Lian Li has been within the highlight for the previous few years, primarily because of the O11, which masterfully balances tempered glass and airflow. Nonetheless, the corporate has different spectacular chassis, just like the compact Q58, the remodeling O11D Evo and the Lancool line, most not too long ago represented by the Lancool III.
However the firm’s newest case, the Lian Li Lancool 216, nonetheless manages to face out in a discipline of profitable sibling circumstances, with two 160mm followers, a rotatable PCIe bracket and a GPU fan mount. Since this case has so many distinctive options, I anticipated the value to be larger than most. However the base mannequin Lancool 216 is simply $100, with RGB variants simply $15 additional. Regardless that it’s reasonably priced, there are innumerable different circumstances on this value vary. Let’s dig in, try the check outcomes and see if the Lancool 216 earns Lian Li one more spot on our Greatest PC Instances record. First although, this is the total specs record from Lian Li.
Specs of the Lian Li Lancool 216
| Kind | ATX Mid-Tower |
| Motherboard | Mini-ITX, Micro ATX, ATX, E-ATX |
| Help | |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 19.4 x 9.25 x 19 inches |
| Max GPU Size | 15.4 inches |
| CPU Cooler Peak | 7.1 inches |
| Exterior Bays | X |
| Inner Bays | 6x 2.5 inch or 2x 3.5 inch |
| Growth Slots | 7 |
| Entrance I/O | USB Kind-C (10Gbps), 2x USB 3.0 Kind A (5Gbps), energy, reset and audio |
| Different | Exterior fan mount |
| Entrance Followers | 2x 160mm followers |
| Rear Followers | 1x 120mm fan |
| High Followers | None |
| Backside Followers | None |
| Weight | 31 kilos |
| Guarantee | 2 years |
Options of the Lian Li Lancool 216
The Lian Li Lancool 216 is a mid-tower chassis that takes some inspiration from the Lancool III we checked out earlier this 12 months. In reality, at first look, it appears to be like almost equivalent to that case. However there are important variations, just like the entrance followers. The Lancool 216 comes with two massive 160mm followers – the one different case available on the market that sports activities these spinners is the Fractal Torrent, which was arguably one of many best-received circumstances of 2021. The Lancool 216’s unconventional cooling method doesn’t cease with the entrance followers, as this case comes with a PCIe fan bracket for steering airflow at your GPU. Extra on that quickly.
Like all airflow-focused circumstances available on the market, the Lancool 2016’s entrance is sort of totally mesh. One of many points I had with the Lancool III was its underwhelming thermal efficiency. Nonetheless, as we’ll see in testing, the 216 is nothing just like the Lancool III with regards to cooling, regardless of being a part of the identical case household.
The brand new Lian Li case incorporates a first rate IO: You get energy, a reset button, two USB 3.0 Kind-A ports and , One USB Kind-C, plus an audio combo jack. And, in a design nod to the O11D Evo, the IO will be moved to the decrease left nook of the case, which makes room for the RGB controller. Yeah, the one means you’ll be able to alter the RGB on the 160mm followers is through the RGB controller, which prices $15 additional. I get that Lian Li wished to hit the interesting $100 value level. However asking $15 additional for an RGB controller field looks like the corporate is dangling a key function of the case in entrance of you want a carrot on a stick. At the least you additionally get two additional USB-A ports in the event you go for the controller. However in fact then your motherboard will want two spare headers.
Whereas there’s lots to reward, one gripe I’ve with the Lancool 216 is the motherboard set up course of. The standoffs come pre-installed like most different circumstances, however they must be unscrewed and moved up to ensure that the motherboard to sit down excessive sufficient so you’ll be able to join the PCIe / GPU fan with out points with wire clearance. To reap the benefits of the GPU cooling function, you’ll have to maneuver the standoffs and flip a chunk that goes across the IO defend. Whereas it’s annoying to do that, it’s value it– belief me.
I’ve seen case firms dabble with a rotatable motherboard tray, however by no means a rotatable PCIe bracket. The PCIe bracket on the Lancool 216 will be rotated to accommodate a vertical GPU structure, with out smushing it up towards the glass. Don’t fear; even when the GPU is vertical, you’ll nonetheless be capable of make the most of the PCIe fan function.
Courtesy of Lian Li
GPU Cooling
Now, on to the principle occasion: the GPU bracket fan mount. The Lancool 216 comes with a 120mm fan mount that screws on to the again of the PCIe bracket. The thought of the bracket is straightforward: slap a fan to the PCIe bracket beneath the graphics card to drag sizzling air from the GPU. Whereas it’s unusual to see them available on the market in 2022, this function significantly impacts of us operating with blower-style GPUs.
The thought of the GPU fan mount is fascinating, nevertheless it additionally blocks entry to any PCI playing cards beneath the GPU, as you’ll be able to see within the picture beneath. Whereas that is unhealthy in case you have a devoted sound card or USB enlargement card, the overwhelming majority of individuals – particularly folks looking for a $100 case – in all probability simply have a GPU put in.
Since I had a few them readily available, I put in one of many new be quiet! Silent Wings 4 followers within the PCIe slot, and with its most RPM of two,500, it appeared proper at residence. Since graphics playing cards have gotten extra highly effective (and power-hungry), I like having a big fan that may assist transfer the GPU-warmed air out of the case.
Inner Structure
The Lancool 216 stands at 19.4 x 9.25 x 19 inches (HWD), which is fairly massive for a mid-tower, however a tad shorter than the Lancool III.
The highest panel on the Lancool 216 is definitely detachable because of a few screws, which made connecting the EPS-12V cable a lot simpler for me.
Behind the motherboard tray you’ll discover steel tabs to maintain your cables in line and an RGB/fan hub. The hub is nothing particular, however I observed one of many male RGB connectors was bending outward, which is regarding. The steel tabs for holding cables are an fascinating alternative, however they work effectively sufficient.
Onerous drives are housed the place they need to be: beneath the PSU shroud in a cage. The cage can retailer two 2.5- or 3.5-inch drives. In the event you don’t use onerous drives, then this case can maintain six complete 2.5-inch drives, with two sleds behind the motherboard tray.
In the event you’re planning on utilizing a giant air cooler, the Lancool 216 can assist as much as 180mm (7.1 inches), which is greater than sufficient for the tallest of towers. The identical applies to GPUs, as this chassis can match playing cards as much as 392mm (15.4 inches).
Whereas the principle function of this case is its massive entrance 160mm followers and the PCIe fan bracket, Lian Li included mounts for a extra conventional orientation. The entrance followers will be eliminated rather than 3x 120 or 2x 140mm spinners to accommodate radiators. The highest of the case can home the identical configuration. Just like the Lancool III, the 216 has room for 2 120 or 140mm followers on the PSU shroud. Lastly, the rear exhaust can match a 120 or 140mm fan.
Testing {Hardware}
Our testing {hardware} makes use of Intel’s twelfth Gen Alder Lake platform. We’re utilizing a Core i7-12700KF, cooled by a Noctua U12s air cooler. Our graphics card is a Gigabyte RTX 3070 Ti Gaming OC and our motherboard is the MSI Professional Z690-A WIFI.
Acoustic Outcomes for the Lian Li Lancool 216
Our acoustic check consists of three eventualities: We run the CPU at full load, the CPU and GPU at full load, and an optimized mode. The CPU full load check runs the CPU and case followers at their most pace. For the CPU and GPU full load acoustic check, we additionally stress the Gigabyte RTX 3070 Ti Gaming OC and set the followers at 75% pace, as a result of in gaming, the followers by no means run at one hundred pc and are far too loud once they do.
For the optimized mode, we run the GPU fan pace at 30% and the CPU and included case followers on the lowest pace they are going to spin.
It ought to be famous that when operating our acoustic assessments, we didn’t have the PCIe fan operating, because it would not include this fan and acoustics would differ based mostly on what fan you put in there. We did, nevertheless, set up and run the Silent Wings 4 fan on this spot for our Thermal assessments, since it is a key function of the case. Like its older sibling, the Lancool III, the 216 is a loud case. Nonetheless, I’m not bothered as a result of the followers are greater than traditional. Don’t get me improper, this case is not quiet, however the thermals make up for the noise,as we’re about to see.
Thermal Outcomes for the Lian Li Lancool 216
For the thermal assessments, all case and CPU fan speeds are set to 100%. The Core i7-12700K is about at a 4.7GHz clock at 1.3v on all efficiency cores, to make sure constant energy consumption throughout check eventualities. Letting the GPU run at 75% fan pace allows it to keep up its energy goal whereas sticking to at least one set affordable fan pace, so the temperature is the one variable.
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As a result of they’re the one two major-brand circumstances available on the market that function 160mm followers, I instantly in contrast the Fractal Design Torrent Compact and the Lian Li Lancool 216. The distinction in CPU thermals is inside margin of error, however the 10-degree distinction in GPU teps clearly signifies that the PCIe fan is legit.
After evaluating the Lancool 216 to the best-performing circumstances from this 12 months, it’s secure to say that this case is value robust consideration, particularly if you would like spectacular GPU thermals.
Backside Line
Over the previous 12 months or so, the preferred circumstances available on the market have been airflow-focused as an alternative, reasonably than specializing in glass and RGB. With that stated, lots of these circumstances are beginning to look the identical, and so feeling a bit boring. That doesn’t apply to the Lian Li Lancool 216, as a result of the corporate introduced among the defining options of the Lancool III and O11D Evo, and added a useful PCIe fan with its newest case.
Let’s not neglect the Lancool 216 can be solely $100 (plus $15 if you wish to add the great RGB controller), which makes it extraordinarily aggressive in at a value level the place the market is overflowing with choices. With so many high-priced circumstances debuting this 12 months (we’re you, Cooler Grasp) It is good to see you don’t want to spend so much on a case to get improbable efficiency and high quality. With that in thoughts, I’m prepared to forgive the refined points I had with the 216 as a result of it’s no doubt, among the finest circumstances I’ve seen in a very long time.