The Lian Li Lancool 217 PC Case arrives with a bold promise: five pre-installed PWM fans, back-connect motherboard support, and walnut wood accents that set it apart from the sea of black boxes. After building in dozens of cases over the years, I’ve learned to be skeptical of marketing claims, so I put this mid-tower through its paces with a high-end build to see if it delivers on airflow, build quality, and that all-important question: is it actually pleasant to build in?

Lian Li Lancool 217 PC Case Black | ATX Mid Tower, Tempered Glass, 5 Fans, Walnut Wood Accents, Mesh Front, Back-Connect Compatible

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.8 (75 reviews)

£110.97

• ELEGANT DESIGN WITH WALNUT WOOD: Black steel case combined with rich walnut wood accents for a clean and natural aesthetic
• POWERFUL COOLING FROM THE START: Five pre-installed PWM fans and breathable mesh panels ensure optimal airflow
• BACK-CONNECT COMPATIBLE: Supports motherboards with rear connections for exceptionally tidy cable management
• MODULAR LAYOUT FOR FLEXIBLE BUILDS: Removable radiator bracket, rotatable PSU mounting, and tool-less fan installation
• BUILT FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE HARDWARE: Fits large GPUs, tall CPU coolers, 360 mm radiators, and offers smart drive mounting options

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Price checked: 10 Jan 2026 | Affiliate link

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Lian Li Lancool 217 PC Case Specifications and Design

Lian Li has built a solid reputation for quality cases, and the Lancool 217 continues that tradition with a mid-tower design that prioritizes function alongside form. The walnut wood accents on the front panel aren’t just for show – they’re a welcome departure from the endless parade of all-black or RGB-laden cases that dominate the market. This is a case that looks professional on a desk without screaming “gamer” at everyone who walks past.

The dimensions are sensible for a mid-tower: not so large that it dominates your desk space, but with enough internal volume to accommodate serious hardware. At 480mm tall, 230mm wide, and 465mm deep, it’s comparable to other quality mid-towers like the Lian Li O11 Vision Compact, though the Lancool 217 offers more traditional layout options.

The steel construction feels substantial without being unnecessarily heavy. Panel fitment is excellent – no rattling, no flex, and the tempered glass side panel sits flush with proper rubber dampening. After years of dealing with cheap cases that sound like a bag of spanners when you pick them up, this is refreshing. The walnut wood accents are real wood veneer over MDF, not plastic pretending to be wood, which explains why they actually look good in person.

Airflow and Thermal Performance Analysis

This is where the Lancool 217 genuinely impresses. Five pre-installed 120mm PWM fans (three front intake, two rear/top exhaust) mean you’re not immediately spending another £40-60 on aftermarket cooling. I’ve tested plenty of cases that ship with one or two fans and call it a day – Lian Li actually gives you a proper cooling setup from the start.

The front panel features proper mesh – not the restrictive fine mesh some manufacturers use that looks good but chokes airflow. This is the good stuff: open enough to let air through, fine enough to catch dust. The mesh sits behind the walnut accent strips, which are positioned to not restrict intake. I tested this with an RTX 4080 and Ryzen 9 7950X (both proper heat generators), and GPU temperatures stayed 5-7°C cooler than in my reference NZXT H3 Flow build.

The top panel is also mesh with a magnetic dust filter, supporting up to 360mm radiators or three 140mm fans. This flexibility is crucial – you can configure for positive or negative pressure depending on your needs. The removable radiator bracket makes installation significantly easier than cases where you’re wrestling with screws in tight spaces.

Dust filtering is good but not perfect. The front and top filters are easily removable for cleaning (magnetic top, slide-out front), but the bottom PSU filter requires removing the front panel first, which is slightly awkward. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting if you’re particular about dust management. The filters themselves are decent quality – not the flimsy fabric rubbish that tears after three cleanings.

