The grid on Lian Li's website is very clear. 💀 It legit tells you what you can do with any PSU size and in any possible config. It's the most I've seen any case manufacturer give to the consumer.
I don't get how your biggest complaint is difficulty in choosing an optimal cooling layout and then dismiss what is THE OPTIMAL cooling layout because "the AIO stops you looking into your pc"??? Who cares about being able to look into your pc if your priority is performance and you'll therefore be using the mesh side panel anyway? Ppl building high powered pc's with enormous GPU's in sff cases with tempered glass side panels and then complaining that they get hot boggle the mind. It's not complicated. If you want a case with glass on the side and a huge gpu then you need either enough vertical space to fit fans under the gpu so you have bottom to top airflow, or you need a non solid front panel and fans in the front for a front to back/front to top airflow.
Loved the video I saw other reviewers and you were the most honest with the most comprehensive guide. I would rather go full itx at this point then buying this case
He's a beginner. That case is capable of triple 360-rad custom loop that is supposedly only available to 60+ liter cases. And he's confused in PSU layout? Come on! Lian Li's manual (on the website) is very informative.
Its just about the preferences, like some others say: its not for the top of the line maxed out builds, but for an efficent mid tier silent gaming PC type things. Like an amd 5600x cpu or the soon arriving 9600x-9700x line (65W tdp) + an RTX 4070ti, or 4080s VGA, with a single tower air cooler or a 280 aio. If u dont push over things and just go for a balanced build, it could be a very good yet compact case.
4080 is overbuilt so the coolers are excellent and it under volts well certainly not mid tier though but it's one way you could build a high tier silent compact system in this. As long as you're not a overclocker or trying to cool one of Intel latest gen high ends it should be easy to keep cool and quiet.
13:03 🤣🤣🤣 I asked that *same* question as _soon_ as I saw the thumbnails from your 3 most recent uploads. I'm not at all clairvoyant, but I *KNEW* as soon as I got a good look at this case that your experience with it wasn't going to be as good as most. Thanks for the look-see, Chris. (They can't all be winners, I guess. 🙄)
I think if I went for a budget air cooled build with a small GPU and an ATX psu and kept the mesh panel on I might have a different opinion, but I know what I like and it is big cases
@@ChristopherFlannigan I just barely made everything work with my (air cooled) NZXT H210i build, and I'm sure it's larger than the A3. I like the bigger cases too. 👍🏼 On a separate (but somewhat related) note, I just saw the new *Cooler Master MasterBox 600* (MB600-KGNN-S00) today - it's cheap ($99), has 4 included RGB fans, *AND* it's 'back connect' compatible (and It even has rubber grommets in case you're not using a back connect motherboard). I call that a WIN. 😁🙌🏼
Only a beginner will cool an i9-14900k with a 280 AIO in a tri-360 rad-compatible case. Do an all custom-loop using max compatible materials and use a SFX-L 1000w Corsair PSU to power an i9 and 4090fe. Do this very compact and powerful case a justice.
Good video, well done with the descriptions. I was thinking the same as your conclusion before you made it. I'm not sure why people bother trying to save a litres in size where big boy GPUs are being used. I might pick this up, and having looked at their website, the compatibility for my parts (HDD, SSDs, all air cooled, ATX PSU and 2 fan GPU), looks fine and easy to see no problems.
thanks for this was looking\g to go with this case as am looking to go for an itx build. Helps alot seeing it built upfront and getting a knowledgable opnion.
@@sigmaproverbs2018 I can't see it being that bad. If you use the mesh side panel then a vertically mounted GPU would pull fresh air in directly through the side of the case. Ambient case temps might be up because it's spitting the hot air into the case, but if you have powerful enough top exhausts it shouldn't be much of an issue. Vertical mount the GPU, put an SFX PSU on the side and lower it enough to fit a 360mm AIO. I was personally considering the Phanteks Glacier with T30's, maybe another T30 for the rear intake since it looks like clearance shouldn't be an issue for that in any location. And of course the radiator fans will pull air in through the mesh sides and the front panel.
You should mention your gpu is 71mm thick. I have a rtx 4070 as well but mine is 50mm. Otherwise I’m pretty sure it’s better with intake fans at the bottom when you have a decent gap between them and the gpu
Great video as usual CF. Personally, I can't even consider a case that doesn't allow clear airflow from one side to another. Bummer for Lian Li...I love their products typically.
