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Lian Li Previews PC-B16 and PC-A61 Cases Ahead of CeBIT

btarunr

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Lian Li posted pictures of prototypes of two of its upcoming cases, the PC-B16 and PC-A61 (pictured in that order). The two will be launched in March, at the 2014 CeBIT. Both cases are based on a common frame design (the same innards), but the PC-B16 has an added level of noise reduction with its front door. Measuring 230 mm x 490 mm x 530 mm (WxDxH), the two dry-weigh around 6.5 kg. Color options include all-black (including interiors); and white (with bare aluminium interiors).

The PC-B16 and PC-A61 feature a unique new drive cage design, in which individual 3.5-inch drive bays can be detached, so you don't have to lose 3-4 bays just to make room for a dual-slot graphics card of abnormal length. Each bay has retention holes for two 9.5 mm-thick 2.5-inch drives. With the drive bays in place, you get room for graphics cards as long as 280 mm. With the bays out of the way, your cards can be as much as 420 mm long. There's room for CPU coolers as tall as 170 mm. Behind the motherboard tray, there's a crawl-space of 30 mm, letting you comfortably manage even the thickest cable your PSU throws at you (the 24-pin ATX). Cooling system on the PC-B16 and PC-A61 include two 120 mm front intakes, a 120 mm rear exhaust, and two top 140 mm exhausts. Lian Li didn't finalize pricing, or even the design for that matter, and is taking in community feedback. Fire away.



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Simple and effective. I do like those individual 3.5" trays, and how there are no bulky cages to impede airflow from the front intake fans. Just a shame that there's no bottom 120/140mm fan mount. :(

Also, just a random related tidbit. Note how the PSU intake vent is shaped. There was a comment on a BenchmarkReviews article, mentioning that this has something to do with fire safety compliance, aka. hot sparks or embers dropping from a faulty PSU would stay in the case, rather than burning through the dust filter and falling right out. Haven't seen this mentioned anywhere else, and I haven't seen this type of vent design on other cases. Seems a fair precaution, and if true, it would explain why few if any Lian Li cases have a "normal" PSU intake vent design.
 
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Aside than the drive bays, nothing new here. At least this one has 2 x 140mm on top for 280mm radiator (which is quite rare among Lian Li cases). Detachable individual drive bays are OK, but fixed drive bays placed against PSU are much better, such as CM N200 / Silencio 352 in term of cost. I don't think this unit will be under $120

by the way, now most Lian Li new cases adopt NCase M1 front cover aesthetic ever since Lian Li decided to become its manufacturer.
 
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Loved them when I first learned about them, but over 10 years later I think they are slowly halting, uncreative and sleeping in their dream of success. And it is not "sticking to a winning formula", they change quite a lot of their designs, but it looks more like drawing table exercises to me.
And those HDD bays are vibration hells unless the pics do not show some extra part that stabilizes them....
 

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Loads more pictures here http://www.lian-li.com/lianliblog/preview-to-cebit-pc-b16-and-pc-a61/
There are two thumb screws for the drive trays.
Hopefully it's solid enough to prevent most vibration.

Nice to see the 5.25" bays are removable, and that more 3.5" drives can be installed in their place. Presumably the case comes with the extra 3.5" trays (?), as the specs sheet lists support for 9x 3.5" drives. Also looks to be enough room for a 360mm radiator in the front (with the inlets/outlets at the top).

I don't really like how the NZXT H440 completely does away with 5.25" bays. Much prefer this design that lets you choose. :)
 
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Hopefully it's solid enough to prevent most vibration.

Nice to see the 5.25" bays are removable, and that more 3.5" drives can be installed in their place. Presumably the case comes with the extra 3.5" trays (?), as the specs sheet lists support for 9x 3.5" drives. Also looks to be enough room for a 360mm radiator in the front (with the inlets/outlets at the top).

I don't really like how the NZXT H440 completely does away with 5.25" bays. Much prefer this design that lets you choose. :)

Most likely if I was to get this case I wouldn't want to use any of the HDD cages and make plenty of room for a nice watercooled setup. The side window on this case looks nice aesthetically as well.

All in all I feel this is a solid case however I'm sure it will be priced fairly high, after all this is Lian Li
 
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