Antec 902 or this new one from Lian Li (Lancool)

[nate42nd]

I have been looking for 2 months for a case for around $100 US. I would like a decent looking case with good air flow, easy installation, and as many extras as possible. The Antec 902 is probably the one for me but I just ran across this case. Do any of you have it? It just came out but you never know. It looks pretty nice. The Antec has a fan controller but other than that I think this has it beat. What would you get? I like this new one.

Antec:
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

Lancool (Lian li)
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, Digital Cameras and more!

 

[Murty]

I don't have either of those cases, but they both look great. I personally would go with the Antec 902 purely for looks. But general rule of thumb for cases is to have more fans pushing air out then fans pushing air in.

And honestly, I have had a case with a fan control, but I never used it.

 

[nate42nd]

Well thanks for the input mate. I had never seen a "Lancool" before but 3 large fans pushing air into the case looks very nice and the Lancool is tool less for even the PSU. I am impressed with that. The PCI locking is on a Lian LI I already have and is the best ever PCI locking mechanism.

Thanks for the reply. The build is for a friend and I want him to be very happy. He told me to make all the decisions. It's all pretty fun.

I will post whatever I get later in the week.

 

[whest]

If you in a dusty place the lancool filters on the front maybe a continual problem - i THINK they have a fine filter inside the exterior one - there are many to clean.

 

[nate42nd]

I ordered the Lancool. There are SO many cases out there i couldn't make up my mind.

I know the next one I will get for my personal build. (well between 2 or 3)

The Lian Li PC-X1000 or Silverstone TJ-09 or some other very expensive case like them. haha

This Lancool should be very nice for a steel case. It has a lot of features you find on 200-300 dollar cases.

 

[pparks1]

I think you made the right case choice. Everybody seems to run an Antec 900 or a 902..... Lian Li is extremely well know for their quality cases. If I had been making that same choice, I would have done it exactly as you did.

I'm not a fan of case lighting and windows myself....so I went with an Antec P182. Which has since been replaced with the P183.

 

[nate42nd]

Yea, I think i will like it. I tried to go with a "no window" case but I just love them. I like to look over and see the hardware. I am using a Lian Li PC-B70 now and hate not having a window. I may send it back and pay a restocking fee to get one with a window. This one is for a friend but I may consider the same or a similar one for an upcoming build for myself (i5 or i7) as soon as the i5 comes out and we see how they will perform.

Can't wait to get the case and see how it is in person.

 

[pparks1]

Yea, I think i will like it. I tried to go with a "no window" case but I just love them.

It's funny how everybody is different. To me they just seem cheesy, like you are purposely trying to draw attention to it. It's like an Xbox360 standing vertically...I just don't like it.

This one is for a friend but I may consider the same or a similar one for an upcoming build for myself (i5 or i7) as soon as the i5 comes out and we see how they will perform.

Is the Core i5 supposed to cost substantially less? Because the price on the Core i7 really isn't that bad at all. At first the extra cost was on the mobo and DDR3 RAM...but that should be the same for the i5 as well...and prices have come down.

 

[nate42nd]

I have heard the mobo for the i5s will be less. (don't know for sure) but you're right. An i7 920 is VERY reasonable. Even the better ones are not bad. I just want to see what the real deal is with the i5 and new socket mobos before I build.

Those windows are a strange topic. I never have anybody looking at my systems. I just really like to have it all right there so I can look at it. I have found myself taking the covers off my cases for years and leaving them off! i just like to look in there. I like to make sure all the fans are spinning and like to see everything else.

Everybody IS different. I almost need a case with a window. I am ready to ship my Lian Li B-70 panel off to have a window installed in it. I can't stand not having one. haha (and it's not for others to draw attention, it's for me)

BTW-I like that P183 case. Looks like an excellent design with heat zones. It's avery nice looking case for the $$. Antec has VERY good cases.

For my personal builds i will probably always go for aluminum from now on however.

 

[pparks1]

I have found myself taking the covers off my cases for years and leaving them off!

Of course, this will generally screw up the air flow through the case and could leave to more heat problems. I know with rack mounted servers, they absolutely need to have their covers on and they throw fits and spin the internal fans at 10 million RPM's when the cases are open.

