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We generally test chassis with an Intel 990x processor based build, but this seems somewhat overkill for an HTPC system. We are therefore using a Core i7 2600k which would make an ideal foundation for a high performance media center.
Processor: Intel Core i7 2600k
Motherboard: Sapphire Pure Platinum Z68
Cooler: Intel XTS100H Cooler
Memory: GSKill 8GB 1600mhz DDR3
Storage: Patriot 120GB Pyro SSD
Graphics: Sapphire HD6850 Vapor X
Power Supply: ADATA 550W
Windows 7 Enterprise Edition 64bit
Thermal Diodes
Raytek Laser Temp Gun 3i LSRC/MT4 Mini Temp
Digital Sound Level Noise Decibel Meter Style 2
Firstly let us have a look at the chassis design and airflow, as it comes ‘out of the box’.
The diagram above is ‘looking down' on the chassis, as it is designed to be positioned flat on a surface. The two 140mm fans suck in cool air which is forced over the motherboard and then out the other side of the case. Graphics card fans will also exhaust the warming air out the rear of the case. Adding another fan next to the power supply would enhance the flow, while adding more noise. For performance freaks, another fan could be installed in the top panel, in an exhaust position (following the ‘heat rises' methodology). We tested the Lian Li PC C60 the way it is supplied to the user, without adding more fans.
We have placed thermal diodes into 5 case positions. 1: next to one of the 140mm intake fans, beside the optical drive bay. 2: beside the CPU cooler, next to the second 140mm intake fan. 3: Next to the drive bay rack. 4: In the very center of the chassis, next to the graphics card. 5: close to the power supply, underneath the lower section of the mother board.
Ambient room temperatures were maintained at 23c throughout.
The Intel Core i7 2600k was overclocked to 4.6ghz, which only requires a very minor core voltage increase for complete stability. The results below would be a strictly worst case scenario as we feel someone buying the PC C60 would be using a lesser processor, and perhaps at reference clock speeds. Still, it proves interesting to push the chassis design to the limit.
Very good results, thanks to the considerable internal airflow from the dual 140mm fans.
Awesome, but the pricing make me cry. that will probably cost over £200 in UK, although I cant find it anywhere. you pay for the design and use of materials.
Very lovely! I dig the internal design. although its a shame its not tool less.
They could have made it about 1 cm ‘fatter’ to accommodate a whole new range of CPU coolers. Ideal would be an all in one liquid cooler however as they are small and there are fan positions for the radiator very close by.
The tool less design should have been passed over to the internal rack system, however I dont think the screws could be fitted in any way to accommodate the size.
It looks a bit big for what I would consider a true media chassis, but for gamers it would be good thanks to the shape.
They might get a few negative comments on the GPU size support, counting out the HD6990 etc.
What is the point of mesuring temperatures without the odd and hdd bays installed ?
Obviously, the air flow will be worse with the ODD cage on its way.
It would have been more useful to have temperatures and noise levels in a sli or crossfire configuration and the ODD and the HDD installed.
I used this case in a new HTPC build. Great case. Couple changes I made…shortened the ODD cage bottom by 22mm to clear the M/B power cable. Also the ODD cage blocked the front case fan, so I moved it to opposite side to exhaust warm air. Improved air flow.
I used Noctua NH-L12 CPU cooler…nice. No room for water cooling radiator and fan.
I think I should mention that the dimensions given for the PSU & VGA card length are only true if the rear harddrive bay cage is removed. Also, while the CPU Cooler height is accurate, they should mention that the support bar limits the height of VGA cards in the first PCIe slot to 130mm.
I think I should mention that the dimensions given for the PSU & VGA card length are only true if the rear harddrive bay cage is removed. Also, while the CPU Cooler height is accurate, they should mention that the support bar limits the height of VGA cards in the first PCIe slot to 130mm.
I used a Noctua NH-L12. There are two issues with it, the first being that the heatsink overhangs 3 of 4 memory slots. So you have to install memory before the heatsink. Second, the length of the optical drive has to be as short as possible. I kept both fans on the heatsink, but you could definitely remove the top fan and safely use the pc without overclocking. The Noctua fans are very quiet, and the heatsink is very effective.
You could use the NH-L12 fanless if you use a low wattage CPU like an i3-2100T or i3-2120T.
It was a really BAD idea to submit a review without the ODD and the HDD…
=> I put 2 HDD and they hit 39-40° at idle !
(34 and 37° with a 900rpm Aerocool Shark 12cm)
How can you sya the fans are silent as I hear the motor cache mess with the fan filter !
For now I had to put the filter outside and add little pads