Mid-tower case at a premium price
Our apologies if you spit a swig of coffee on your monitor after reading our headline. That's not a typo, folks -- Lian Li is asking $399 for its latest mid-tower computer case, the PC-X510. How does it attempt to justify the premium price tag?
The primary selling point is the case's tri-chamber design. Lian Li separates the "spacious interior" into three distinct chambers "for optimal cooling" and slapped a plate of tempered glass on the side to show off its guts.
Three 120mm intake fans suck air in through the front of the case, while two more fans expel hot air from the back of the case, one in the middle chamber and one up top. Removing the three intakes makes room for a 360mm liquid cooling radiator. The PSU sits by itself in the bottom section.
There are two removable drive trays mounted on shock-absorbing rubber grommets in the top section. Each of the trays support up to to 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch drives for a total of four. Removing the trays frees up room for higher-end cooling options -- up to two more 120mm fans or a 240mm liquid cooling radiator. If going that route, one of the trays can be mounted behind the motherboard tray. And if not, you could purchase a separate tray from Lian Li for a total of six drives up top and behind the mobo.
The main (middle) compartment holds two more drives, which are mounted on top of the PSU enclosure. That brings the total to eight potential drives, or six without purchasing an additional tray.
Full size components fit inside the PC-X510. There are eight expansion slots with support for cards up to 330mm (~12.99 inches). The case also supports CPU coolers up to 180mm (~7.08 inches) and power supplies up to 245mm (~9.64 inches) in length.
Other features include removable fan filters, a built-in fan controller, and a slider cover on the top panel that hides four USB 3.0 ports and HD audio in/out.
Is it enough to warrant at $399 price tag? Lian Li's going to find out when the case becomes available later this month. In the meantime, take a closer a look in this quirky video.
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