Are the lian li al120 v2 worth it?

Tobywon · 23 Jul 2023 at 22:50

So I’ve been looking through numerous fans and info related to them.

I am considering getting the Lian Li Al120 v2 fans, prob one bank of 3 for the controller, then initially another 3 more. That’ll then give 3 bottom and 3 top of the case as a push pull, and when I put WC in also be able to accommodated 2x360 rads.

Is there any reason or thing I’ve missed as to why I should opt for something else?

Usually I avoid all that is RGB but seeing as I have a lian li O11 dynamic evo and it’s windowed I thought a bit of flash could be fun… but for noticeable performance gains and reduced price point I could drop it.

Any other input. As always, would be appreciated

hartgeh3 · 23 Jul 2023 at 23:11

Get them, you got the case, they all go well together. I like them as you can turn them off when idle. I dont even have RGB on as I hate it lol

MissChief · 23 Jul 2023 at 23:45

Have to say, a build for a family friend had five RGB fans, so ten cables, what an absolute ball ache that was. Wires everywhere, extensions as some of them didn’t reach, splitters, an awful experience and a nightmare to cable manage.

on my personal build I used the Lian Li Uni fans, the first ones, can’t remember their actual designation, but my god, what a difference! I build in a Lian Li O-11 standard with a Lian Li Galahad 360 AIO and the cabling was so much easier. One connector from each bank of three fans, one from the fans on the AIO rad and even the AIO RGB all connected to one hub. No splitters, no masses of cables, all easily hidden and tidied away. If I had the spare budget and was building again I would absolutely recommend them. It makes the cable management and RGB control so much easier.

now, having said that, they weren’t cheap, I think it was around £180 for 9 fans in total but for aesthetics and the look, I’m happy with my purchase.

Tobywon · 24 Jul 2023 at 10:17

Thanks for the comments, I think I will get them, unless something else jumps out at me within the next hour or two

Mcnumpty2323 · 24 Jul 2023 at 12:10

Along similar lines
There's phanteks d30

Tobywon · 24 Jul 2023 at 17:58

Mcnumpty2323 said:
Along similar lines
There's phanteks d30

I was looking at the Phanteks D30s, they'd solid looking fans, and have went with the AL120s because a triple pack included the controller. But it was pretty much same same in terms of fans and look.

Mcnumpty2323 · 24 Jul 2023 at 18:12

Tobywon said:
I was looking at the Phanteks D30s, they'd solid looking fans, and have went with the AL120s because a triple pack included the controller. But it was pretty much same same in terms of fans and look.

yeah i like both phanteks and lian li
theres also lian li infinity
i have the original al120 but been tempted
by any of those
just very expensive when you have 13 fans installed :rolleyes:

guess the original ones will last a few more years

Tobywon · 24 Jul 2023 at 20:50

Mcnumpty2323 said:
yeah i like both phanteks and lian li
theres also lian li infinity
i have the original al120 but been tempted
by any of those
just very expensive when you have 13 fans installed
guess the original ones will last a few more years

yeah the cost was certainly eye watering purely for fans... but they'll last and I don't plan on upgrading again for a while.

I saw the original SL and AL are on offer with OCUK at the moment and a very good price, but the upgrades made to the V2's made it worth the extra spend.

I did see the infinity but couldn't see any benefit over the AL v2 so kept with them.

Mcnumpty2323 · 24 Jul 2023 at 21:42

Less cables to manage
Was certainly my main reason for getting al120
As well as they're nice to look at

Makes me wonder
Would fans with 0 cables be possible?
Some sort of wireless induction strip in the pc?
Reduce/increase voltage for speed control?

Tobywon · 26 Jul 2023 at 15:17

Mcnumpty2323 said:
Less cables to manage
Was certainly my main reason for getting al120
As well as they're nice to look at

Makes me wonder
Would fans with 0 cables be possible?
Some sort of wireless induction strip in the pc?
Reduce/increase voltage for speed control?

it's an interesting thought but knowing how magnetic induction works, I wouldn't think it would be possible inside a computer case.
i'm not sure what could be done to improve the situation as to how they are now. I see other companies are going with the daisy chain route, which certainly helps, but sadly, the power has to come from somewhere.

Perhaps in built cable routing and headers by case manufactorers could help, assuming the headers are located in positions which work with your chosen system.

Mcnumpty2323 · 26 Jul 2023 at 21:35

Hmmmm how about
Lian li,phanteks, corsair etc
Ie companies who make both the case and fans
No wires on the fans
Just a pogo connector that connects to a pre fitted sata powered
Pogo connector in the case?
With the sata power part out of view in the rear of the case
Not sure I explained that the way I can picture it in my head
Or magnetic connector instead of pogo pins for power

Tobywon · 28 Jul 2023 at 12:47

Mcnumpty2323 said:
Hmmmm how about
Lian li,phanteks, corsair etc
Ie companies who make both the case and fans
No wires on the fans
Just a pogo connector that connects to a pre fitted sata powered
Pogo connector in the case?
With the sata power part out of view in the rear of the case
Not sure I explained that the way I can picture it in my head
Or magnetic connector instead of pogo pins for power

That I could see happening and naturally so they only work with their fan system. to promote exclusivity...

That was similar to my thinking, so the headers for them are positioned in standardised and expected locations.

Could work well