In today’s review we are having a look at four popular “slim” type 140 mm tower coolers from Noctua, Phanteks, Thermalright and Be Quiet! How do their thermal and acoustics performance compare to both their larger dual-tower counterparts, and against low-cost and stock coolers? Let’s find out!
Lian Li has started to sell its new PC-O12 chassis for high-performance gaming desktops. The new mid-tower computer case from the company has an unorthodox construction that allows fitting in motherboards that are in the E-ATX form-factor, as well as two vertically mounted graphics cards and up to eight storage devices in a 2.5-inch form-factor. Despite the focus on the premium aspect of the design, a peculiarity of the PC-O12 case design is that liquid cooling is designed to only be used on the CPU, and it supports no more than two add-in cards.
Following the latest trends in PC building, the Lian Li PC-O12 has multiple compartments for different kinds of components as well as multiple windows made of tempered glass for everyone to see what is inside. With its new chassis, Lian Li decided to go above and beyond with the number of chambers: one houses the motherboard, another accommodates up to two vertically mounted graphics cards and the third one is where the PSU (up to 230 mm) and up to eight storage devices live. Three compartments in case of the Lian Li PC-O12 help to spread out multiple heat sources across the chassis, which somewhat simplifies cooling. What is important is that despite the triple-chamber design, the mid-tower case is not too wide for tall CPU coolers.
Like many contemporary PC cases, the PC-O12 can accommodate motherboards in the Micro-ATX, ATX and E-ATX form-factors. Meanwhile, graphics cards have to be installed vertically using riser cables into a different compartment simply because there is no space for add-in boards in the primary one. A good news is that length of the graphics cards does not matter for the PC-O12 — everything up to 340 mm (and possibly longer) is supported, but this configuration naturally poses a challenge for users who use add-in cards besides graphics adapters. Moreover, if two video cards are used, it is impossible to install a high-end audio board or any other card – only two AIBs can be installed into the PC-O12.
Yet another challenge presented by the relatively thin dual/triple-compartment design is cooling. The maximum height of the CPU cooler supported by the Lian Li PC-O12 is 75 mm, which means that for CPUs from the higher end of the product stack only liquid cooling can be used since all advanced air coolers are higher than 100 mm (Scythe’s Big Shuriken 2 is an exception, but it is unclear how well it is going to handle chips with TDP of well over 100 W). Meanwhile, there is a special compartment for a 360-mm LCS radiator on top of the chassis (which can also be used to install three 120-mm fans) as well as frames to install two 120-/140-mm fans for air intake on the front panel.
| Lian Li PC-O12 | ||
| Motherboard Size | ATX, E-ATX, Micro-ATX | |
| Drive Bays | External | – |
| Internal | 4 × 3.5″ and 4 × 2.5″ | |
| AIB Bays | Internal | 2, up to 340 mm cards are supported |
| Cooling | Front | 2 × 120 mm or 2 × 140 mm |
| Rear | – | |
| Top | 3 × 120 mm | |
| Middle | – | |
| Bottom | – | |
| Radiator Support | Front | – |
| Rear | – | |
| Top | 1 × 360 mm | |
| Middle | – | |
| Bottom | – | |
| I/O Port | 1 × USB-C 3.1 2 × USB 3.0 1 × Headphone 1 × Mic |
|
| Power Supply Size | Up to 230 mm | |
| Dimensions | W: 203 mm × H: 508 mm × D: 550 mm | |
| Colors | Grey | |
| Features | Glass front and side panels | |
| Price | $399.99 | |
As the PC-O12 case from Lian Li belongs to its premium O-series family, the PSU and HDD/SSD mounts are equipped with rubber vibration dampers to reduce vibration and noise, whereas the bottom panel features removable mesh dust filters.
The Lian Li PC-O12 is destined for Newegg, at $399.99. Going forward, the computer case will be available in other stores in different regions, but exact MSRPs are unknown.
Related Reading:
Lian Li has started to sell its new PC-O12 chassis for high-performance gaming desktops. The new mid-tower computer case from the company has an unorthodox construction that allows fitting in motherboards that are in the E-ATX form-factor, as well as two vertically mounted graphics cards and up to eight storage devices in a 2.5-inch form-factor. Despite the focus on the premium aspect of the design, a peculiarity of the PC-O12 case design is that liquid cooling is designed to only be used on the CPU, and it supports no more than two add-in cards.
Following the latest trends in PC building, the Lian Li PC-O12 has multiple compartments for different kinds of components as well as multiple windows made of tempered glass for everyone to see what is inside. With its new chassis, Lian Li decided to go above and beyond with the number of chambers: one houses the motherboard, another accommodates up to two vertically mounted graphics cards and the third one is where the PSU (up to 230 mm) and up to eight storage devices live. Three compartments in case of the Lian Li PC-O12 help to spread out multiple heat sources across the chassis, which somewhat simplifies cooling. What is important is that despite the triple-chamber design, the mid-tower case is not too wide for tall CPU coolers.
