Lian Li posted pictures of an unreleased prototype case, which it named PC-A51. Design of the new all-aluminium, wide-body ATX mid-tower case is not finalized, and the company is seeking feedback from the PC enthusiast community (you can leave your comments with us). The PC-A51, in its current iteration, starts off signature Lian Li style - a black aluminium monolith, but tries out something unusual with its clear acrylic window, and metallic red interiors. The motherboard tray, along with portions of the drive cages, and the rear panel, feature a contrasting of black and red. The case features a front-oriented PSU bay. The case has room for add-on cards as long as 28 cm, PSUs as long as 16 cm, and CPU coolers as tall as 17.5 cm.The motherboard tray on the PC-A51 prototype can seat boards in common ATX, micro-ATX, and mini-ITX form-factors; along with the internal drive bay, it's largely tool-free. There's room for five 3.5-inch drives (each tray can stack up to two 2.5-inch drives), and a 5.25-inch drives. Ventilation includes a 140 mm front-intake, two 140 mm top exhausts (which can hold on to radiators as big as 140 x 280 mm); and a 140 mm rear exhaust. The back side of the motherboard tray has clearance of up to 2 cm, which can let you handle your cable spaghetti better. Front-panel connectivity include four USB 3.0 ports (standard header), an eSATA port, and HD audio jacks.

28 Comments on Lian Li Unveils PC-A51 Prototype, Seeks Feedback Before Launch

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#1 JTristam

So the heat generated by the PSU is blown towards the front panel? Also the red parts is... well, I don't know... kinda out of place. A darker color perhaps? Or make it all black?



edit: sorry for the ninja edit. I replied to the wrong thread before. Now it's corrected. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 12:04 Reply

#2 RCoon

JTristam So the heat generated by the PSU is blown towards the front panel? Also the red parts is... well, I don't know... kinda out of place. A darker color perhaps? Or make it all black?



edit: sorry for the ninja edit. I replied to the wrong thread before. Now it's corrected. The case layout is set to intake from the rear and exhaust via the front (Take a look at the orientation of the rear fan).

I'd rather PSU heat got expelled out the front, as opposed to being expelled across the CPU and GPU's, so this airflow layout makes sense. The case layout is set to intake from the rear and exhaust via the front (Take a look at the orientation of the rear fan).I'd rather PSU heat got expelled out the front, as opposed to being expelled across the CPU and GPU's, so this airflow layout makes sense. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 12:40 Reply

#3 erixx

1) Intake from rear, sure is better than intake in front. You just don't feed your GPU with warm HDD air!!!

2) I would add a floor intake fan (with filter of course)

3) don't like usb and power/reset buttons on top. just not convenient, and dangerous.

4) give people options to have usb ports-buttons panel on the bottom of the front or at the top of the front. like a optical slot cover, so you can have it anywhere. customization at no cost. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 13:06 Reply

#4 dinmaster

is that a 1950xtx in there!? i had one way back :P Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 13:21 Reply

#5 btarunr

Editor & Senior Moderator dinmaster is that a 1950xtx in there!? i had one way back :p Looks more like an HD 4870. Looks more like an HD 4870. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 13:36 Reply

#6 sttubs

An aftermarket cooler on a longer video card would probably not clear the psu. Lose the red, black is better. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 13:42 Reply

#7 JTristam

RCoon The case layout is set to intake from the rear and exhaust via the front (Take a look at the orientation of the rear fan).

I'd rather PSU heat got expelled out the front, as opposed to being expelled across the CPU and GPU's, so this airflow layout makes sense. btarunr The case features a front-oriented PSU bay.



Ventilation includes a 140 mm front-intake, two 140 mm top exhausts (which can hold on to radiators as big as 140 x 280 mm); and a 140 mm rear exhaust. Well, that wasn't a wise decision. Makes sense to blow the heat from PSU out the front if LL really wanted to put it in the front but with front intake fans?? :wtf: Either someone installed the fans the wrong way or the case was a bad design. I think front exhaust fan would be better. erixx 1) Intake from rear, sure is better than intake in front. You just don't feed your GPU with warm HDD air!!! Mate Well, that wasn't a wise decision. Makes sense to blow the heat from PSU out the front if LL really wanted to put it in the front but with front intake fans?? :wtf: Either someone installed the fans the wrong way or the case was a bad design. I think front exhaust fan would be better.Mate this one 's much better. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 13:51 Reply

#8 cokker

With a quick look I think:



1. The motherboard needs to be raised enough to add two 120/140mm fans at the bottom with filter (at the moment this case is a dust magnet).



