Lian Li Lancool 217 vs Fractal Design Meshify 2

The Lancool 217 is the better pick for most new builds: it ships with five fans, takes back-connect motherboards, and has a wood-and-mesh front that looks less generic than the Meshify 2. The Meshify 2 wins on storage and long-card clearance, with six 3.5-inch bays and room for a 467 mm GPU, and its 4.8-out-of-5 owner rating reflects years of solid build reports. Pick the Fractal if you run a big drive array or a very long card; pick the Lian Li for airflow out of the box and cleaner cable routing.

• Choose the Lancool 217 if you want strong airflow with no extra fan purchases, a back-connect board, or a wood-accented look.
• Choose the Meshify 2 if you need six 3.5-inch drives, a 467 mm graphics card, or a proven design with a long track record.