Quick Look at the Lian Li PC-A20: i7 Build

Was looking for a case to air cool an i7 / 920 build with the main criteria being noise control, decent air flow, potential room for future water cooling, and it needed to be "mature" (as in, rather boring - no bright lights, no fancy windows). I came across the Lian Li PC-A20, but could find little info on it. It's from Lian Li's Silent Series and is marketed as a midtower, but it's plenty large. It's pricey ... which is probably why it's not too popular - and many people don't want a door.

I didn't take pics of the bare case, as I wasn't planning on posting a work log - they are available in the link above if you're interested. Originally I just sort of threw everything together and closed the door. But, my conscience got the better of me, and I did some work on the cables last night - at least enough so I'm not embarrassed to share some photos.

This case has exceeded my expectations with respect to noise control, air flow, and appearance. Here are the pics ...


Basic Silver Box - lightly brushed anodized finish, typical Lian Li quality
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...5_s3FY2-XL.jpg




There are two 140mm fans for front intake ... one at the bottom is stock, and I added the second one above the DVD drive (it came with the case for GPU cooling, but I didn't really see much cooling with it in that location).
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...8_kquzX-XL.jpg




Pretty easy to do cable management ... this is without drilling any holes or doing any sleeving. Easy to hide everything behind the motherboard tray. The top and sides are lined with noise dampening material.
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...5_ynPY7-XL.jpg




Another view of the innards. I did use an extender for my 8-pin power connector to get a little more flexibility with hiding the cable.
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...8_8pRE4-XL.jpg




Mobo is ASUS P6T Deluxe with i7 920 CPU
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...84_EyR5u-L.jpg




CPU Cooler is the Noctua NH-12P SE1336
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...22_c892a-L.jpg




Memory is G.Skill tri-channel 1600MHz, 9-9-9-24, 1.6V, 3 x 2GB
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...78_RkD3n-L.jpg




Video Cards are EVGA GTX 260 Core 216, 55nm x 2
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...51_XeL72-L.jpg




PSU is the Corsair HX1000W modular model
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...95_7XZJC-L.jpg




Fan Controller is a Scythe Kaze Master Ace
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...63_ZWPWw-L.jpg



And, in case you're wondering why I didn't remove the QC sticker, it just happens to be my husband's birthday, so I kept it for luck
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...40_kNjyc-L.jpg

Some Preliminary Performance Data

Here's some data I've collected since I've been running this system. Please realize I am not saying this case is perfect for an overclocking maniac or hardcore 24/7 gamer. Just saying it performs better than I expected, and meets my needs.

Note that ambient temps were between 23-24 degrees C during the following runs.

Temps at idle - all stock/auto settings - memory timings input manually:
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...70_JA8vb-L.jpg



Temps at load - max temp was 55 degrees C. While this was a short run, this is quite typical even after several hours of testing (OCCT Linpack, Prime 95, Orthos, gaming):
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...91_cMS4A-L.jpg


Max Temps after 3DMark06 run, again 55 on the CPU, 65 on the GPUs - fan only at 40%
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...18_fKNGf-L.jpg


Normally I run at 3.4GHz ... (20x170, Vcore 1.20) Temps after Prime 95 / Using the Real Temp 2.90 Sensor Test at 3.4 GHz showed 57 degrees max:
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...05_ePdwV-L.jpg


I know this isn't exhaustive testing ... just some of the stuff I had available to post. I figured it was better to post some data, rather than just saying "my performance is okay." I've occasionally seen CPU temps in the 60s when gaming, and GPU temps will get in the 70s, but I haven't seen 80 yet.

I have run the i7 up to 4.0 GHz, Vcore 1.41 (with turbo boost on, so it gets to about 4.2 GHz) - max temp was 73 degrees C. I didn't do any stability testing at this OC, other than a 3DMark06 run. Scored about 25.8k with the Video cards clocked to 736 MHz.

Seems like a very nice case. The only issue I see is the 1 "stock" front fan intake is located at the bottom and should cool the HDD's, but I don't see much allowing that air to come up to the CPU cooler. No top case fan either. It would seem to me that in the stock layout there would be minimal air intake to the top compartment. Putting a fan in the top bays like you said you did I would suspect to help considerably. Maybe you can test with and without it to see the difference.

Very clean work there... :eek::D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JayG30

Seems like a very nice case. The only issue I see is the 1 "stock" front fan intake is located at the bottom and should cool the HDD's, but I don't see much allowing that air to come up to the CPU cooler. No top case fan either. It would seem to me that in the stock layout there would be minimal air intake to the top compartment. Putting a fan in the top bays like you said you did I would suspect to help considerably. Maybe you can test with and without it to see the difference.

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What most people do with Lian Li cases like this is have the bottom section (HDD and PSU) intake air from the front. While the top section (mobo) intakes from the rear.

It helps with airflow a lot and because of the divider the two different sections won't interfere with each other while having airflow going seperate ways.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marin

What most people do with Lian Li cases like this is have the bottom section (HDD and PSU) intake air from the front. While the top section (mobo) intakes from the rear.

It helps with airflow a lot and because of the divider the two different sections won't interfere with each other while having airflow going seperate ways.

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Doesn't that just replace the problem with another problem? Turning the rear fan to an intake now means you don't have an exhaust fan. Or will the air have sufficient force to travel to the front of the case and escape through the perforations? I think a nice exhaust fan placed at the top of the case would work really well with the rear fan being turned to an intake.

Thanks for looking, folks.

I have done some testing with and without the additional front fan ... I see a few degrees improvement with the second fan in. It's actually most noticeable on the top GPU ... it helps keep it cooler, which makes sense. The fans that came with it are quiet, but not very powerful. I'll be looking to put some better fans in, and just control them with the Kaze. It also comes with another 120mm fan to cool the chipset area ... but, I don't want another fan moving air (and noise) in the middle of the case - and I don't think it's necessary with the i7.

I've also got some San Ace fans I can hook up to the Noctua, should I need to go crazy.

I considered having holes cut in the top (it's an option ... I purchased from Performance PCs). BUT, my primary desire is a quiet system. While I do game on this, I also spend a lot of time doing my work applications, Photoshop, and just web browsing - so, I didn't want to put any additional holes in the case to generate more noise.

I'm only using the PC part time, so I can't water cool it. BUT, this case is big enough and is laid out well to make water cooling very easy in the future.

This is an OMG build. Nice and clean. DO NOT touch it anymore.!!!

Gr Yil

I like the front door. If you look at the back of the door, you see a gap for anything that sticks outside the 5.25inch bays, like the buttons of the fan controller.
A Cosmos-1000 for example, doesn't have room for anything that sticks outside the bays, so you can't use most of the fan controllers. You can with this Lian-Li case.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yil

This is an OMG build. Nice and clean. DO NOT touch it anymore.!!!

Gr Yil

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by ownage

I like the front door. If you look at the back of the door, you see a gap for anything that sticks outside the 5.25inch bays, like the buttons of the fan controller.
A Cosmos-1000 for example, doesn't have room for anything that sticks outside the bays, so you can't use most of the fan controllers. You can with this Lian-Li case.

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Thanks Yil and ownage ... Yep, I find the door works well for me. I leave it open when I want more airflow, shut it when I want quiet.

I won't be doing much to it for a while - although a few strategically placed holes would help hide the upper cables better ;)

Your husband is very young.

Shazza,

A very clean build, i love it!

Whats with Lian-Li using a normal ATX layout as opposed to the reverse ATX layout that they used to use all the time? I like the look of their new cases but the layout just ruins it for me :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Langer

Your husband is very young.

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:yepp: I like 'em young ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by theseeker

Shazza,

A very clean build, i love it!

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Gracias ... but, I do need that drill and bit. I've got a Lowe's about 2 miles from the house, hmmmm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by reberto

Whats with Lian-Li using a normal ATX layout as opposed to the reverse ATX layout that they used to use all the time? I like the look of their new cases but the layout just ruins it for me :(

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Guess it's personal preference ... I prefer the normal ATX layout. I had the reverse layout in the A05 ... didn't care for it that much.

very nice build. clean. i like it

i would like to have a wife with your same tastes when it comes to computers :lol:

Very nice and clean build and nice temps either :)

very nice setup and clean case

I know I said this before but that is a HOT looking case, much better looking than its v1010 brethren

I really love that case. I wonder if a 220 could fit on the top.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eddie3dfx

I really love that case. I wonder if a 220 could fit on the top.

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Oops, just happened to check back here because I wanted to compare the temps to another i7 build I'm doing ... but water cooled.

