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u/imetmoe

▲ 4 r/PcBuildHelp

Upgrade from NZXT Phantom 820: Stay, go ASUS Helios II, or switch to Lian Li O11 EVO XL?

My current setup

  • CPU: Intel i7-5820K
  • Motherboard: ASUS Rampage V Extreme
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4
  • GPU: ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 16GB (black)
  • Cooler: NZXT Kraken 360 AIO (black)
  • Case: NZXT Phantom 820

Future upgrade plans

  • CPU: i9-13900K or similar
  • New motherboard: ATX / E-ATX flagship board
  • More RAM
  • Keep room for future high-end GPUs

My dilemma

Option 1: Keep the Phantom 820

Pros

  • Huge tall tower presence
  • Iconic old-school flagship design
  • Still functional
  • Great internal space

Cons

  • Looks dated now
  • Doesn’t showcase components well
  • Older cable management / airflow design

Option 2: ASUS Strix Helios II

Pros

  • Premium ASUS design
  • More modern than Phantom
  • Traditional tall-ish tower style (not aquarium style)
  • Good compatibility for upgrades

Cons

  • Is it worth buying in 2026?
  • Still considered mid-tower class
  • Not sure if it feels like a major upgrade over Phantom
  • RGB visibility question through the front mesh/logo area

Option 3: Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL

Pros

  • Modern flagship case
  • Excellent tempered glass showcase
  • Great cable management
  • Strong compatibility for future upgrades

Cons

  • Wide design instead of tall tower style
  • Different aesthetic than what I’m used to
  • White version is easier to find here than black

What matters most to me

  1. Premium flagship feel
  2. Good RGB potential
  3. Strong future compatibility
  4. Looks expensive / impressive in person
  5. No regret after buying
  6. Still has presence like the Phantom 820

Questions for the community

If you were in my position, would you:

  • Keep the Phantom 820 and maybe mod/restore it?
  • Buy the Helios II for a modern tower style?
  • If I install 3x Lian Li RGB front fans ( Which will be an added cost - Since it is not included ) in the Helios II, would the RGB show nicely through the front mesh/logo?
  • Move to the O11 EVO XL even though it’s wide instead of tall?

Would really appreciate opinions, especially from anyone who came from older full towers.

Waiting You Support and Help ! please

Thanks.

reddit.com
u/imetmoe — 3 days ago
▲ 1 r/pcmasterrace

Upgrade from NZXT Phantom 820: Stay, go ASUS Helios II, or switch to Lian Li O11 EVO XL?

Hey everyone,

I’d really appreciate honest opinions from people who moved from older full towers to newer premium cases.

I’m currently using an NZXT Phantom 820. It still works well, and I love the tall flagship tower presence it has. But visually it’s starting to feel dated, and it hides most of the internal components compared to modern tempered-glass cases.

My current setup

  • CPU: Intel i7-5820K
  • Motherboard: ASUS Rampage V Extreme
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4
  • GPU: ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 16GB (black)
  • Cooler: NZXT Kraken 360 AIO (black)
  • Case: NZXT Phantom 820

Future upgrade plans

  • CPU: i9-13900K or similar
  • New motherboard: ATX / E-ATX flagship board
  • More RAM
  • Keep room for future high-end GPUs

My dilemma

Option 1: Keep the Phantom 820

Pros

  • Huge tall tower presence
  • Iconic old-school flagship design
  • Still functional
  • Great internal space

Cons

  • Looks dated now
  • Doesn’t showcase components well
  • Older cable management / airflow design

Option 2: ASUS Strix Helios II

Pros

  • Premium ASUS design
  • More modern than Phantom
  • Traditional tall-ish tower style (not aquarium style)
  • Good compatibility for upgrades

Cons

  • Is it worth buying in 2026?
  • Still considered mid-tower class
  • Not sure if it feels like a major upgrade over Phantom
  • RGB visibility question through the front mesh/logo area

Option 3: Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL

Pros

  • Modern flagship case
  • Excellent tempered glass showcase
  • Great cable management
  • Strong compatibility for future upgrades

