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CeBIT 2011 – Lian Li PC-U6/PC-P80NXW/PC-Z70/PC-C60 and MORE!

vortez
March 9, 2011 9 Min Read
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Lian Li are back with a range of new cases to wet our appetite. Let’s see what they have in store for us this time


Lian Li have always been synonymous to quality and elegance. In this market where the growing trend has been towards flamboyant gaming cases trying to appeal to the teenager in some of us, Lian Li is always here to bring much needed class to the industry. At CeBIT, Lian Li were showcasing a range of cases recently introduced such as the much awaited PC-V2120/1020, PC-V354 and HTPC based PC-50 but amongst those were a few unique products that were unveiled at the event.

Lian Li PC-U6

This extremely unique case by Lian Li is reminiscent of the old special edition PC-777 case to celebrate the company’s anniversary four years ago. It was duly dubbed the “snail” for its resemblance to the creature and to most, it departed from the more traditional simplistic design we had grown so accustomed to. While it may have been a marmite case, it demonstrated Lian Li’s ‘outside of the box’ thinking and originality. The PC-U6 is their way to reviving the old concept in the new decade, providing functionality to cater for new standards such as USB 3.0 and 2.5inch disk drives. Despite the shape the full aluminium chassis also brings functionality in the form of 2x120mm fans at the front and a mounting rack for 2x140mm fans on the side.


Next to the behemoth that is the PC-V2120, the PC-U6 shows its distinctive design to contrast to the more minimalistic approach employed by the other cases. The side panel uses a fine mesh to allow air to be extracted from the side.


The interior has plenty of space for the longest graphics cards and several HDDs and SSDs despite its Micro-ATX form factor.


The back has an opening to allow users access to the rear I/O panel of the motherboard.

Specifications

Model: PC-U6
Case Type: Mid Tower Chassis
Dimensions: (W)219mm x (H)500mm x (D)410mm
Front Bezel Material: Aluminium
Color: Black
Side Panel: Aluminium
Body Material: Aluminium
Net weight: 4.5KG
5.25″ drive bay (External) : 1
3.5″ drive bay (External) : None
HDD bay: 3
Expansion Slot: 4
Motherboard: Micro-ATX / Mini-ITX
System Fan (Front) : 120mm Fan x 2
System Fan (Top) : None
System Fan (Rear) : None
I/O Ports: USB 3.0 x 2 / E-SATA x 1 / HD Audio
2.5″ drive bay (Internal) : 2
Maximum Video Card Size: 310mm


The Special Edition PC-U6 will no doubt make for a perfect HTPC or portable LAN case thanks to its feathery weight and distinct design that holds no compromise in terms of features and practicality,

More information and pictures available on Lian Li’s website.

Lian Li PC-P80NXW


When the original PC-P80 was released, it was met with mixed reception from avid Lian Li fans. It broke away from the norm and introduced a design that was vast becoming popular in the form of the Antec 1200. It was a bold move in a bid to appeal to the masses but Lian Li was successful in retaining their core principles by using an all-aluminium construction and brushed finish, and ensuring large amounts of space for the modding community to take advantage of. The PC-P80N is an evolution of the line-up introducing a number of features that have become standard on most new Lian-Li cases.


The key differences between the PC-P80N and the original PC-P80 are the new tool-less PCI-e retention brackets, cable management holes in the motherboard tray, a bottom mounted PSU design, 11 expansion slots instead of 10 to meet the demand of the growing number of enthusiast level HPTX/EATX motherboards, and front panel USB 3.0 support.


Lian Li PC-P80 interior



Lian Li PC-P80N interior

The two cases are still identical in size and sport similar fan configurations with the PC-P80N supporting one more fan at the top. The PC-80N promises to be more user-friendly with plenty of opportunities for modding and more space for the enthusiasts to display their multi-GPU setups.

