Every now and again, the IT channel is turned on its head. We've all come to "expect the expected" in terms of TAC and PSU design in particular. Lian Li have raised eyebrows world wide with the launch of their new PC-A05FN mini tower case. Just when you thought it was safe to assume that the "PSU goes at the back" and that "the best way to cool a tower chassis is to induct air from the lower front and shunt it out the back near the top". WELL THINK AGAIN! The PC-A05FN challenges pretty much all current 'standards' in case design:
Firstly, it's a tiny wee thing which holds a WHOPPING video card. Won't overheat with the latest weapons in either Nvidia's or ATI's arsenal either. Takes 2.5" SSD too. Nice.
Secondly, the power supply unit is mounted to the bottom of the front bezel, not at the back of the case, which is 'typical'.
Thirdly, the usual airflow pathway - from the bottom front to the upper rear of the case - has been reversed. It works better too!
And perhaps the greatest challenge the PC-A05FN offers the channel is that notion that Lian Li products are "expensive". You need to rethink this one too!!! Talk to your account manager today and be enlightened. WORD!
"In most of Lian Li's PC chassis front-panel fans are for intake and back-panel fans are for exhaust, but in the PC-A05FN this is reversed. At the top of the back-panel, a 120mm intake fan pulls cool air into the chassis. Hot air is expelled with the help of a front-panel, 120mm exhaust fan positioned directly in front of the HDD cage with the air escaping through venting along the side edges of the front-panel. For users who want to increase airflow, Lian Li has included a 140mm top-panel fan mount (fan not included). Additionally, designers have included a vent directly beneath the PSU mount, protected by a washable air-filter. Two rubber-lined holes on the back-panel enable LCS and venting along the back-panel also helps to keep temperatures cool, even when components have been overclocked."
Hilbert Hagedoorn - Guru3D
You can read Hilbert's article on Guru3D here.
Do you want to know more? Check out Lian Li's Full Product Information page.