Cons

  • Wide design instead of tall tower style
  • Different aesthetic than what I’m used to
  • White version is easier to find here than black

What matters most to me

  1. Premium flagship feel
  2. Good RGB potential
  3. Strong future compatibility
  4. Looks expensive / impressive in person
  5. No regret after buying
  6. Still has presence like the Phantom 820

Questions for the community

If you were in my position, would you:

  • Keep the Phantom 820 and maybe mod/restore it?
  • Buy the Helios II for a modern tower style?
  • If I install 3x Lian Li RGB front fans ( Which will be an added cost - Since it is not included ) in the Helios II, would the RGB show nicely through the front mesh/logo?
  • Move to the O11 EVO XL even though it’s wide instead of tall?

Would really appreciate opinions, especially from anyone who came from older full towers.

Waiting You Support and Help ! please

Thanks.

reddit.com
u/imetmoe — 3 days ago
▲ 1 r/pcmods

Upgrade from NZXT Phantom 820: Stay, go ASUS Helios II, or switch to Lian Li O11 EVO XL?

Hey everyone,

I’d really appreciate honest opinions from people who moved from older full towers to newer premium cases.

I’m currently using an NZXT Phantom 820. It still works well, and I love the tall flagship tower presence it has. But visually it’s starting to feel dated, and it hides most of the internal components compared to modern tempered-glass cases.

My current setup

  • CPU: Intel i7-5820K
  • Motherboard: ASUS Rampage V Extreme
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4
  • GPU: ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 16GB (black)
  • Cooler: NZXT Kraken 360 AIO (black)
  • Case: NZXT Phantom 820

Future upgrade plans

  • CPU: i9-13900K or similar
  • New motherboard: ATX / E-ATX flagship board
  • More RAM
  • Keep room for future high-end GPUs

My dilemma

Option 1: Keep the Phantom 820

Pros

  • Huge tall tower presence
  • Iconic old-school flagship design
  • Still functional
  • Great internal space

Cons

  • Looks dated now
  • Doesn’t showcase components well
  • Older cable management / airflow design

Option 2: ASUS Strix Helios II

Pros

  • Premium ASUS design
  • More modern than Phantom
  • Traditional tall-ish tower style (not aquarium style)
  • Good compatibility for upgrades

Cons

  • Is it worth buying in 2026?
  • Still considered mid-tower class
  • Not sure if it feels like a major upgrade over Phantom
  • RGB visibility question through the front mesh/logo area

Option 3: Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL

Pros

  • Modern flagship case
  • Excellent tempered glass showcase
  • Great cable management
  • Strong compatibility for future upgrades

Cons

  • Wide design instead of tall tower style
  • Different aesthetic than what I’m used to
  • White version is easier to find here than black

What matters most to me

  1. Premium flagship feel
  2. Good RGB potential
  3. Strong future compatibility
  4. Looks expensive / impressive in person
  5. No regret after buying
  6. Still has presence like the Phantom 820

Questions for the community

If you were in my position, would you:

  • Keep the Phantom 820 and maybe mod/restore it?
  • Buy the Helios II for a modern tower style?
  • If I install 3x Lian Li RGB front fans ( Which will be an added cost - Since it is not included ) in the Helios II, would the RGB show nicely through the front mesh/logo?
  • Move to the O11 EVO XL even though it’s wide instead of tall?

Would really appreciate opinions, especially from anyone who came from older full towers.

Waiting You Support and Help ! please

Thanks.

reddit.com
u/imetmoe — 3 days ago
▲ 1 r/computerhelp

Upgrade from NZXT Phantom 820: Stay, go ASUS Helios II, or switch to Lian Li O11 EVO XL?

Hey everyone,

I’d really appreciate honest opinions from people who moved from older full towers to newer premium cases.

I’m currently using an NZXT Phantom 820. It still works well, and I love the tall flagship tower presence it has. But visually it’s starting to feel dated, and it hides most of the internal components compared to modern tempered-glass cases.

My current setup

  • CPU: Intel i7-5820K
  • Motherboard: ASUS Rampage V Extreme
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4
  • GPU: ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 16GB (black)
  • Cooler: NZXT Kraken 360 AIO (black)
  • Case: NZXT Phantom 820

Future upgrade plans

  • CPU: i9-13900K or similar
  • New motherboard: ATX / E-ATX flagship board
  • More RAM
  • Keep room for future high-end GPUs

My dilemma

Option 1: Keep the Phantom 820

Pros

  • Huge tall tower presence
  • Iconic old-school flagship design
  • Still functional
  • Great internal space

Cons

  • Looks dated now
  • Doesn’t showcase components well
  • Older cable management / airflow design

Option 2: ASUS Strix Helios II

Pros

  • Premium ASUS design
  • More modern than Phantom
  • Traditional tall-ish tower style (not aquarium style)
  • Good compatibility for upgrades

Cons

  • Is it worth buying in 2026?
  • Still considered mid-tower class
  • Not sure if it feels like a major upgrade over Phantom
  • RGB visibility question through the front mesh/logo area

Option 3: Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL

Pros

  • Modern flagship case
  • Excellent tempered glass showcase
  • Great cable management
  • Strong compatibility for future upgrades

Cons

  • Wide design instead of tall tower style
  • Different aesthetic than what I’m used to
  • White version is easier to find here than black

What matters most to me

  1. Premium flagship feel
  2. Good RGB potential
  3. Strong future compatibility
  4. Looks expensive / impressive in person
  5. No regret after buying
  6. Still has presence like the Phantom 820

Questions for the community

If you were in my position, would you:

  • Keep the Phantom 820 and maybe mod/restore it?
  • Buy the Helios II for a modern tower style?
  • If I install 3x Lian Li RGB front fans ( Which will be an added cost - Since it is not included ) in the Helios II, would the RGB show nicely through the front mesh/logo?
  • Move to the O11 EVO XL even though it’s wide instead of tall?

Would really appreciate opinions, especially from anyone who came from older full towers.

Waiting You Support and Help ! please

Thanks.

reddit.com
u/imetmoe — 3 days ago
▲ 0 r/buildapc

Upgrade from NZXT Phantom 820: Stay, go ASUS Helios II, or switch to Lian Li O11 EVO XL?

Hey everyone,

I’d really appreciate honest opinions from people who moved from older full towers to newer premium cases.

I’m currently using an NZXT Phantom 820. It still works well, and I love the tall flagship tower presence it has. But visually it’s starting to feel dated, and it hides most of the internal components compared to modern tempered-glass cases.

My current setup

  • CPU: Intel i7-5820K
  • Motherboard: ASUS Rampage V Extreme
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4
  • GPU: ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 16GB (black)
  • Cooler: NZXT Kraken 360 AIO (black)
  • Case: NZXT Phantom 820

Future upgrade plans

  • CPU: i9-13900K or similar
  • New motherboard: ATX / E-ATX flagship board
  • More RAM
  • Keep room for future high-end GPUs

My dilemma

Option 1: Keep the Phantom 820

Pros

  • Huge tall tower presence
  • Iconic old-school flagship design
  • Still functional
  • Great internal space

Cons

  • Looks dated now
  • Doesn’t showcase components well
  • Older cable management / airflow design

Option 2: ASUS Strix Helios II

Pros

  • Premium ASUS design
  • More modern than Phantom
  • Traditional tall-ish tower style (not aquarium style)
  • Good compatibility for upgrades

Cons

  • Is it worth buying in 2026?
  • Still considered mid-tower class
  • Not sure if it feels like a major upgrade over Phantom
  • RGB visibility question through the front mesh/logo area

Option 3: Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL

Pros

  • Modern flagship case
  • Excellent tempered glass showcase
  • Great cable management
  • Strong compatibility for future upgrades

Cons

  • Wide design instead of tall tower style
  • Different aesthetic than what I’m used to
  • White version is easier to find here than black