1b. With the motherboard raised holes can be added for USB/Audio cables to be allowed through



2. PSU filter needs to be accessible the same side as the bottom fan filter (window side).



3. Rear and front 120/140mm fan need to be exhaust, or the rear needs a filter option.



4. Some kind of shield to cover cables away from the GPU's.



Lian Li would get my money. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 14:49 Reply

#9 micropage7

for me its nice but

1. front panel too flat, add more accent would be good

2. top panel of case should flat, it looks bad with bump

3. idea of placing hdd like that is good but im kinda worry for long term since it just hanging with hook to tray

4. add some cover for hdd would be great Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 15:00 Reply

#10 TheDeeGee

RCoon The case layout is set to intake from the rear and exhaust via the front (Take a look at the orientation of the rear fan).

I'd rather PSU heat got expelled out the front, as opposed to being expelled across the CPU and GPU's, so this airflow layout makes sense. So it sucks in hot air from the videocard again...



Ye, that makes sense. So it sucks in hot air from the videocard again...Ye, that makes sense. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 16:30 Reply

#11 RCoon

Svarog So it sucks in hot air from the videocard again...



Ye, that makes sense. That videocard is a blower cooler, which does not expel heat inside the case at all ;)



Also, If I am not mistaken, that PSU is intaking air from the bottom of the case. That videocard is a blower cooler, which does not expel heat inside the case at all ;)Also, If I am not mistaken, that PSU is intaking air from the bottom of the case. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 16:46 Reply

#12 yuri53122

I'd like to see a dedicated SSD mount point behind that mobo tray. It would be nice if it was stronger than the usual aluminium case, but this is Lian Li, I would hope it's solid. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 17:17 Reply

#13 EpicShweetness

I rather like it. Seems to have plenty of ventilation for lower tier'd computers, and it's full ATX capable while being rather compact.

I'd buy it to replace the case for my APU system (MSI ATX Motherboard), the aluminum is rather classy. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 18:15 Reply

#14 TheDeeGee

RCoon That videocard is a blower cooler, which does not expel heat inside the case at all ;)



Also, If I am not mistaken, that PSU is intaking air from the bottom of the case. It goes out the back and the rear fan sucks it back in... It goes out the back and the rear fan sucks it back in... Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 19:27 Reply

#15 vetikas

1. It looks like my grandpa's coffin but it is ok, because most other cases look like cheap vacuum cleaners.



2. The presence of optical drive is extremely disturbing to me.



3. One of the best component layouts i have ever seen. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 19:44 Reply

#16 Parablank

Lose the red and make it either all black or black+white (similar to fractal design).

There should be some room in the back for SSD mounts

GET RID OF THE 5.25" DRIVE Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 20:15 Reply

#17 erixx

JTristam Mate this one's much better. LOL, mate, that is much bigger. looks like a power generator.



Hey, Lian Li, listen to the pros here. Yeah, really you could take the ODD out, and pre-prepare it for at least 2 SSD. Bottom fan with filter. And make radiator top panel a paid option for the water cooling vvhores, 90 % of us don't need open tops, we need that space for leaving magazines and books . ;) LOL, mate, that is much bigger. looks like a power generator.Hey, Lian Li, listen to the pros here. Yeah, really you could take the ODD out, and pre-prepare it for at least 2 SSD. Bottom fan with filter. And make radiator top panel a paid option for the water cooling vvhores, 90 % of us don't need open tops, we need that space for leaving magazines and books . ;) Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 20:52 Reply

#18 Vancha

Either it's front-to-back airflow like the article says, in which case the front sucks in the hot PSU air, or it's back-to-front airflow like the pictures show, in which case they probably need to ventilate the front panel as with the PC-A04B (the slits down the sides not being sufficient).



Honestly, I just wish they'd return to the PC-A05N layout. With two intakes at the top, ventilation at the front and slightly better cable management, it would have been perfect. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 21:04 Reply

#19 Frick

Fishfaced Nincompoop Keep the red.



Get rid of the window.



Dunno why people don't like the red. I sort of like it. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 22:36 Reply

#20 Assimilator

Overall I like this case. A lot.



My main concern is the proximity of PSU cables to motherboard SATA ports. If you have a board with right-angled SATA ports you will have a tough time plugging/unplugging SATA cables with the PSU in place, in fact I'd say that you'd probably have to uninstall the PSU to achieve this. Additionally, PSUs longer than the ATX spec of 140mm are gonna be a problem.



