I actually really like the look of this case, but I wonder how it compares to the similarly sized (volumetrically) Obsidian 250D, which has space for some enthusiast specs and a full size PSU, but costs $85.
The first images in the article show two circular grommets that I would assume would be used for liquid cooling tubing. In all other images these grommets are absent. What gives? If they are present, why would you want to run tubing into the HDD/PS/Cable space?
Looks like a Corsair Air 540 (or whatever the ITX version of it is called) with less optimal cooling but better overall use of internal space. I'm still using a 540, just wish the right side was better designed...
That being said, the Air 240 is very flimsy and has a mostly plastic design, but is relatively small (volumetrically) for a microATX case. Although, the right side compartment is even more barren than the Air 540, and is a pretty big letdown given the flimsy plastic build quality. (HardwareCanucks and LinusTechTips have both reviewed the Air240 and both commented that the side panels flex a LOT.)
The CaseLabs Bullet series is very compelling to me. It makes even better usage of space, is mostly made from aluminum, has options for handles, and acrylic panels if you're into that. The ATX version comes in at 1 cubic foot volume! No joke! 13.38" x 10.50" x 13.0" = 1.06 ft cubed, at 8.8 lbs due to the lightweight aluminum.
It's smaller volumetrically than compact microATX cases on the market like the Fractal Core 1500. 7.6" x 15.1" x 18.1" = 1.20 ft cubed, 11.4 lbs. It's even more compact than the Air 240 (again, a two-compartment MicroATX case) too. 12.60" x 10.20" x 15.60" = 1.16 ft cubed, 12.35 lbs.
Crazy engineering that they were able to make a design that fits a full-size ATX PSU + ATX motherboard, and two mounting locations for 240mm rads, and a bottom compartment that houses up to 6x 3.5" drives and the PSU + cables, at a lighter weight and at a smaller volume than many competing cases.
The caveat?
Cost. It's really expensive for a case (up to $300 , which invariably doesn't necessarily add to the PC's performance at all. (Open air systems don't have to try to push air through fan mount locations, etc.)
If Corsair adds some tempered glass panels and extends the first chamber just slightly (1 -2 inches) so as to fit a 120mm fan as opposed to an 80mm fan then the Corsair air 240 becomes ideal IMO. I use the second chamber for the GPU liquid cooler rad+fan in push pull and the width makes it ideal for that. This case just needs a "2016/17 revision" and when that happens Ill be the first one preordering it. I love the air 240
Because the Bullet BH2 case doesn't look as good, it doesn't have tempered glass, and I'm sure there's a whole host of other reasons why someone would prefer this over the Bullet BH2. Also looks like there's an 8-9 week wait to get one, while the Lian-Li will have immediate availability "soon."
You can buy CaseLabs cases (including the BH2) on Amazon, it's just if you buy from CaseLabs directly your order is custom made for you. The ones available on Amazon are the common configurations.
As far as looks go, I like the BH2, better, but this is just down to opinions.
I was never into plexiglass or acrylic sidepanels, and I'm still not into the whole tempered glass thing, either. The entire idea of tempered glass is that it's protective and functional at the same time. For cases made of aluminum, it doesn't make much sense since the glass adds a lot of unnecessary weight, the tempered glass offers no more protection than a typical steel sidepanel (someone wants to rob you of memory sticks at a LAN party? Just undo the sidepanel thumbscrews, swipe the sticks, and put the side panel back on), and the tempered glass sidepanels (especially in this configuration where it's mounted only by 4 knurled thumbscrews) leaves gaps around the edges of the case. It's not flush like how a steel sidepanel just inserts into a hinged recess into the case's side.
If the point is just to have maximum clarity to the insides of the PC, why not just get plexiglas?
I just think the whole tempered glass thing is just the new marketing meme to try to get gullible consumers to buy something much more expensive that doesn't functionally make sense to have in a PC.
glass gives it a more premium look. that is subjective. I personally like it although i think that they may take away from the functionality of the case especially if situation in front of the case where you would otherwise install a rad or something. Its been "thing" this year (along with RBG everything) but i've seen it in premium cases for awhile now...just now it started to trickle down to lower end cases and its more widespread.
Tempered glass, the hot new meme for cases. Caselabs Bullet has the option for small acrylic/plexiglas windows.
I don't quite like how many cases are implementing tempered glass doors with the 4 knurled thumbscrews inserted through the glass to affix in place. These knurled thumbscrews just stick out and look out of place on something that should 'ideally' just be flush to the sidepanel, and such.
Lian-Li. Some friendly advice I've given before... Take your PC-60 Design, Squish it down, widen it out add the window.. (make sure it's a removable mb tray) sell tons... and call it a day.
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Drumsticks - Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - link
I actually really like the look of this case, but I wonder how it compares to the similarly sized (volumetrically) Obsidian 250D, which has space for some enthusiast specs and a full size PSU, but costs $85.dsumanik - Thursday, November 3, 2016 - link
Not my cup of tea, looks like a late 80's early 90's 'entertainment center' from the brick.WinterCharm - Thursday, November 3, 2016 - link
It looks nice and clean, albeit a tad blocky.They could have rounded the corners a bit to soften the shape.
zodiacsoulmate - Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - link
i used to be all over mITX for two years, now Im all mATXCygni - Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - link
okrascalion - Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - link
The first images in the article show two circular grommets that I would assume would be used for liquid cooling tubing. In all other images these grommets are absent. What gives? If they are present, why would you want to run tubing into the HDD/PS/Cable space?PCTC2 - Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - link
In a two-chamber chassis, people often run the pump and/or reservoir in the secondary size due to space constraints.Impulses - Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - link
Looks like a Corsair Air 540 (or whatever the ITX version of it is called) with less optimal cooling but better overall use of internal space. I'm still using a 540, just wish the right side was better designed...JoeyJoJo123 - Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - link
Corsair Air 240 is the MicroATX version.That being said, the Air 240 is very flimsy and has a mostly plastic design, but is relatively small (volumetrically) for a microATX case. Although, the right side compartment is even more barren than the Air 540, and is a pretty big letdown given the flimsy plastic build quality. (HardwareCanucks and LinusTechTips have both reviewed the Air240 and both commented that the side panels flex a LOT.)
