Massive Difference: New vs. Old Lian Li O11 Air Mini Case Review
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Date: 2021-11-01
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Comments and reviews: 10
4D4MS
I do like this case, i just fear i wont be able to actually fill it despite it being small! Think it would look odd without 2x rads for example. I normally go for a 240 AIO and 2x fans for airflow. This would likely mean AIO on the top (best spot) and 2x fan front, another extra on the exhaust. But then what for the right of motherboard? Just would be a blank space unless i put even more fans at that point. Seems like overkill even in my restricted NZXT h500i (the old one with no airflow) i still have perfectly fine temps with a 240 aio + 2 case fans. The size and looks for this are so good though, and it looks awesome for the price. This new design to me at least is near perfection. I would still rather a test bench inside basically a clip on cover though so i could basically take all sides off leaving test bench for easy cleaning and access. But this case is good enough for a compromise and price. I just wish they removed that plate that blocks access to back of motherboard on this case for when you want to change the cooler. I'd probably just end up taking the grinder to it.
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I do like this case, i just fear i wont be able to actually fill it despite it being small! Think it would look odd without 2x rads for example. I normally go for a 240 AIO and 2x fans for airflow. This would likely mean AIO on the top (best spot) and 2x fan front, another extra on the exhaust. But then what for the right of motherboard? Just would be a blank space unless i put even more fans at that point. Seems like overkill even in my restricted NZXT h500i (the old one with no airflow) i still have perfectly fine temps with a 240 aio + 2 case fans. The size and looks for this are so good though, and it looks awesome for the price. This new design to me at least is near perfection. I would still rather a test bench inside basically a clip on cover though so i could basically take all sides off leaving test bench for easy cleaning and access. But this case is good enough for a compromise and price. I just wish they removed that plate that blocks access to back of motherboard on this case for when you want to change the cooler. I'd probably just end up taking the grinder to it.
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Silly-Weakness
It turned out to be really interesting, being able to see the comparison between the old and new panels. I'd imagine the lack of GPU temp improvement with the bottom fan might have something do with the restrictive nylon mesh filter in addition to the limited access to air. It would have been cool to see one of the front fans moved to the top, right above the CPU cooler. That would contrast the intended positive pressure setup with a negative setup using the same fans. Comparing negative and positive pressure arrangements, in a case that can sensibly be configured either way with its stock fans, might be something you could delve into in a future video.
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It turned out to be really interesting, being able to see the comparison between the old and new panels. I'd imagine the lack of GPU temp improvement with the bottom fan might have something do with the restrictive nylon mesh filter in addition to the limited access to air. It would have been cool to see one of the front fans moved to the top, right above the CPU cooler. That would contrast the intended positive pressure setup with a negative setup using the same fans. Comparing negative and positive pressure arrangements, in a case that can sensibly be configured either way with its stock fans, might be something you could delve into in a future video.
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Thierry
I don't consider my O11 Mini as an ITX case, but as a reasonably small chassis for whatever Mobo I have now, and whatever I'll be upgrading to in the foreseeable future. This could be ITX, mATX or full ATX, whatever will be the most efficient when it comes out. As for stock cooling charts, I don't believe many enthousiasts like us will just use the stock fans. I bought two Arctic P12 value packs and with the 10 fans running as low as 35% or 750rpm (barely audible) the case is perfectly cool. Stock fans to me are just an unnecessary price increase only good for stock benchmarks.
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I don't consider my O11 Mini as an ITX case, but as a reasonably small chassis for whatever Mobo I have now, and whatever I'll be upgrading to in the foreseeable future. This could be ITX, mATX or full ATX, whatever will be the most efficient when it comes out. As for stock cooling charts, I don't believe many enthousiasts like us will just use the stock fans. I bought two Arctic P12 value packs and with the 10 fans running as low as 35% or 750rpm (barely audible) the case is perfectly cool. Stock fans to me are just an unnecessary price increase only good for stock benchmarks.
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Lishtenbird
For me, O11 Mini was a rare niche product that precisely matched my use (hah) case: after an upgrade, repurposing an older ATX system into a smaller-than-usual box which would fit inside a storage system at home. CoolerMaster's Q500L was a poor option for obvious reasons, and while the original Mini has aesthetics, the Air one adds more flexibility for building similar repurposed systems that could still be of use to people even after their role as the main machine has passed, so I definitely see this as a welcome lineup expansion.