Eddie ... the MCR 220, and probably the 320 would fit fine in this case. I'd have to check it closer for the thicker rads, but I think they would work as well. There is also plenty of room to mod the front for a radiator - lots of options, I think.

great build, very clean and beautiful.

why quick look? i want to see more! :)

I have a black one, but I have to say that I personally like the silver version a lot more 'cause it looks so neat!! You surely did a perfect cable management.

indeed, another nice job

hey, i have this case too and its awesome. One question tho, yes theres a lot of space inside, but i can't see where the radiators would go if i plan to water cool it... And since you keep mentioning about watercooling, could you shed some light on where you would place ur radiators for this case?

gawdamn that's a beautiful case!

Would love to own one, but the cost! My God the cost! Very Nice build as well:up:

Beautiful photos as usual Shazza. :)

Looks like a very nice case with excellent build quality and plenty of options for expansion and cooling. If only it wasn't ~$600 down here...:(

Nice build! Very neat and orderly. With most cases these days, you almost HAVE to make holes to properly do wire management, but here none were needed. I believe many of the newer Lian-Li cases use this same interior so peopple who don't want to make cuts in their expensive new cases, can rest assured they can still do a neat wiring job.

I just realized I don't see the SATA cable from the DVD burner...how did you route the SATA cable for it? I'm assuming it's going behind the mobo tray and then back up from underneath it?? The video card is hiding any cables that may rest in that section nicely.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fatal_error

hey, i have this case too and its awesome. One question tho, yes theres a lot of space inside, but i can't see where the radiators would go if i plan to water cool it... And since you keep mentioning about watercooling, could you shed some light on where you would place ur radiators for this case?

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There is room at the top to put a radiator ... would require cutting holes. Also room in the front, although it might require a bit of modding. It would also be possible to put a radiator on the bottom on it's side (kind of like the TJ07), which would also require cutting holes in the back of the case. If I eventually water cool it, I would be hesitant to do too many holes, as one of the benefits of this case is the fact that it's designed to be pretty quiet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ACE76

I just realized I don't see the SATA cable from the DVD burner...how did you route the SATA cable for it? I'm assuming it's going behind the mobo tray and then back up from underneath it?? The video card is hiding any cables that may rest in that section nicely.

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Yes ... the SATA cable goes behind the mb tray, and up through the opening under the video cards. You can't see the connection to the optical drive in the pic because of the black sound dampening material on the back.

i love when the cables are brought up from behind the mobo. that is the ultimate way to do it imo.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shazza

And, in case you're wondering why I didn't remove the QC sticker, it just happens to be my husband's birthday, so I kept it for luck
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...40_kNjyc-L.jpg

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:shocked: pretty young husband, i bet he is a bit childish:yepp:

Man that's a beautiful case! Great work, Shazza!

Also, I am loving your cable management and your computer enthusiasm. Your husband is a very lucky man. I'm trying to get my wife into a lot of this stuff, as well.

Great to see this build, also we have the same great CPU cooler, Noctua rocks....

http://i44.tinypic.com/2qkv70z.jpg

Keep up the good work.

Gr Yil

nice case indeed

noctua fans and coolers are very good :)

shazza

did you have any problems installing motherboard in PC-A20? I happen to have bought the same case as you and it looks like motherboard ports are 2-3mm lower than I/O shileld cutouts. That is standoffs are shorter than they are supposed to be.

Can you pls advise if you had anything like that with your case? If so what was your workaround and if no, can you pls measure the height of the standoffs that came with case?

Many thanks

Alex

My first impression is the cleanliness of the case :clap:

it clean, neat and looks healthy too :D

Alex L:
I've been seriously considering this case for a while now including looking at builds around the net and noticed the same thing, for example:

http://forums.vr-zone.com/hardware-a...20-chasis.html

http://www.slsing.com/booest/DreamMa...Machine_41.JPG

The upper photo makes it pretty obvious. I've been thinking of maybe adding some non-conductive washers (nylon) between the MB and the standoffs.

Anyway I'd like to hear how shazza solved this too if she even had the problem to begin with.

Oh and another question, actually more of a request for you shazza. If you could please somehow measure the distance between the bottom edge of the motherboard and the "floor" of the upper chamber or alternatively find an object that's at least 5mm thick an stick it inbetween them and see if it passes (possible MB clearance issues). Thanks in advance.

Alex ... responded to your PM. I didn't have an issue with the motherboard fitting properly. Unfortunately, this computer is at my house in Florida, and I'm back in Arizona for a couple of months, so I can't do any measurements.

