What will make your powerful rig stand out immediately? Colorful LED lights? Or bulky water cooling? But when you meet LIAN LI PC-T60 aluminum Test Bench case, you'll absolutely marvel at its unique open architecture with a host of uncompromising functionality, at the very first sight.
The T60 Test Bench mounts standard ATX & Micro-ATX motherboards, 5.25" optical drives, 3.5" and 2.5" hard drives, and a standard ATX PS/2 power supply unit. The open design makes it easy to switch components, mod, and service.
Open ArchitectureThe LIAN LI PC-T60 Test Bench case features a completely open design for easy hardware installation and removal, ideal for overclockers and enthusiasts. The open design and aluminum construction also enable effective, reliable cooling even without fans.
5.25" Drive BaysTwo standard 5.25" optical drives mount directly above power supply unit.
Removable HDD CageThree HDDs mounts are offered in the removable HDD cage with thumb screws, while the rubber suspension helps prevent vibration for better system reliability and stability.
Support 2.5" HDDsAluminum mount for two 2.5" HDDs directly below the M/B tray allow users to easily install and remove them as desired.
Rubber-Padded PSU SpaceThe power supply has rubber pads for both insulation and support, reducing vibrations and also securing the PSU without scratching the painted surface.
Trestle for PCI Card StabilityA trestle can be easily set up with thumb screws, to give the back-end of the T60 Test Bench case additional stability.
Pros: QUALITY QUALITY QUALITY Every piece on this case is of impeccable quality. I don't know what other benches some of these negative reviewers have used, but I find it ridiculous that they say there are better alternatives when there's nothing on the market at this price point that isn't made out of plastic. These people whine about needing to take the handle off to add/remove the mobo. What? There aren't even any standoff holes on the mobo tray directly below the handle. I am completely befuddled as to why they NEED to take the handle off. The handle is blocking your video cards? Really? I'm currently using SLI 580 GTX with the mobo on double stacked standoffs and there's still more than an inch clearance between the cards + power cable & handle. FYI, I've had AMD cards in this as well as 680 GTX. None have a clearance problem. You NEED to take the handle off to install video cards? Really? You can't tilt the cards sideways to get them in? Too hard too figure out! Your CPU cooler blocking the handle? Really now! I've had about 20 full size ATX mobos in this case and have never had one where the CPU bracket was anywhere near the handle (the handle is almost always above the far memory slots). Though I am ignorant of how big your cooler might be as I use liquid cooling, but I assume you can simply rotate it to make it fit. The biggest complaint I have with the handle 'issue' is that it can be removed in 30 seconds without any tools by unscrewing the 4 thumb screws. This 'issue' is a non-issue. The handle is one of the best features. I use this bench as my primary 'case', and the handle makes it easy to move it to my entertainment room to use it with the big screen. Your cables are too short to reach stuff? I've been using a Seasonic X750 with this case since I got it. Never did I experience a single issue. Poor cable management? I run all my wiring underneath the motherboard. Clean as all heck, but when I need it I have the option of running any cable straight to where it needs to be without a thought about how messy it looks. If you happen to think that this is no different than working a desktop with the cover removed, you are mistaken. I go between both types of cases and there's simply no comparison to how much easier this bench is for swapping out hardware.
Cons: I wish Lian-Li would have omitted the optical drive cage for more HDD's/SSD's or an option to have them mounted underneath the mobo tray. When I'm installing something from an optical drive (haven't had one permanently installed in like 5 years), I just put a drive on my desk and plug in the SATA/power. I don't like how they charge extra for the front panel input addon... while having all the holes drilled out for it. They should have included it as a standard feature. The backplate for PCI cards is a little flimsy. The build quality is great like the rest of the case, but the way it's attached makes it wobble around when switching cards. I wish they would have pre-drilled some well thought out mounting points along the chassis for things like fans/radiators. I wish they would have pre-drilled more holes underneath the tray to mount the SSD/HDD cages directly under the motherboard. I wish there were some large holes in the tray besides the CPU for running cables.
Overall Review: I firmly believe that most of the complaints about things not fitting under the handle of this case are due to the support panels being installed backwards. I've seen them installed backwards on many sites. When installed correctly, the handle is near the front of the case and doesn't interfere with anything. I've owned this case since it came out (about 2 years). Newegg shipped it in an unsealed box (anyone could have opened it), and it arrived with a missing bottom panel. I didn't want to send it back for a refund because the case was backordered at the time and I'd have to wait like 2 more months to get a replacement. I've been using it without the bottom panel ever since. The missing panel prevents the hdd cage from being permanently attached to the case. Fine with me because I swap drives often and like keeping the hdd cage unattached on my desk, but this adds an extra step when moving the case (disconnecting the drives).