| Article Index |
|---|
| Lian Li PC-K8 Case Review |
| The Exterior |
| The Interior |
| Installation |
| The Tests |
| Performance Summary |
| Conclusion |
| All Pages |
Scoreboard
|
Factor |
Comments |
Score |
|
The Look & Aesthetics |
Modest, Simple, it’s designed in a nice sense and when added with the blue LED fan gives a meaner look to it, however as soon as you hand makes contact with the outer case, fingerprints become its new style. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Storage Capacity |
Takes 4 x 5.25” Drives but is also limited to 4 x HDDs, but this should still be enough for any average user. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Case Material & Structure |
Aluminium & SECC hybrid and it’s all at least 1mm thick, giving it strong support and some quality metal work. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Overall Installation Difficulty |
Although standoffs were missing, you can remove the motherboard panel, 2 x 5.25” drives has clips, HDDs roll straight in, and cables can be arranged inside or outside depending on whether or not you want to put in effort. |
4 / 5 |
|
The Air Flow Test |
Only a front air intake and a rear exhaust with provided 140mm and 120mm fans, does lead to some build up of warm air clouds. |
2 / 5 |
|
The Temperature Test |
Keeps HDD and motherboard in the cool, but left the GPU and CPU sweating it out. |
3 / 5 |
|
The Sound Test |
Nicely quiet, the noisiest thing was the DVD drive but it manages to keep that sound somewhat low. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Bonus Features and Marks |
Already installed PSU, but only 450W and out of date, 1 x 120mm fan and 1 x 140mm fan, Removable motherboard tray. |
3.5 / 5 |
|
Total Score |
|
27.5 / 40 |
Price & Performance
A 27.5 out of 40, this case does very well for it’s performance but when we bring the other biggest factor in, the price, we see something different. The RRP for this hybrid case is AU$179 looking at other cases at the same RRP, I’ve noticed the other cases seem to have better features while the Lian Li PC-K8 may simply be relying on it’s material and structure as the key selling point.
Take for example the CoolerMaster RC-690, also having a PSU but 460W, made from SECC, argues it has good installation and cable management, also at $179 RRP, but it has additional air intakes and is able to mount a total of 7 fans with 3 already supplied. Something tells me this one scores the Air flow test a bit better than the PC-K8.
Many of the slightly cheaper and similar priced cases also don’t include a PSU to get the price down and since the PSU in this case isn’t anything spectacular and not really for gaming, it is better to get one of the cheaper cases and choose your own PSU. Lian Li funnily enough have the PC-8 which has no PSU, is full aluminium and is around the $180 mark.
Also looking at the recent Antec VSK-2000 review where this case was about $90 cheaper but still punched a score of 25/40. Is two and a half points of performance really worth $90? Well, I’ll let you be the judge for that one. But it just goes to show, that some low priced cases are able to keep up with this mid-ranged gear.
PC-K8
PC-8
Why Should I get the PC-K8?
• I need a case for a media centre or home PC,
• I need a case with a PSU already to go,
• I want installation to go as smoothly as possibly,
• I need a case with a decent look to it,
• I’m a fan of Lian Li,
• I like the idea of hybrid metals,
• I’m willing to give this case a complete makeover to change all of its flaws and making it into a piece of art; starting with this power drill, I will make extra air intake points.
Why I shouldn’t get the PC-K8?
• I play computer games frequently or run high temperature hardware, hence I need good airflow,
• I need a PSU with more power and correct cables, I might as well get a case without a PSU,
• I’m on a tighter budget and want more value for money,
• I don’t like cleaning fingerprints,
• I prefer the idea of all aluminium,
• I’ve found cases that looks better,
• I have found giving a case a complete makeover is a long and usually uncoordinated effort that resulted in the destruction of my previous case, hence I’m here to find a new case and this one isn’t it.
