Lian Li/DAN A3-mATX

[boundary-stone]

Will 140-150mm tall GPUs with 12VHPWR connectors fit in the A3 mATX in vertical GPU mode with the motherboard flipped like that?

The product photos make it look like most non-FE 4080 / 4090 cards (140-150mm height) won't have enough height clearance either at the bottom of the case with the GPU mounted vertically or at the top of the case with the GPU mounted horizontally.

One of the biggest opportunities of this design appears to be accommodating massive GPUs in a reasonably portable footprint. It looks like it'd be easy to adjust the design slightly to accommodate even the largest 4080 / 4090 cards - 360mm length x 198mm height (163 + 35mm for 12VHPWR) x 80mm width (4 slots).

 

[dondan]

Even the C4-SFX does support GPUs up to 145mm. This one does allow up to 167mm

 

[Clientele Services]

@dondan - Amazing work. When the case is ready - ready -, then release. I like the looks of them all. Each version of the cases you designed has there uniqueness. When you hit the go button, then we can rock and roll. I am looking at this for a couple of reasons, but I am more than happy to wait for the final rollout.

Thank you so much! I will keep watching!

 

[Bonusround]

Hi, Dan. Some thoughts / ideas / feedback:

1. This is a very attractive design – nice work.

2. Thank you for placing mesh on the top and providing an optimal path for exhaust. That is arguably where mesh is needed most! Many other mesh-heavy designs fail to get this right.

3. Regarding top or bottom placement of the front IO ports: I imagine that preferences will vary widely, especially depending on case placement (on or under desk). Allowing for a rotatable front panel would seem to please most users.

4. The power socket placement is unfortunate. I think I understand why it serves the current design, but the top corner is both aesthetically and functionally sub-optimal. It leaves a sole cable – the largest cable – protruding from the top and dangling down directly in the path of the motherboard IO. Have you considered routing the internal cable downward and exposing the socket through the center of the raised base?

 

[dummy]

Mesh => Dust

What can be done to keep dust out?

 

[THUMPer]

Mesh => Dust

What can be done to keep dust out?

I use fan filters. So, if most of your air is coming in through fans and fan filters, and you have more fans coming in than going out, Non filtered areas should not allow much air into the case. Works for me anyway on my mechanic master C28 Pulse.

 

[Mackan]

4. The power socket placement is unfortunate. I think I understand why it serves the current design, but the top corner is both aesthetically and functionally sub-optimal. It leaves a sole cable – the largest cable – protruding from the top and dangling down directly in the path of the motherboard IO. Have you considered routing the internal cable downward and exposing the socket through the center of the raised base?

When I saw the newest render I was stoked. Clean, symmetric, and finally a good power socket placement -- in the top corner, out of the way. Compare to e.g. Asus AP201, which has the same placement (though rotated 90% which I also prefer). So, I hope it stays there in the corner. As I actually own and use the AP201, I can't see how the power coord can interfere with the motherboard IO.

Another plus is that there are no vertical pcie-slots that mess up the back part impression of the case. If vertical GPU was to be supported, I would vote for having the entire back plate of the case user-replaceable, like on the O11 mini. But in general, I am tired of pcie-risers.

And I don't know if a radiator or only fans fits at the top, but that is where I would put a radiator as well, and where I think it belongs. Fresh air from the bottom or font, and exhause at the top.

 

[adeshprasad]

....so... if you move the power supply/bracket down a little (towards the center), there is room for a Bay - 3.5 or maybe 5" above it.. if not exiting from the front, then can exist from the side...
my custom-made Frankenstein case I built 3 years ago has a similar layout to this case, actually a bit smaller, and has a dual 2.5" SSD hot swap bay exiting from the side.

Just an idea/feature, which would make this case way different than any other case available in SFF.

Another idea is have a 2.5" SSD hot swap in the front panel like other Lian Li cases, maybe it's already there, I couldn't tell. Would be nice if the front panel could be opened quickly, maybe like 2 hinges at the middle or bottom and the top part of the front panel can be pulled down.

Thanks!

 

[Necromancer]

Mesh => Dust

What can be done to keep dust out?

Invest 50 bucks for a IT Duster / Compu Cleaner. Filters are senseless.

