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Lian Li, a global PC component company, has long been renowned as a premium computer case manufacturer. Boasting exceptional design and quality, Lian Li’s products have been highly sought after by PC enthusiasts, but their lineup has primarily consisted of high-end models.
Recently, however, Lian Li introduced a more budget-friendly option: the Lian Li Vector V100 ARGB, the subject of today’s review. This PC case doesn’t just cut costs; it embraces the latest trends by supporting BTF (Back-to-Front) motherboards, comes equipped with four 120mm ARGB cooling fans, and features a side ARGB light strip, capturing the essence of a gaming aesthetic.
Let’s delve into the captivating features of this computer case.
Product Configuration and Specifications
The Lian Li Vector V100 ARGB is a mid-tower case supporting motherboards from M-ITX to E-ATX. It accommodates graphics cards up to 420mm long, CPU coolers up to 178mm tall, and power supplies up to 220mm long. The case features a tempered glass front and side panel, showcasing a popular “fish tank” design.
Supported Motherboards : E-ATX (up to 246mm), ATX, M-ATX, Mini-ITX, BTF Support (ATX, M-ATX)
Maximum GPU Length : 420mm
Maximum CPU Cooler Height : 178mm
Power Supply : Standard ATX (up to 220mm)
Case Dimensions : 466mm(D) × 235.5mm(W) × 484.65mm(H)
Fan Support :
Top: 120mm x 3, 140mm x 2
Side: 120mm x 3
Rear: 120mm x 1, 140mm x 1
Bottom: 120mm x 2
Radiator SupportTop : 360mm, 280mm
Inside the case, you’ll find a utility box containing various installation screws, neatly organized. The included GB-001 graphics card support bracket helps prevent GPU sag, a crucial feature considering the increasing weight of high-performance graphics cards.
Exterior and Features
The Vector V100 ARGB adopts the modern fish tank case design, with both the front and side panels made of tempered glass, providing a clear view of the internal components. The pillarless design, eliminating the chassis frame between the glass panels, offers an even cleaner aesthetic.
A unique feature on the left side is the angled PSU chamber. The top of the chamber provides a display space for figurines or other items, and an embedded ARGB strip runs along the side.
Available in black and white, the black version reviewed today offers a classic yet modern feel.
The right-side chassis panel features a mesh design, enhancing the intake performance of the side cooling fans and ensuring optimal airflow for the power supply at the bottom. This mid-tower case boasts a perforation rate of up to 40.3%, contributing to excellent cooling efficiency.
The top cover is easily removable using a ball-head clamp mechanism, allowing for installation of radiators up to 360mm, simplifying the assembly process. A sliding, removable dust filter at the bottom makes cleaning a breeze.
Considering typical desktop usage, the I/O ports are conveniently located on the bottom left of the case. They include two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, one USB 3.1 Type-C port, an audio jack, a reset button, and the power button.
Interior Design and Features
The Lian Li Vector V100 ARGB supports various motherboard form factors, from ITX to E-ATX, including the latest BTF (Back-to-Front) motherboards. With support for graphics cards up to 420mm long and CPU coolers up to 178mm tall, it’s compatible with most high-performance hardware, making it ideal for gaming systems.
From the main chassis to the motherboard panel, the case utilizes thick, approximately 0.8T steel plates, ensuring robustness and effective vibration dampening.
The Vector V100’s signature ARGB light strip, featuring 26 LEDs, runs along the PSU chamber. This lighting synchronizes seamlessly with motherboard software, allowing for customization of colors and effects.
The Lian Li V100 is designed to accommodate two 120mm cooling fans in the PSU chamber, significantly boosting internal cooling performance. These fans draw in cool air, effectively dissipating heat from the CPU and GPU.
Removing the detachable top cover reveals a hidden space perfect for displaying figurines or other items. This thoughtful design caters to the growing trend of personalizing PC builds with decorative elements.
The front tempered glass panel is fully removable, greatly enhancing accessibility during assembly. This is particularly helpful when installing large graphics cards or managing cables.
Three reverse-mounted ARGB fans are pre-installed on the side, with another at the rear. These 120mm fans, featuring hydraulic bearings, offer PWM control up to 1800 RPM, ensuring quiet operation, durability, and minimal vibration for a silent system.
The rear cable management space is equipped with numerous Velcro ties and cable clips, facilitating neat cable routing. Lian Li cases are known for their excellent cable management features, which not only improve aesthetics but also contribute to better airflow and cooling.
Reflecting current trends, storage options are streamlined. A single SSD can be mounted on the rear of the chassis, and one 3.5-inch HDD can be installed at the bottom mounting point. While this might be limiting for users requiring extensive storage, it’s generally sufficient for gamers, especially considering the multiple M.2 slots offered by modern motherboards.
Installation and User Experience
Removing the front tempered glass panel provided ample space and made assembly effortless. The RTX 5070 used in this test is large, but removing the glass would be even more beneficial when installing thicker and heavier high-end graphics cards.
Thanks to the excellent cable routing design, cable management on the right side was surprisingly easy. Even without a BTF motherboard, the ample space and well-placed cable holes allowed for a clean and organized finish.
The case truly shines when powered on. The side ARGB light strip and four cooling fans synchronize perfectly with the motherboard’s ARGB effects, creating a stunning visual display. This level of ARGB lighting in a case at this price point is incredibly appealing.
ARGB Effects
A gaming system using an AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D and RTX 5070 was built for testing, and subsequent reviews of the air cooler and motherboard involved extensive testing. The four cooling fans and mesh side panel design delivered stable cooling performance with remarkably quiet operation.
Closing Thoughts
The Lian Li Vector V100 ARGB strikes a perfect balance between price, performance, and design. For its price, the combination of BTF support, four ARGB cooling fans, and a 26-LED ARGB light strip offers exceptional value, especially for a Lian Li product.
Its excellent ease of assembly and well-designed cable management system make it accessible even for first-time builders. The high compatibility with 420mm graphics cards and 360mm liquid coolers, coupled with impressive cooling performance, makes it a compelling choice for high-performance gaming PC builds.
Above all, the build quality expected from the Lian Li brand makes the price even more attractive. If you’re looking for a PC case, the Lian Li Vector V100 ARGB comes highly recommended.