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For me, O11 Mini was a rare niche product that precisely matched my use (hah) case: after an upgrade, repurposing an older ATX system into a smaller-than-usual box which would fit inside a storage system at home. CoolerMaster's Q500L was a poor option for obvious reasons, and while the original Mini has aesthetics, the Air one adds more flexibility for building similar repurposed systems that could still be of use to people even after their role as the main machine has passed, so I definitely see this as a welcome lineup expansion.
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Ezra
Choosing between this and the Torrent. Has the latter been tested with Snowflake jumping up to sit on it and then jumping off? The sealed top looks great for keeping dander out but I'm concerned about it being top-heavy enough for a 16lb cat (mine, not Snowflake) to topple compared to this one that still has bottom intake but the PSU is still on the bottom plus it's much wider vs its height (although propping it up to make the bottom intake usable short of gluing it to wood might reduce its cat-proof physics).
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Choosing between this and the Torrent. Has the latter been tested with Snowflake jumping up to sit on it and then jumping off? The sealed top looks great for keeping dander out but I'm concerned about it being top-heavy enough for a 16lb cat (mine, not Snowflake) to topple compared to this one that still has bottom intake but the PSU is still on the bottom plus it's much wider vs its height (although propping it up to make the bottom intake usable short of gluing it to wood might reduce its cat-proof physics).
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kotekzot
It would have been great to see GPU thermals with the case raised a few centimeters with small supports under the legs, since you talked about the height from the surface a lot.
Don't get me wrong, you're by far the best when it comes to reviews & testing, your meticulous methodology and extensive test suite are great, but when it's a relatively simple thing to test, I'd love to see how much of a difference fixing a problem like the case sitting too low would make.
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It would have been great to see GPU thermals with the case raised a few centimeters with small supports under the legs, since you talked about the height from the surface a lot.
Don't get me wrong, you're by far the best when it comes to reviews & testing, your meticulous methodology and extensive test suite are great, but when it's a relatively simple thing to test, I'd love to see how much of a difference fixing a problem like the case sitting too low would make.
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Kin
I have a Lian Li Lancool 2 Mesh Performance case I got off of the chart you guys use. The holes it has are indeed circular lol. I'd bet a testicle that someone in Lian Li's supply chain did notice the defect but that by the time they got word of it it was too late to have it corrected so they stayed quiet and hoped for the best. Then quality control found out, sent it up the chain, found the cause, and are now fixing it before it gets out.
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I have a Lian Li Lancool 2 Mesh Performance case I got off of the chart you guys use. The holes it has are indeed circular lol. I'd bet a testicle that someone in Lian Li's supply chain did notice the defect but that by the time they got word of it it was too late to have it corrected so they stayed quiet and hoped for the best. Then quality control found out, sent it up the chain, found the cause, and are now fixing it before it gets out.
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Schild0r
The product page says that the case won't fit a 280mm rad in mATX configuration. Can you comment on this? Will the radiator interfere with the motherboard or will it just be hard to get things wired up with a 280 and mATX motherboard (if I put a rad in the bottom, I will probably 3d print some new feet or extensions so that there is more air beneath the case)
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The product page says that the case won't fit a 280mm rad in mATX configuration. Can you comment on this? Will the radiator interfere with the motherboard or will it just be hard to get things wired up with a 280 and mATX motherboard (if I put a rad in the bottom, I will probably 3d print some new feet or extensions so that there is more air beneath the case)
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Aljosa
Hey Steve, could we get a video / review or just your general thoughts going over two of the test benches that are commonly used and I believe you have...that being the Open Test Bench and the Top Deck Tech Station. I've been back and forth between both for a fun open air gaming rig, and would be curious to hear your take on both as someone who has experience.
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Hey Steve, could we get a video / review or just your general thoughts going over two of the test benches that are commonly used and I believe you have...that being the Open Test Bench and the Top Deck Tech Station. I've been back and forth between both for a fun open air gaming rig, and would be curious to hear your take on both as someone who has experience.
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Gungrave123
GPU temps in the original O11 Dynamic are also awful.
Same with CPU temps unless you overpower it with large rads and liquid cooling.
Overall, the whole line is underwhelming at best.
The build quality is also not great on the original, putting back the top panel is a nightmare if you are using the top bracket for either fans or a rad.
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GPU temps in the original O11 Dynamic are also awful.
Same with CPU temps unless you overpower it with large rads and liquid cooling.
Overall, the whole line is underwhelming at best.
The build quality is also not great on the original, putting back the top panel is a nightmare if you are using the top bracket for either fans or a rad.
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