Mid-Tower Mega Roundup
by Joshua Buss on September 8, 2005 12:05 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Lian Li PC-V1000
And finally, at the highest price point out of our selection, is the case that comes with our recently reviewed F1B desk. Since we have already reviewed this case in great detail before, we will only be using the case as a base of comparison and highlighting a couple of points regarding its price premium over the other cases in this roundup. The PC-V1000 was available for as little as $180, but typically closer to $200.
Another reason why we'll show a bit of this case again now is because in our first review, we looked at a silver case, and this one is finished in black, which gives it a rather drastically different look.
However, the most important reason why we're looking at this case again is because this time, the case came with even more cooling accessories, which will change the case's abilities to cope with high temperatures.
For a quick recap of what makes this case so unique, a quick glance at this picture does the trick. The PC-V1000 inverts the typical computer, placing the power supply in its own area along with the hard drives, while the motherboard and external drives are all accessed via the other side of the case.
We noted before how the power supply compartment has issues with large power supplies, but after a careful inspection of this black model, we found a way to compensate for the problem.
The problem is that there is a dividing plate separating the PSU from the second set of hard drives, and it is this plate that prevents longer supplies from fitting properly.
With this black model, this plate is removable, allowing the supply to slide all the way, but at the cost of making some of the hard drive bays difficult to impossible to use.
With even two of the bays hard to reach now, there are still four usable bays, which will be more than enough for most users.
And finally, at the highest price point out of our selection, is the case that comes with our recently reviewed F1B desk. Since we have already reviewed this case in great detail before, we will only be using the case as a base of comparison and highlighting a couple of points regarding its price premium over the other cases in this roundup. The PC-V1000 was available for as little as $180, but typically closer to $200.
Another reason why we'll show a bit of this case again now is because in our first review, we looked at a silver case, and this one is finished in black, which gives it a rather drastically different look.
However, the most important reason why we're looking at this case again is because this time, the case came with even more cooling accessories, which will change the case's abilities to cope with high temperatures.
For a quick recap of what makes this case so unique, a quick glance at this picture does the trick. The PC-V1000 inverts the typical computer, placing the power supply in its own area along with the hard drives, while the motherboard and external drives are all accessed via the other side of the case.
We noted before how the power supply compartment has issues with large power supplies, but after a careful inspection of this black model, we found a way to compensate for the problem.
The problem is that there is a dividing plate separating the PSU from the second set of hard drives, and it is this plate that prevents longer supplies from fitting properly.
With this black model, this plate is removable, allowing the supply to slide all the way, but at the cost of making some of the hard drive bays difficult to impossible to use.
With even two of the bays hard to reach now, there are still four usable bays, which will be more than enough for most users.
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xsilver - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
just because you like the "stealth" look it doesnt mean everybody else doeswhy is there a market for car neons?
why is there a market for phone covers and ringtones?
but good god, that thermalrock case needs to DIAF! :P
smn198 - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
http://www.chavscum.co.uk">Chavsimaheadcase - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
Well its evident there is a market, but your comparing apples to oranges. Its computer part not something everyone builds themselves. If you have people buying power ranger cases that built computers, then they need a new hobbie..xsilver - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
who says you have to build a system yourself?dont your local pc store (not best buy etc) stock their cases from somewhere?
if some 10 year old (or some tryhard that doesnt know how to build his own) wants a pc, what case is he going to choose, crappy bling neons or real aluminium?
dont get me wrong -- I prefer stealth too - but I do realize that there is a market for crappy neons :P
raildogg - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
ThermalRock Eclipse looks sweet, although I'd still get a P-180.why would you pay that much for the V1000? rather get a cheaper case like a P-180
oh and primo posto! :)
OvErHeAtInG - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
I was going to to correct you with "primer poste" until I realized you typed the Italian... a race fan should know... *hits himself...*ksherman - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
I personally dont think any case should be worth so much... unless it was the MOST amazing theng ever to hit the world... which I dont think the V1000 lives up to. I personally dont like the look of the Eclipse... to flashy, and it actually looks kind of cheap. But it might look different in person. I am a big fan of the Sonata 1 so, I would guess the #2 would be better, but it doesnt seem to include a PSU from what I have seen...Furen - Thursday, September 8, 2005 - link
The Sonata 2 does include a PS: a SmartPower 2.0 450w. The problem with it is the fact that it's quite a bit louder than the original TruePower and the TruePower2 of the newer Sonatas.