Lian-Li PC-A08 Classical Series Case Review

[Capper]

One of the most crowded fields in the computer component and peripheral market remains the PC enclosure, yet despite the deluge of cases from several different manufacturers, Lian-Li continues to sit at the crest of case design. Along with the Lian-Li emblem comes a certain expectation of elegance and craftsmanship, a reputation they've earned with their high end cases, but may be difficult to live up to in a modestly priced enclosure (budget is one adjective rarely associated with Lian-Li).

Today we look at the PC-A08, a new addition to their Classical mid-tower series. Carrying an MSRP of $98, Lian-Li hopes to offer enough bang for your sub-$100 buck to compete with other budget selections in this crowded pricing tier. Can they dish up enough substance behind the Lian-Li branding to leave users feeling satiated? - Paul Lilly

Lian-Li PC-A08 Classical Series Case Review

[Quakindude]

I'm surprised this enclosure didn't score a bit higher for its intended market. Like Paul mentions, this case is way too bland for my tastes. I like more cooling options.

Great write up as always!

[Dread]

Excellent review on the Lian-Li PC-A08 case. As a long time fan of the Lian-Li line of enclosures, this case comes as a breath of fresh air for me. Since I’ve been expanding my ever growing folding farm, my cases need to perform, but not at a premium price. This looks like it will do exactly what I need it to do while staying well within budget, and looking good while doing it.

I disagree on the 6/10 rating on the cooling/performance section though. The only ding on it is the lack of additional fan mounts. Two 12cm case fans, one fore and another aft is standard on the vast majority of mid-towers. For most enthusiast’s, this won’t be a problem though. If additional cooling is required, it is dirt simple to cut holes, and mount fans either in the side panel, or in the top of the chassis. I would have given the cooling/performance a rating of 8/10.

As an added benefit, this case looks like it would be a quality starter for those who want to get into ‘modding’, and start off with a good base chassis. I can already see this case taking over the Chieftec as the case to mod.

[One4yu2c]

Originally Posted by Dread

I disagree on the 6/10 rating on the cooling/performance section though. The only ding on it is the lack of additional fan mounts. Two 12cm case fans, one fore and another aft is standard on the vast majority of mid-towers. For most enthusiast’s, this won’t be a problem though. If additional cooling is required, it is dirt simple to cut holes, and mount fans either in the side panel, or in the top of the chassis. I would have given the cooling/performance a rating of 8/10.

8/10 would have been far to generous for the cooling. Two fans without an option to add a third (or fourth), and they don't push a ton of air. Any modern day mid-tower should come with better cooling that that (this is a new case from Lian-Li). Even the recently reviewed P182 mid-tower with it's cooling issues comes with 3 fans, and an option for a fourth. And still our favorite mid-tower, the Thermaltake Armor Jr., comes with three fans, and better ventilation overall (cooling is about more than just the fans).

As for the physical mod(s), simple or complex, users should never be expected to perform them for features that should have been included out of the box.

Originally Posted by Quakindude

I'm surprised this enclosure didn't score a bit higher for its intended market.

To be honest, I thought 79 was a bit generous. With all the high end gear we're usually receiving, we tend to give out a lot of 85-90+ verdicts. But put into perspective, a 79 is not bad, it's right on the cusp of 80 (equivalent to a B- in grade school). It's a good case overall, but rarely exceeds venturing past average - no removable cages, difficult optical bay installation, very basic cooling, no external 3.5" bay, support for just three HDDs, lack of subtle touches like thumbscrews on the PCI expansion slots, inconveniently placed I/O ports, no e-SATA port, etc. The scoring is best summed up with this comment:

These are all minor in nature, but as a whole, these omissions prevent the case from reaching elite status.

[Jokerswild]

I think 79 is way to high for this case, if I'm spending $100 for a case it won't be this POS. There are cases out there in the $50 range that are better than this, I don't care if it has the Lian-Li name or not.

Check out HL spelled with the grommets in the photo.

http://www.hardwarelogic.com/article..._Contents2.jpg

[One4yu2c]

You found an Easter egg!

[Computer-Ed]

Originally Posted by Dread

I disagree on the 6/10 rating on the cooling/performance section though. The only ding on it is the lack of additional fan mounts. .

I would disagree with this statement and I must say I am continually surpised that people are not dinging case cooling for the sideways drive mounts.



Using the picture from the review this clearly shows that the front intake fan has some fairly large obstructions in the way. While I am sure it is better than nothing for cooling the HDs, looking at this setup it would appear that ari is blasted on the side of the HD but would have only limited air flow above or below it.

Now don't get me wrong I do understand and like the idea of the better hidden cabling but this really cuts into air flow potential for the case and HD cooling is lower than it could be.

When you realize that things as simple as the way a fan grill on the case is cut is now being found to hinder cooling what would a whole box sitting in the way do?

I am pretty much willing to guarentee that a direct test between two setups, an inline HD setup and the sideways HD setup, both at the same distance from the 120mm intake fan and both using the same fan, the inline would be a cooler HD and the air flow of the 120 to the case would be vastly improved.

Now seriously the case looks great, it might be plain to some but to me it is a work of art. But I really feel the ubstruction of the front fan is as big a ding to cooling as the lack of fan mounts. (Which BTW to me is not that big of a ding since a well built system should run fan with a 120 in and out.)

[Jokerswild]

The fan is still moving air into the case and the exhaust fan is pulling it in that direction so I would think that the difference would be negligible.

[Capper]

ok, I think the cooling score is pretty much right on considering the issues Paul and Ed pointed out. I don't have any problem with a case only having two fans, but if it does, they'd better be of premium quality, and placed perfectly. Also, I love drive bays that are mounted side3ways, and really wish more companies employed them. sideways bays allow for better cable management, and are a better use of room....but these ones were done poorly....ANTEC and Zalman do it very well with their systems, as to not disrupt or otherwise block the airflow.
Lian-Li cases are extremely popular, and for the most part are extremely high quality enclosures, what hamstrings this one is the cost to market, and the issues Paul touched on.......I think considering all that 79 is a very good score.

[Quakindude]

Perhaps I need to clarify my comment a bit. With Lian-Li's reputation, I'm surprised they didn't make a better implementation of this case for the intended market. LL hasn't exactly been known for making cases for the lower end of the price index, so it surprises me that they would have produced a case such as this.