Specifications

Model: PC-P80N
Case Type: Full Tower Chassis
Dimensions: (W)220mm x (H)633mm x (D)610mm
Front Bezel Material: Aluminium
Color: Black
Side Panel: Aluminium
Body Material: Aluminium
Net weight: N/A
5.25″ drive bay (External) : 3
3.5″ drive bay (External) : None
2.5″ drive bay (Internal) : 2
HDD bay: 10
Expansion Slot: 11
Motherboard: HPTX/EATX/ATX/Micro-ATX / Mini-ITX
System Fan (Front) : 140mm Fan x 3
System Fan (Top) : 140mm Fan x 2
System Fan (Rear) : 120mm Fan x 1
I/O Ports: USB 3.0 x 4 / E-SATA x 1 / HD Audio
Maximum Video Card Size: 390mm


More information and pictures available on Lian Li’s website.

Lian Li PC-Z70 & PC-Z60


Lian Li PC-Z70

One of the most popular cases in Lian Li’s vast range is the PC-A70F, renowned for its spacious interior, sleek finish and somewhat affordable pricing (compared to other Lian Li cases). Through the marriage of design between itself and the PC-B25F was born the PC-Z70. This is another case that complies to HTPX standards thanks to 11 expansion slots and a large depth. The most striking feature is its smooth plain façade with smoothly rounded edges on the side and angular corners at the top and bases. Interestingly, there are no intakes fans at the front.




Once the front panel is removed, the layout is revealed. Rather than fans at the front, they have been installed to the side to draw cool air through the meshed side panel and directly cool the hard drives. It appears that the components are cooled from the top fans. There is space for 10 HDDs and SSD compatibility is present. All the front panel switches and I/O ports can be found at the top on the angled face. Akin to the PC-P80N, the pre-cut cable management holes in the motherboard tray have rubber grommets and similarly, the PSU is bottom mounted. Strangely from looking closer at the picture, the CPU cooler backplate does not line up perfectly with the square hole on the motherboard tray so Lian Li will have to perfect the design before releasing the case to the market.


Rather than having to feed a USB 3.0 cable to the back of the motherboard for front panel USB 3.0 functionality, the PC-Z70 comes with a cable that can simply be connected directly to headers on the motherboard. P67 Motherboards from ASUS will be able to support this feature for more convenient USB 3.0 support at the front of the case.

Currently, no specifications have been made available concerning the PC-Z70. In my personal opinion, this would have been the perfect Lian Li cases in terms of aesthetics, practicality and ease of use were it not for the side intake fans. The particular design might limit cooling to the CPU and GPU.

Lian Li PC-Z60

The PC-Z70’s smaller brother is the PC-Z60. It has the same distinctive plain but stylish front fascia but internally, it is very different. The smaller size means that only 8 PCIe brackets are present at the back and the motherboard cable management holes aren’t as numerous or lined with rubber grommets. Instead of the front mounted HDD trays, the PC-Z60 welcomingly features side mounted trays and as such front intake fans that suck air from the side vents on the front aluminium panel.


Specifications

Model: PC-Z60
Case Type: Mid Tower Chassis
Dimensions: (W)210mm x (H)498mm x (D)480mm
Front Bezel Material: Aluminium
Color: Black
Side Panel: Aluminium
Body Material: Aluminium
Net weight: N/A
5.25″ drive bay (External) : 3
3.5″ drive bay (External) : None
2.5″ drive bay (Internal) : 4
HDD bay: 6
Expansion Slot: 8
Motherboard: ATX/Micro-ATX / Mini-ITX
System Fan (Front) : 140mm Fan x 2
System Fan (Top) : None
System Fan (Rear) : 120mm Fan x 1
I/O Ports: USB 3.0 x 2 / E-SATA x 1 / HD Audio
Maximum Video Card Size: 410mm (After removing HDD tray)


More information and pictures available on Lian Li’s website.

