LIAN LI PC Q-21

[stylo]

Hi,

Here is my new rig based on the so cool LIAN LI PC Q-21

I got these parts:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80662i56500
http://www.reeven.com/cpucooler_brontes/
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gah170nwifi
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-memory-hx421c14fb8
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mzn5e250bw
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-100384itxocl
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/silverstone-power-supply-sstsx500lg
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lian-li-case-pcq21a

some photo:

How it looks:



















The gap between graphic board and chassis is roughly 12/13 mm if you thought to place an additional fan.

About temp, GPU is OC from 980 to 1080 Mhz.
I didn't run any bench test, but i play heroes & generals in FHD max details V-sync and never goes over 75 deg C (mostly 72) at 25 deg C ambient temperature.
At idle I get 40.

CPU during the game is around 55 C, idle 33.

You must pay attention to your CPU cooler height, I had to remove the PSU grill in order to fit it, as it comes in contact with the CPU fan.

Also, as they are facing almost completely, I reversed the CPU fan flow, so air is sucked from the radiator and blown in the PSU which extract air out of the case. I didn't want to have flows in opposite direction.
No need to say that it would be worse to inverse the PSU, as the CPU fan would be obstructed.

Noise: At idle i cannot hear anything, and when playing, let's say just a little but it's mainly covered by the loudspeakers.

I think it works pretty well, all in all i'm very satisfied by this rig, especially view the perf/temp/size ratio.

 

[Kooki]

Thanks for the Pictures and all the information!
I wanted to get this case so bad, but... oh, man... I was hoping I could install a slim 15mm fan on the bottom to take advantage of the filter... Well, the scythe 12mm fan should fit, though. I really hate DUST inside my cases. p
Great temp, btw!

 

[Phuncz]

I would not add another fan below the GPU, I would remove the fan and shroud of the GPU's heatsink an install the largest, quality fan you can fit below it. Use an appropriate cable adapter so your GPU can regulate that fan too. Optionally you could set a custom fan curve with MSI Afterburner.

I did this to my 290X and it transformed that roaring spewing volcano into a hot summer breeze.

 

[stylo]

Change the GPU fan ? it's an idea, if your graphic board is noisy, that's not the case for this R9 380 ITX, or maybe it's just me

The mod i would do is a cut out in the front, remove the HDD bracket inside and place a 120mm Fan.
The temps are good at the moment, but let's see when the weather will be warmer.

 

[Kooki]

I would not add another fan below the GPU, I would remove the fan and shroud of the GPU's heatsink an install the largest, quality fan you can fit below it. Use an appropriate cable adapter so your GPU can regulate that fan too. Optionally you could set a custom fan curve with MSI Afterburner.

That's pretty cool idea, I've seen some people doing it on M1 Case (maybe it was you? lol )
There might be some difficulties doing this, but one should analyse the case fan alignment and the actual GPU card heatsink without the shroud case by case... unfortunately...
Would you remove the fan/shroud and place a 15mm fan? I mean, do you think a 15mm would be worth doing it? (Taking in mind that the GPU fans usually are 80-92mm fans and the case can hold a 120mm one)

Also, since this case has only one case fan, one could use speed fan to control its speed through the mobo. So, it's actually easier to do it, unless getting a 5v fan or adapter for the GPU is easier for you)

Also, maybe with the polaris/pascal we get some gtx960/r9 380 classs cards which are a bit thinner than the usual 2 slot cards? :v

 

[Phuncz]

That's pretty cool idea, I've seen some people doing it on M1 Case (maybe it was you? lol )

I indeed have done that, but the idea is from Cowsgomoo on [H] and originally it was planned by Necere this way (using an Arctic Accelero Extreme). I'm not a 'fan' of stacked fans because I believe (I don't have enough fluid dynamics knowledge to be sure) they will cause all sorts of issues with noise, pressure, airflow and possibly wear. Not really noticeable at very low RPM but then you could also just increase the RPM on the one fan or replace it with a better one.

Would you remove the fan/shroud and place a 15mm fan? I mean, do you think a 15mm would be worth doing it? (Taking in mind that the GPU fans usually are 80-92mm fans and the case can hold a 120mm one)

A 15mm 92mm might not be much of an upgrade but you'd have to remove the shroud and/or do measurements to find out how much space there is. The heatsink seems to not have a flat surface.