Every computer builder has heard of Lian Li. They make some of the best computer cases on the market, but the are also on the expensive side. Lancool is the value-orientated arm of Lian Li and they are not as well known. So when they offered to send us one of their cases for a review we jumped at the chance to see what this new company could do.

Even though Lancool focuses on value they did not skimp on design or features. So as I pull this case out of the box there are 2 things that I notice.  One that it is very heavy and two it looks very slick, smooth corners, sleek design!

Basic stats:

Length: 20″ Width: 8 3/8″ Height: 19 1/2″
Approx. 25 lbs.
4 hard drive bays
5 5.25 bays
2 USB ports on top
1 head phone jack on top
1 mic jack on top
1 140mm fan in the front
1 120mm fan in the back
Room for 2 more 140mm fans on top (not included)
2 plastic cable organizers
Vent with screen below the power supply
Holes on the back for water cooling
Supports video cards as long as 290mm.

This case has lots of bells and whistles for a hard core gamer, however if you plan on transporting this case all over town, be warned the case weigh’s roughly 25 lbs with nothing in it.

One of the most critical features for a gamer is airflow. With the Lancool PC-K58 this is no longer a concern. The case includes 2 fans, a 120mm exhaust fan in the rear, and 140mm intake fan in the front. The front fan also spins at 1000rpm for near silent operation. As an added feature there are built-in dust filters to keep your system clean.

Another important feature is keeping the case silent. From the standpoint of the case this means reducing the vibration from fans and hard drives. To help with this Lancool has put rubber insulators on the hard drive cages, fans, and power supply clamp.

This case is 100% tool less, so if you like not having to run around the house looking for a screwdriver to install your hard drive or PCI card or CD-ROM drives, then this case is perfect for you.

As I open the side of the case I notice the new design of the tool less PCI card locks.  Its a simple lever that you pull up to release and push down to tighten.  I think they did a great job in designing this lock.  Its very simple and works great.  My only concern is that it weights too much and adds too much to the weight to the case.

PCI Slots

PCI installed

Installing the motherboard is very simple, they give you short and long thumb screws so you don’t even have to use a screwdriver.  Makes for a very quick install.

The power supply sits on 2 rubber strips and has a clamp with a rubber strip for vibration, so no need for any screws to install the power supply.

Power Supply

Like I said before this case is 100% tool less and that means in order to install a CD-ROM drive you actually need to take out the 4 little screws in the side.  If its a brand new CD-ROM drive then don’t bother putting the screws in, but if its used and you’re moving it from one computer to another then you will need a small screwdriver to remove the screws.  There is this little long piece of plastic on the side of the CD-ROM tray, just lift up the plastic arm and slide the CD-ROM drive in and snap the arm back down. Move the drive forward or backward till it snaps in place.

CD-ROM Drive

This case came included with instructions however removing the hard drive tray was still very difficult to figure out even with the instructions.  There is a sliding lever with an awkward handle at the bottom to move it up and down.  Its tough to move up and down but that is how you secure your hard drives in place.  Slide it up and remove the hard drive tray.  After you remove the tray then you pull the plastic sides out and put the hard drive in and snap the plastic pieces back in place to secure the hard drive to the tray.  Again you need to remove the screws in the side of the hard drive in order to use this tray.  It also has rubber wheels on the tray for anti vibration.

Hard drive cage

Hard drive cage

Hard drive installed

I love all the tool less feature about this case, it seems like they put a lot of thought into building this case, it only it was lighter it would be the perfect case.

In short it is a great, but heavy case. The price is also great, I was able to find it at Newegg for only $69. So, if you are in the market for an inexpensive, tool less, yet sturdy case, and you don’t mind it having a little extra weight, then I highly recommend the Lancool PC-K58.

I would like to give special thanks to Hampton Technologies for sending us this case. Without their support this review would not have been possible.