Introduction:

   Lian-Li can be considered the Lexus of computer cases. They have been making premium computer cases for some time now and despite all the changes and advances that have happened with case in the past decade they have managed to remain relevant. Part of this is due to the distinctiveness of Lian-Li cases - they are instantly recognizable due to their high quality anodized aluminum finish that even extends to the front panel and drive covers. There is little in the way of cheap plastic parts in their cases.

For this reason we've come to like Lian-Li cases here, as evidenced by some of our previous reviews of their units. But with this past performance comes the burden of expectation: Every new Lian-Li case is put under the magnifying glass and expected to be at least as good as the last, if not better. So it is with cautious optimism that we have the pleasure of reviewing Lian-Li's latest model, the PC-60FW, a case that Lian-Li quotes as exuding "Minimalism". Let's see if it can deliver on its promises.

Specifications:

As far as the specs go, the PC-60FW is a fairly conservative mid-tower case. It features five 5.25" drive bays, one of which comes with a 5.25-to-3.5" adapter and has room for four HDDs, all of which are about average for a mid-tower case nowadays. A window adorns the side, as is the norm with today's cases. The case itself is made entirely of aluminum, with the exterior consisting of Lian-Li's trademarked anodized/brushed aluminum finish. It makes for a very nice and lightweight case but the finish tends to pick up fingerprints quite easily. Sweaty hands beware!

• Full Specifications

One major departure from the norm, however, is the relocation of the PSU to the bottom back of the case instead of at the top. This is a design change we're beginning to see more and more, as it allows the rear case exhaust fan to be placed closer to the top, making for better heat removal. It also crowds the CPU area less. As for cooling, Lian-Li has placed a 120mm fan at the back for exhaust and a giant 140mm blue-LED fan in the front for intake. This intake fan blows air directly over the HDD cage, which puts ample space between each HDD so that air can flow in between them.

With the sleek brushed aluminum black finish, the PC-60FW makes for a very decent first impression. The light weight is also welcome, especially if you've been used to steel cases. A prominent acrylic window adorns the side of the case, taking up almost the entire space. The window itself is very clear and was absolutely free from defects/scratches and is professionally mounted, with much attention to detail present.

The Lian-Li PC-60FW.

Well protected.

Sleek window.

The front of the case showcases the five 5.25" bays, one of which comes with a 5.25-3.5" adapter so that those of you with 3.5" drives (such as media card readers) will not be left out. (The top-most slimmer "bay" is just a facade) The Power and HDD LEDs are located in the upper right corner. However, the most obvious feature is the large 140mm front intake fan at the bottom, which is clearly visible through the grill on the front panel. This blue-LED fan provides more than enough air intake for the case. On top, Lian-Li has chosen to place the I/O ports and power/reset buttons. Only Firewire, USB and Audio ports are provided; noticeably missing is an eSATA port.

Brushed aluminum.

Front.

Ports and buttons on top.

One defining aspect of Lian-Li cases has been their high-quality aluminum front panels that are easy to remove for installation. The PC-60FW is fairly faithful in this respect. There isn't a "handle" or gap at the bottom of the panel to grip, but instead you just hold the sides and pull it off. It comes off quite easily but at the same time is held on securely enough so that it won't fall off. This front panel, however, isn't perhaps as sturdy as previous ones. While it's mostly aluminum there are some plastic parts, such as around the fan grill area and at the top/bottom where the pegs hold the panel to the chassis. Obviously, metal here would've been preferred for durability.

With the front panel removed you can see the trademark Lian-Li metal drive bay covers that snap into place and remove easily. You can also see the front fan, covered by a thin dust filter, is fed by a mostly unobstructed flow of air.

Front intake.

Front panel removed.

Inside front panel.

The left side is taken up mostly by the window, which has mounted into an inset on the side panel. It's professionally riveted in place and the edges of the crystal-clear window are beveled, adding another nice touch to overall look. This is far from a "tacked on" window, which many cases seem to be featuring nowadays.

Side window.

Beveled edges.

The rear of the case shows the design change Lian-Li adopted. The PSU now rests at the bottom of the case, with the motherboard positioned above it. A 120mm rear exhaust fan is present and has been mounted using rubber grommets to isolate vibration from the chassis for quieter performance. Above it are water cooling tube holes, which are becoming standard on most cases nowadays. You can also see the generous use of thumbscrews and the PSU "faceplate" used to mount the PSU and simplify the swapping of PSUs in an existing system. The bottom is nondescript and just features four standard rubber feet.

Rear.

Bottom.

Overall, exterior and first impressions of the PC-60FW were up to the standards previously set by Lian-Li. Let's take a look inside now.

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