Lian Li PC-X500B Vs. MM Pinnacle 18

[Cutless009]

So Ive measured it out, and with the length of todays gpu's, theres just no way to fit a PSU and a GPU in my lian li htpc case. So my old AMD system will get put into that, and Ive narrowed my choices for a new case down to two.

Lian Li PC-X500B versus Ben's MM Pinnacle 18



The Lian Li PC-X500B

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z6/Cutless1/lianli.png (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112187)

Pro's:


Better Looking Aesthetically.
More functional for the space its intended for
Takes up less space, I live in a small house
Is black inside and out which means no dissasembling/painting/reassembling.
Integrated holes for external water cooling solutions (if I wanted to add more water cooling I could do so externally later)
Requires no assembly
Includes all required parts (blanking panels etc)
Compatible with Lian Li drive stealthing bay covers


Cons:


Isnt made from as high quality materials as MM cases.
Does not support reverse ATX
Supports only 1x 2x120 rad and 2x 1x120 rads.
Less space internally.
Costs More than MM Case





The Mountain Mods Pinnacle 18:

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z6/Cutless1/PINNACLE18.jpg (http://www.mountainmods.com/product_info.php?products_id=499{22}129{18}149{28} 165{10}101{33}171{34}172{35}184{38}165{3}110)

Pros:


Costs Less than the Lian Li
Support for duel 3x120 rads
Highest quality materials used
Supports Reverse ATX
Comes with window
Plenty of interior space
Designed with water cooling in mind
Buying it supports the water cooling community



Cons:


Requires Assembly
Takes up more space than the Lian Li
Has hideous power buttons
Is not as aesthetically pleasing
Does not fit my space as well as the Lian Li
Does not include blanking panels or any extras other than just the case itself.
Does not allow for external water cooling easily (no pre-drilled/grommeted holes)



Feel free to add to the pros and cons lists that I have here, and I'd love to hear your comments on each case. This one is really stumping me, but whatever case I buy has to last me for the next 3-5 years, so I better make this choice count!

[Gazmtk]

Shit MM could easily make is aesthetically pleasing!! They have the skill, might cost you more but im sure they could pull it off no dramas!

[mcoffey]

Well for me, some the cons you've listed for the MM 18 are actually Pro's for me. Like assemply required, that was fun with my 24. Blanking panels, not sure why you'd need them with only 3 5.25 bays on the 18. Same thing with the pre-drilled holes for LC on the 18, I like putting them where I want. As far as looks go, the Lian Li's are very slick, but the industrial look of the 18 fits my overall design goals as far as looks go better. Also, nothing beats the look of gear mounted against a MM mirror black finish for the inside.

andyc

[Baleful]

My vote is for MountainMods. Lian Li cases are slick, they are well built and I've had the pleasure with working on many LiLi cases but MM's are in a league of their own. It's hard to compare the two together.

Get the Pinnacle and be done with it.

[Snyxxx]

I do not think a PA type rad thickness and fans work in the top of the case with the PSU oriented vertical like it is.

Maybe Andy can measure the "working" vertical distance from inside case top to top of PSU for us. This would confirm or deny a "real" radiator up there.

I have asked MM if they can make a backplate to have the PSU horizontal, but no resposne.

[coolmiester]

Its a tuff one for sure.

I would probably go with the Lian Li as its a bit more up my street but having said that the Pinnacle would make a fantastic plug and play system and give more time to concentrate on the loop/loops rather than aesthetics.

Couple of nice cases regardless :)

[Eridani]

Snyxxx : I asked them the same question and this is the reply I got,
Yes you can get it with a custom back panel for $40 extra.

A very fast reply.

I''ve been looking at the Pinnacle 24 and the more I've looked, the better it's been looking. As for the aesthetics, I like the options for making it look the way I want it to, instead of the way someone else thinks it should.

[Baleful]

I like the options for making it look the way I want it to, instead of the way someone else thinks it should.

Custom stuff is always better IMO, it's just the way you want it.