Lian Li PC-C60 & PC-V600F


Lian Li PC-C60

For the more conventional HTPC users that don’t want exaggerated case designs, Lian Li has the perfect solution to meet your needs. The case is very similar to the recently released PC-C50. The main difference seems to be the two front 5.25” bays instead of one and two side 140mm fans rather than 120mm ones. Otherwise, expect the same support for Micro ATX form factors and smaller in a case that is only 3.2KG given its size.


Lian Li PC-V600F

Another case to undergo a revamp is the Lian Li PC-V600F, a Micro-ATX case that completes the V series line up. Available in black, red and silver, the case makes use of the same rigid curved aluminium structure with the meshed grill at the front. Feature wise, it’s a downsized PC-V1020 so fewer HDD bays are present and only 4 expansion slots. It still boasts the same bottom mounted layout as other Lian Li cases and cooling is provided by 3x 120mm fans.


Specifications

Model: PC-V600F
Case Type: Mini Tower Chassis
Dimensions: (W)193mm x (H)390mm x (D)470mm
Front Bezel Material: Aluminium
Color: Black/Silver/Red
Side Panel: Aluminium
Body Material: Aluminium
Net weight: 5.3KG
5.25″ drive bay (External) : 2
3.5″ drive bay (External) : None
2.5″ drive bay (Internal) : 1
HDD bay: 7
Expansion Slot: 4
Motherboard: Micro-ATX / Mini-ITX
System Fan (Front) : 120mm LED Fan x 2
System Fan (Top) : 120mm LED Fan x 1
System Fan (Rear) : None
I/O Ports: USB 3.0 x 2 / E-SATA x 1 / HD Audio
Maximum Video Card Size: 265mm


More information and pictures available on Lian Li’s website.


Lancool PC-K63 & PC-K59


Lancool are well known to be Lian Li’s budget arm, taking popular designs and reducing the cost by employing a lower cost SECC steel construction. What has made them popular is their ability to retain the same built quality and lustrous design of the cases they are derivatives of. Lancool took the opportunity at CeBIT to showcase their latest First Knight Series of cases. The two cases we will look at are the PC-K63 and the lower end PC-K59. Internally both are based on the Lian Li PC-8FI design.


The PC-K63 has a very distinctive shell which deviates from the clean lines normally attributed to Lancool cases. Instead, it uses a two-piece plastic bezel that dominates its look. The obstrusive design may not prove popular but in terms of functionality and practicality, the case is very promising. The interior of the PC-K63 is coated black and a side window is also featured. There are also a total of 5 fans for more than adequate cooling.


The PC-K59(W) is identical to the PC-K63 in design. Aesthetically, it lacks the interior coated finish, the LED lights on the front 140mm fans and lacks the two top 140mm fans. The PC-K57 pictured to the right of the PC-59 is also a member of the First Knight Series but it uses a front bezel that is more akin to Darth Vader’s helmet. Internally, the only difference is the absence of the top 140mm fans and one front 140mm fan.

Specifications

Model: PC-K63/PC-K59W
Case Type: Mid Tower Chassis
Dimensions: (W)215mm x (H)530mm x (D)530mm
Front Bezel Material: Plastic
Color: Black (Internal Black on PC-K63)
Side Panel: SECC steel side panel with transparent window
Body Material: SECC steel
Net weight: 10.4KG
5.25″ drive bay (External) : 3
3.5″ drive bay (External) : None
2.5″ drive bay (Internal) : 4
HDD bay: 6
Expansion Slot: 8
Motherboard: ATX/Micro-ATX / Mini-ITX
System Fan (Front) : 140mm LED Fan x 2 (PC-K63)/ 140mm Fan x 2 (PC-K59)
System Fan (Top) : 140mm LED Fan x 2 (PC-K63) / None (PC-K59)
System Fan (Rear) : 120mm LED Fan x 1 (PC-K63)/ 120mm Fan x 1 (PC-K59)
I/O Ports: USB 3.0 x 1/ USB 2.0x 1 / E-SATA x 1 / HD Audio
Maximum Video Card Size: 285mm


More information and pictures available on Lancool’s website.


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