Featured at CeBIT and Computex this year we take a look at the new special edition PC-U6 Cowry. The snail-like MATX chassis.
Product on Review: PC-U6 Special Edition – Cowry
Manufacturer: Lian Li
Street Price: TBC
Lian Li haven’t failed to impress us in previous reviews – are things about to change? There’s only one way to find out, lets begin our analysis of Lian Li’s PC-U6 Cowry Special Edition!
Lian Li’s take on PC-U6 Cowry
The PC-U6 Cowry is extremely versatile with plenty of build space. Users can mount three 3.5″ and two 2.5″ internal HDDs. All of the HDD mounts are tool-less and come with anti-vibration thumb screws with rubber suspension. Externally, one 5.25″ ODD tool-less mount is located at the top of the front-panel. Four, ventilated PCI slots are located on the back-panel with enough space to mount graphics cards as long as 310mm. Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX motherboards mount using thumb-screws within the PC-U6 Cowry as well as a standard ATX PS/2 power supply unit, that mounts at the base of the case right above ventilating holes protected by a washable air filter.
Technical 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
Packaging & First Look
As we have seen with previous Lian Li products the packaging continues with the same scheme. Key elements are identified on the front and a rundown of the technical specifications can be found on the sides and back. Inside, Cowry is found within a clear plastic sheet and held in place with polystyrene pillars to ensure its protection during transit.
The PC-U6 Cowry in a typical Lian Li designed box
With Cowry out of the packaging we can get our first glimpse of this truly unique chassis. It certainly stands out from traditional case manufacture by offering an exclusive shape and design. Being a gamer case, the Cowry has a bizarre message to get across to the end-user. In the image of a snail Cowry takes its inspiration from a snail. A mollusc that is slow and can be crushed very easily. Since this is a gamer case marketing Cowry on something like a snail is a bad move – sure enough the design is unique and very intricate but it sends across the wrong message.
Both sides of Cowry are identical and feature a soft mesh that is partially transparent. Being the shape it is, this case should have some interesting design concepts inside.
A snail – not the best marketing image for a gamer case
Unique design and looks make Cowry a real head-turner
Exterior
Let’s take a closer look at the exterior. The front has its front panel connectivity controls at the bottom and above this a large perforated mesh area provides ventilation. Behind this panel is a large dust filter this can be removed by simply removing a few screws. Further up, there is a large power button and a smaller reset button – the entire case by the way is as you would expect – of aluminium construction. At the very top we have just 1 x 5.25” drive bay. Here at the top we have a cover that will sit in front of the actual drive – the eject button lining up with the fascia button.
Round at the back, there is an opening at the bottom for a PSU. Above this there is a cage that opens out to reveal the expansion slots and a grill. We will take a closer look at these when we go inside Cowry. Above this we have a fan controller for managing the RPM of up to 3 fans.
The front and back of Cowry
At the bottom we have the front panel connectivity. This includes eSATA, 2 x USB3.0 ports and a microphone/headphone jack. The USB3.0 ports here are supplied via a USB3.0 header rather than USB cables. If you don’t have a USB3.0 header, don’t worry – Lian Li have included a USB3.0 header to USB2.0 header so that users can still take advantage of the ports on the front here.
The front panel controls, with USB3.0 via a header connection
The side panels clip into place and are secured via a thumbscrew on either side – getting them on and off is very easy.
A single thumbscrew on either side panel
Finally, on the underside we have 2 thin rubber pads to keep Cowry from slipping and a removable air/dust filter.
The underside has removable dust filter
Interior
If the exterior surprised you, the interior will equally amaze. For such a small case, Cowry has most of the features you would expect from a mid-tower. Removing the side panels we can clearly see Lian Li have integrated a dual fan configuration to the side of Cowry. This is removable but should offer some much needed air cooling since Cowry doesn’t feature any case fans aside from these.
Behind the motherboard tray we have a large cut-out for the CPU backplate and a small clip just beneath this cut-out for keeping cables tidy. Right next to were the 24-pin power is situated we have 2 rubber grommets for feeding cables in. Being MATX and having the design Cowry has we don’t have all that many options for cable management. The motherboard tray could have done with being a little longer at the bottom to help conceal any cables behind the tray but Lian Li have done a great job with the space they have. Of course, exceptional build quality throughout can be expected.
Dual fan configuration to help airflow
Behind the motherboard tray cable management options
Those dual fans can be easily removed. Lian Li have integrated their anti-vibration mounting rack that simply slides out without the need of using a tool. Each fan also has a dust filter.
Tool-less removal of fan rack
As already mentioned, Cowry has space at the bottom of the case for mounting a PSU. This area does have anti-vibration pads which is good to see. Beneath the platform there is a dust filter can be removed from the outside of the case. To get the PSU into Cowry the unit has to be fed in from the back.
PSU seating area inside Cowry
Interior (Continued)
Being the size Cowry is and of course having the support for only MATX we have just 4 x PCI expansion slots. Each of the covers have ventilation holes and thumbscrews for easy removal.
PCI expansion slot covers have ventilation holes and thumbscrews
Installing a 5.25” drive is easy thanks to the tool-less mounting mechanism. The arm simply clips the drive into place – we’ve seen this on many of Lian Li’s cases.
Tool-less 5.25” drive mounting
You might be wondering where 2.5” and 3.5” drives go, well, on the shelf above the PSU are various mounting holes – you have to attach screws and rubber rings to your drive and they simply slide into a spot.
HDD storage for 2.5” and 3.5” drives
As previously mentioned, the USB3.0 ports at the front of Cowry run to a USB3.0 header plug. This will slot into your motherboard if you have a USB3.0 header, if you don’t Lian Li have provided a USB3.0 header to USB2.0 header.
USB3.0 header running from the USB3.0 ports at the front
Installation
Getting kit into Cowry is easy. The only thing I would point out is that the PSU can be a little tricky to install. The plate has to be removed and then the PSU slides in from the rear – the gap that the PSU goes into is extremely tight so it needs a considerable amount of pressure exerted onto it. Everything else fitted in easily and cable management even though quite restricted due to the size/space wasn’t hard to fix.
Install complete
Behind the motherboard tray
When we come to install kit inside Cowry we have a helpful user guide and an assortment of bundled extras that include: various screws, USB3.0 to USB2.0 header converter, cable ties, buzzer and fixable LED kit.
An assortment of extras including a fixable LED kit
Getting a HDD into the Cowry is simple. Screws and rubber rings need to be fixed to the underside of the drive and then the drive slots into an available slot on the shelf. Anti-vibration helps to keep noise levels down to a minimum and reduce the risk of scratching.
Screws and rubber rings fixed to a 3.5” drive
3.5” drive fixed into place
Installation (Continued)
The back of Cowry features a cover that can be unclipped to get access to ports. This has a cover has a filter that can be cleaned.
Removable cover at the back
In terms of clearance, Cowry will happily accommodate CPU coolers that are 150mm in height. Pictured below is the Noctua NH-C14 (105mm). Being MATX, most users will want to install a smaller CPU cooler anyway.
CPU cooler clearance is good
Around at the back of the motherboard tray there is around 1.5cm in clearance between the side panel and motherboard tray, do bear in mind though that the side panel has concaves – so it’s more than forgiving when we consider cable management.
1.5cm of clearance behind the motherboard tray
Cowry can accommodate big graphics cards. Pictured is the ASUS HD 6950 Direct CU II that measures in at over 11” in length.
Cowry will house big graphics cards
Finished Product – Lighting
With everything now finished let’s see the Cowry in all its glory. There is no denying that this case is unique. Below are the finished shots including the LED lighting strip installed on the inside of the prominent side panel.
Thermal Performance Testing
Lian Li’s PC-U6 Cowry breaks out of the traditional cooling fan placement. Cowry features dual 120mm fans that are placed over the CPU/GPU region. For the purpose of testing we will be setting the fans to the middle on the fan controller and comparing only against itself since this is MATX and all our previous case reviews focus on mid//full towers and the AM3 platform.
To discover the thermal performance of Cowry I will record idle temperatures after 20 minutes from a cold boot. I will then stress the system and temperatures will again be monitored after 30 minutes have elapsed. Fans will be set to the middle setting on fan controller.
System Components
CPU Intel Core i5 2500K
Motherboard Foxconn H67MP-S
Graphics ZOTAC NVIDIA GTX 480
Memory 8GB Kingston HyperX Genesis 1600MHz CL9
HDD Samsung Spinpoint 500GB SATA-II
PSU Enermax Revolution 85+ 850W
Conclusion
Lian Li’s PC-U6 Cowry may well be a marmite case but it demonstrates that Lian Li aren’t shy about designing a chassis with a bit more character. Cowry appeared first at CeBIT 2011 and just recently it featured at Lian Li’s booth over in Taipei for Computex 2011.
We’ve seen countless times cases that endorse the ethos of style over substance, has Lian Li fallen into this trap too? They certainly haven’t. As with the cases we have experienced in previous reviews – Cowry continues the trait of having well executed features and excellent build quality. If you have distaste towards Cowry’s visual appearance then you still have to admire the craftsmanship that has gone into producing it – I imagine this is only the beginning of the weird and wonderful!
Cooling-wise Cowry may not offer the best performance out there but the focus isn’t on this aspect. Ideally those who will be building inside Cowry will want a silent MATX setup – the side panels are both highly ventilated so more fans would mean a lot more noise since there is little dampening.
Things I really like about Cowry are the motherboard thumbscrews and cable clamp behind the motherboard tray for better cable management. It is generally just a really nice case to work with, getting kit inside is without its problems.
Priced at $349 (Approx £200) Cowry is certainly one of the most expensive MATX cases on the market. Lian Li can charge a premium though because of the build quality and feature-set – its unrivalled by anyone. It doesn’t score highly for value for money though.
The bottom line is: Lian Li’s PC-U6 Cowry is a seashell with a statement to make. It boasts excellent build quality and as to be expected a great feature-set. The price just may be a little too much for some MATX users.
Pros
+ Unique visual appearance
+ Excellent build quality
+ USB3.0 header & converter
+ Fan controller
Cons
– A snail for a gamer MATX case? C’mon!
– Price may sting
+ Unique visual appearance
+ Excellent build quality
+ USB3.0 header & converter
+ Fan controller
Cons
– A snail for a gamer MATX case? C’mon!
– Price may sting
