Lian Li has announced a new enclosure along the lines of the PC-Q33 (a mini-ITX enclosure we reviewed here), but this new PC-V33 houses a full ATX motherboard inside its cube-like, hinged exterior.
If you’ve looked into open test benches at all you’ll really appreciate the design of the PC-V33, which essentially takes that idea and adds a cover that conveniently folds down on a hinge, exposing all components. This is a very unconventional design, and one I really appreciated when reviewing the mini-ITX version. So what’s new besides the larger size and support for ATX motherboards?
Here’s a quick rundown of the enclosure’s features:
- Unique flip-open canopy, opens to test bench style ease of access
- Full ATX size build in compact mid-tower case
- Full sized PSU and GPU card supported
- Up to 240mm internal radiator support
- Redesigned rear vents with increased air flow
- New shock-absorbing drive cage
- Easy-open side doors with no screws and toolless design throughout
- Black or silver full aluminum or add a tempered glass side wall
In addition to supporting full-sized components and 240mm radiators, there is also support for tower air coolers up to 190mm high, and the case also features a rubber-damped hard drive cage (and drives have their own 120mm exhaust fan). How much space will the PC-V33 take up on your desk? Dimensions are (WxHxD) 13.15" x 13.86" x 15.35", which are on par with an open test bench case.
The MSRP of the standard version is $199 and the version with a glass side panel is $229. The PC-V33 will available in early September.
“Compact” perhaps, but not
“Compact” perhaps, but not “small footprint”.
The footprint (width x depth) is approximately 1300 sq. cm vs 1020 sq cm. on a Corsair 200R.
Love aluminum, love test
Love aluminum, love test benches, love this case.
>13.15″ x 13.86″ x
>13.15″ x 13.86″ x 15.35″
That’s not a cube.
Similar in size to the
Similar in size to the MicroATX-size Thermaltake Core V21, but costs roughly 3 times more.
I love being able to open
I love being able to open cases and have everything spread before me, and I love non-conventional builds. There is a beautiful simplicity here that I rarely see in builds. It seems to strip out the crazy considerations like HDD cooling to stick with the basics- get air across the motherboard CPU and get it out of the case. The fan at the back will allow for huge cross flow to the front, but I will it had room for a 120mm there. There is a part of me that wishes the sides were attached to the top and front for true “one motion opening”. I really hope this is some nice thick metal, or nothing will line up nicely.
A good 1.0 attempt for this kind of layout, But they definitely need to step up their game for $200 or someone else will for $100
It is plenty thick, and thus,
It is plenty thick, and thus, the higher price.
Splurge and get the side window, you won’t be disappoint.
I wish the USB and power were on break out port, so the cover could be removed. That would be a great mod project. Hint Hint (send me pictures)
Front fan intake ruins the
Front fan intake ruins the simplistic design IMO.