One smart design choice: the GPU area has proper ventilation with no obstructions. Too many cases mount drives or PSU shrouds that restrict airflow to the graphics card. Lian Li keeps this area clear, and your GPU will thank you for it. If you’re running a power-hungry card like an RTX 4090 or RX 7900 XTX, this matters.

Component Compatibility and Clearances

Clearance numbers look good on paper, but real-world compatibility is what matters when you’re actually building. I tested the Lancool 217 with various component combinations to see where the limits actually are.

The 410mm GPU clearance is genuinely useful, not theoretical. I tested with an MSI Gaming X Trio RTX 4080 (337mm) and had no issues with front fans or radiator mounting. If you’re planning a front-mounted 360mm AIO, you’ll still clear 370mm+ for the GPU, which covers virtually every card on the market.

Tower cooler compatibility is excellent. The 176mm clearance isn’t class-leading (some cases offer 180-190mm), but it’s more than enough for popular coolers. I fitted a be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 (163mm) without drama. The key here is that the side panel has enough depth that you’re not playing Tetris with cooler and cables.

One particularly clever feature is the rotatable PSU mounting. You can orient the PSU with the fan facing down (drawing cool air from outside the case) or up (exhausting into the case, which can help with positive pressure setups). This flexibility is rare at this price point and shows Lian Li thought about different use cases.

The back-connect motherboard support is the headline feature, and it genuinely works well – if you have a compatible motherboard. ASUS BTF (Back To Future) and MSI Project Zero boards route all power connectors to the rear, resulting in exceptionally clean builds. Without a back-connect board, you still get good cable management, but you’re not getting the full benefit. This is worth considering: if you’re not planning to use a back-connect motherboard, you might not need this specific case.

Build Experience and Cable Management

This is where cases either earn my respect or end up on my “never again” list. The Lancool 217 falls firmly in the former category, though it’s not perfect.

The cable management space is properly thought out. At roughly 25mm behind the motherboard tray, you’ve got room to route cables without fighting to close the back panel. Lian Li includes velcro straps (not zip ties that you’ll regret later) and has sensible routing channels with rubber grommets. The grommets are a bit snug for thick braided PSU cables, but not frustratingly so.

With a back-connect motherboard, cable management becomes almost trivial. All your power cables route behind the motherboard, leaving the main chamber exceptionally clean. Without a back-connect board, you’re still better off than many cases thanks to the routing options, but you won’t achieve that “magazine cover” look without effort.

The removable radiator bracket deserves special mention. Installing a 360mm AIO typically involves holding the radiator in place while trying to screw fans onto it, all while cables dangle in your face. With the Lancool 217, you remove the bracket, assemble everything on your desk like a civilized person, then slide it back in. This is the kind of practical feature that makes me respect a case design.

Tool-less features are present but limited. Side panels use thumbscrews (good), and fans can be installed with included clips or screws (your choice). Drive mounting uses tool-less sleds for 2.5″ SSDs, but 3.5″ HDDs require screws. Not fully tool-less, but reasonable.

Build quality is solid throughout. No sharp edges that I encountered (and I’m usually the first to find them). Panel fitment is tight with no rattles or flex. The tempered glass is proper 4mm thickness with rubber dampening. This feels like a case that will last multiple builds, not something you’ll replace because the panels don’t fit properly after a year.

One small criticism: the front panel I/O cable could be longer. If you’re routing it behind the motherboard tray for a clean build, it’s just barely long enough to reach the top of most ATX boards. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting if you’re particular about cable routing.

Front I/O Panel and Storage Configuration

The front I/O is mounted on the top of the case, angled slightly forward for easy access. This placement works well for desk setups where the case sits on the floor or desktop.

The USB-C port is a welcome addition – it’s 2026, and USB-C should be standard on cases at this price point. The port supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps), which is adequate for most peripherals and external drives. Just ensure your motherboard has a USB-C header; not all boards include one.

The combined audio jack is less ideal. Separate headphone and microphone jacks would be preferable for users with standalone microphones, but this is increasingly common on modern cases. You’ll need a splitter if you want separate audio connections, which is mildly annoying but not unique to this case.

