Introduction Lian Li O11 Vision
Lian Li has changed a lot (Lian Li O11 Vision). Before, they were known for making fancy aluminum PC cases. Now, they’re one of the most important companies making computer parts. The O11 case series is super famous, but Lian Li keeps making cool stuff. They made things like the Strimer RGB PSU cables, the Galahad II Trinity liquid cooler, and fans with screens in the middle.
Their new PC case is called the O11 Vision. It’s mostly made of strong glass and has lots of cool stuff. Like, you can take out the part that holds the motherboard, and the bracket for plugging things into your computer is designed well. It also has other things that make using it easier. You can get the Vision in black or white for $140. But since Lian Li has made many versions of the O11 already, are they getting better, or just making small changes to what they’ve already done?
Specifications Lian Li O11 Vision
| Type | ATX Mid-Tower |
|---|---|
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX, Micro ATX, ATX, E-ATX (up to 280mm) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 19 x 12 x 18.2 inches |
| Max GPU Length | 15.4 inches |
| CPU Cooler Height | 7.1 inches |
| External Bays | X |
| Internal Bays | 3x 2.5 inch or 2x 3.5 inch |
| Expansion Slots | 6 regular slots + 1 additional slot |
| Front I/O | 1x USB Type-C, 2x USB 3.0 Type A, power, audio |
| Other | X |
| Front Fans | X |
| Rear Fans | X |
| Top Fans | None |
| Bottom Fans | None |
| Weight | 32 pounds |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Pros And Cons Lian Li O11 Vision
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Abundance of sturdy glass | Outdated design in the O11 |
| Ample storage capacity | Very dark appearance in the black model |
| Extremely easy assembly | Lack of included fans |
| Removable motherboard tray |
Features Lian Li O11 Vision
The Lian Li O11 Vision isn’t like the regular O11. The company worked with the PCMR (PC Master Race) community to make a case that shows off from many sides. Also, the Vision can be almost completely taken apart to help with building easily.
Usually, we see trays that can be removed for fans, but it’s been a long time since taking out the motherboard tray was common. However, with the O11 Vision, you can remove the entire motherboard tray and the fan mounts.
Not just removable, the motherboard tray can be set up low or high for better cooling options. In the low setup, the rear fan mount can hold 2x 120mm fans or a 240mm radiator. Big fan mounts in the back are usually in larger cases, like the Phanteks NV7 or Cooler Master HAF 700 Evo. When set in high mode, the O11 Vision switches the big fan mount at the back for better radiator fit at the bottom. In high mode, you can put in 3x 140mm fans or a 420mm radiator. By default, it’s in low mode, which is the most useful, in my opinion.
Unique PCIe Brackets
Lian Li likes unique PCIe brackets, seen in the Lancool 216 with its GPU fan mount outside the case. While the Vision doesn’t have this, it has Micro ATX mode. This lets you place your GPU in the top PCIe slot for good compatibility due to its 6+1 expansion slot design. Why not add a seventh PCIe slot like other mid-towers? No idea.
Now, talking about the whole case. It might sound personal, but the Lian Li O11 Vision seems a bit… uninteresting, especially for $140. Maybe it’s because there have been lots of O11 versions before it. Even though the Vision comes in white too, the black version we tested has a very dark tint that gives it a gloomy feeling.
Usually, cases don’t have many thumbscrews nowadays, but the Lian Li O11 Vision has many, along with other screws visible from the outside, like the hard drive sleds.
The front IO of the O11 Vision is at the bottom. You get two USB Type-A ports, one Type-C port, and an audio jack. The power button is higher up on the brushed aluminum column, which was an interesting choice.
Internal Layout Lian Li O11 Vision
The Lian Li O11 Vision has dimensions of 19 x 12 x 18.2 inches (HWD). It might seem wide rather than tall due to its dual-chamber design. This extra width provides ample space for managing cables and storing devices. Behind the motherboard tray, you can fit three 2.5-inch SSDs. Moreover, the hard drive cage can accommodate two 3.5- or 2.5-inch drives.
This case can be taken apart almost like an open-air test bench. As a result, our test build was finished in less than thirty minutes, which is exceptionally quick for me.
Testing Hardware
We are using Intel’s latest 12th Generation Alder Lake platform for our testing hardware. The setup includes a Core i7-12700KF processor, which is kept cool by a Noctua U12s air cooler. Our graphics card of choice is the Gigabyte RTX 3070 Ti Gaming OC, and the motherboard we’re utilizing is the MSI Pro Z690-A WIFI.
Acoustic Results
Our sound test includes three different situations: First, we push the CPU to work at its maximum capacity. Then, we test both the CPU and the graphics card working at their fullest. Lastly, we try out an optimized mode to reduce noise.
When the CPU is fully loaded, we make sure the CPU and case fans are running at their highest speeds. In the test where both the CPU and GPU are fully loaded, we stress the Gigabyte RTX 3070 Ti Gaming OC and set the fans at 75% speed. This setting imitates gaming conditions because in real gaming scenarios, the fans don’t operate at full power due to being too loud.
In the optimized mode, we set the GPU fan speed to 30% and keep the CPU and case fans at their lowest usable speeds.
Since the Lian Li O11 Vision doesn’t come with pre-installed fans, our tests only involved our CPU cooler and a triple-fan GPU. In comparison to our most recent showcase PC chassis, the O11 Vision performed well until I increased the GPU fan speed to 75%. However, this case is ideal for water cooling setups, so the scores might not reflect how most people will use the O11 Vision.
Thermal Results
In the thermal tests, all the fans in the case and CPU run at maximum speed, giving their highest performance. The Core i7-12700K processor operates at a clock speed of 4.7GHz and 1.3v across all its powerful cores, maintaining consistent power usage during the tests. By keeping the GPU’s fan speed at 75%, it stays within its power limit and ensures a steady temperature, making temperature the sole variable.
Similar to the sound test, I compared the O11 Vision with other recently reviewed chassis that display their design prominently. It seems that appearance takes priority over cooling performance. Surprisingly, the O11 Vision doesn’t come with any fans, which might not be very practical. However, it manages to run quite well even without them.
Bottom Line
The Lian Li O11 Vision is a strong case if you want to showcase your PC build. However, it might seem a bit unexciting and costly for what it offers. I see Lian Li’s intention of providing a clean slate for builders, but I personally wouldn’t pick this case over something like the O11D EVO. The EVO model allows for transformations from full glass to full mesh, offering more variety.
Ultimately, the Lian Li O11 Vision doesn’t quite grab attention compared to cases like the NZXT H6 Flow. The H6 Flow feels more modern and includes three RGB fans at a similar price point. If you appreciate the appearance of the O11 but seek something more captivating and adaptable, the O11D EVO provides greater customization and typically retails for approximately $150.
While the Lian Li O11 Vision offers a clear canvas for showcasing builds, its lack of versatility and higher cost make it less compelling than the more adaptable and reasonably priced O11D EVO or the feature-rich NZXT H6 Flow, which comes with RGB fans. Builders seeking a balance between aesthetics and functionality might find better options elsewhere.
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