Lian Li O11 Vision Compact Mid-Tower Case Review UK 2026

The Lian Li O11 Vision Compact brings the iconic O11 Dynamic design language into a more manageable footprint, wrapping your components in tempered glass from three sides whilst promising support for serious cooling hardware. After building in dozens of cases over the years, I was keen to see whether this compact iteration maintains the build quality Lian Li is known for, or if the smaller dimensions create compromises that affect the build experience and thermal performance.

Lian Li O11 Vision Compact ATX Mid-Tower Gaming PC Case - Aluminium & Tempered Glass Black PC Case

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.8 (281 reviews)

£106.56

• COMPREHENSIVE HARDWARE SUPPORT: The interior accommodates a wide range of cooling and gaming hardware, including 360mm radiators, vertically mounted 408mm GPUs (kit sold separately), and E-ATX motherboards (up to 280mm).
• SHOWCASE ATX PC CASE: Display your gaming hardware in style with the three tempered glass panels. The front, top, and side glass blend seamlessly to create a panoramic view.
• ENHANCED CABLE MANAGEMENT: For effortless cable organisation, the Lian Li O11 Vision Compact Gaming PC Case in black features an improved secondary chamber with dual-layer clips and a removable cover.
• INTERCHANGEABLE TOP COVER: Swap out the top cover to transform the Vision Compact into a PC case that supports 11 fans and three 360mm radiators for maximum cooling.

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Price checked: 09 Jan 2026 | Affiliate link

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Lian Li O11 Vision Compact Specs Overview

The O11 Vision Compact positions itself as a versatile mid-tower that doesn’t compromise on component support despite its reduced footprint compared to the full-sized O11 Dynamic. The specifications promise accommodation for serious hardware, including E-ATX motherboards and multiple 360mm radiators when you swap the top cover.

The case measures approximately 395mm (H) × 285mm (W) × 465mm (D), making it noticeably more compact than the original O11 Dynamic whilst maintaining E-ATX motherboard support up to 280mm wide. This is genuinely impressive engineering, though as I discovered during my build, that compact footprint does create some interesting challenges for certain component combinations.

One specification that stands out immediately is the zero included fans. At this price point, I’d expect at least a basic fan configuration to get you started. Lian Li clearly expects buyers to invest in their UNI FAN ecosystem or similar premium cooling solutions, which adds significantly to the total build cost.

Airflow & Thermal Performance Analysis

Here’s where the Lian Li O11 Vision Compact reveals its true nature. This is a showcase case first, an airflow case second. The three-sided tempered glass design creates a stunning visual experience but fundamentally limits natural ventilation compared to mesh-fronted alternatives.

The O11 Vision Compact uses a dual-chamber design where intake fans mount on the side panel (behind tempered glass) and push air through the motherboard chamber. Air then exhausts through the top and rear. This creates a side-to-top airflow pattern rather than the traditional front-to-back configuration.

Without any included fans, you’ll need to populate at least the side intake (three 120mm positions) and top exhaust (three 120mm positions) to achieve reasonable thermals. During my testing with a Ryzen 7 7800X3D and RTX 4070 Ti, I needed quality static pressure fans on the side intake to overcome the glass panel restriction. Cheap fans simply won’t cut it here.

The good news is that once properly configured with six to nine quality fans, the case performs adequately. GPU temperatures were acceptable thanks to the vertical mounting option and the chamber separation prevents hot GPU exhaust from immediately recirculating into the CPU cooler. However, if you’re comparing pure thermal performance against something like the Fractal Design North with its unobstructed mesh panels, the O11 Vision Compact requires more fan investment to achieve similar results.

The interchangeable top cover is a clever feature. The standard cover provides a clean aesthetic but limits top ventilation. Swap to the optional mesh cover (sold separately, naturally) and you can mount three 360mm radiators simultaneously – side, top, and bottom. For custom loop enthusiasts, this flexibility is genuinely impressive. For air cooling builds, the standard cover is fine but you’ll want to ensure proper side intake configuration.

Dust filtering is well-implemented with magnetic mesh filters on the top and removable filters on the bottom. The side intake has a basic filter behind the glass panel. Filter maintenance is straightforward, and the magnetic attachment makes cleaning every few months painless. I’ve dealt with cases where filter removal requires partial disassembly, so this thoughtful approach is appreciated.

Component Compatibility & Clearance

Despite the compact designation, the O11 Vision Compact offers generous clearances that accommodate modern high-end components. Lian Li has clearly prioritised compatibility, and this is where the case genuinely impresses.

The GPU clearance deserves special mention. Lian Li advertises 408mm support for vertically mounted cards, which is genuinely impressive. However, you’ll need to purchase their vertical GPU mounting kit separately. In standard horizontal orientation, you get 365mm clearance, which still accommodates virtually every consumer graphics card including the massive RTX 4090.

I tested fitment with an ASUS TUF RTX 4070 Ti (348mm) and had abundant clearance in horizontal mounting. The vertical mounting option is particularly attractive for modern GPUs with elaborate cooler designs that deserve to be displayed. Just remember that vertical mounting places the GPU closer to the side glass panel, which impacts GPU cooling if you don’t have adequate side intake fans.

The 167mm CPU cooler clearance is sufficient for flagship air coolers, though you’ll want to check RAM clearance with particularly tall tower coolers. I tested with a be quiet! Dark Rock 4 (159mm) and had no issues whatsoever. AIO users will find the side chamber particularly accommodating – mounting a 360mm radiator here is straightforward and doesn’t interfere with motherboard components.

PSU clearance is standard ATX with no length restrictions that would affect normal builds. The PSU chamber is well-isolated in the rear compartment with its own ventilation. Cable routing from the PSU chamber to the motherboard tray uses generous grommets that accommodate even thick custom cables without struggle.

Build Experience & Cable Management

This is where Lian Li’s experience shows. The O11 Vision Compact is genuinely pleasant to build in, with thoughtful features that make component installation and cable management far easier than many cases at this price point.

The cable management system is where this case truly excels. The secondary chamber (behind the motherboard tray) provides approximately 25mm of depth, which is adequate for routing cables without excessive force when closing the rear panel. Lian Li includes dual-layer cable clips that secure cables at multiple points, preventing the cable spaghetti that plagues cheaper cases.

The removable cover for the secondary chamber is a brilliant touch. Rather than trying to route cables through tight spaces whilst the cover is installed, you can remove it entirely during the build process. This transforms cable management from a frustrating puzzle into a straightforward task. Once cables are routed and secured with the included velcro straps and clips, the cover reinstalls cleanly.

Panel fitment is excellent across all three glass panels. Each panel uses thumb screws with comfortable, oversized heads that don’t require tools. The panels align precisely with no gaps or misalignment. The tempered glass itself is 4mm thick with clean edges – no sharp corners that might chip during installation. After multiple removals and reinstallations during testing, the panels maintained perfect fitment without developing any looseness.

Motherboard installation is straightforward with pre-installed standoffs for ATX boards. If you’re installing E-ATX, you’ll need to manually adjust standoff positions, but the process is clearly documented. The motherboard tray has generous cutouts around the CPU socket area for cooler backplate installation, though I’d have appreciated a slightly larger cutout for easier access.

One minor frustration: there’s no dedicated 2.5″ SSD mounting area on the motherboard tray itself. You’ll need to use the mounts in the PSU chamber, which works fine but makes SSD swaps slightly more involved than cases with motherboard tray SSD mounts. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting if you frequently swap storage drives.

The included hardware is adequate. You get all necessary screws, standoffs, and cable ties. No missing components or wrong screw types, which sounds basic but I’ve encountered premium cases that somehow miss this mark. The instruction manual is clear with good diagrams, though experienced builders won’t need to reference it much.

No sharp edges anywhere. I’ve built in enough cases to appreciate this – cheap cases will absolutely draw blood during installation. The O11 Vision Compact has properly rolled edges and chamfered cutouts throughout. This is basic manufacturing quality that separates premium cases from budget alternatives.

Front I/O & Storage Configuration

The front I/O panel is positioned on the top-right edge of the case, angled for easy access whether the case sits on a desk or floor. The layout is clean and functional, though not particularly generous by modern standards.

The USB-C port is a welcome inclusion and properly supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds, assuming your motherboard has the appropriate header. The two USB-A ports are standard USB 3.0, adequate for peripherals though I’d have appreciated USB 3.2 Gen 2 here as well at this price point.

The combined audio jack works fine for headsets but limits flexibility if you want separate headphone and microphone connections. Most modern gaming headsets use combined jacks anyway, so this won’t affect most users. The power button has a satisfying click with no mushiness. There’s no dedicated reset button, which is increasingly common in modern cases.

Storage configuration is firmly focused on SSDs with zero support for 3.5″ hard drives. This makes sense for a showcase case in 2026 – spinning rust has no place in a premium build. You get four 2.5″ SSD mounting positions in the PSU chamber, accessed by removing the PSU shroud cover.

The SSD mounts use a simple tray system with thumb screws. Installation is straightforward, though as mentioned earlier, you’ll need to route SATA cables (if using SATA SSDs) through the cable management channels. Most builders will use M.2 NVMe drives mounted directly on the motherboard, making these 2.5″ bays primarily useful for additional storage or older SATA SSDs being migrated from previous builds.

For a case targeting enthusiasts who likely use M.2 storage exclusively, the four 2.5″ bays provide adequate expansion. If you’re building a media server or need massive storage arrays, this isn’t your case. But for gaming and content creation builds, the storage configuration is perfectly adequate.

Alternatives & Comparison

At its current price point, the O11 Vision Compact faces competition from several excellent cases that offer different priorities. Understanding these alternatives helps contextualise where the Vision Compact excels and where it makes compromises.

The Fractal Design North offers superior out-of-the-box airflow with its unobstructed mesh front panel and includes two quality fans. If thermal performance is your priority and you don’t need E-ATX support, the North delivers better cooling for similar money. However, it lacks the panoramic glass aesthetic that defines the O11 Vision Compact.

The NZXT H9 Flow is perhaps the closest competitor, offering similar E-ATX support, excellent mesh airflow, and comparable build quality. The H9 Flow includes three fans and costs slightly more, but provides better thermal performance without requiring immediate fan investment. The trade-off is aesthetics – the H9 Flow is handsome but conventional, whilst the O11 Vision Compact is genuinely striking.

If you’re considering the compact Lian Li ecosystem, the Lian Li A3-mATX offers excellent value with mesh airflow and solid build quality at a lower price point. However, it’s limited to mATX boards and lacks the premium materials and showcase design of the O11 Vision Compact.

The O11 Vision Compact occupies a specific niche: it’s for builders who prioritise aesthetics and want to showcase their components behind glass, who have the budget to invest in proper cooling fans, and who appreciate premium build quality. If you want maximum airflow per pound spent, mesh alternatives offer better value. If you want your PC to be a display piece that happens to be functional, the O11 Vision Compact delivers that experience better than most competitors.

For more information about the O11 Vision Compact’s design philosophy and specifications, visit Lian Li’s official product page.