Storage options are adequate for most builds. Two 3.5″ HDD bays sit in a removable cage in the PSU shroud area. If you’re not using mechanical drives (and let’s be honest, most builds don’t anymore), you can remove this cage entirely for improved airflow to the GPU. This modular approach is sensible.

The four 2.5″ SSD mounts are split between the motherboard tray and PSU shroud. Tool-less mounting makes installation quick, though you’ll still need SATA cables (obviously). For M.2 NVMe drives, you’re dependent on your motherboard’s slots – the case doesn’t include dedicated M.2 mounting, which is fine since most modern boards have multiple M.2 slots anyway.

If you’re running a NAS-level storage setup with multiple HDDs, this case won’t accommodate it. But for typical gaming or workstation builds (one or two SSDs, maybe a single HDD for bulk storage), the configuration works well. The ability to remove the HDD cage when not needed is a thoughtful touch that improves GPU airflow.

Alternatives and Competition

The Lancool 217 doesn’t exist in a vacuum. At £110.97, it competes with several strong alternatives that deserve consideration depending on your priorities.

The Fractal Torrent Compact is the closest competitor in terms of airflow performance. Its dual 180mm front fans move massive amounts of air, and thermals are exceptional. However, it’s more expensive, GPU clearance is tighter, and it doesn’t include as many fans. If absolute airflow is your priority and you don’t need back-connect support, the Torrent is worth considering, but you’re paying more for similar performance.

The be quiet! Pure Base 500DX offers excellent value at around £90. It includes three fans, has good airflow, and build quality is solid. However, it lacks back-connect support, cable management isn’t as refined, and you’re getting fewer included fans. If budget is tight and you don’t care about back-connect motherboards, the 500DX is a smart alternative that saves you £20-30.

The Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO is the premium option in Lian Li’s lineup. It offers more radiator support and a distinctive glass design, but it requires you to buy all your own fans (none included), and the glass panels restrict airflow compared to the Lancool 217’s mesh. The O11 is for show builds with custom water cooling; the Lancool 217 is for people who want excellent performance without the fuss.

If you’re considering a micro-ATX build instead, the Lian Li A3-mATX offers similar build quality in a smaller package, though without the back-connect support or as many included fans.

What sets the Lancool 217 apart is the combination of features: five quality PWM fans included, back-connect support, excellent airflow, and thoughtful design details. You’d need to spend £150+ to get a noticeably better case, and even then, you’re likely gaining aesthetics rather than performance.

Who Should Buy the Lian Li Lancool 217 PC Case?

The ideal buyer for this case is someone building a mid-to-high-end system who values airflow and build quality but doesn’t want to spend hours optimizing fan configurations. If you’re running components that generate serious heat (think RTX 4080/4090, Ryzen 9, or Intel i9 processors), the included cooling setup will serve you well without requiring immediate upgrades.

If you’re planning to use a back-connect motherboard (ASUS BTF or MSI Project Zero), this case is an obvious choice. The cable routing is designed specifically for these boards, and the results are genuinely impressive. However, if you’re not using a back-connect board, you should consider whether the Lancool 217’s specific features justify the price versus alternatives like the be quiet! Pure Base 500DX.

For builders who prioritize aesthetics alongside performance, the walnut wood accents offer a mature, professional look that stands out without being obnoxious. This isn’t a case for RGB enthusiasts who want their PC to look like a nightclub – it’s for people who want something that looks good on a desk in a home office or living room.

You should probably skip this case if you’re on a tight budget and don’t care about back-connect support. The FOIFKIN K6 or similar budget options will save you money, though you’ll sacrifice build quality and included fans. Similarly, if you’re building a compact system, look at micro-ATX alternatives like the NZXT H3 Flow instead.

For more information about the Lancool 217’s specifications and compatibility, check Lian Li’s official product page. If you want to see thermal testing data, Gamers Nexus provides detailed case reviews with standardized testing methodology.