Question Fractal Torrent versus Fractal Meshify 2 vs Lian Li Lancool III ?

[TechGuy75]

Need help choosing which case to choose. Each has some positive and negative things:

I will be transferring the build in my sig to this new case. Will only be doing all air cooling. Might do 4090 in the future. Price is not a factor among these 3.

Fractal Torrent:
+ Looks Like the best air cooling case or one of the best
- Not much space for cable mgmt
- huge but not lot of wasted space
- use of plastic for this price point, like the plastic top cover

Lancool III:
+ Looks to be good in many areas.
+ All Steel construction
- Overly complicated construction? Does it matter?
- No dust filters included

Meshify 2:
+ Good overall
- Little old design?
- Maybe not as good air flow.

I am having a hard time deciding between these 3. I was thinking I would definitely do the Torrent but the limited space for wiring is putting me off, along with plastic parts, and being stupidly huge (huge is ok if it has utility but it looks like wasted space). Which case is the highest end and uses the best constructed? Thanks!

 

[Colif]

If you want air cooling Torrent is best choice there.
it comes with 2 x 180mm fans in front and 3 x 140mm fans in base of case, that beats the others. especially if you get a 4090
Heat stands no chance in that case.

I have a meshify S2, if I chose now I would get torrent.

I have the compact so can’t comment on all aspects of the full size, but there are some common features.

There is quite a bit of plastic, the front grill and the cover across the top are plastic. The front grill is very well made and solid, it does not look plasticy. The top cover would have been hard to make from anything other than plastic due to its shape. It feels plasticy, it probably needs to be a bit thicker? It has a bit of flex and feels fragile. I don’t think it would break easily, you’d have to do something pretty hard to damage it. But I am mindful of anything going on top of the case. I’ve got a white case, the colour matches are good between the materials.

link
its plastic on a metal frame. its solid enough.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

More space in a larger case isn't wasted. It helps with cooling efficiency and provides for easier access when building the system.

 

[cAllen]

Fractal Torrent...hands down. See signature.

 

[Phaaze88]

Fractal Torrent:
- Not much space for cable mgmt

I see Kitguru covers this across 2 videos. This isn't a con if you're air cooling; fewer cables.
You said you're only air cooling.

Lancool III:
- No dust filters included

With the exception of the psu filter, the others are woven in their respective panels.
Remove, clean, and put 'em back on.


One of these cases must stand out to you more than the others. Pick that one.
IF I were to pick, it'd be between the Torrent and Meshify. I'm not a fan of the Meshify's front panel style, but the Torrent doesn't have great options for gpu liquid cooling(personal preference of mine).

Lancool III's combined size and weight would be a turn off come maintenance time, and I have a bad back as it is.
Torrent is larger, but it's 3~4kg lighter.

 

[sonofjesse]

All great cases!!

I have the LAN MESH III and enjoyed building in it.

 

[TechGuy75]

Thanks the replys and links. I have been reading a lot on these cases and wanted to answer some things and provide more info:

• I think it is between the Torrent and the Lian Li III
• Weight and size does not really matter since I will be putting it on the floor. Once set, I really will not be moving it anywhere or openeing it up too many times.
• I thought I had read that a case with too much internal space can be bad for cooling performance. Something like if the case is too big, the fans can’t build positive pressure, or has a hard time doing so.
• I have had a Fractal Dine R2 case for amny years, even now and I have been impressed with it. So I am bias toward Fractal but I have alays heard great things with Lian Li and their high end materials/build
• I am air cooling, and hope there is enough space for cableing in the Torrent.
• If the Lian Li is an all metal build, doesn’t that make it more durable, higher end(in terms of materials) better constructed than the Fractals metal and plastic?

 

[cAllen]

Both were considered when choosing for me. With the Lian Li III the inner back doors just reduced the area required to dress out the cabling more...and if not tight...the magnets will not keep them shut. As for "air cooling", you can not beat the Torrent. With solid side panels any mess in the back doesn't show and you have more room. I "also" chose the solid side panels because I am not into RGB and it's also stored out of the way. If I want to show it off...I just fire it up and show the the performance specs. Good luck.

 

[Phaaze88]

Weight and size does not really matter since I will be putting it on the floor. Once set, I really will not be moving it anywhere or openeing it up too many times.

Eh? Then how will you clean it..? Sure, you can pop off the panels, the cpu and gpu cooler, and psu, to give 'em a quick blow, but the main frame of the case should eventually get it too.
Plus, dust mostly settles on the floor.

I thought I had read that a case with too much internal space can be bad for cooling performance.

It can look pretty empty inside...
Key: Depth, or the proximity of the case fans from the cooling devices. The further apart they are, the more air flow and pressure that can be lost over time. This doesn't include air resistance from sources inside/outside of the case.
Full tower, and other reasonably large cases tend to be no better than smaller models at cooling because of depth from the front fans to the mobo/bottom fans to the mobo/mobo to the top fans. IMO, full towers are better suited to stylish custom loop setups.

If the Lian Li is an all metal build, doesn’t that make it more durable, higher end(in terms of materials) better constructed than the Fractals metal and plastic?

What makes a case 'high end'/better constructed? 'Cause I don't really know. I had a Phantom 820 and Mastercase H500P Mesh before the current one, and they were solid cases(a figure of speech).
Is the Fractal one somehow a lesser build due to its ratio of materials? If the case is well-designed/thought out with said materials, is it not also 'high end'?
Or is it the price tag?

 

[TechGuy75]

Wanted to report back. I went with the Torrent and I love it! I made the right decision, for me. No buyers remorse is what I wanted.

 

[JayT204500]

Need help choosing which case to choose. Each has some positive and negative things:

I will be transferring the build in my sig to this new case. Will only be doing all air cooling. Might do 4090 in the future. Price is not a factor among these 3.

Fractal Torrent:
+ Looks Like the best air cooling case or one of the best
- Not much space for cable mgmt
- huge but not lot of wasted space
- use of plastic for this price point, like the plastic top cover

Lancool III:
+ Looks to be good in many areas.
+ All Steel construction
- Overly complicated construction? Does it matter?
- No dust filters included

Meshify 2:
+ Good overall
- Little old design?
- Maybe not as good air flow.

I am having a hard time deciding between these 3. I was thinking I would definitely do the Torrent but the limited space for wiring is putting me off, along with plastic parts, and being stupidly huge (huge is ok if it has utility but it looks like wasted space). Which case is the highest end and uses the best constructed? Thanks!

Lancool 3. Tons of space for water cooling and air cooling. Between the cases on your list, Lancool is the easiest to build in. Removable fan bracket in the front makes it easy to change out fans. Looks the best in my opinion.