Lian Li’s Lancool 217 is one of my favorite cases of 2025, thanks to its classy wood trim, complete lack of RGB, and excellent airflow due to large 170 mm intake fans. Now the company is back with a version of the 217 that’s the polar opposite. With an RGB-lit front infinity mirror, three RGB fans, and top-mounted buttons to control the lightshow, this case feels like it fell off the set of the recent Tron reboot and onto my workbench.
But at its core, the Lancool 217 INF is still the same dual-chamber case as the 217, with nearly all the same great features, plus one change that fixes my main gripe about the original. The front panel IO can be moved from its default location on the bottom side to the top, where the three USB ports and audio jack are a lot easier to reach if your case lives on the floor.
Lian Li Lancool 217 INF Specifications
Motherboard support | SSI-EEB (330 mm max width) E-ATX (280 mm max width), ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX, back connect motherboard support |
Color | Black or White |
Type | Tower |
Case dimensions (D x W x H) | 482 x 238 x 503 mm / 18.98 x 9.37x 19.8 inches |
2.5-inch drive support | Up to 5x |
3.5-inch drive support | Up to 4x |
PCIe expansion slots | 7 |
Pre-installed fans | 2x 170 mm (30 mm thick), 1x 140 mm |
CPU cooler clearance | Up to 180 mm / 7.1 inches |
GPU clearance | Up to 380 mm / 15 inches |
Vertical GPU support | Yes (riser sold separately) |
PSU length | Up to 220 mm (standard), Up to 180 mm (rotated) |
Radiator support | 360, 280, 240 mm top |
MSRP | $124.99 Black $129.99 White |
Other features | L-connect wireless support via the built-in receiver in the front IO module |
The Lancool 217 and the 217 INF are so close to each other in specs that the table above is nearly identical to the previous model. The major downside is that the 217 INF lacks the GPU-focused bottom-mounted 120mm fans (which you could add yourself, since the mounting holes are still there). And the price has gone up $5 over the non-RGB model. But with the infinity mirror, RGB fans, configurable front IO, and support for the company’s wireless fan and RGB control via a built-in receiver, the minor price jump hardly feels prohibitive given the added features.
Storage aplenty
Like its non-RGB sibling, the Lancool 217 INF offers lots of storage options for those who need more than just M.2 storage. Two removable drive bays in the bottom hold up to four total 3.5-inch drives. Two removable panels behind the motherboard can house 2.5-inch drives, and there are screw holes for mounting a third 2.5-inch SATA drive behind the GPU cooling fans, at the back of the PSU shroud.
Just note you'll need to remove one of the 3.5-inch drive sleds if you're using a long power supply. Even with the small Enermax Revolution D.F. power supply I used in the 217 build, it was helpful to remove the first drive cage to make room for cable clutter.
Pick your port placement
Port selection on the 217 is pretty standard. But for a case that's just shy of 19 inches tall and 20 inches deep, the default location on the bottom side isn’t great unless you’re plopping this mid-tower on your desk. But unlike with the original 217, Lian Li lets you move the ports on the 217 INF up to the top. This isn’t exactly simple, as you have to remove basically all the panels, take out some screws, and remove all the front-panel wires through a hole in the front, then snake them through a hole in the top, re-attach the panel, and put everything back together.
All that took me about 10 minutes, even without looking at the manual, so it’s not exactly a chore. I don’t love the way the ports are recessed below the panel in their top spot, but I certainly welcome the ability to move the ports to a better position.
Big fans, embedded in glass
The Lancool 217's fans are the same 170 mm as the original model. But here they sport RGB and are embedded in the infinity mirror front. The fan covers, which look and feel a lot like speaker grilles, can be turned counter-clockwise and removed for cleaning.
Surrounding the fans in glass rather than the open mesh of the original model's front undoubtedly changes the internal airflow to some extent. But with such large fans covering nearly the entire front of the case, cooling should still be more than adequate for air coolers and gaming-focused builds. But I still wish Lian Li had included bottom fans for the GPU, like on the original 217.
Power supply mounting: traditional or sideways
Just as with the original 217, the power supply installs in the bottom rear of the 217 INF. You can mount it the traditional way, with the cable and switch poking out the back if you remove a pre-installed panel. And you'll want to do this if you have a long PSU. But the Lancool 217 is really designed for you to mount the power supply sideways. There is a cable extension with an L connector to plug the PSU in from the motherboard side, and this gives you easier access to the PSU connectors, which then face the rear motherboard area.
This works well for normal-sized PSUs, but if you're installing a PSU that is longer than about 140 mm, you're likely to run into cable clearance issues with this orientation. That goes doubly if you're building a system with a rear-connector motherboard (which the 217 INF supports), where cable clearance and cable slack space are tough to come by.
Cable routing
The Lancool 217 INF has three large grommetted holes for cable pass-throughs, as well as slits along the rear of the PSU shroud. Combined with the several pre-installed velcro straps and cable clips, plugging things in and keeping cable mess to a minimum was simple.
Bottom line
Personally, I much prefer the wood accents and refreshingly RGB-free fans of the original Lancool 217. That and its five-fan cooling help make it one of the best PC cases you can buy. But if you like the large fans in that case, but are after something with a design that will stand out loud and proud in your gaming setup, the Lancool 217 INF is well worth considering. That’s especially true if you’re going to put your PC on the floor. Because the 217 INF’s configurable front IO lets you move those ports up to the top where you’re far more likely to use them.
