LIAN LI PC-A05B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Pros: Excellent build quality, very quiet (with very good air flow), easy access to all areas.

Cons: Either the manual for my abit IP35 pro has the wrong pin numbers for the HD audio Front panel connector, or the manual for this case does. Doesn't matter the functions match up, just not the numbers. Be sure to use the HD audio connector if your mobo requires it, the AC97 plug can do damage.

Overall Review: This is my second build using a Lian Li case, and I am very pleased with this case. My focus for this build was a QUIET PC with HTPC abilities and performance (not into gaming, which made it much easier to choose a video card). If you want quiet from this case, you need only find a quiet PSU, (I chose the Corsair HX 620) and a good CPU HSF that'll let you keep the fan slow, and you will have a very quiet PC (a non blow torch CPU helps). I installed My PSU right side up, (fan on bottom) which leaves plenty of room for the fan to suck air. I have 3 Hard drives (1 36GB Raptor for OS, 2 WD 500GB RE drives RAID 1 for storage) and the front fan has plenty of flow to keep the drives & system cool. E6850 CPU, TT V1 HSF, Abit IP35 Pro, 4GB G.Skill PC2 5300 CL4, MSI 8500GT with HDMI and passive HS, LiteOn SATA DVD burner, will add LG BR/HD-DVD reader later, Vista Ultimate. To see my build search Websh0ts for 'martmannpics lokiju'

Pros: This case is very well built. Although it is on the small side, it is still able to accommodate massive video cards. The 2 x 120mm fans are also a huge plus. I also really like the USB's on the top rather than in the front on the bottom.

Cons: The only con I can think of (and why I didn't give it 5 stars) is there is very little airflow in the top rear corner where the PCI slots are located. This causes my 8800GT to run about 10 degrees warmer in this case than my previous Coolermaster.

Overall Review: I've built two systems using this case. One for myself and one for a friend. He has an 8800GTX in his and he's very happy with it. I just got an Arctic ACCELS1 Rev 2 for my GT along with the fans so I expect the temps to come down quite a bit (and be quieter at the same time). I really like this case so upgrading the cooling on my card for it isn't a huge deal.

Pros: Contrary to what some commenters are saying, I don't find the fans all that noisy, especially when compared with my last build. Sturdy but lightweight build, easy to work with assuming you have standard sized parts. Very sleek. I haven't noticed any issues with air-flow other than noted below. Air enters from back, and is pushed through the front. Great cooling for a mid-range build. May or may not be right for a high end/high heat build.

Cons: No cooling at top of case - airflow over the CPU is great, but you'll probably want to pick up a PCI slot fan, especially if you're using a hot running graphics card that doesn't have good cooling built-in. This is the largest flaw with this case I've found yet, and the thing that stopped me from giving a 5 egg rating.

Overall Review: *Front pannel power LED is extremely bright. Not a big deal to me, others might not like it. I'll just as soon disconnect it if I don't like it. Or just go to radio shack and replace it. *REVERSE ATX BUILD. Be aware of potential spacing issues. *Front mounted power supply. Make absolutely sure your PSU is completely ATX compliant here. There is very little room for error. My Corsair PSU fit fine, but I've heard others have had trouble with this.

Pros: Incredibly light weight. Nice, clean design with rolled edges and tight fitting parts all around. Large enough for a GTX280. Rear intake fan hits CPU directly, but see Cons below.

Cons: The fans are large and quiet, but the airflow inside this case is problematic. The product description says otherwise, but the rear fan is actually the intake and air is exhausted from the front. The power supply also exhausts from the front, so there is not really any sensible way to reverse the front fan. The power supply and front fan blow into a plenum behind the front of the case which redirects the air to the sides and bottom. Unfortunately, if you do not have something filling your 3.5" bay and the bottom 5.25" bay, the exhaust air also blows back inside the case and things quickly heat up. In the meantime, there is nothing exhausting the hot air at the very top of the case. I solved these problems with a cheap card reader to fill the 3.5" bay, and some cheap slot fans to exhaust the top of the case.

Overall Review: With some sort of separator between the power supply airflow and front fan airflow, and also a fan at the very top of the case, this could be a great case. Have to take a couple eggs off for seemingly boneheaded recycling of hot air.

Pros: All aluminum; even all the little brackets etc. Very tight manuf. tolerances (everything fits together snugly without 'wiggling') good hard drive holding system: add 4 screws and grommets and the drive slides into place. Good quality fans, nice airflow. Case acts as a giant heat spreader because its all aluminum. Anodized and not painted; really nice finish. A ton of accessories available from Lian Li. Light weight. Even came with wireties and clips.

Cons: Though solid, its all sheet aluminum and feels like if you accidentally kicked it, or stepped on a panel while disassembled it might ding or dent, unlike PVC etc. You have to take the front of the case off to access the switch on your PSU; but it pulls off pretty easily.

Overall Review: This case has a bizarre layout where the motherboard is upside down (PCI and expansion cards on top, and IO on bottom) and the PSU is mounted in the front lower. the AC cord is routed to the back with an extension cord. At first I thought it was going to be a pain, but I was actually able to route the cables more efficiently, so I actually like this upside-down and backwardness alot.

Pros: The sheer beauty of this case is worth the price, all aluminum, solid construction. Contains two 120MM fans, back to front airflow, which cools the CPU and exhausts over the hard drives, the power supply is located in the front to aid in heat exhaust. Best of the BTX design for the ATX world. Contains 2 External 5 1/2 inch bays, 1 external 3 1/2 inch bay, and 3 internal 3 1/2 bays. Don't hesitate if you want a $200 case for $100.

Cons: You will need to either purchase the Lian-Li PCI cooler version 3 to cool the expansion cards or a PCI fan slot cooler (flip the fan around to bring air into the case), as there is an absolute dead-spot of heat around the expansion card area which will cook high-end graphics cards.

Overall Review: This case is smaller and lighter in weight than the pictures and specifications reveal. This is an excellent case for case modders, and is durable enough to stand up to LAN-Party setups that need to be transported frequently. Don't be shy to fill it to the rim, as it has extra size compensation over ATX cases to fit oversized graphics cards and CPU coolers.

Pros: Another quality case from Lian Li and for a small case its actually roomier than I had expected as I'm sure it will even fit the largest video cards on todays market. The case comes with 2 120mm fans which are well dampened with rubber grommets in addition to the HDD bay. My PC also sits on the floor so having the USB ports on the top is a GREAT touch and is easily accessible.

Cons: Does get warm but this was expected being a smaller case and because the panels are so light they do rattle just a little bit. If your not a noise freak then no worries, but a little bit of dynamat fixed it right up. Doesn't come with a DVD Drive panel as they cost a few bucks on the web.

Overall Review: Despite its minor flaws, not even enough to where I would give it lower than a FIVE, its a solid case and worth every penny. This is my second Lian Li case and I wouldn't go back to anything else.

Pros: absolutely gorgeous case for the simple yet stylistic look. small footprint for space conscious people. everything is clean inside for a great setup.

Cons: none

Overall Review: i am kind of biased- I LOVE LIAN LI CASES.....but sadly, their recent cases are turning into nasty eye sores