Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case vs Lian Li LANCOOL 217

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against PC cases at a similar price

The Lian Li LANCOOL 217 scores 7.4/10 overall, ahead of the Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case at 5.1/10.

The Lian Li LANCOOL 217 leads on airflow and cooling, build and ease of building, space and compatibility, noise and value.

The biggest difference is airflow and cooling, where the Lian Li LANCOOL 217 scores 8/10 to the Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case's 5/10.

Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case

5.1/10verdict: good, not the best

The Corsair 3500X ARGB is for builders who want a glass-fronted mid-tower with room for large radiators and a big graphics card. It suits people who care about looks and liquid cooling more than the lowest possible GPU temperatures. Buyers sensitive to fan noise should read the owner feedback on the stock fans first.

Typically about £119.99 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

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Lian Li LANCOOL 217

7.4/10verdict: good, not the best

The Lian Li LANCOOL 217 is for builders who want a mesh-front mid-tower with plenty of fans already fitted. It suits people fitting a long graphics card, a large air cooler or a 360 mm radiator in the top. It also suits anyone planning a vertical GPU mount, since Lian Li lists the case as supported by its VG4 kit.

Typically about £109.99 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case	Lian Li LANCOOL 217
Airflow and cooling	30%	5/10	8/10
Build and ease of building	20%	5/10	7/10
Space and compatibility	20%	7/10	8/10
Noise	15%	3/10	5/10
Value	15%	5/10	8/10
Overall		5.1/10	7.4/10

Specifications

Spec	Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case	Lian Li LANCOOL 217
Case type (mid tower, Micro-ATX, small form factor…)	Mid-Tower, 460 × 240 × 506 mm (L × W × H), 10.54 kg	Mid-tower
Motherboard sizes supported (E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX)	Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX (up to 305 × 277 mm)	E-ATX, EEB (back-connect compatible)
Maximum graphics card length (mm)	425 mm (manufacturer UK page). Conflict: US explorer guide lists 410 mm	380 mm (max)
Maximum CPU cooler height (mm)	170 mm	180 mm (max)
Power supply type supported (ATX or SFX) and maximum PSU length (mm)	ATX only; maximum PSU length 180 mm	ATX; max length 220 mm in standard mode, 180 mm when rotated
Radiator support (e.g. 360mm top, 280mm front)	Top 360, 280, 240 mm; side 360, 280, 240 mm; rear 120 mm; front none; bottom none	Top: 360 / 280 / 240 mm
Fans included and fan mounts	ARGB edition includes 3× RS120 ARGB; top 3× 120 mm or 2× 140 mm; side 3× 120 mm or 2× 140 mm; rear 1× 120 mm; bottom 3× 120 mm and 1× 140 mm; front none	5 pre-installed, including two 170 mm front fans
Drive bays (3.5 and 2.5 inch)	2× internal 3.5 inch and 2× internal 2.5 inch; removable drive plate takes up to 2 HDDs and 2 SSDs	not listed

Strengths and weaknesses

Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case

+ Two 360 mm radiator positions, top and side
+ Takes E-ATX boards and 425 mm graphics cards
+ Three RS120 ARGB fans included
− Glass front with no mesh and no front fan mount
− Owners report loud, high-pitched stock fans
− Only two 3.5 inch and two 2.5 inch drive spots

Skip it if:

Buyers who want a quiet build with the stock fans
Anyone after the lowest GPU temperatures from a mesh front
Builders who need many 3.5 inch drive bays

Read the full Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower PC Case review ›

Lian Li LANCOOL 217

+ Five fans pre-installed, including two 170 mm front fans
+ 380 mm GPU room with anti-sag bracket included
+ Takes E-ATX and EEB boards plus 360 mm top radiator
− PSU length limit drops to 180 mm when rotated
− CPU cooler height is capped at 180 mm

Skip it if:

Buyers with a CPU cooler taller than 180 mm
Buyers with a power supply longer than 220 mm
Anyone who wants a solid-panel case chosen for quiet running

Read the full Lian Li LANCOOL 217 review ›

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