14 DAY TRIAL // While many end-users do not spend so much time browsing for a chassis as they do for a CPU or a video card, enthusiasts often look for an enclosure that can not only accommodate their systems, but also has the looks to go with them. Lian Li, with its PC-A77F full tower case, seems to go even beyond that, offering a casing that not only combines looks, expansion capabilities and storage space, but even features built-in support for the USB 3.0 interface.
The chassis is wrought of aluminum and weighs 9.2kg. It measures a rather imposing 220 (W) x 572 (H) x 590 (D) mm and has enough space to accommodate motherboards of e-ATX, ATX, m-ATX and CEB form factors. To this is also added an element that will appeal to hardcore gamers, namely enough space to fit graphics cards up to 365 mm in length.
In addition to this, the full tower case features enough room for eight PCI Express slots and nine 3.5-inch drive bays, which means that most consumers will have more than enough expansion and storage capabilities. There doesn't seem to be any support for 2.5-inch bays, but the case does have a good cable-management system, with the company's patented cable-management clamp at the case's base and cutouts in the motherboard tray.
The Lian Li PC-A77F is designed with a complete tool-free approach with a patented supply bracket, as well as tool-less drive bays and PCI securing Brackets. All of them boast standard and anti-vibration, rubber grommets, including the HDD cage, the PCI slots, the PSU bay and the 5.25-inch drive mounts.
As far as cooling is concerned, the case is built with three 120mm blue-LED intake fans at the front (1500RPM), as well as three fans for exhaust, one of which is at the rear and the other two on top. These fans are connected to a fan controller, for complete control over both cooling and noise. In addition, the case has pre-drilled support for water-cooling kits.
The case's top I/O panel boasts four USB 3.0 ports and an eSATA connector, besides the usual audio outputs. Lian Li aims to start shipping the chassis near the end of March, at a price of $390+VAT. This translates into over £300 in the UK.