 

[kami_sama]

I like the horizontal ones better myself.

 

[gsilver]

What CPU Heatsink/fan is suggested to run with this? The image looks similar to the Noctua NH-D15S, but that's a 160mm cooler and the specs say that this will only support 158mm

 

[dondan]

Update rev post #148 cand handle up to 165mm

 

[Funky]

Does it have enough ground clearance for bottom air intake? It looks kinda "low" to ground..
For example compare: Fractal Torrent to O11 dynamic case.
Fractal one has amazing GPU temps, because it sits 2x times higher. But O11 GPU temps are much higher, as it sits much lower to ground.

I think it will limit the air intake for GPU..
Also as mentioned some motherboards PCI/GPU slots now sit in SECOND slot.. Is there enough space for 25mm fan and 3.5 slot GPU - If it's placed in SECOND of the 4 back slots? (If there space for 25mm fan. If 3.5 slot GPU is placed in second PCIE slot.)

 

[dondan]

Distance is 20mm like for the C4-SFX. This is perfect and the 3x 120mm bottom fans can work perfectly.

If you put a 3.5" GPU in the 2. slot you cant install bottom fans.

 

[Tramere]

Let me take my insane idea and validate it.

Mini ITX MB + SFX PSU. GPU irrelevant.
All watercooled on custom loop.

I can see i would potentially do 2x 360 rads in top/ bottom. I can assume not very thick, max 30mm + 25mm fans but at least 20.5 mm + 15 mm slims. That would dissipate some 3-400w of heat. Being 4 slot case bottom should be more generous.

How about the side bracket + top/ bottom. There i could cram a 60mm + 25 mm fans and that would be 300w by itself. With the others you could safely watercool any modern PC within a small frame.

Would that be something possible?

 

[Funky]

One question.. Will the bottom have a dust filter? For the 3x120 fans at the bottom.
And i hope it's not one of those "cheap" filter where you need to put mesh behind case cutouts.. Would love to see it coming out from back/front whole length of the case.
Or simple plastic frame on magnets - that pop on from bottom..

1 year before release is kinda long time. (I get it takes to make/publish the case.) But it seems i will get asus prime ap201. Not worth waiting. And there is no 100% guarantee that this case will be sold in Europe. Even C4-SFX isn't available yet.

Will turn ap201 vertically and will have smaller or same footprint.

 

[gsilver]

What is the maximum supported graphics card length if a standard ATX power supply is used?

 

[Clientele Services]

Thank you so much for all the updates.

Does your case have the abibilty to handle the "Deep" Micro-ATX motherboard - AsRock RACK - SPC741D8UD-2T/X55 (https://www.asrockrack.com/general/productdetail.asp?Model=SPC741D8UD-2T/X550#Specifications)

Form Factor​	Deep Micro-ATX
Dimensions​	10.4” x 10.5” (264.16 x 266.7 mm)

I know this is 1" over the standard Mico-ATX.

Also from your point of view. Is this case based on water cooling or air cooling? I prefer water cooling. The goal to consider; is Single Xeon Processor and Dual A6000 GPU. For me, looking for a small case, that allows for about 1200 radiator/fan combinations for cooling capacity.

Your specs mention a "Water cooling support: up to dual 360mm radiator with 120x120x25mm fans."

What kind of radiator thickness are you referring to with the 25mm fan? One 360mm radiator x 3 120 fans? On the side, 360 mm radiator with 3-120 fans. What is the mat thickness of the radiator with the 25mm fans? Also, what is the maximum length for each radiator?

Thank you so much in advance.

 

[elrd5150]

It looks more bulky with horizontal lines, didn't like it at first, but I think it starts to grow on me. Some retro-future vibes.

 

[alfdpw]

It looks more bulky with horizontal lines, didn't like it at first, but I think it starts to grow on me. Some retro-future vibes.

Yeah, I too didn't like them at first but now I'm kind a neutral. Same thing with the feet, though a still think that the original feet are better.
The deal breaker for me is the size. Around 20 L (+/-), in my opinion, was the sweet spot for a mATX case. I hope Lian Li will reconsider about the 22 - 25L size.