New i7 build. Tryying to order tonight.

[tomek]

Thanks 3.0, I trust you since you've owned them, so thanks. Just looking on some comments re: the review.
Perhaps they didn't set it up right for the review.

So you really think Mid-case will be a problem?

Which case(s) would you recommend please?

Thanks, Tom

[3.0charlie]

I selected the XL for 2 customer builds. I'd never change my Lili. = )

In regards to the review, the XL and the Lili you chose are indeed quite close in terms of performance (nothing in regards to noise is shown though). I found the XL quieter than most mid towers I used; my customers chose the XL solely on looks. I chose the A70F for the quality and shear size of the Lili.

Mid-towers are great for minimal config. setups. You will be adding a lot of components inside that Lili... using a full tower will allow you to properly locate the components, allow to add even a few more (Hdds, GPU?) and still have proper cooling.

If your friend was willing to spend that much on a build, I would explain to him how a bigger case may be beneficial in the future to allow some level of expansion. Choices? The XL indeed, the Silverstone TJ09 and the Lian-Li line are sure winners. They do cost a lot more, but are worth every penny.

[tomek]

Thanks Man! So you are saying if we Must go "mid" go for the Fractal, over the Lian Li.

If we can go full go for the Lili A70F.

The Lili A70F is 590mm tall
The Fractal is 560mm tall

So no big deal convincing him to go w/ the A70F if it's only 3cm taller.

Am I understanding you correctly?

[3.0charlie]

No, not quite.

The XL is an EATX case, full tower. My choices would be the XL, the Silverstone TJ09 and the Lian-Li full tower line. For mid-size cases, the Silverstone FT02 would be my choice.

[tomek]

Sorry to be so dense. :P I thought by "XL" you are refering to the Fractal.

Which "XL" please?

[3.0charlie]

But yes I am. = )

NCIX.com - Buy Fractal Design Define XL Black E-ATX Mid Tower Silent Computer Case 4X5.25 10X3.5INT No PS - DEFINE-XL-BLACK In Canada.

[tomek]

oh I see.. The "XL" is tagged "mid" but it's atual a big mid due to it being E-ATX. Got it!

So you think Lili A70F > "XL"

I'll just go A70F then..

[tomek]

We pulled the trigger w/ the Lian Li PC-A70F and another 60GB SSD for OSX.

Thanks!

Tomek

PS- Do you know if two SSDs will fit in this case, or do I need to get some adapters?

[3.0charlie]

Good call on the A70F, wonderful case. The SSDs usually need adaptors, but I hide mine between the right panel and the motherboard tray. I use 2 small dabs of double-face tape to hold it in place. That leaves space for HDDs, or other larger components (I have 8 HDDs and dual pumps in my case, I need all the available space...)

John

[tomek]

So after all the dust has settled, here is what we have after three levels of discounts.
(NCIX sale coupons, Price match New Egg, and Premier Partner Membership).

The Premier Partner Membership is $150 for the year, but pays for itself in discounts if you build a nice box.

QTY-Description--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Actual
1-----Intel Core i7 950 Quad Core CPU & Noctua NH-U12P [Reg. $399.99]----$339.99
1-----Arctic Cooling MX-4 Thermal Compound 4 Gram [Reg. $14.99] --------------$6.32
1-----Gigabyte X58A-UD3R ATX LGA1366 X58 DDR3 [Reg. $223.98] -------------$210.00
2-----Mushkin PC3-12800 3X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24 [Reg. $195.98]-----$178.54

1-----OCZ Vertex 2 Extended Sandforce 240GB 2.5IN SATA2 [Reg. $473.99]---$440.00
2-----WD20EARS Caviar Green 2TB SATA2 3GBPS 64MB [Reg. $120.00]----------$97.99
1-----LG BH10LS30 Bluray Writer 10X BD-R 16X DVD-RW [Reg. $129.99]------$100.91
1-----Vantec Nexstar USB2.0 + eSATA External HD Enclosure [Reg. $29.02]----$23.68
1-----Nmedia ZE-C168 Card Reader E-SATA & 4 Fan Controller[Reg. $35.99]---$31.53

1-----Powercolor HD 6870 900MHZ 1GB 4.2GHZ GDDR5 [Reg. $259.99]-------$241.65

1-----Lian Li PC-A70F E-ATX Full Tower Case [Reg. $210.88]-----------------------$177.56
1-----Lian Li HD-322 Internal 3.5IN to 2X2.5IN HDD/SSD [Reg. $8.99] -------------$8.71
1-----Corsair Pro Series Gold AX850 CMPSU-850AX 850W [Reg. $219.99]---$179.28
2-----Noctua NF-P14FLX 140MM Ultra Quiet Cooling Fan [Reg. $21.99]--------$12.53
2-----Noctua NF-P12-1300 120MM Ultra Quiet Cooling Fan [Reg. $19.99]-----$11.44

1-----NCIX Premier Partner Membership Fee Per Year (ADA) [PPFEE] -----------$150.00

So we paid $2510.63 (including the $150 for Premier Partner).
Regular price would have been $2720 w/o the Premier Partner, so I'm thinking we did alright).

Still have discount level four of $40 coming back in MIR to top it off.

Going to pick everything up (except the case) this Friday. Case will be in w/ in one to two weeks.

I'll let ya know all the gory details of how the building goes.
(dual booting Win7 w/ OSX, over clocking, etc)

Cheers, Tomek