Case Choice (Lian-Li vs Kingwin)....

[Eli]

I have narrowed down my case choice between a Lian-Li PC65b and the
Kingwin KT-424...

Both look like fantastic cases (Matter of fact they look like the same
case externally) and I don't think I could go wrong with either...
Assuming I can get them at the same price, does anyone have an opinion
on either?


Thanks All...


Eli

 

[WooduCoodu]

i have the lian li pc60b and it's a great case but i think the kingwin edges
it out by just a hair and it's cheaper. with the shock absorbing drive
mounts and no top blowhole fan it will be quieter than the lian li. also, i
like the arrangement of the front fans and hard drives better and it has a
front firewire port where the lian li just has USB.

 

[Eli]

That is some great insight, Thanks! Since the Kingwin does not have
the blow hole, does that mean it will run hotter?

 

[WooduCoodu]

i doubt you'd ever notice a difference in temperature, 3 case fans and a PSU
fan is plenty of ventilation.

 

[Stephen Spark]

I have narrowed down my case choice between a Lian-Li PC65b and the
Kingwin KT-424...

Both look like fantastic cases (Matter of fact they look like the same
case externally) and I don't think I could go wrong with either...
Assuming I can get them at the same price, does anyone have an opinion
on either?


Thanks All...


Eli

I like my Lian-Li PC65, I installed their EX-10 input/output panel
http://www.lian-li.com/product.php?action=viewPD&prdid=427 which
brought the firewire, 2 more USB, gameport, PS2 mouse (?) and audio
conections to the front. The EX-10 is only available in brushed
alliuminum though.
I just recieved the new C-01 CD drive bezel
http://www.lian-li.com/product.php?action=viewPD&prdid=1112 and the
F-01 floppy bezel
http://www.lian-li.com/product.php?action=viewPD&prdid=1114 both
available in black as well. They are both made of the same brushed
alliuminum as the front of my case. They attatch to the front of the
case and fit over the drives with push buttons that will activate the
drives buttons. The CDRom bezel has a spring loaded door that folds
down when the drives tray slides out and up when the tray closes.
They look like they will work with any drive. The pictures on the web
site don't do the bezels any justice at all.
According to the labels, they are only siutable for Lian-Li cases so
I doubt if they'll work on the Kingwin.
The only problem I found was the CDRom bezel is a little plain
looking, a small case badge will dress it up nicely though.
These accessories are well worth the price and make my case look
professionally built.
Stephen Spark

 

[Eli]

Anyone have the please of comparing the inside quality build of these cases?

 

[Tonerhead]

Anyone have the please of comparing the inside quality build of these cases?

Greetings.

I have the kingwin case. Overall I am happy with the purchase.
BTW, the case was made by beantech (first shipped in March '03)
and is rebadged by Kingwin.

Pros:
1. Relatively inexpensive
2. Removable mother board tray
3. Solid construction overall and the case has no vibration

Cons:
1. Questionable build quality, mostly along the edges
of the side panels.
2. The clip type locking sliders for the internal
bays are a *major* pain.
3. Front case fans make some strange gurgling noises.
4. Power supply support can be better.
5. No top exhaust fan.
6. No removable drive cage
7. Kingwin does not sell front bezels etc.

If I have to make a case purchase again, I will probably get
the Cooler Master Black Widow.

 

[WooduCoodu]

i'd call the no fan on top a pro rather than a con same for the no removable
drive cage and the "major pain" clips for a quietness perspective. as for
the fans i'd replace them with some quiet fans like panaflo and if you
really don't want to hear them attach them with EAR fan mounts.

http://www.earsc.com/fantechniques.asp

by the way do the front fans on the kinq win plug into the fan controller
with regular 3pin connectors or are they hard wired?

 

[Eli]

Thanks All for all the replies! I ended up going with the Kingwin,
which I just received today ....

So far I am majorly impressed... I think the build quality is sweet
but have yet to see it in operation. I will be assembling this
weekend.

I have never seen the Lian-Li so I can't compare, but at this point am
very happy....


Eli

 

[Tonerhead]

WooduCoodu, I think the front fans have a connector.
The front usb sockets simply work. The firewire cable is another
story - it cannot be attached to the internal header
w/o mods. I may consider replacing the front case fans
in the future.

Eli, it is a sweet case for the money, I really dislike
the clip-slider-lock thingy but this may not bother
other people. BTW, save all the screws.

The case as well as the one shipped by BeanTech has been praised
by many hardware review sites.

I don't like top exhaust fan that much myself. But the top drive
bays do get warm. And I like the arrangement of the Cooler Master
Black Widow, but I find side windows are distracting.

BTW - I have a asus p4p800 motherboard and there is plenty of
room for deep 5.25 (should it be 5.75) inch devices
such as a disk cooler enclosure.

 

[Eli]

I am finding the only thing I don't like about it so far is the exact
thing you point out, the front firewire port cannot be attached to the
internal header of my mobo.... Where can I find the necessary tools to
mod this cable? (Single pin header connector)....

Other than that.... So far so good...

Eli

 

[Tonerhead]

Eli, I am glad that you like the case.
It is a lot of bang for the bucks.

I thought about getting either a connector that I can
salvage from other MB or wiring it myself.

Given that my next firewire device will be 800 Mbits,
I do not plan to do anything although frontx.com
(I have never dealt with them) and some other vendors
may stock them. Or maybe we can contact KW.

BTW, please let me know how that goes, TIA.

I only have one firewire device and it is connected
to the back plane. I do worry about the screws
as they are showing some wear and tear by my clumsy
handling.