Lian Li TYR PC-X2000 Chassis
Introduction
Published: 23rd September 2008 | Source: Lian Li | Price: £305 RRP |
Introduction 
The brand 'Lian Li' has become synonymous with excellent build quality and sleek, clean styles. Their chassis have become favourites with PC modders because of this. Some chassis manufacturers' go for the bling factor when they design their cases, forgetting that sometimes 'less is more' when it comes to style. Lian Li chassis' usually have the right mix of features, without being in your face with it. We shall see if the same holds true with their latest offering, the TYR PC-X2000, which our friends over at A One Distribution have kindly provided us with for this review. The X2000 is being touted by Lian Li as a gaming/HTPC chassis, and the specifications from their website are as follows:
The brand 'Lian Li' has become synonymous with excellent build quality and sleek, clean styles. Their chassis have become favourites with PC modders because of this. Some chassis manufacturers' go for the bling factor when they design their cases, forgetting that sometimes 'less is more' when it comes to style. Lian Li chassis' usually have the right mix of features, without being in your face with it. We shall see if the same holds true with their latest offering, the TYR PC-X2000, which our friends over at A One Distribution have kindly provided us with for this review. The X2000 is being touted by Lian Li as a gaming/HTPC chassis, and the specifications from their website are as follows:
- Model: TYR PC-X2000
- Case Type: Super Full Tower Chassis
- Dimensions: 230 x 430 x 680mm ( W, D, H)
- Front bezel Material: Aluminum
- Colour: Black
- Side Panel: Aluminum
- Body Material: Aluminum
- 5.25" drive bay: (External) 2
- 3.5" drive bay: (External) 1
- 3.5" drive bay: (Internal) 6 ( SATA Hot Swappable)
- Expansion Slots: 8
- Motherboard: EATX, CEB, ATX, M-ATX
- System Fan: (Front) 3 x 140mm Ball Bearing Fan ( 800-980-1200RPM, factory set to mid speed)
- System Fan: (Rear)1 x 140mm Ball Bearing Fan( 800-980-1200RPM, factory set to mid speed), 2 x 80mm Ball Bearing Fan ( 1500 RPM)
- I/O Ports: USB 2.0 x 2, IEEE 1394 x 1, E-SATA x 1, HD+AC97 Audio
Here's a video showcasing the new case from the Lian Li website:
The PC-X2000 incorporates some innovative design features, but we will discuss them further later on. First, let's move onto the packaging and contents.
Most Recent Comments
Corrected the typo, thanks:)
When I reviewed the case, I was concerned about the lack of drive bays, but unless Lian Li (got it right this time:D) had made the case taller or wider then they would be struggling to get any in. I think Lian Li have used every bit of available space they could in the design. Also as this is partly being touted as a HTPC, there isn't really a great call for massive amounts of 5.25" drive bays. I have the Antec Fusion HTPC case and that has just one 5.25" drive bay and it works brilliantly. I do agree that Lian Li could have done some things differently and the scores given do reflect this.
I have been using the rig built up since Saturday now, and I am still loving using the case, flaws and all. I tried the rig in my lounge last night and it looks superb stood next to my LCD TV. I had a spare TV card and got it running under Vista Media Centre. As my LCD is black with a small silver bezel, the case tied in and looked really cool. Even the missus agreed, which is no small feat:D
When I reviewed the case, I was concerned about the lack of drive bays, but unless Lian Li (got it right this time:D) had made the case taller or wider then they would be struggling to get any in. I think Lian Li have used every bit of available space they could in the design. Also as this is partly being touted as a HTPC, there isn't really a great call for massive amounts of 5.25" drive bays. I have the Antec Fusion HTPC case and that has just one 5.25" drive bay and it works brilliantly. I do agree that Lian Li could have done some things differently and the scores given do reflect this.
I have been using the rig built up since Saturday now, and I am still loving using the case, flaws and all. I tried the rig in my lounge last night and it looks superb stood next to my LCD TV. I had a spare TV card and got it running under Vista Media Centre. As my LCD is black with a small silver bezel, the case tied in and looked really cool. Even the missus agreed, which is no small feat:D
I tried the rig in my lounge last night and it looks superb stood next to my LCD TV.
That`s the purpose I think judging by the design. Not necessarily a work-horse pc or anything. Sure u could serve off it, arrange masses of storage. Then network off of it all over ur complex.
Is it big enough for an Eatx board? If it is, then it would be pretty good for a server. But as a HTCP case, looking around, although it isn't small form factor, it seems to be the price a lot of other high end HTCP cases go for. If you could stealth it a bit (Maybe hide it behind a big speaker etc.) it would very good.
Sure I`ve seen a pic on the LL site, on actually on that embedded video, with an eatx in it.
On that basis, it would be a good choice for a water cooled server, quiet, not too big (compared with rack mount or blade) and really good quality. Plus the minor niggles wouldn't affect it.
Is it big enough for an Eatx board? If it is, then it would be pretty good for a server. But as a HTCP case, looking around, although it isn't small form factor, it seems to be the price a lot of other high end HTCP cases go for. If you could stealth it a bit (Maybe hide it behind a big speaker etc.) it would very good.
Why would you want to stealth it? Part of the appeal is in it's styling. If you have a big enough LCD screen and matching AV equipment, then it looks the mutts nutts :)
Sorry, I was thinking in terms of my setup, with all of the AV boxes in a neat pile on shelves, which wouldn't really fit this box. Then again that room has the last of the CRTs in the house, so with a huge TV it could look really stylish.
Gorgeous case, I'd rather have the X500, that is more my size... Nice review.
Err.
That thing is HUGE.
As they have made all these different compartments, there's no where to hide most of the mobo's cabling!
Bad design, they should have though it though.
That thing is HUGE.
As they have made all these different compartments, there's no where to hide most of the mobo's cabling!
Bad design, they should have though it though.
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Maybe we'll start seeing Lain Li cases, from the guys that brought you Ronex watches