My suggestion: extend the case (front to back) by ~2cm - basically inserting a 2cm gap between the motherboard and the drives/PSU. Not only will that allow clearance with standard sized PSUs, it will allow people who want to use longer PSUs to do so (obviously they will then have to deal with SATA/PSU cable clashes).



Other suggestions:



1. Make it slightly taller by adding an 8th PCI slot. This will give some clearance between the bottom of the case and the mobo, allowing for routing holes in the mobo tray for audio/USB/front panel cables. The additional PCI slot space can then be used for an addon card, or USB headers, or some 15mm slim fans.

2. Keep the 5.25" bay. People may not use optical drives anymore, but they sure as hell use fan controllers.

3. Colour scheme seems to be half-arsed, i.e. the red can't be seen unless you're looking at the back of or inside the case. Maybe add some red highlights down the left/right of the front panel and/or colour the top mesh red. Posted on Nov 28th 2013, 23:52 Reply

#21 silapakorn





Overall I love this case. However, clear side panel should be replaced with solid panel & filtered fan hole to maintain a sleek look. Like this: Posted on Nov 29th 2013, 5:29 Reply

#22 John Doe

My opinions based on Picture 3 (without the windowed side panel):



- I understand the reasoning behind placing the motherboard lower in the case, so thick radiators can fit at the top, but this placement makes it impossible to use the third PCIe slot impossible AT THE SAME TIME with anything mounted on the fan grill at the bottom of the case. Not a huge issue, I think very few people use 3 graphics cards, but it's worth mentioning.



- I suggest moving the fan grill as far away from the motherboard tray as possible, towards the windowed side panel (I would even suggest making the case wider to accomplish this), so even if the user decides to use the fan grill (mainly to mount a fan, but a water pump or a reservoir could also be mounted there) he can still access the connectors on the bottom of the motherboard. Motherboards usually have an USB3 connector there, and most importantly, the front panel IO pins. For example, using the motherboard from the picture, with the bottom fan grill used, you would need to remove the fan if you wanted to use the USB3 headers on the board, use the power button or the IO pins. I think a good chassis must be compatible with as many hardware configurations as possible,



- It would be extremely nice if there was a way to cover the holes used for routing the SATA and power cables to the hard drives, if you weren't using the trays. Above the PSU, behind the bottom two hard drive trays, you can see the SATA and power cables through those openings. Sure, with a lot of effort, you could probably manage to route your cables in such a way that they don't cross those opening, but that means a. A lot more unnecessary work, and b. You would still have visible holes in the motherboard tray. I suggest a piece of molded plastic that fits in those holes to cover them, it can be black or red.



Picture 4 (back of the motherboard tray):



- I don't know who does your builds, but that is not the way to route an 8 pin CPU cable. The cable should be routed around the motherboard tray cut-out, because in the position from the picture you won't be able to install a CPU cooler bracket without unplugging the cable. And plugging the 8 pin after installing a tower cooler is almost impossible. You could plug the 8 pin after you installed the bracket and before you mounted the cooler, but that is too much of a headache and I can guarantee it that a LOT of people won't think about doing that, resulting in them having the remove the freshly installed CPU cooler to plug in the 8 pin, then reinstalling the cooler, and that means a lot of annoyed customers. For routing the 8 pin around the motherboard cut-out I also suggest adding a few tie points, at the very least one at the bottom right corner of the cut-out.



- Regarding tie points, I see none, maybe you wish to add at least a few for neat cable management. I don't think that adding those tie points would ruin the aesthetics of the case. Drop me a message if you are interested in what I think about the best location for the tie points, I can make a picture.



- I think there should be a rubber grommet for the 8 pin cut-out too. The cut-out is more visible in this case because it is farther from the top than in a regular case, and I believe it would definitely improve the quality of the chassis for a relatively low investment. Posted on Nov 29th 2013, 8:16 Reply

#23 megaslx

psu limitation sucks,

not enough space for intake air

should extend length another 4cm at least，longer psu support，more space and more intake air Posted on Nov 29th 2013, 9:42 Reply

#24 KevinCobley

How do I access my PSU on/off switch? Maybe better to have the PSU accessed through front cut out. Layout is nice with all drives and PSU at one end, saves lot's of space.

Include fan controller, too many board makers don't have enough connectors for software controller!

Get rid of window can't use the computer and look thorough window at the same time, once you've seen the innards you've seen them. Posted on Nov 29th 2013, 17:28 Reply

#25 badtaylorx

wow, looks like lian li is really back.... this makes a few in a row now....





the pc market is better off with lian li putting out new looks Posted on Nov 30th 2013, 4:17 Reply