I have no idea why you struggled to think what to put in this case Chris, it’s literally a bigger NR200. If you buy this case do yourself a favour and just go with a SFX or SFX-L PSU and you’ll virtually be able to run any size GPU and either a massive air cooler or up to a 360mm AIO. It’s not rocket science, it’s 26L and a traditional layout (not sandwich). I like your channel and content, and I haven’t built in this case (yet) but cannot understand why you struggled with this one.
@@inmypaants I guess you have to do a build in it to understand the struggles. I'm transferring my build to it and thought I was safe re-using my SFX-L PSU. I don't know why LL thought it was a good idea to have the cables facing down? I had to use a few extensions which just increases the mess. All & All it's not bad but the instructions for the PSU could be better. It seems they built better options to use a ATX PSU then a SFX one. :(
Hi Christopher, Thanks for the video. Do I understand this correctly, I can install a PSU with 160mm (BQuiet Straight Power 12) in the front position? I imagined the configuration as follows: on Top 240 Radiator, PSU front with 160mm and the included PSU bracket to utilize the maximum GPU length. Greetings
micro ITX motherboard gpu pci slot is second from top. Will I be able to fit 4090 strix inside this case because of MB pcie slot is one further down - it's 3.5 slot card?
I appreciate your honest review. As you state other reviewers are giving this case different reviews and they are praising the case. I personally have an ASUS AP 201 and I have a total of 8 cases fans including a 360 FREEZER III AIO exhausting, also an 120mm ARCTIC front fan intaking air. I zip tied an Corsair SFX-L Psu to the front of the case and I have an SAPPHIRE Nitro+ 7900xtx for my GPU (three slim ARCTIC 120MM fans under the GPU as intake). With this setup I get great air flow for my CPU and GPU. I think the ASUS AP 201 has a better setup than this new case. This is my opinion.
This is what I’m basically planning on building. (Using fans instead of an AIO). Do you happen to have an instal video? I’ve never built a pc before, so I don’t know what I’m doing. Thank you!
@@tdm17mn I do not have a how to video but there are several RUclipsRS who have videos. ScatterVolt has a video on the ASUS AP 201, Tech Source is another, Paul's Hardware has PC build videos and so do PC CENTRIC and GEEKAWHAT. There are many others out there on RUclips.
I think it's a fantastic case, but I don't water cool and don't like big cases. ITX motherboards and cases are too expensive plus very limited choice, especially ITX boards, but this case with a mATX board, high spec air cooler and a 2 or 3 slot GPU is really good. It gets tricky when you want an AIO, especially a 360. It's about balance and it's a bit like an NCase M1 for a micro ATX board. You just did the wrong build in it and if you prefer big cases, then it's not for you, but I love it.
Ridiculously difficult trying to keep an i9 cool in a normal case let alone this one. Those thermals highlight the point. Nice footprint, keen price but meh. Thanks for the review.
The grid on Lian Li's website is very clear. 💀 It legit tells you what you can do with any PSU size and in any possible config. It's the most I've seen any case manufacturer give to the consumer.
I don't get how your biggest complaint is difficulty in choosing an optimal cooling layout and then dismiss what is THE OPTIMAL cooling layout because "the AIO stops you looking into your pc"??? Who cares about being able to look into your pc if your priority is performance and you'll therefore be using the mesh side panel anyway? Ppl building high powered pc's with enormous GPU's in sff cases with tempered glass side panels and then complaining that they get hot boggle the mind. It's not complicated. If you want a case with glass on the side and a huge gpu then you need either enough vertical space to fit fans under the gpu so you have bottom to top airflow, or you need a non solid front panel and fans in the front for a front to back/front to top airflow.
Loved the video I saw other reviewers and you were the most honest with the most comprehensive guide. I would rather go full itx at this point then buying this case
He's a beginner. That case is capable of triple 360-rad custom loop that is supposedly only available to 60+ liter cases. And he's confused in PSU layout? Come on! Lian Li's manual (on the website) is very informative.
Its just about the preferences, like some others say: its not for the top of the line maxed out builds, but for an efficent mid tier silent gaming PC type things. Like an amd 5600x cpu or the soon arriving 9600x-9700x line (65W tdp) + an RTX 4070ti, or 4080s VGA, with a single tower air cooler or a 280 aio. If u dont push over things and just go for a balanced build, it could be a very good yet compact case.
the 4080s should be no where near a silent effienct mid tier build thats lower top end
4080 is overbuilt so the coolers are excellent and it under volts well certainly not mid tier though but it's one way you could build a high tier silent compact system in this. As long as you're not a overclocker or trying to cool one of Intel latest gen high ends it should be easy to keep cool and quiet.
Yeah, I recommend not reviewing SFF/mATX cases since you are already biased against the idea of SFF. Glad you got a free case earlier than everyone!
13:03 🤣🤣🤣
I asked that *same* question as _soon_ as I saw the thumbnails from your 3 most recent uploads. I'm not at all clairvoyant, but I *KNEW* as soon as I got a good look at this case that your experience with it wasn't going to be as good as most.
Thanks for the look-see, Chris.
(They can't all be winners, I guess. 🙄)
I think if I went for a budget air cooled build with a small GPU and an ATX psu and kept the mesh panel on I might have a different opinion, but I know what I like and it is big cases
@@ChristopherFlannigan I just barely made everything work with my (air cooled) NZXT H210i build, and I'm sure it's larger than the A3. I like the bigger cases too. 👍🏼
On a separate (but somewhat related) note, I just saw the new *Cooler Master MasterBox 600* (MB600-KGNN-S00) today - it's cheap ($99), has 4 included RGB fans, *AND* it's 'back connect' compatible (and It even has rubber grommets in case you're not using a back connect motherboard). I call that a WIN. 😁🙌🏼
Looks good with the fans and hub, but haven't had hands on.
Can you make a tutorial on water cooled PC build tutorial. BTW love ur PC builds
It's been on my todo list
Only a beginner will cool an i9-14900k with a 280 AIO in a tri-360 rad-compatible case. Do an all custom-loop using max compatible materials and use a SFX-L 1000w Corsair PSU to power an i9 and 4090fe. Do this very compact and powerful case a justice.
excellent conclusion, extremely clear
Good video, well done with the descriptions. I was thinking the same as your conclusion before you made it. I'm not sure why people bother trying to save a litres in size where big boy GPUs are being used. I might pick this up, and having looked at their website, the compatibility for my parts (HDD, SSDs, all air cooled, ATX PSU and 2 fan GPU), looks fine and easy to see no problems.
thanks for this was looking\g to go with this case as am looking to go for an itx build. Helps alot seeing it built upfront and getting a knowledgable opnion.
doing a vertical aorus master 4090 in there with mounting the psu on the side instead of the front is possible right?
you would be better off mounting it normally in terms of thermals and just how the case is
@@sigmaproverbs2018 I can't see it being that bad. If you use the mesh side panel then a vertically mounted GPU would pull fresh air in directly through the side of the case. Ambient case temps might be up because it's spitting the hot air into the case, but if you have powerful enough top exhausts it shouldn't be much of an issue. Vertical mount the GPU, put an SFX PSU on the side and lower it enough to fit a 360mm AIO. I was personally considering the Phanteks Glacier with T30's, maybe another T30 for the rear intake since it looks like clearance shouldn't be an issue for that in any location. And of course the radiator fans will pull air in through the mesh sides and the front panel.
You should mention your gpu is 71mm thick. I have a rtx 4070 as well but mine is 50mm.
Otherwise I’m pretty sure it’s better with intake fans at the bottom when you have a decent gap between them and the gpu
Do you have a link to the chart @ 6:13?
Great video as usual CF. Personally, I can't even consider a case that doesn't allow clear airflow from one side to another. Bummer for Lian Li...I love their products typically.
is 26L dude compared to a mid tower at like 50-60L id say thats a massive size difference
The length is the same as most full towers though, it takes up the same footprint.
@@chy.0190 Its a lot less wider and shorter
Do you sell your builds please?
Love the GPU solution.
I wonder how my ROG 4090 Strix fit in there
this or the asus ap201?
Ap201 33l , this is 26
It is better than sugo sg17
No covered SUGO17 so not sure
Terrible build
Air cool build plz
No plans for another build in this case, but will do an air cooled build in another case soon
@@ChristopherFlannigan c4 sfx v2 case air cooled build ?
I have no idea why you struggled to think what to put in this case Chris, it’s literally a bigger NR200. If you buy this case do yourself a favour and just go with a SFX or SFX-L PSU and you’ll virtually be able to run any size GPU and either a massive air cooler or up to a 360mm AIO. It’s not rocket science, it’s 26L and a traditional layout (not sandwich). I like your channel and content, and I haven’t built in this case (yet) but cannot understand why you struggled with this one.
Have you built a system in this case?
@@CrazyCranker nope
@@inmypaants I guess you have to do a build in it to understand the struggles. I'm transferring my build to it and thought I was safe re-using my SFX-L PSU. I don't know why LL thought it was a good idea to have the cables facing down? I had to use a few extensions which just increases the mess. All & All it's not bad but the instructions for the PSU could be better. It seems they built better options to use a ATX PSU then a SFX one. :(
@@CrazyCranker I’ve built in the NR200 and Ncase M1, this one is similar just bigger
For a "smff" that's quite large. Everyone seems that thr building experience is quite bad.
Think it depends on the build you go for, problem with RUclips video is we want to fill it as much as possible and this isn't the best idea
Do you think is q good idea or possible use an ATX PSU and move the 280mm aio to the back?
You already answered on the video 😅
Your confused on what to do. Cause you didn’t plan ahead.
Thanks Chris, been waiting for your build
Hope you make an air cooled build only soon
Hi Christopher,
Thanks for the video.
Do I understand this correctly, I can install a PSU with 160mm (BQuiet Straight Power 12) in the front position?
I imagined the configuration as follows:
on Top 240 Radiator, PSU front with 160mm and the included PSU bracket to utilize the maximum GPU length.
Greetings
I can’t find the tempered glass for it??
Could have been less complicated with a 240 Aio , 280 is wide ..
Can you make an air cooled build of this case
micro ITX motherboard gpu pci slot is second from top. Will I be able to fit 4090 strix inside this case because of MB pcie slot is one further down - it's 3.5 slot card?
I appreciate your honest review. As you state other reviewers are giving this case different reviews and they are praising the case. I personally have an ASUS AP 201 and I have a total of 8 cases fans including a 360 FREEZER III AIO exhausting, also an 120mm ARCTIC front fan intaking air. I zip tied an Corsair SFX-L Psu to the front of the case and I have an SAPPHIRE Nitro+ 7900xtx for my GPU (three slim ARCTIC 120MM fans under the GPU as intake). With this setup I get great air flow for my CPU and GPU. I think the ASUS AP 201 has a better setup than this new case. This is my opinion.
This is what I’m basically planning on building. (Using fans instead of an AIO). Do you happen to have an instal video? I’ve never built a pc before, so I don’t know what I’m doing. Thank you!
@@tdm17mn I do not have a how to video but there are several RUclipsRS who have videos. ScatterVolt has a video on the ASUS AP 201, Tech Source is another, Paul's Hardware has PC build videos and so do PC CENTRIC and GEEKAWHAT. There are many others out there on RUclips.
I think it's a fantastic case, but I don't water cool and don't like big cases. ITX motherboards and cases are too expensive plus very limited choice, especially ITX boards, but this case with a mATX board, high spec air cooler and a 2 or 3 slot GPU is really good. It gets tricky when you want an AIO, especially a 360. It's about balance and it's a bit like an NCase M1 for a micro ATX board. You just did the wrong build in it and if you prefer big cases, then it's not for you, but I love it.
Verticale mount the GPU, intake fans on the bottom, exhaust out the top and back?
Thank you for your review. Did you ever do a build in the 2000D? It was easy for me.
Would you pick the Asus AP201 over this?
The Dan A3 is quite a bit smaller, if you have enough room definitely go for something bigger, like the AP201 or Jonsbo D31 or ATX
Ridiculously difficult trying to keep an i9 cool in a normal case let alone this one. Those thermals highlight the point. Nice footprint, keen price but meh. Thanks for the review.
No luck keeping it cool in any case
Thanks, Intel. XD
DAN and Lian Li have done a great job here. Intel is meh
Just use AMD, then.
@marinipersonal Yeah Ryzen hasn't let me down yet. Started with a 3700x, now I got a 5800x3D and it's amazing!
I think this guy is Irish
Is there a case that looks similar but is bigger? More like a medium tower.
The Asus ap201 is another wonderful match case. Maybe the lancool 216
@@Mr_Reaps25 thanks for the ideas. yeah somehting like the lancool 216 but with the more industrial design of the DAN A3 is what I'm looking for
@@TheChosenOne_Fractal North? Jonsbo D31? Sama IM01 & clones?
@@AtomicSub thanks for the recommendations. Yes a Jonsbo D31,41 are my current favorites