What matters most to me

  1. Premium flagship feel
  2. Good RGB potential
  3. Strong future compatibility
  4. Looks expensive / impressive in person
  5. No regret after buying
  6. Still has presence like the Phantom 820

Questions for the community

If you were in my position, would you:

  • Keep the Phantom 820 and maybe mod/restore it?
  • Buy the Helios II for a modern tower style?
  • If I install 3x Lian Li RGB front fans ( Which will be an added cost - Since it is not included ) in the Helios II, would the RGB show nicely through the front mesh/logo?
  • Move to the O11 EVO XL even though it’s wide instead of tall?

Would really appreciate opinions, especially from anyone who came from older full towers.

Waiting You Support and Help ! please

Thanks.

reddit.com
u/imetmoe — 3 days ago
▲ 2 r/computerhelp

Upgrade from NZXT Phantom 820: Stay, go ASUS Helios II, or switch to Lian Li O11 EVO XL?

Hey everyone,

I’d really appreciate honest opinions from people who moved from older full towers to newer premium cases.

I’m currently using an NZXT Phantom 820. It still works well, and I love the tall flagship tower presence it has. But visually it’s starting to feel dated, and it hides most of the internal components compared to modern tempered-glass cases.

My current setup

  • CPU: Intel i7-5820K
  • Motherboard: ASUS Rampage V Extreme
  • RAM: 16GB DDR4
  • GPU: ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 16GB (black)
  • Cooler: NZXT Kraken 360 AIO (black)
  • Case: NZXT Phantom 820

Future upgrade plans

  • CPU: i9-13900K or similar
  • New motherboard: ATX / E-ATX flagship board
  • More RAM
  • Keep room for future high-end GPUs

My dilemma

Option 1: Keep the Phantom 820

https://preview.redd.it/55nhqu1bfyvg1.png?width=800&format=png&auto=webp&s=fa1436fc24d766da86e93840e5adfa17a030fd5e

Pros

  • Huge tall tower presence
  • Iconic old-school flagship design
  • Still functional
  • Great internal space

Cons

  • Looks dated now
  • Doesn’t showcase components well
  • Older cable management / airflow design

Option 2: ASUS Strix Helios II

https://preview.redd.it/hscvv79ifyvg1.png?width=892&format=png&auto=webp&s=0f40cfb1dd67fd0ab8981b9b7acb529eb4af5557

Pros

  • Premium ASUS design
  • More modern than Phantom
  • Traditional tall-ish tower style (not aquarium style)
  • Good compatibility for upgrades

Cons

  • Is it worth buying in 2026?
  • Still considered mid-tower class
  • Not sure if it feels like a major upgrade over Phantom
  • RGB visibility question through the front mesh/logo area

Option 3: Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO XL

https://preview.redd.it/qncsthxyfyvg1.png?width=775&format=png&auto=webp&s=0021e4455afedb05a0f89db42287e94ff5bb176f

Pros

  • Modern flagship case
  • Excellent tempered glass showcase
  • Great cable management
  • Strong compatibility for future upgrades

Cons

  • Wide design instead of tall tower style
  • Different aesthetic than what I’m used to
  • White version is easier to find here than black

What matters most to me

  1. Premium flagship feel
  2. Good RGB potential
  3. Strong future compatibility
  4. Looks expensive / impressive in person
  5. No regret after buying
  6. Still has presence like the Phantom 820

Questions for the community

If you were in my position, would you:

  • Keep the Phantom 820 and maybe mod/restore it?
  • Buy the Helios II for a modern tower style?
  • If I install 3x Lian Li RGB front fans ( Which will be an added cost - Since it is not included ) in the Helios II, would the RGB show nicely through the front mesh/logo?
  • Move to the O11 EVO XL even though it’s wide instead of tall?

Would really appreciate opinions, especially from anyone who came from older full towers.

Waiting You Support and Help ! please

Thanks.

reddit.com
u/imetmoe — 3 days ago