LIAN LI PC-V354A Silver Aluminum MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case

Pros: This case is the best looking that I have ever seen. It is also the perfect size for anybody that has no intention of water cooling, and doesn't want a loud, glowing black obelisk in their room. Truth is, if you aren't water cooling or using three video cards, matx is all you need.

That being said, this case fits the bill perfectly. It looks nice, it's light, and it screams class...

Fan controller on the back seems very well built, card reader on the front is useful for graphic designers like me (the fact that it looks like a small mac pro helps too).

If you've ever owned a lian li before, you know that they're all about quality. The little touches are what set this off. All the corners inside the case are rounded off, it's 100% aluminum, the fans are quiet, but still move enough air, and everything is removable so it's perfect for modders.

Cons: There are some cons that need to be mentioned, however. First off, the side panels were almost a deal breaker for me. There is not spring loaded quick release mechanism for these, and there is no way to lock them. Instead, they are held on by 8 microscopic screws that need to be completely taken off and put back on everytime you open the case. So it's impractical for you, but any would-be thief just needs a screw-driver.

Also, it would be nice if all the lights on the front matched the blue color scheme. There are some green ones that might throw off an otherwise perfectly coordinated color scheme.

The cables on the fans are too short. Unless you're connecting them using the included molex adapters (I don't see why you would since there's a built in fan controller), they barely reach, and the tension pulls on the PCB of the controller.

It's also much bigger than you would think. It's about two inches shorter than your average Dell, and two inches wider.

Other Thoughts: System Specs:
-Intel i7 950
-Asus Rampage gene iii
-3 x 4GB G-Skill Ripjaw Memory
-1TB Western Digital Caviar Black HDD
-Msi Reference GTX 570
-Corsair AX850 PSU
-Gelid Wing Fans throughout

Pros: Looks cool! quite fans. Not

Cons: The front fans not very powerful even at highest speed, and the lines just barely reach the speed controller at back. The document say to screw the ssd at the bottom, but then there is no way to inset the SATA power cable.

Other Thoughts: I think there should be ways to improve it is inner layout

Pros: Got it last week. It is simply gorgeous! For those of you looking for an HTPC case or gaming HTPC case, to look good actually, stand out in your living room, get this case. The brushed aluminium, the lightness, the silent fans...BEAUTIFUL!! When i got it i was worried it may have the color of a cooking pot but i was just amazed at how beautiful the silver case looks. If you have a macbook the color of this case is like that...but brushed a little better...just buy it...you will see what i mean

Cons: none

Other Thoughts: Wish it had a removable m/b tray but still there is a lot of room to work inside. Get thee a modular PSU like the seasonic PSUs those work very well with this case. It will take large cards and it cools very well. For those of you who do not like blue fan lights you could always change the 2 front 120mm fans for some with no leds. But the stock fans are rated at 1200 RPM there is a fan controller than can take 4 fans that comes with this case. Really good looking case.

Pros: Everything went in without delay. No issues or defects were discovered during the build. The quality of construction in this case is superb. Everything is very well thought out. Cable organization was much more simple than I thought it would be. The fans are super quiet and move a great deal of air. Having moved my computer from a Thermaltake LanBox, my CPU (q9550 @ 3.6GHz) temperatures were reduced by 10c at Idle and about 16c at load.

Other features some might find useful:
-Supports longer Blu-Ray drives.
-Supports cards that are much longer than my 6950.

Cons: It wasn't free.

Other Thoughts: I ordered the case in the evening. It arrived before 10am the next day. Nicely done!

Some of you guys need to get over the fact that the top fan has to be removed to install a CD tray. For a small case, the ingenuity is second to none.

Having owned a Thermaltake Lanbox I can assure you, that puzzle-piece of a case is a P.I.T.A compared to this little beauty.

The case almost weighs nothing, I was impressed.

Pros: Aluminum looks classy and is very light, USB3 on the front is handy, fan filters keep everything clean, rubber mounts for fans and HDD's keeps things quiet, optical drive cover keeps things looking clean, nice rubber feet, great case size, good airflow, removable drive cages give you good airflow

Cons: those 8 screws on the side panel to open it every time are a PITA. I've done it about 20x now and don't think I can take it anymore. The fan filter plastic cracked when I pulled them off, the SSD mount location didn't allow enough space for the power plug so I had to shave the plug a bit

Other Thoughts: I swapped out the 120mm fans for cooler master sickleflows and they are super quiet! I swapped the 140mm top fan for a thermalright and it is very quiet as well. I put the noctua nh-u9b cooler on and that adds the most noise to the rig. I love this case for being clean, quiet and cool in a size that doesn't take up your whole desk.

Pros: The color is very nice, almost mac-like. I love the cd drive cover, makes everything flow well. It's always distracting to have a black rectangle on the front of the case, unless the case is black. The SD Card reader is a nice touch since I do a lot of photography. And i am constantly transferring raw images to my computer.

The inside is actually well thought out, they didn't cheap out on anything. There is hardly any plastic at all. You can fit a fairly large graphics card, i have XFX HD 5770. A full sized psu, and a fairly nice cpu cooler. I had the Noctua NH-C12P SE14 cooler, and it fit just nicely!

Cons: Pretty much no cable management options. Not that I need it.

SD slot is kinda cheap, wish the card would go all the way in, and click into place. Just like on dslrs. The reason is because it has a far less chance of breaking your SD card, mine broke from the reader on this case.

USB 3.0 does not have an internal header, you need to route it to the back of the case, taking up two of your usb 3.0 slots.

Other Thoughts: The cons dont even matter, because anyone who enjoys nice, sleek looking things is going to love this case!

Here is how I put it together: Starting with the CD drive, then replace the fans if you want to (I did.), to do this you need to remove the HDD cages. Now install the hard drives, you have to remove the cage to do this. Now install the motherboard and connect the cables before you screw in. Then pull the cables through the bottom HDD cage, it helps to have a modular psu! Then plug in the front panel ports and buttons. Now insert the graphics card if you have one. Make sure everything is connected. Plug data into the motherboard and put the hdd cage in. Now all the wires should be going through the bottom cage. And now you can plug everything into the psu! an your finished!

Pros: Looks nice design on the outside

Cons: Front fans don't put out much air

Other Thoughts: I have a 5870 Video Card in this case and a 1000w psu and the psu is so close to the video card that I might can put 15 sheets of paper in between them it's that close The red line on my 5870 says 66c and it hit 66c in about 15min of gaming and I dont call testin the game out Gaming and 66c is with me changing out the front fans with 78 cfm air flow fans and puting one of the front fans in the back I would like my VG to be around 35c My CPU is a AMD 1100 x6 and it hit 105F thats with me putting a differant heatsink/fan on and I have A/C about 12' away blowin on the case room tem. is around 68 wound like CPU be at 80F Case would be ok if u use a i"ll say 4600 or smaller VG or water cool ur CPU an VG NOW this is to Manufacturers Heat goes up not down so PSU needs to be on top in a case not bottom or side NOW here is a good design 16.5"L 8.25"W 15.75"H 2 140 or 120 fans in front 1 120 fan in back a round 8"window on the side with 1 140 fan in it color silver AN look like this CASE

Pros: Beautiful, an asset to any desktop or home theater system
Solid engineering, nice extra touches

Cons: Painstaking installation planning required
Too many interrelated parts

Other Thoughts: First and foremost, this is a beautiful case. There's just no other way to put it. You will get compliments from anyone even slightly interested in technology or aesthetics. The construction is solid and the aluminum used is thick and sturdy. The fan control card actually works well, and the USB 3.0 front panel solution fairly elegant (under the circumstances). There are also a ton of drive bays for a MicroATX chassis.

You should not buy this case if you plan to open it up a lot or swap parts frequently. Removing the outer panel requires accessing 8 tiny screws that very easily disappear. Fortunately there's a bag of extras. I kept thinking I was going to dock Lian-Li a basketful of eggs on the review until I found the extra screws.

Installation requires quite a bit of forethought. You should configure the fans the way you want first as it is a hassel to move them later. I wish there were an elegant way to leave the dust filters in place without a fan.

Pros: Materials
Looks

Cons: Engineering & Design

Other Thoughts: The ONLY thing stopping me from returning this case is that not only would I have to disassemble and repack this Rubik's Cube but then would have to pay for shipping and probably get hit with a restocking fee..

I've been building computers for 15+ years and I can easily say this is one of (if not the) worst designed cases I have ever come across.

Just about everything is bass ackwards from "normal" case design.

You literally have to install components in a specific order (which the slim documentation does not address) or you WILL be taking things out multiple times.

For example: The optical drive cage is held in place with screws on both side plates - wouldn't be a problem except that one of those plates also doubles as the motherboard mount.

There are MANY other similar issues. You have to install any video card/other card BEFORE putting in the PSU or there's no way to place a card.

And despite it's size, it's exceptionally cramped. A smaller Thermal Take LanBox

Pros: All aluminum which makes it light until you put a few hard drives and the power supply in. Great airflow even if it looks like everything is crammed together. I'm using mine as a media center and it doesn't look out of place next to my other components. The built in fan controller is a great piece to have included, just make sure your fan cables are long enough to reach the rear of the case. It fits a Nvidia 460 GTX without removal of the bottom cage drive.

Cons: This is my third Lian-Li case. As beautiful and elegant these case is I hate to write anything bad, but I have to be honest.

First and foremost Blue LEDs have to go. They are too bright and can be distracting. I had to disconnect the power LED just to make the machine stop glowing blue light throughout the room, Don't be concerned as the card reader's green light will keep you knowing the PC is on. Next the Blue LED fans went, replaced with some semi-expensive beige and brown fans that run much quieter. Cable lengths are comically long. At half length they would have been fine. USB3 design is great idea, but to be fair a waste at this time. The whole PC must be dissembled to get to anything including the dust filters (I took mine off, I rather have dust and good airflow then clogged filters and air being sucked in other holes. A tower heat sink with 120 mm fan might not work. The Power supply may get in the way. Measure carefully.

Other Thoughts: This box is great for people who like to set and forget. Invest in cable ties to keep things manageable and the airflow good. I think I used over 30 to keep things neat. Also try to use a power supply that is shorter than average or one with module cables, it will fit a 1000 Watt power supply but the cables have no where to go. Also this case is about 3-4 inches wider than a standard case. You lose the height and length but gain a few inches in width. As for the heatsink a 92mm tower cooler should work or even a 120 with a very thin fan.