 

[nate42nd]

Of course, this will generally screw up the air flow through the case and could leave to more heat problems. I know with rack mounted servers, they absolutely need to have their covers on and they throw fits and spin the internal fans at 10 million RPM's when the cases are open.

I know...this is why I decided to start getting cases with windows. Thanks for the warning though. I didn't know this a two years ago.

 

[kplu]

I have never had any dealings with Lian Li, but I can say that the two systems I have built with Antec cases came out great. The more fans/vents you have the more airflow you have, and the more cubic feet of space the more room you have for airflow. My Antec cases dampen the noise, and the fans that came with it are very quiet.

when I bought my more recent P180 it came with 3 (I think?) 120mm case fans. Because Antec had a problem with a small number of the 120mm fans, and not the manpower to QC everything going out the door, they bundled it with an extra 3 fans just in case. To me that was pretty important. you can get a large case that's pretty, and has the features you want, but you can't buy good customer service.

 

[nate42nd]

This is true. I have heard Lian Li has excellent customer service being in Taiwan. They have been known to overnight (or next day air) stuff to the US from there.

I have a Lian Li case and that's most of the reason I got this case. It should be here any minute so I can't wait to see what they have done with the quality of the spin-off company Lancool. I expect it to be nice for the $$.

 

[nate42nd]

Anyone looking for a GREAT case at about $110 USD, take a look at this one for sure. I just got one yesterday and can't wait to get it filled up. It's one of the best I have seen at any price.

It could use more front panel connectors and a removable mobo tray and aluminum but besides those things, it's perfect (there's one without a window too)

Lancool Dragonlord PC-K62 Case Review

 

[Corei7Extreme]

I think the Lancool was not a wise choice. I personally love the amount of air cooling the Antec Gaming cases provide. I would have gone with the 902 simply because you would never have to worry about if your case is providing enough airflow or if there is enough cooling.

 

[nate42nd]

I think the Lancool was not a wise choice. I personally love the amount of air cooling the Antec Gaming cases provide. I would have gone with the 902 simply because you would never have to worry about if your case is providing enough airflow or if there is enough cooling.

The Antec has slightly better cooling but the Lancool has so many other better features.

I posted in "show us your rig" in "hardware and devices" Check it out and you will see some of the features this case has.

Thanks for the reply. I have it now so I just want others to have this option if this is the price range you are in.

Have a great day!

 

[Corpsecrank]

I've built a few of the Antec 902's now and the cases is pretty solid even has a good layout for liquid cooling if you want to go extreme. Using air with only stock cooling that came with everything temperatures all around were excellent.

 

[mckillwashere]

I have an Antec 900,
I haven't had a single problem with it.
The computer has moved over 200 miles in the back of a pickup. I'm ashamed to say that she should have been in the cab next to me but there was no room.
Air flow is great even when I overclock my system.
If the 902 is anything like the 900 go for it.
if you want a LARGE tower look into the 1200 series.

 

[nate42nd]

I got the Lancool after a lot of thought.

The differences between the two that I can remember are:

The Antec has one or two more fans.
The Antec has no filter on the bottom for the PSU.
The Antec has e-sata on the front panel
The Antec has room for 6 hard drives (Lancool 4 spots) without using 5.25)
The Antec has fan speed control for top and rear fans.

Lancool has better interior layout and you can put HDs in either way.
Lancool HD cage can be turned the same way as the Antec if needed.
Lancool has a bigger window so you can see your prized hardware.
Lancool has way better tool less features. (PSU, PCI, HDs, etc...)
One BIG thing is the Lancool has a big hole in the mobo tray for CPU cooler.
The Lancool has the best cable management I have ever seen.
The Lancool has a vented, filtered intake for the PSU!
You don't need a screwdriver to put a system into the Lancool. Even the front and top panels. PSU, PCI, everything is toolless.

They both have 8 vented expansion slots.
They both have black interiors
They both look great

It's personal preference. I have been so excited about this case I just had to share my experience. The Antec (and Coolermaster, and a lot of others) are great. I'm glad there's competition. I hope people consider this case when looking. It is right up there with the others. I would argue the features you get are better than most.