- Joined
- Mar 28, 2003
So I finally replaced my Lian Li V1000B HAXOR case with a Lian Li PC-O8WX that I was able to snag off of eBay for a great price (think sub $100).
I have always admired cube cases, and finding one by Lian Li that is this good looking for such a great deal was exciting. The case appears to be a display model, judging by the small scuffs on the edges, the enermax RGB fans, and the miscellaneous hardware missing.
Comparing this 2016 top of the line Lian-Li case, to the 2005 top of the line Lian-Li case, the Lian Li quality really seams to have degraded over time. My V1000B was $250 new back in 2005, and this PC-08 was $399 new in 2016.
The frame, base, and ceiling of the case appear to be powder coated or maybe even painted aluminum. It definitely is not anodized like the side panels are.
That along with the aluminum panels being made of thinner metal than used on the V1000. I would understand the top panel being the thinner material, but the rest of the case just seems like they cheaped out. The V1000's side panels are at least 3mm thick, with the newer panels being more around 2.2mm thick, which makes more of a difference in rigidity than you might think. The aluminum panels flex when being removed, as this is a tool less case design.
Not only that, but the rear expansion slot covers look like cheap metal and are flimsy compared to the solid chromed/polished steel ones that were included in their previous cases.
Looking at the screw holes for the expansion slots, Lian Li simply tapped the aluminum, rather than using a stainless threaded insert for these threads. I foresee these getting stripped out down the road.
Something that seems odd about the material coatings, is that it is not consistent. While the frame is the powder coated/painted black aluminum and the exterior panels brushed and anodized, you would think that everything else in the interior would be powder coated/painted black as well, This is not the case. The side intake removable dust filter frame, the hard drive cage/rear fan mount, and the upper fan/radiator mount are all made of brushed/anodized aluminum., and then the upper removable dust filter has a plastic frame. Very inconsistent with the finish. I am used to Lian Li taking more attention to detail, and having more consistency, than this...
The case is heavier than the V1000, but that is thanks to the 5mm tempered glass side and front panel. It makes me wonder how much lighter the PC-O9 is, in person.
Has anyone else noticed the Lian Li quality dropping over time, as well?
These things don't keep me from using the case, as it is still a very beautiful piece, from Lian Li. However, it will not be like my V1000B, where I had a hard time parting with it, and not wanting anything else for 13 years.
I have always admired cube cases, and finding one by Lian Li that is this good looking for such a great deal was exciting. The case appears to be a display model, judging by the small scuffs on the edges, the enermax RGB fans, and the miscellaneous hardware missing.
Comparing this 2016 top of the line Lian-Li case, to the 2005 top of the line Lian-Li case, the Lian Li quality really seams to have degraded over time. My V1000B was $250 new back in 2005, and this PC-08 was $399 new in 2016.
The frame, base, and ceiling of the case appear to be powder coated or maybe even painted aluminum. It definitely is not anodized like the side panels are.
That along with the aluminum panels being made of thinner metal than used on the V1000. I would understand the top panel being the thinner material, but the rest of the case just seems like they cheaped out. The V1000's side panels are at least 3mm thick, with the newer panels being more around 2.2mm thick, which makes more of a difference in rigidity than you might think. The aluminum panels flex when being removed, as this is a tool less case design.
Not only that, but the rear expansion slot covers look like cheap metal and are flimsy compared to the solid chromed/polished steel ones that were included in their previous cases.
Looking at the screw holes for the expansion slots, Lian Li simply tapped the aluminum, rather than using a stainless threaded insert for these threads. I foresee these getting stripped out down the road.
Something that seems odd about the material coatings, is that it is not consistent. While the frame is the powder coated/painted black aluminum and the exterior panels brushed and anodized, you would think that everything else in the interior would be powder coated/painted black as well, This is not the case. The side intake removable dust filter frame, the hard drive cage/rear fan mount, and the upper fan/radiator mount are all made of brushed/anodized aluminum., and then the upper removable dust filter has a plastic frame. Very inconsistent with the finish. I am used to Lian Li taking more attention to detail, and having more consistency, than this...
The case is heavier than the V1000, but that is thanks to the 5mm tempered glass side and front panel. It makes me wonder how much lighter the PC-O9 is, in person.
Has anyone else noticed the Lian Li quality dropping over time, as well?
These things don't keep me from using the case, as it is still a very beautiful piece, from Lian Li. However, it will not be like my V1000B, where I had a hard time parting with it, and not wanting anything else for 13 years.