I can't remember for sure if I used the stand offs that came with the case, but I believe I did. I imagine you can get longer standoffs.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sholvaco

Alex L:
I've been seriously considering this case for a while now including looking at builds around the net and noticed the same thing, for example:

http://forums.vr-zone.com/hardware-a...20-chasis.html

http://www.slsing.com/booest/DreamMa...Machine_41.JPG

The upper photo makes it pretty obvious. I've been thinking of maybe adding some non-conductive washers (nylon) between the MB and the standoffs.

Anyway I'd like to hear how shazza solved this too if she even had the problem to begin with.

Oh and another question, actually more of a request for you shazza. If you could please somehow measure the distance between the bottom edge of the motherboard and the "floor" of the upper chamber or alternatively find an object that's at least 5mm thick an stick it inbetween them and see if it passes (possible MB clearance issues). Thanks in advance.

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sholvaco,

I addressed the problem to Lian Li in Taiwan and they promised to dispatch proper standoffs.

In the meantime I just used some nuts between tray and standoffs so it's not all bad. I also tried sourcing them standoffs from everywhere but since they are not usual standoffs with 6-32 thread (in fact they are D-SUB kind 4-40 UTS), it was easier to use nuts as washers.

The case I have bought was built May 23, 2008 and it came sealed so I doubt mounting kit was misplaced by distributor.

Anyway, except for a few minor drawbacks the case is great. I was considering Tyr PC-X2000 vs PC-A20 and glad I bought the latter. Although stated as mid-tower, it is in fact MASSIVE. Wide and long. Glad I didn't go Tyr X2000 way.

Here's some pictures to show how misaligned mobo is. The tray slides in until mobo meets I/O shield. Spent some time examining the issue and the verdict is: short 6.5mm standoffs. 9-9.5mm standoffs needed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shazza

Alex ... responded to your PM. I didn't have an issue with the motherboard fitting properly. Unfortunately, this computer is at my house in Florida, and I'm back in Arizona for a couple of months, so I can't do any measurements.

I can't remember for sure if I used the stand offs that came with the case, but I believe I did. I imagine you can get longer standoffs.

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shazza,

thanks a lot for replying back quick. Finding longer standoffs used by Lian Li is a bit of a problem and here's why. Majority of cases I came across used 6-32 UTS coarsed thread. Lian Li tapped the tray using 4-40 UTS thread which is the same as jackscrews used in DVI and D-Sub connectors. Now one cannot simply bolt on another set of 4-40 standoffs supplied by Lian Li as setup will be much taller. Neither DVI/D-Sub jackscrews can be used as the stud itself (the part where mobo bolt screws in) is too short for the task.

Simply put it is tricky and one either needs longer properly threaded standoffs (9...9.5mm) or use of washers. I would use washers as a last resort as by using them the part of standoffs going into tray is a bit too short. I am sure it will hold the motherboard okay but being a perfectionist kind of guy myself and having spent a bit of a money on the hardware I would try to find them standoffs if possible. Not to mention that using some shop to make the standoffs will cost more time and money than I thought to invest into this.

Another problem is with CPU retention bracket which I need for dual Xeon 771. It has standoffs welded so extending those by 3mm is still a task I hope Lian Li will resolve. If not I will have to fabricate the solution.

That's the story. Sorry for the boring techie post.

Alex

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sholvaco

Oh and another question, actually more of a request for you shazza. If you could please somehow measure the distance between the bottom edge of the motherboard and the "floor" of the upper chamber or alternatively find an object that's at least 5mm thick an stick it inbetween them and see if it passes (possible MB clearance issues). Thanks in advance.

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The distance is 8mm but one can still slightly move mobo upwards for a a mil or two. Here's the picture for your records.

Alex

Somebody could show me how it look like with all the wires behin the motherboard tray.
And if it possible... where did you put the resto of the wires, because is amazing the cable magement on those shazza pictures.
Thanks!

This looks so clean and nice. Right colors, love Evga's 260.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Osterman

Somebody could show me how it look like with all the wires behin the motherboard tray.
And if it possible... where did you put the resto of the wires, because is amazing the cable magement on those shazza pictures.
Thanks!

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Hi Osterman - I think I mentioned in a PM that I'm not able to take pics right now of the computer, but I will say it wasn't all that difficult to run the wires behind the motherboard tray (I don't have it set up beautifully, I can tell you that -- but it would be easy to tidy it up, just taking longer than I wanted to spend).

