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For thermal and acoustic testing, we are using the following software and settings:
| CPU Clock | i9 9900k: 4.6 GHz (46x 100MHz) @ 1.1v | Row 0 - Cell 2 |
| GPU Clock | RTX 2070 Super: Stock | Row 1 - Cell 2 |
| GPU Driver | Nvidia GeForce 445.87 | Row 2 - Cell 2 |
| Case & CPU Fan Speeds | 100% | Row 3 - Cell 2 |
| GPU Fan Speeds | 75% | Row 4 - Cell 2 |
Test Results
The Lian Li Lancool II Mesh Performance comes with three PWM fans included as standard, which is impressive at this price. They’re not the most high-quality units, but that isn’t to be expected at this price. We tested the rear 120 mm exhaust fan to have a minimum speed of about 450 RPM, with a maximum of 1450 RPM, and the 140 mm front intake fans have a minimum operable speed of 400 RPM, with a maximum of 1100 RPM. These are good figures, and no fans need to spin faster than this in an airflow-optimized case.
Acoustic Results
For our acoustic tests, we run three scenarios: CPU full load, CPU and GPU full load, and an optimized idle. The CPU Full Load test runs the CPU and case fans at their maximum speed. For the CPU and GPU full load acoustic test we add the Nvidia RTX 2070 Super FE at 75% fan speed, because in practice it never runs at 100 percent and is far too loud when it does.
For the optimized idle, we run the GPU fan speed at 40 percent (the 2070 Super FE GPU does not have a Zero-RPM mode), and run the CPU and included case fans at the lowest speed they will spin at.
Lian Li’s Lancool II Mesh Performance puts down figures that aren’t surprising. Thanks to the use of PWM fans and their low minimum speeds, the case is pleasantly quiet in the optimized idle scenario. And with the case fans at 100% it doesn’t get too obtrusive either, though slightly louder than the be quiet! Pure Base 500DX. Naturally, the Lian Li case isn’t very good at keeping the noise of the overly-loud RTX 2070 Super FE contained, but solving that’s just a matter of picking a quieter graphics card were you to buy this case.
Thermal Results
For the thermal tests, all case and CPU fan speeds are set to 100 percent. The i9-9900K is pegged at a 4.6GHz clock at 1.1v on all cores to ensure consistent power consumption across test scenarios, and letting the GPU run at 75 percent fan speed enables it to maintain its power target while maintaining one set reasonable fan speed, so that the temperature is the only variable.
As far as thermals go, the Lian Li Lancool II Mesh Performance puts down some of the best numbers we have recorded on this setup yet. This isn’t that surprising given the mesh front lets tons of air through, and the included fans are quite good too. Only the Phanteks P500A puts down numbers anywhere close to those of the Lancool II Mesh, but the Lian Li case has the edge in noise levels due to its third fan.
Standardized Results
To correct for differences in case fans, for the standardized test we remove the standard case fans and replace them with Corsair ML120 or ML140 units. Up to three fans may be installed, preferably one at the default exhaust location and two at the front intake, in the biggest sizes the case supports. The above tests are then repeated, but because the Corsair ML fans have absurdly high maximum speeds, we run those at 50% duty for the tests as no case fan should ever need to run above those speeds.
In the standardized testing, the Lancool II Mesh sits in the middle ground in terms of noise levels, but the results are all so close that it’s all within a margin of error, which isn’t surprising given that most cases tested with this new setup are mesh cases. Thermally, the Lancool II Mesh performs better than its competition, but with only a 0.5 degree on its side, the difference again falls within a standard margin of error.
Conclusion
There’s a lot to like about Lian Li’s Lancool II Mesh. The performance variant we tested indeed performs impressively well, and the new mesh front and side panels fixes our biggest issue with the Lancool II from earlier this year.
Next to being a great performing case, the Lancool II Mesh is also a dream to work in and offers unparalleled flexibility. The case is heavy, but feels extremely solid and is clearly meant to last.
If we had to complain, we would nag about the lack of RGB or included USB Type-C, or the fact that you would prefer to spend some time optimizing your fan curves to ensure noise levels stay in check. But with the three fans being PWM-controllable, it won’t be hard to silence the system a little, and it’s difficult to fault the Lancool II Mesh for these shortcomings, especially at its $90 price point.
If you’re in the market for a no-fuss, built-like-a-tank, high-performance, competitively priced PC case and don’t mind this model’s somewhat boring appearance, we can do nothing other than recommend the Lian Li Lancool II Mesh.
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