Introduction:

Lian-Li cases have always been a favourite of enthusiasts, both for their innovative features and high-quality all- aluminum construction. One of the first case manufacturers to offer thumbscrews as a stock option, Lian-Li units quickly became a popular, if costly, option for many users. Lian-Li cases are widely regarded to be premium units, and we've been favourable towards them as well. Today, I'll be looking at one of their new cases, the PC-A70, a new entry in their Classical Series. This full-tower case seems to have a lot to offer, so lets see if it lives up to the Lian-Li standard for quality.

Specifications

The PC-A70 is available in both black and silver, and I again requested the black version since matching parts are easier to come by in black. I also think black is just plain awesome. Being a full-tower, this case is quite large at 595mm (about 23.5") in height - but this isn't too large for a full-tower. Its depth and width are 590mm and 220mm (about 23.25" x 8.75") respectively. So, make sure you have enough space for it! The ideal uses for this case are for either a SOHO file-server or for the hardcore enthusiast who needs lots of room for lots of hardware. There are no windows or anything on the side panels, but the end result is a professional look that is nothing short of beauty. If you've ever seen high-quality brushed aluminum, you'll know what a light-weight and sleek material it is. As with all Lian-Li cases, the entire unit is made out of aluminum, making for a case that is much less heavy than it looks.

• Full Specifications

This case has a lot of drive bays. There are five 5.25" drive bays and a total of ten internal 3.5" drive bays. Strangely, there is no external 3.5" drive bay, so if you have a 3.5" device such as a media card reader (or are still using a FDD), you'll have to use an external 3.5" to 5.25" adapter to get it to work with this case. Nonetheless, the number of drive bays ensures you'll have more than enough space for all your storage needs. As with most Lian-Li's, no PSU is included, so you'll have to provide your own. (Or two of your own)

The PC-A70 came well-packaged so even your favourite parcel delivery service cannot damage it. Once out of the box, you realize just how sleek and light-weight it is - if you've never used an aluminum case before, you'll be amazed and left wondering why you strained your back all those years carrying around cases made of 1.0mm thick steel when you could have been floating around with an aluminum case like that guy from the Red Bull commercials.

Well-packaged.

Sleek.

Black.

This version of the case does not feature a door, instead opting for a clean appearance that provides for easy accessibility. The front of the case compliments the rest of the case, as it's symmetrical and minimalist. Like the rest of the case exterior, it's also made of anodized aluminum, which while looking good, tends to pick up fingerprints quite easily. The power/reset buttons are dead center; below them is the grill for the intake fans and above them are the drive bays. The power and HDD LEDs peek through small openings in the upper right, and are hard to see. As with most Lian-Li cases, the front bezel is easily removed without the need to take off the side panels.

You'll probably also notice that in addition to the five 5.25" drive bays, there is no external 3.5" drive bay. This was probably left out for room and aesthetic reasons, and it shouldn't be a problem since FDDs have been dead for some time. However, many people find those media reader drives (which fit in a 3.5" drive bay) to be of use, and will be out of luck when it comes to finding a spot for these in this case, unless an adapter is used.

Front.

Back.

Side.

The back of the case is quite busy, and highlights some of the extra features of this case. In addition to the 120mm exhaust fan near the CPU area, there are also ports for a water cooling setup. The PSU is mounted at the bottom, but as we'll see, this position can be interchanged with the 120 mm fan at the top if you prefer the PSU to be there - or you can swap out the 120 mm fan altogether and have a dual-PSU setup. These sorts of features really make the PC-A70 stand out as more than just a nice-looking case, and make it an ideal choice for enthusiasts who have a lot of hardware and want the maximum flexibility in their setup. There are no side panel fans or vents, but they aren't needed because of all the other fans on the case.

Side.

Drive bays.

Front intake grill.

Even the drive bay covers are made of nice anodized aluminum, keeping the case looking sleek. In the middle picture above, you can better see the power and HDD LEDs peeking through pinholes in the upper right. The front grill in the bottom front is built for good ventilation, which is necessary, since there are two 120 mm intake fans behind it. There are also removable filters behind the grill to help cut down on dust. With the front bezel, you can better see these.

Front ports.

Front bezel removed.

Bottom.

The USB, Firewire and audio ports have been moved to the top of the case, and concealed behind a door in keeping with the overall sleek appearance. Even this little door showcases Lian-Li's attention to detail, as it's made of aluminum, not plastic, and is attached with a proper hinge. The audio ports also support both AC'97 and HD Audio configurations, so you won't be left out in the cold. The bottom of the case has standard rubber feet, though wider feet might have been better for stability if the case is going to be placed on a soft surface like carpet.

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