The CaseLabs Bullet series is very compelling to me. It makes even better usage of space, is mostly made from aluminum, has options for handles, and acrylic panels if you're into that. The ATX version comes in at 1 cubic foot volume! No joke! 13.38" x 10.50" x 13.0" = 1.06 ft cubed, at 8.8 lbs due to the lightweight aluminum.
It's smaller volumetrically than compact microATX cases on the market like the Fractal Core 1500. 7.6" x 15.1" x 18.1" = 1.20 ft cubed, 11.4 lbs. It's even more compact than the Air 240 (again, a two-compartment MicroATX case) too. 12.60" x 10.20" x 15.60" = 1.16 ft cubed, 12.35 lbs.
Crazy engineering that they were able to make a design that fits a full-size ATX PSU + ATX motherboard, and two mounting locations for 240mm rads, and a bottom compartment that houses up to 6x 3.5" drives and the PSU + cables, at a lighter weight and at a smaller volume than many competing cases.
The caveat?
Cost. It's really expensive for a case (up to $300 , which invariably doesn't necessarily add to the PC's performance at all. (Open air systems don't have to try to push air through fan mount locations, etc.)
Hxx - Thursday, November 3, 2016 - link
If Corsair adds some tempered glass panels and extends the first chamber just slightly (1 -2 inches) so as to fit a 120mm fan as opposed to an 80mm fan then the Corsair air 240 becomes ideal IMO. I use the second chamber for the GPU liquid cooler rad+fan in push pull and the width makes it ideal for that. This case just needs a "2016/17 revision" and when that happens Ill be the first one preordering it. I love the air 240Ninhalem - Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - link
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Why would someone buy this for $220+ when you can get the CaseLabs Bullet series in ITX for roughly $180 with handles?jardows2 - Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - link
Because the Bullet BH2 case doesn't look as good, it doesn't have tempered glass, and I'm sure there's a whole host of other reasons why someone would prefer this over the Bullet BH2. Also looks like there's an 8-9 week wait to get one, while the Lian-Li will have immediate availability "soon."JoeyJoJo123 - Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - link
You can buy CaseLabs cases (including the BH2) on Amazon, it's just if you buy from CaseLabs directly your order is custom made for you. The ones available on Amazon are the common configurations.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HHGH6S8
As far as looks go, I like the BH2, better, but this is just down to opinions.
I was never into plexiglass or acrylic sidepanels, and I'm still not into the whole tempered glass thing, either. The entire idea of tempered glass is that it's protective and functional at the same time. For cases made of aluminum, it doesn't make much sense since the glass adds a lot of unnecessary weight, the tempered glass offers no more protection than a typical steel sidepanel (someone wants to rob you of memory sticks at a LAN party? Just undo the sidepanel thumbscrews, swipe the sticks, and put the side panel back on), and the tempered glass sidepanels (especially in this configuration where it's mounted only by 4 knurled thumbscrews) leaves gaps around the edges of the case. It's not flush like how a steel sidepanel just inserts into a hinged recess into the case's side.
If the point is just to have maximum clarity to the insides of the PC, why not just get plexiglas?
I just think the whole tempered glass thing is just the new marketing meme to try to get gullible consumers to buy something much more expensive that doesn't functionally make sense to have in a PC.
Hxx - Thursday, November 3, 2016 - link
glass gives it a more premium look. that is subjective. I personally like it although i think that they may take away from the functionality of the case especially if situation in front of the case where you would otherwise install a rad or something. Its been "thing" this year (along with RBG everything) but i've seen it in premium cases for awhile now...just now it started to trickle down to lower end cases and its more widespread.JoeyJoJo123 - Wednesday, November 2, 2016 - link
Tempered glass, the hot new meme for cases. Caselabs Bullet has the option for small acrylic/plexiglas windows.I don't quite like how many cases are implementing tempered glass doors with the 4 knurled thumbscrews inserted through the glass to affix in place. These knurled thumbscrews just stick out and look out of place on something that should 'ideally' just be flush to the sidepanel, and such.
wbwb - Thursday, November 3, 2016 - link
The amount of unused space at the front of the case is as obscene as the price.peterfares - Thursday, November 3, 2016 - link
Couldn't they stick the power supply in front of the motherboard in that empty space and not have the case be so huge for a mini itx?jwcalla - Thursday, November 3, 2016 - link
Somebody out there please make a small mini-ITX case.watzupken - Friday, November 11, 2016 - link
It looks really neat. However the price is off the charts for a case.just4U - Monday, November 14, 2016 - link
Late to the party on this one...Lian-Li. Some friendly advice I've given before... Take your PC-60 Design, Squish it down, widen it out add the window.. (make sure it's a removable mb tray) sell tons... and call it a day.