Lian Li G70 v PC75

[AstralWanderer]

Following Phil's recent posts on the Lian-Li G70, I have been looking at the differences between these two cases in order to determine their respective benefits. Specifically I have drawn up the following from the Hampton-Technologies Lian-Li page which seemed to be the most detailed in terms of specs, but I would be interested in others' feedback as to pros and cons also:

PC75 Advantages:

• Larger - has a depth of 640mm compared to 588mm for the G70;
• Drive bays - has room for 15 compared to 14 for the G70.

G70 Advantages:

• Has mountings for 120mm fans rather than 80mm;
• Has adjustable side fan and fan duct.

On equal footing:

• Motherboard size - both can accommodate Extended-ATX (up to 12x13 inches);
• Motherboard mounting - both mount to the right requiring the motherboard to be upside down. This could result in the CPU being at the top with some motherboards (e.g. Tyan Thunder K8WE) which would make phase-change cooling more challenging.
• Ports - both offer USB ports (at the top for the G70, at the bottom front for the PC75). The G70 offers firewire and speaker connections also - I've not found anything to indicate whether these are available for the PC75.

At the moment, I'm tending more towards PC75 since I would prefer front-mounted ports (the top-mounted ones on the G70 would seem to be a dust-magnet) and having them at the bottom would seem less of a problem if the case is going atop a Prometeia. Case cooling and fan size should be a lesser concern if using phase-change/water-cooling to handle the main heat sources.

Cosmetically, I do prefer the front grille of the PC75 over the G70's row of holes and Lian-Li logo (which look rather naff in my view). The G70's corners do look better but presumably require some redesign for a matching Prometeia case.

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

Both cases are excellent value for money - in terms of quality and design. I would probably lean towards the 75 for ease of use with watercooling. Regards phase change implementation in my mind it makes little difference, both cases will present their own challenges.

You forgot to add that the G70 has room for two power supplies.

I prefer the 120mm fan mounts on the G70 and it is easier to anodise from my point of view, but the old 75 has life in left in her yet.

 

[AstralWanderer]

Thanks for the note Phil. I presume that two power supplies would make sense for those running heavy watercooling/TEC setups needing extra juice - or maybe hex-SLI.

Can the ports on the front of the PC75 be adjusted (e.g. to replace 4 USB with 2 USB, Firewire and speaker sockets) or is 4 USB all that can be accommodated?

 

[nick25]

Hi, sorry can I just ask - with the new G70 can you use the top power supply bay if you have a tripple rad up the top? Is it harder to hide the cables if using a power supply in the bottom bay?

Is the side 120mm fan designed as an intake or exhaust? Although I assume you can swap the fan around depending on what suits?

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

Can the ports on the front of the PC75 be adjusted (e.g. to replace 4 USB with 2 USB, Firewire and speaker sockets) or is 4 USB all that can be accommodated?

They cant be adjusted, they provide you with the fittings for 4 x USB 2.0.

 

[Phil Stanbridge]

Hi, sorry can I just ask - with the new G70 can you use the top power supply bay if you have a tripple rad up the top? Is it harder to hide the cables if using a power supply in the bottom bay?

Is the side 120mm fan designed as an intake or exhaust? Although I assume you can swap the fan around depending on what suits?

You cannot use a psu in the top cage if you have a 120.3 or equivalent installed. The G70 is slightly smaller than the 70/75 in that respect.

You can actually cable manage, the case comes with a PCI bracket - this allows you to support the pci/pcie cards and to manage the flow of the cables. Other than this you could use a modular power supply. Or you could just be very clever with the current cables. There are ways and means.

The fan can be intake or exhaust depending on your preference.