in the case of the Lian Li, a nice heavy brick on top will cut the amount of reverb) or you can isolate the devices that are causing the issue, namely the hard drives. All that it takes to isolate the drives (providing you have the space) is some heavy nylon string. Sling up the drive and vole, reverb cut down drastically.
Perhaps I should've elaborated.. my subjective sound scoring makes 0 the best (silent).. 10 would mean it's making so much noise it's absolutely unusable.
Did I miss that or did you just add it. But my point still stands that by moving to a better 120mm fan, and suspending the drives to remove the reverb, you can get that to a 1.5 -2.
Actually the reverb is the most annoying aspect IMO. I can deal will constant noise, it’s the constant loudening and quieting that drives me nuts.
Give it a few nights, and you will start to notice it more. This not just a problem with Lian Li cases but all “light weight” designed cases. They are more susceptible to vibration. I wish that Lian Li offered a drive suspension kit, instead of jury rigging one, but hey it works, and its not like I take the drives out every day.
Update on the 'reverb' issue: I found that the case was 'stressed'. One corner was slightly higher than the other three and as soon as I supported it better my extra vibration noise went away.
Perhaps there's a similar problem with your guys' setups?
Perhaps we are not talking about the same thing. The reverb I am talking about is a extremely low pinched hum. And the only time you might notice it is when its dead quiet. You can check over at silent pc review. They can explain it much better then I can.
Loads of great pictures with commentary to go with it. I would have liked to have seen SATA drives and cabling as well however, as anyone building this from new is bound to use SATA over PATA.
P.S. HTML coding error on the last page. Search for <.b> and replace with </b> ;)
Joshua, do you happen to know how to contact Lian-Li for replacement HDD screws? I never had enough of them and my emails to them asking how to purchase them have gone unanswered. This is a real pain as only those screws can give the drives a good fit. If you are ever short on them for any reason, your several hundred dollar case starts to look very overpriced. A repsonse from Lian-Li would be expected considering these are very high end cases with very high price tags. No support from them after a sale is rather lame IMO.
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cgaspar - Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - link
The V2100B is just the V2000B with a door, and no silly side window.Be careful with which power supply you buy for this case - the PC Power & Cooling 850W unit I got didn't fit, because it was too long.
Also be careful with which CPU coolers you use if your motherboard has a CPU on the bottom edge, as there is almost _no_ clearance between the motherboard and the case. I had to replace the Zalman CNPS7000B I was using. On the other hand, this is the first case where my Extended ATA montherboard didn't feel cramped (this thing is _huge_!)
Other than those minor issues, I've been extremely happy with the case. My 8 500G SATA drive array is running along quite nicely.
Missing Ghost - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
Who would use IDE for this.....And with a lot of 2 port expansion card?Also, the cables that you used are out of spec. (40 cm max I think)
This case is meant for SCSI.
JoshuaBuss - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
I used IDE 'cause it's all I have on hand. More importnatly though, it takes up significantly more space than SATA cables, making it apparant how well the case can handle that much cabling.ohnnyj - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
I love my PC-V2100, been a wonderful home to my AMD SLI system for over a year now. Build quality is excellent but I have but one gripe. The USB cables for the front panel are not nearly long enough to reach my motherboard. Perhaps they have fixed this in an updated model.JoshuaBuss - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
the front panel cords in the PC-201 are very long.. you'd have to route them all over the place for them not to reach pretty much anywhere on a motherboard.rowcroft - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
I liked the article, always fascinated with cases. One thing I would have liked to see was an E-ATX motherboard though- it would give a better idea of the case flexibility. I would think most people buying this case would be putting a workstation class mobo in it. I've been looking for a good box to build a dual opteron rig around and this looks like a contender. Thanks again!Xenoid - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
Would have been nice to see some temperatures on the cpu/video between the cases and other popular enthusiast cases. Overall, nice article and quite a nice case.JoshuaBuss - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
I'm hoping to follow this look up with a more in-depth comparison of performance once I have some real sever-style equipment.mkruer - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
I have this case. Never had an issue with it other then the rubber wheels not staying on when moving the system around. The only thing I would like to comment on, is that if you are building a “quite system” there are a few things you can do to improve that subjective score of 3.0/3.5 of 10 to 7.5 to 8.5. first remove the drive mounting (you can unscrew it) and suspend the drives is a harness. This will eliminate 99% of the reverb from the case while the drives are on. Next replace the 120mm fan. I don’t know why but the fans that are included with the case are not that grate for making a quite system.Finally at the front of the case where you would mount CD Rom drives. Place it some foam. It really doesn’t effect the air flow but it will deaden any sound that my be coming from the mother board.