Like many contemporary PC cases, the PC-O12 can accommodate motherboards in the Micro-ATX, ATX and E-ATX form-factors. Meanwhile, graphics cards have to be installed vertically using riser cables into a different compartment simply because there is no space for add-in boards in the primary one. A good news is that length of the graphics cards does not matter for the PC-O12 — everything up to 340 mm (and possibly longer) is supported, but this configuration naturally poses a challenge for users who use add-in cards besides graphics adapters. Moreover, if two video cards are used, it is impossible to install a high-end audio board or any other card – only two AIBs can be installed into the PC-O12.
Yet another challenge presented by the relatively thin dual/triple-compartment design is cooling. The maximum height of the CPU cooler supported by the Lian Li PC-O12 is 75 mm, which means that for CPUs from the higher end of the product stack only liquid cooling can be used since all advanced air coolers are higher than 100 mm (Scythe’s Big Shuriken 2 is an exception, but it is unclear how well it is going to handle chips with TDP of well over 100 W). Meanwhile, there is a special compartment for a 360-mm LCS radiator on top of the chassis (which can also be used to install three 120-mm fans) as well as frames to install two 120-/140-mm fans for air intake on the front panel.
| Lian Li PC-O12 | ||
| Motherboard Size | ATX, E-ATX, Micro-ATX | |
| Drive Bays | External | – |
| Internal | 4 × 3.5″ and 4 × 2.5″ | |
| AIB Bays | Internal | 2, up to 340 mm cards are supported |
| Cooling | Front | 2 × 120 mm or 2 × 140 mm |
| Rear | – | |
| Top | 3 × 120 mm | |
| Middle | – | |
| Bottom | – | |
| Radiator Support | Front | – |
| Rear | – | |
| Top | 1 × 360 mm | |
| Middle | – | |
| Bottom | – | |
| I/O Port | 1 × USB-C 3.1 2 × USB 3.0 1 × Headphone 1 × Mic |
|
| Power Supply Size | Up to 230 mm | |
| Dimensions | W: 203 mm × H: 508 mm × D: 550 mm | |
| Colors | Grey | |
| Features | Glass front and side panels | |
| Price | $399.99 | |
As the PC-O12 case from Lian Li belongs to its premium O-series family, the PSU and HDD/SSD mounts are equipped with rubber vibration dampers to reduce vibration and noise, whereas the bottom panel features removable mesh dust filters.
The Lian Li PC-O12 is destined for Newegg, at $399.99. Going forward, the computer case will be available in other stores in different regions, but exact MSRPs are unknown.
Related Reading:
Lian Li has started to sell its new PC-O12 chassis for high-performance gaming desktops. The new mid-tower computer case from the company has an unorthodox construction that allows fitting in motherboards that are in the E-ATX form-factor, as well as two vertically mounted graphics cards and up to eight storage devices in a 2.5-inch form-factor. Despite the focus on the premium aspect of the design, a peculiarity of the PC-O12 case design is that liquid cooling is designed to only be used on the CPU, and it supports no more than two add-in cards.
Following the latest trends in PC building, the Lian Li PC-O12 has multiple compartments for different kinds of components as well as multiple windows made of tempered glass for everyone to see what is inside. With its new chassis, Lian Li decided to go above and beyond with the number of chambers: one houses the motherboard, another accommodates up to two vertically mounted graphics cards and the third one is where the PSU (up to 230 mm) and up to eight storage devices live. Three compartments in case of the Lian Li PC-O12 help to spread out multiple heat sources across the chassis, which somewhat simplifies cooling. What is important is that despite the triple-chamber design, the mid-tower case is not too wide for tall CPU coolers.
Like many contemporary PC cases, the PC-O12 can accommodate motherboards in the Micro-ATX, ATX and E-ATX form-factors. Meanwhile, graphics cards have to be installed vertically using riser cables into a different compartment simply because there is no space for add-in boards in the primary one. A good news is that length of the graphics cards does not matter for the PC-O12 — everything up to 340 mm (and possibly longer) is supported, but this configuration naturally poses a challenge for users who use add-in cards besides graphics adapters. Moreover, if two video cards are used, it is impossible to install a high-end audio board or any other card – only two AIBs can be installed into the PC-O12.
Yet another challenge presented by the relatively thin dual/triple-compartment design is cooling. The maximum height of the CPU cooler supported by the Lian Li PC-O12 is 75 mm, which means that for CPUs from the higher end of the product stack only liquid cooling can be used since all advanced air coolers are higher than 100 mm (Scythe’s Big Shuriken 2 is an exception, but it is unclear how well it is going to handle chips with TDP of well over 100 W). Meanwhile, there is a special compartment for a 360-mm LCS radiator on top of the chassis (which can also be used to install three 120-mm fans) as well as frames to install two 120-/140-mm fans for air intake on the front panel.
| Lian Li PC-O12 | ||
| Motherboard Size | ATX, E-ATX, Micro-ATX | |
| Drive Bays | External | – |
| Internal | 4 × 3.5″ and 4 × 2.5″ | |
| AIB Bays | Internal | 2, up to 340 mm cards are supported |
| Cooling | Front | 2 × 120 mm or 2 × 140 mm |
| Rear | – | |
| Top | 3 × 120 mm | |
| Middle | – | |
| Bottom | – | |
| Radiator Support | Front | – |
| Rear | – | |
| Top | 1 × 360 mm | |
| Middle | – | |
| Bottom | – | |
| I/O Port | 1 × USB-C 3.1 2 × USB 3.0 1 × Headphone 1 × Mic |
|
| Power Supply Size | Up to 230 mm | |
| Dimensions | W: 203 mm × H: 508 mm × D: 550 mm | |
| Colors | Grey | |
| Features | Glass front and side panels | |
| Price | $399.99 | |
As the PC-O12 case from Lian Li belongs to its premium O-series family, the PSU and HDD/SSD mounts are equipped with rubber vibration dampers to reduce vibration and noise, whereas the bottom panel features removable mesh dust filters.
The Lian Li PC-O12 is destined for Newegg, at $399.99. Going forward, the computer case will be available in other stores in different regions, but exact MSRPs are unknown.
Related Reading:
Lian Li has introduced its new chassis for advanced desktops, the PC-O11WGX. The company’s latest case has two chambers for more efficient cooling, is compatible with motherboards in the E-ATX form-factor, can fit in nine storage devices in drive form-factor, three 360-mm radiators and has a USB 3.1 Type-C header on its front panel. Stylistically, the case comes with a front panel featuring ASUS ROG stylings, which means incorporating Mayan patterns. Being aimed at modders and overclockers, the Lian Li PC-O11WGX is everything but affordable.
The Lian Li PC-O11 WGX chassis follows the latest trends in PC building and is designed to be suitable for highly-modded systems while also being very efficient in terms of cooling and compatibility. On the outside, the case has two panels made of tempered glass, exposing the key components of the computer. Inside, like many other contemporary PC cases, the PC-O11WGX uses a two-chamber design: one of the compartments housing the motherboard, graphics card, memory, and cooling, another accommodating the power supply, cables, along with nine HDDs and/or SSDs.
The new case from Lian Li can fit in a motherboard in ATX, E-ATX, Mini-ITX and Micro-ATX form-factors with up to eight add-in cards. Moreover, for those who like to see/expose their graphics cards, Lian Li supplies a special riser cable to install the graphics card vertically. The maximum length of the graphics card is 430 mm, so, not only single-GPU, but dual-GPU boards are supported with plenty of space left. Meanwhile, the maximum height of the CPU cooling system is 150 mm, so not all mega-coolers can fit in (e.g., Thermalright’s Archon IB-E X2 cannot).
Speaking of cooling, Lian Li built the PC-O11 WGX primarily with liquid cooling in mind: the chassis has space for three 360-mm radiators for closed-loop or custom liquid coolers, enabling its owner to build a gaming system with a HEDT CPU, a couple of graphics cards, and then cool each of those components using its own LCS (or build one LCS with three radiators if necessary). To provide enough power for everything, the case can accommodate a PSU that is up to 430 mm long.
Since we are talking about a high-end chassis, the PSU and HDD/SSD mounts are equipped with rubber vibration dampers, whereas the top and bottom panels are equipped with mesh dust filters (unclear whether they are removable though).
| Lian Li PC-O11WGX | ||
| Motherboard Size | ATX, E-ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX | |
| Drive Bays | External | – |
| Internal | 4 × 3.5″ and 4 × 2.5″ | |
| Cooling | Front | 3 × 120 mm/1 × 360 mm |
| Rear | 2 × 80 mm | |
| Top | 2 × 120 mm | |
| Middle | – | |
| Bottom | 3 × 120 mm | |
| Radiator Support | Front | – |
| Rear | – | |
| Top | 1 × 360 mm | |
| Middle | 2 × 360 mm | |
| Bottom | – | |
| I/O Port | 1 × USB-c 3.1, 2 × USB 3.0, 1 × Headphone, 1 × Mic | |
| Power Supply Size | Up to 430 mm | |
| Dimensions | W: 277 mm × H: 506 mm × D: 457 mm | |
| Colors | Grey | |
| Features | Glass front and side panels | |
| Price | $319 | |
Lian Li says that ASUS has certified the case, guaranteeing that all the ROG-family components will fit in and will work flawlessly. This is not the first ROG-certified chassis from Lian Li – and arguably it’s more of a co-branding exercise than any kind of stringent technical qualification – but the additional styling and verification from ASUS engineers never hurts.
The Lian Li PC-O11WGX computer chassis will be available in North America in mid-May for $319. The price of the case is rather high, but since we are dealing with a top-of-the-range product aimed at modders and performance enthusiasts, it is not surprising.
Related Reading: