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The Perfect computer case ?

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First post, by Intel486dx33

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I hate working with old cheap computer cases made of sheet metal with sharp and jagged edges that will cut you
At the slightest mishap. Card Slots that don’t aligh, drive bays that don’t work, and cheap electronics and buttons.

That is why I love working with these Aluminim cases whether Lian Li, Cooler Master, Flower, Kingwin, etc.
I just find these Aluminum cases superior to sheet metal cases. They are better designed, engineered, don’t have sharp edges that will cut you and the electronics are better.

For example these “Lian Li” cases have electronic wires and switches that are common and if you ever need to replace them they can be found new on eBay for cheap.
Replacement screws and accessories can be easily found on eBay.
Lian Li has been making computer cases since 1983.

History:
Lian Li Industrial Co., Ltd was founded in 1983, and is based in Keelung, Taiwan.

These computer case have large cavities so they can fit large motherboards and cards.
They are great for large 486 VLB motherboards with large cards.
I know they are not period correct but if you are more concerned about your electronics and drives then
These large aluminum cases are not a bad option.
They are of high quality build for a computer case.
And every component just seems to fit without any fuss.
Thumb nail screws and almost a tool less case.

Simple, big, well thought out and easy to work in.

I think these are the perfect cases for old motherboards and card which require an BIG case.

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Last edited by Intel486dx33 on 2019-03-03, 17:42. Edited 5 times in total.

Reply 1 of 38, by Intel486dx33

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Reply 2 of 38, by Intel486dx33

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Reply 3 of 38, by Intel486dx33

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Reply 4 of 38, by Intel486dx33

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Reply 5 of 38, by bofh.fromhell

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I like Lian' Li's, in fact I have a PC6070 in perfect condition.
But i dont think they are especially great cases to build in.
They tend to leave room where you dont need it and yet manage to be cramped where you do need space.

They were pretty good 20 years ago compared to the competition.
But the rest caught up and passed them.

But being a retrophile was never about living the easy life =)
So Lian Li's are absolutely up there when it comes to retro cases.
And ofc they look awesome.

Reply 6 of 38, by tannerstevo

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How about this one? 🤣

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Reply 8 of 38, by detritus olentus

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Can you really consider a computer case to truly be yours before it has been baptised with the blood of your fingers?

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https://archive.org/details/@detritus_olentus
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Reply 9 of 38, by SW-SSG

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tannerstevo wrote:

How about this one? 🤣

Can't mention oddball Lian-Li cases without mentioning the PC-CK101.
(Yes, it really is supposed to move back and forth like that... with a PC in it...)

Reply 10 of 38, by Intel486dx33

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Oh, I forgot to mention the 20th aniversity Lian LI snail case
“Lian Li pc-777b snail“
It is Really BIG and Tall and heavy and has lots of room. You could probably put some BIG speakers in it and an amp too.

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Last edited by Intel486dx33 on 2019-03-04, 11:09. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 12 of 38, by wiretap

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Don't forget about Windy Soldam cases.. they were a Japanese market case that were pretty hard to get -- offering better quality than Lian Li / Silverstone. You can still find them on Japanese Yahoo auctions, usually $250+ after brokerage and middle man fees. I always wanted one but could never figure out how to buy when I was younger (originally had to have a JAP bank account to pay).. maybe I'll try to get one in the near future. 😎

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Circuit Board Repair Manuals

Reply 14 of 38, by LunarG

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OMG!! Those Windy cases are gorgeous!! I love the anodized internals. Imagine the white one with the purple interior... *Swoon*

WinXP : PIII 1.4GHz, 512MB RAM, 73GB SCSI HDD, Matrox Parhelia, SB Audigy 2.
Win98se : K6-3+ 500MHz, 256MB RAM, 80GB HDD, Matrox Millennium G400 MAX, Voodoo 2, SW1000XG.
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Reply 15 of 38, by Anonymous Coward

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Inwin S500, A500, H500. Not perfect, but I think they're great.
I like the older ones that don't have the extra goodies like the front mounted USB ports. The quality on the newer ones slipped a little.

s500.jpg

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V'Ger XT|Upgraded AT|Ultimate 386|Super VL/EISA 486|SMP VL/EISA Pentium

Reply 16 of 38, by zerodiagonal

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I don't have much love for cases (nor HDD for that matter) so I'd rather go for functionality over authenticity. But since I got a Zenith Z-Station for 2 freaking euros and made it a dedicated DOS rig, I've grown to appreciate it. I can't probably fit more modern builds on them but I'd love to uniformize all my machines under the same aesthetics. I've considered server racks, IKEA hacks but for now I've just resigned to accept all the generic beige boxes I keep...

Reply 17 of 38, by Intel486dx33

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Anonymous Coward wrote:
Inwin S500, A500, H500. Not perfect, but I think they're great. I like the older ones that don't have the extra goodies like th […]
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Inwin S500, A500, H500. Not perfect, but I think they're great.
I like the older ones that don't have the extra goodies like the front mounted USB ports. The quality on the newer ones slipped a little.

s500.jpg

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Hey, I use to have one of those and I really liked it back late 1990’s
I think I had a Abit BH6 motherboard and P2-400mhz. CPU, and 128mb ram. And two hard-drives.

Reply 18 of 38, by Intel486dx33

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treeman wrote:

Ipad is the perfect computer so probably some kind of waterproof rubber case 🤣

Yes, I am going to hookup a Bluetooth adapter to my computer and then use my iPad to stream music to my sound card and also use teamviewer or Microsoft remote app to remotely control my computer.

Reply 19 of 38, by Intel486dx33

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zerodiagonal wrote:

I don't have much love for cases (nor HDD for that matter) so I'd rather go for functionality over authenticity. But since I got a Zenith Z-Station for 2 freaking euros and made it a dedicated DOS rig, I've grown to appreciate it. I can't probably fit more modern builds on them but I'd love to uniformize all my machines under the same aesthetics. I've considered server racks, IKEA hacks but for now I've just resigned to accept all the generic beige boxes I keep...

That’s why I like these Lian Li cases because they have lots of room for expansion and large drives and cards.
I am building a 486 VLB system in one now and everything barely fits.
I can’t imagine using and old AT case. The components would not fit.
I remember I use to have to hackup and old AT cases with a saws all and sheet metal shears just to get large motherboards to fit.
That was a real nightmare and dangerous.

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Last edited by Intel486dx33 on 2019-03-04, 15:15. Edited 1 time in total.