I have very sensitive herring and if I can leave the system on full boar and still go to sleep then I know that its pretty dang quite.
Lifted - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
That reverb has been driving me nuts lately. I replaced a drive and moved a couple to different places, and it seems to have gotten a bit better, but still shows up now and then.mkruer - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
There are really only two options to fight the reverb. One is to get a heavier case, (steel works the best, on in the case of the Lian Li, a nice heavy brick on top will cut the amount of reverb) or you can isolate the devices that are causing the issue, namely the hard drives. All that it takes to isolate the drives (providing you have the space) is some heavy nylon string. Sling up the drive and vole, reverb cut down drastically.JoshuaBuss - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
Perhaps I should've elaborated.. my subjective sound scoring makes 0 the best (silent).. 10 would mean it's making so much noise it's absolutely unusable.mkruer - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
Did I miss that or did you just add it. But my point still stands that by moving to a better 120mm fan, and suspending the drives to remove the reverb, you can get that to a 1.5 -2.Actually the reverb is the most annoying aspect IMO. I can deal will constant noise, it’s the constant loudening and quieting that drives me nuts.
JoshuaBuss - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
I added it. You know, I think I'm starting to hear what you're talking about now in the PC-201B.. weird, 'cause I didn't hear it in the PC-V2000... :|mkruer - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
Give it a few nights, and you will start to notice it more. This not just a problem with Lian Li cases but all “light weight” designed cases. They are more susceptible to vibration. I wish that Lian Li offered a drive suspension kit, instead of jury rigging one, but hey it works, and its not like I take the drives out every day.JoshuaBuss - Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - link
Update on the 'reverb' issue: I found that the case was 'stressed'. One corner was slightly higher than the other three and as soon as I supported it better my extra vibration noise went away.Perhaps there's a similar problem with your guys' setups?
mkruer - Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - link
Perhaps we are not talking about the same thing. The reverb I am talking about is a extremely low pinched hum. And the only time you might notice it is when its dead quiet. You can check over at silent pc review. They can explain it much better then I can.GrammatonJP - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
I had all drive filled and put in a 4 drive hot swap bay... it was sweeetWileCoyote - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
Tempting case but I can't find the right power supplies for the dual power supply setup. Anyone know a website that sells them?punko - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
A bit of a strange concept, but could you mount a 15" or 17" LCD monitor over the window on the side of the case?JoshuaBuss - Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - link
If you got creative enough, I don't see why not.. the case is cavernous.lukescammell - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
Loads of great pictures with commentary to go with it. I would have liked to have seen SATA drives and cabling as well however, as anyone building this from new is bound to use SATA over PATA.P.S. HTML coding error on the last page. Search for <.b> and replace with </b> ;)
JoshuaBuss - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
Thanks.. appreciate it. Thanks for the error point out too.. now only if I can get my hands on 8 sata drives.. hehe.Lifted - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
Ditto, very nice article.Joshua, do you happen to know how to contact Lian-Li for replacement HDD screws? I never had enough of them and my emails to them asking how to purchase them have gone unanswered. This is a real pain as only those screws can give the drives a good fit. If you are ever short on them for any reason, your several hundred dollar case starts to look very overpriced. A repsonse from Lian-Li would be expected considering these are very high end cases with very high price tags. No support from them after a sale is rather lame IMO.
JoshuaBuss - Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - link
Shoot me an e-mail.. joshua.[email protected]