And ... just to clarify and repeat a couple of tricks that help make it look clean:

- I installed the hard drives with the connectors facing to the back of the case, to make it easier to hide the Sata and Power cables

- The optical drive cable does is visible, but you can't see it in the pictures (or much in real life), because of the black noise-dampening lining on the back panel

- The USB, Audio / power/reset/LED cables run underneath the bottom video card - so are hidden from view. They'd show in a non-SLI setup.

- I'll have to double check my motherboard I/O ports, but don't recall any particular problem with the P6T Deluxe motherboard. I do know that I've got several items connected to the USB ports, Lan Port, and have used the Clr CMOS switch without issue.

:up::up::up:

Its a nice looking build you have there. However, the case colour looks like anal pastries.
http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...5_s3FY2-XL.jpg
.... Who the hell wants a white/silver case?

Make it black and itll be a nice lookin' case, if a bit different. - Oh, and it looks really well built too, looks quite sturdy.

Nice hardware :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aldur123

Its a nice looking build you have there. However, the case colour looks like anal pastries.

.... Who the hell wants a white/silver case?

Make it black and itll be a nice lookin' case, if a bit different. - Oh, and it looks really well built too, looks quite sturdy.

Nice hardware :)

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:rofl::rofl::rofl:

I wanted a silver case. Which, obviously, is why I bought it. My monitor and printer are silver, and I like my stuff to match - so it's simply personal preference.

Always good to get dissenting opinions ;)

I second shazza's choice. Buying silver was no brainer for me. My Apple computers are silver too. So are my cars. :shrug:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alex L

The distance is 8mm but one can still slightly move mobo upwards for a a mil or two. Here's the picture for your records.

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Just the answer I was looking for. Thank you very, very much.

Color wise I was looking into the black version at first; as a matter of fact I already had one ordered, but then chickened out and cancelled. It was this very thread that made me change my mind towards the "A", that is if I eventually decide on it and get one. My build is still a couple of months off and there's allways a newer, better thing just around the corner. :up:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shazza

Hi Osterman - I think I mentioned in a PM that I'm not able to take pics right now of the computer, but I will say it wasn't all that difficult to run the wires behind the motherboard tray (I don't have it set up beautifully, I can tell you that -- but it would be easy to tidy it up, just taking longer than I wanted to spend).

And ... just to clarify and repeat a couple of tricks that help make it look clean:

- I installed the hard drives with the connectors facing to the back of the case, to make it easier to hide the Sata and Power cables

- The optical drive cable does is visible, but you can't see it in the pictures (or much in real life), because of the black noise-dampening lining on the back panel

- The USB, Audio / power/reset/LED cables run underneath the bottom video card - so are hidden from view. They'd show in a non-SLI setup.

- I'll have to double check my motherboard I/O ports, but don't recall any particular problem with the P6T Deluxe motherboard. I do know that I've got several items connected to the USB ports, Lan Port, and have used the Clr CMOS switch without issue.

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Yes yes, I remember that you cant show me another photos, but I was asking to those who also have this case... like Alex L or fatal_error.

Thanks anyway shazza, your pms where full of info for me.:up:

How quiet is this case?

Awesome pictures, what camera did you use?

Very nice and clean setup, good job!

Sometimes clean and classey win out over builds with bling enough to drip out of every opening.
What you accomplished is a beautiful build.
Quiet stated class with a powerfull system inside.
Very nice and congratulations for sticking to your plan.:up:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by breathemetal

How quiet is this case?

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It's very quiet ... the door and soundproofing help, as do the larger fans. I open the door and turn the fans up when benching or for longer periods of gaming.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lkiller123

Awesome pictures, what camera did you use?

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Thanks, ikiller - pics taken with a Canon 40D and f/1.4 50mm lens (mostly).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GAR

Very nice and clean setup, good job!

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Thank you, GAR.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Movieman

Sometimes clean and classey win out over builds with bling enough to drip out of every opening.
What you accomplished is a beautiful build.
Quiet stated class with a powerfull system inside.
Very nice and congratulations for sticking to your plan.:up:

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Thank you sir. I stuck to my "mature" build plan, but not quite as successful on that front with my WC rig:

http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...44_orS9D-M.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shazza

http://shazza53.smugmug.com/photos/4...8_kquzX-XL.jpg

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http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8tZf9lm-sm...sbeautiful.bmp

:clap::clap::clap: