Lian-Li PC-Q25

For anyone thinking of picking up a Q25 now is the time, it's one sale today on Newegg:
LIAN LI PC-Q25B Black Aluminum Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case
$69.99
With Promo Code: EMCYTZT2927
After $15 MIR with Free Shipping!

Just ordered one myself... been on the fence for this case for a while. Every time it was on sale for like $80 I thought about it a lot. Then when the sale was over and it was back to $120 I told myself I should have picked one up for $80 (which was like a week or so ago)
 
For anyone thinking of picking up a Q25 now is the time, it's one sale today on Newegg:
LIAN LI PC-Q25B Black Aluminum Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case
$69.99
With Promo Code: EMCYTZT2927
After $15 MIR with Free Shipping!

Just ordered one myself... been on the fence for this case for a while. Every time it was on sale for like $80 I thought about it a lot. Then when the sale was over and it was back to $120 I told myself I should have picked one up for $80 (which was like a week or so ago)

fuck the promo is expired
 
Edit 2: I seem to have a different SATA backplane than the others in this thread. Mine has 3 Molex power connectors, 5 SATA data connectors, and 5 SATA power connectors. The SATA data connectors are also rotated 90 degrees from the pics in this thread. It seems to be the Q18 backplane plus an additional separate single drive PCB with both SATA and Molex connectors on it.
I have a similar issue with my Q25B; the SATA connections are rotated 90 degrees such that they are now horizontal. Additionally, I don't have SATA power connections on my backplane; only 3x Molex. I'll take a picture and post when I get home tonight.

EDIT: Correction, it has the SATA and Molex power connectors.
xHuNqSp.jpg
 
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I would prefer using board mounted connectors for power. Lian Li did for a time used soldered wires from the pcb to the connector. I always feared they could break if the wires at the pcb with an tight angle. because a lack of space.
 
I'm working on a mod to my PC-Q25. It's not done yet, waiting on rivets, and still have to make a bracket for the SFX PSU. But here's how it will look:

IMG_20130319_142809.jpg


IMG_20130319_142744.jpg


IMG_20130319_142906.jpg


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Basically the PSU will pull air in from front case intake, and then exhaust it towards the top case exhaust.
 
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It took a while, but I'm finally done!!

First off, the updated hardware list:
Case: Lian-Li PC-Q25
Motherboard: Intel S1200KPR (Mini-ITX)
Processor: Intel Xeon E3-1265LV2
Power supply: Kurotoshiko KRPW-PT500W/92+
Memory: Kingston 2x 8GB ECC DDR3-10600
HBA: IBM ServeRAID M1015
HDD: Seagate Momentus XT 500gb
Storage drives: WD Green 3TB x6 + Hitachi 5K3000 3TB x2

I've installed Ubuntu and use ZFS and Samba. Also installed Apache to do some light webhosting of my personal site.

Overall I'm very happy with how this is going, despite running into some problems. I've managed to fit 8 3.5" drives into a case which supposedly only allows 7, and drive temperatures appear to be OK (around 33C).

First problem - my M1015 is faulty. Port 3 doesn't appear to work - it isn't a cable or drive or firmware issue, I think maybe the connector on the card is faulty. So I have only 7 drives connected and 1 drive directly on the motherboard - bummer.

Second - dust. Oh god, so much dust. I'm going to put it up on top of my bookshelf once I'm done, and that should fix that problem. Worst case I'll put dust covers over the openings on the sides of the case - all the fans have dust covers already.

I created a Samba share, and from my desktop just copying files in explorer I get about 95mb/s - not great, but good enough for now.

Next step will be to install some extras on the box - Nagios is first - I'm interested in basic temperature statistics, and also want to capture some stats from my APC UPS which has a network card installed.

So here are some photos -

This is the right side with side panel removed.

eGy4YPb.jpg


Note the two 3.5" HDDs on the bottom - I used a bracket like this to stack them together, then it was a very tight squeeze to get them onto the bottom bracket. They have no airflow, so those two drives are my 5-yr extended warranty WD Greens - if they die, I'll just have them replaced ;)

Also note that the 5th drive in the quick remove rack has its own little backplane, which I have removed to make connection simpler for that drive, as it is directly connected. The backplane felt a little redundant.

FFxDMdj.jpg


From the left. On the bottom bracket from the left is 1x Hitachi, middle 1x Seagate 2.5", right 2x WD Green connected by a bracket. 4 more WD Green and 1 Hitachi in the trays above. The PSU sits over the motherboard, and I've tried to bundle all the spare power cables as close as possible using velcro. You can just see where the M1015 sits by where the SATA cables are going on the bottom left.

OMT8Uuc.jpg


For this photo I pulled the PSU out - extremely easy to do on this case. Undo four large thumbscrews and gently pull it out. You can see the low profile Intel stock cooler, and the M1015.

More than anything I'm impressed with this case - it is extremely easy to use, and very well laid out - no wasted space, but not so tight it is hard to use. The side panels are completely tool-less - they have metal pins on the side panels that push into plastic holders on the main case - feels solid and reliable. All the drives are mounted with big thumbscrews as well.

Maybe my only regret is my choice of PSU - something modular might have been better, and I may replace it in the future if I find a use for the current power supply.
 
It took a while, but I'm finally done!!

First off, the updated hardware list:
Case: Lian-Li PC-Q25
Motherboard: Intel S1200KPR (Mini-ITX)
Processor: Intel Xeon E3-1265LV2
Power supply: Kurotoshiko KRPW-PT500W/92+
Memory: Kingston 2x 8GB ECC DDR3-10600
HBA: IBM ServeRAID M1015
HDD: Seagate Momentus XT 500gb
Storage drives: WD Green 3TB x6 + Hitachi 5K3000 3TB x2

I've installed Ubuntu and use ZFS and Samba. Also installed Apache to do some light webhosting of my personal site.

Overall I'm very happy with how this is going, despite running into some problems. I've managed to fit 8 3.5" drives into a case which supposedly only allows 7, and drive temperatures appear to be OK (around 33C).

First problem - my M1015 is faulty. Port 3 doesn't appear to work - it isn't a cable or drive or firmware issue, I think maybe the connector on the card is faulty. So I have only 7 drives connected and 1 drive directly on the motherboard - bummer.

Second - dust. Oh god, so much dust. I'm going to put it up on top of my bookshelf once I'm done, and that should fix that problem. Worst case I'll put dust covers over the openings on the sides of the case - all the fans have dust covers already.

I created a Samba share, and from my desktop just copying files in explorer I get about 95mb/s - not great, but good enough for now.

Next step will be to install some extras on the box - Nagios is first - I'm interested in basic temperature statistics, and also want to capture some stats from my APC UPS which has a network card installed.

So here are some photos -

This is the right side with side panel removed.

eGy4YPb.jpg


Note the two 3.5" HDDs on the bottom - I used a bracket like this to stack them together, then it was a very tight squeeze to get them onto the bottom bracket. They have no airflow, so those two drives are my 5-yr extended warranty WD Greens - if they die, I'll just have them replaced ;)

Also note that the 5th drive in the quick remove rack has its own little backplane, which I have removed to make connection simpler for that drive, as it is directly connected. The backplane felt a little redundant.

FFxDMdj.jpg


From the left. On the bottom bracket from the left is 1x Hitachi, middle 1x Seagate 2.5", right 2x WD Green connected by a bracket. 4 more WD Green and 1 Hitachi in the trays above. The PSU sits over the motherboard, and I've tried to bundle all the spare power cables as close as possible using velcro. You can just see where the M1015 sits by where the SATA cables are going on the bottom left.

OMT8Uuc.jpg


For this photo I pulled the PSU out - extremely easy to do on this case. Undo four large thumbscrews and gently pull it out. You can see the low profile Intel stock cooler, and the M1015.

More than anything I'm impressed with this case - it is extremely easy to use, and very well laid out - no wasted space, but not so tight it is hard to use. The side panels are completely tool-less - they have metal pins on the side panels that push into plastic holders on the main case - feels solid and reliable. All the drives are mounted with big thumbscrews as well.

Maybe my only regret is my choice of PSU - something modular might have been better, and I may replace it in the future if I find a use for the current power supply.

gj, never hear of your psu name. good to know another brand

i had the e3 1260l for my inital build but later replace it for an i3. moved my 1260l to my esxi cuz it was over kill for my zfs. the L series TPU is really good but it pricey

btw hows the linux zfs?
 
I am working on using this case for a gaming build. I have an i5 3450 that I have gotten to 3.9GHz on a Z77 ITX board with 16 gig of RAM and a 240 Gig SSD. I am using a Silverstone SFX 450watt Gold for the PSU and a 7950 for the video.

I did find I needed to replaced the stock 120mm fan as it is loud. I put in Noctua fans for front and top as well as a Noctua low profile cooler

I am still debating the idea of taking out the HD cage, it would give more room but I do not need it. Putting in a AiO would be nice but having it put the air back into the case seems like a bad idea to me with only the 120 really pulling the heat out.
 
Also note that the 5th drive in the quick remove rack has its own little backplane, which I have removed to make connection simpler for that drive, as it is directly connected. The backplane felt a little redundant.
The 5th backpane is a little redundant, but without it you don't have the hotswap feature. Not really a problem, as long as you plan for it.
 
I finished building my HTPC / Steambox with a bunch of spare parts.

Definitely Loving the case. It can cram so many components on something efficient and tiny.

DSC00228.jpg
 
I am working on using this case for a gaming build. I have an i5 3450 that I have gotten to 3.9GHz on a Z77 ITX board with 16 gig of RAM and a 240 Gig SSD. I am using a Silverstone SFX 450watt Gold for the PSU and a 7950 for the video.

I did find I needed to replaced the stock 120mm fan as it is loud. I put in Noctua fans for front and top as well as a Noctua low profile cooler

I am still debating the idea of taking out the HD cage, it would give more room but I do not need it. Putting in a AiO would be nice but having it put the air back into the case seems like a bad idea to me with only the 120 really pulling the heat out.
i think i might replace the fans as well with Noctua. I did buy that Noctua lowprofile cooler they released (pretty nice)
 
gj, never hear of your psu name. good to know another brand

Very big in Japan, I'm not sure but it might be something rebranded. Good quality, prices are competitive too.

i had the e3 1260l for my inital build but later replace it for an i3. moved my 1260l to my esxi cuz it was over kill for my zfs. the L series TPU is really good but it pricey

btw hows the linux zfs?

Yeah, its massive overkill but I figure why not? I'll write it off as a business expense anyway.

Linux ZFS seems ok, guess I just have to wait and see. On Ubuntu it was simple to setup, and I haven't had a single problem yet. Not sure about performance, but for a home gigabit network it is plenty.
 
Hi guys,

I just picked up one of these cases for a htpc. I wanted to know what length sata cable is good to use and would a straight to straight connection be good? Thanks in advance!
 
The rear panel is a little close to the hot swap SATA connectors. I used right-angle connectors to give me clearance. I'm not sure straights would work, or if they do, its a worryingly tight fit. The standard length was enough to make it from the drives to the mobo neatly.
 
Lian Li PC-Q25 miniITX case
Intel i5-2500K @ 4.8GHz
Prolimatech Samuel 17
Samsung "Magic Memory" 2x 4GB @ 2133
AS Rock Z77E-ITX mobo
(added better antennas for WiFi)
KingWin Modular Extreme 600W PSU
XFX Radeon 6950
3M DiNoc Carbon Fibre vinyl on PSU
Added Daughter card to convert mSATA port for 5th SSD/HDD
SATA #0 Samsung 250GB SSD 840 in Icy Dock
SATA #1 Seagate 2TB 7200RPM HDD
SATA #2 Crucial 128GB SSD m4 in Icy Dock
SATA #3 Toshiba 2TB 7200 RPM HDD
SATA #4 Western Digital 1.5TB Black HDD
Fans upgraded to Noctua NH-L12 for intake and NF-P12 for cpu
Lenovo DB60 DVD-RW below video card (powered off internal USBs)

It's a later revision as you can see from the positions of the SATA/Molex (you need to use SATA power for hot-swap). Case was $60 on a NewEgg Special after MIR. a steal.

DSCN1006-002.jpg


DSCN0950.JPG


On top of a CM Stacker 801 for size comparison
DSCN0997.JPG


(I really should NOT be allowed to use a camera. my apologies for the pics.)
 
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Honestly, I removed the hotswappable sata panels. The case side panels are easy to take apart and I didn't want the added complexity.
 
I ordered the NCase M1 but I needed an ITX case for my gaming build. The Q25 I used to use a file server worked beautifully.

System is dead silent on idle and a nice wurr on the titan on gaming.
Mobo Z87IDELUXE with i7 4770k @ 4.4ghz
Cooler H90 with Noctua NF14 fans exhaust fan is a Gentle Typhoon
GFX EVGA GTX Titan
Storage Samsung 840 500gb and 256gb

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So what CPU heatsinks are people using if you don't mod the drive cage? I noticed a Samuel, but wasn't clear on what others were being used.
 
Future Reference: Please shrink your picture. There is no reason that I should be horizontally scrolling on my 2560-pixel-wide monitor.
 
Hi guys,
doe anybodu know if a scythe Kozuti will fit on a Asus Z87I-PRO into this lian li case?
I just ordered the asus mobo and don't want to use the standard intel cooler on a Core i5
 
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Props to everyone sharing their builds.

MB: AsRock Z87E-ITX
CPU: Intel Haswell i7-4770K
RAM: 2 x 8GB RAM G.SKILL Ares 1866Mhz
HD: 3 x 4TB HDD Seagate ST4000DM000
HD: 1 x 256GB SDD ADATA MLC SATA 6Gb/s
PS: SilverStone SF55F-G (w/o short cable kit)
ETC: 10" SATA cables that are able to reach backplace from asrock mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812123157
tardisITX02.png
 
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It took a while, but I'm finally done!!

First off, the updated hardware list:
Case: Lian-Li PC-Q25
Motherboard: Intel S1200KPR (Mini-ITX)
Processor: Intel Xeon E3-1265LV2
Power supply: Kurotoshiko KRPW-PT500W/92+
Memory: Kingston 2x 8GB ECC DDR3-10600
HBA: IBM ServeRAID M1015
HDD: Seagate Momentus XT 500gb
Storage drives: WD Green 3TB x6 + Hitachi 5K3000 3TB x2

Great looking build ewok!
quick question though... Could you fit 9? haha.
I won't have any need for the PCIe expansion slot, and would be using an onboard mSATA SSD for the OS, so I was thinking the area directly below the PSU and CPU (where your first Hitachi is sitting) could that area support a stacked setup like your 2 Western Digital Greens? Or would the MB be in the way?
 
You can easily fit 9 drives in there as long as you use an adapter to stack two of the drives towards the front of the case. If you don't need to use he PCI slot on the motherboard, you could probably fit 11 drives without resorting to cramming them together.
 
Yes, because I need 44 TB's... Haha, I worry about what I would do with that much storage. I would just have to get into some sort of trouble, just to find something to copy. I've been thinking about getting into web storage hosting anyway.
Haha, I wouldn't have any way to connect them anyway. I could pull off 9 with 6 native SATA ports, 2 ports off of a Mini PCIe Adaptor (PM362), and one more off of the eSATA port re-routed into the case.
Although one; re-routing a cable back into the case would look pretty dumb, and two, I can't get a straight answer as to whether that eSATA port is getting its own dedicated channel, or if it's a switchable channel from one of the interior ports.
 
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Yes, because I need 44 TB's... Haha, I worry about what I would do with that much storage. I would just have to get into some sort of trouble, just to find something to copy. I've been thinking about getting into web storage hosting anyway.
Haha, I wouldn't have any way to connect them anyway. I could pull off 9 with 6 native SATA ports, 2 ports off of a Mini PCIe Adaptor (PM362), and one more off of the eSATA port re-routed into the case.
Although one; re-routing a cable back into the case would look pretty dumb, and two, I can't get a straight answer as to whether that eSATA port is getting its own dedicated channel, or if it's a switchable channel from one of the interior ports.

Actually, I had something like the ASRock C2550D4I server board in mind for a maxed-out configuration: http://www.asrock.com/server/index.asp?CPU=&Type=&Form=mITX. :)

Cable management would be interesting...
 
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Actually, I had something like the ASRock C2550D4I server board in mind for a maxed-out configuration: http://www.asrock.com/server/index.asp?CPU=&Type=&Form=mITX. :)

Cable management would be interesting...

Dual LAN, Quad DIMMs with LoVoDDR3 support AND 12 SATA ports, all in a mini-ITX board!?! Nice! Too bad it isn't using a more traditional socketed x87 northbridge. Had to do some research on that proc, very interesting, I didn't know that the server grade Atom processors were getting so powerful!
Out of the five C2xxx procs Intel just released, the C2730, C2750, and the C2530 are all awesome options with their own strengths, like amazing power efficiency. Especially considering the 8 cores tapping out at 2.0 GHz are pulling it off at only 12W max TDP.
As for the boards, the C2550D4I would make a great option too for those on a tighter budget, or looking to maximize power efficiency without the need for Octo-cores. Found another home server centric forum talking about these boards, mentioning a review coming out soon for the C2750D4I with Server/NAS duties in mind, and the boards coming to market around Dec.
 
How well do you think that that C2750 would do with video encoding/transcoding? I also have a Media Ripper build I've had on the back burner that I was thinking about doing with a small(ish) mATX board, an i7-4765T, 6 Optical drives, and 4 small Velociraptors running in RAID10 for the temp storage, along with an SSD for the actual OS. I was having issues finding a board with enough ports with full ATAPI support for all of the optical drives, but this would probably do quite nicely, with the added benefit of the smaller footprint without losing the DIMMs. I would be using a RAMDisk as a temp encoding scratch drive and being able to support 32GBs would help greatly.
 
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