If you’re looking for a high quality modular computer case then look no further because I think I might have just found it! Introducing the Lian Li Server Cube! Having owned the Lian Li V1000B since last year, I was quite bored with it, so I started looking for a case which would be eye catching and perform well with air cooling while maintaining a quite working environment. Now the last case to really catch my eye was the Cooler Master 110 but that was quite some time ago now. During my search I was looking for a cube case, so I was surprised to find a cube made by Lian Li since I wasn’t aware of any made my Lian Li at the time. (I do believe they have a mini cube coming out soon.) Now, I like the idea of having two sides to a case, which this case offers. Also a case that required minimum or no modding to add water cooling in the future if so desired by the end user. This case offers that option by proving a number of optional accessories. Please Note: This case is only manufactured by Lian Li but not designed by them, as I have been in contact with the designers of the case. That’s the reason it won’t be listed on Lian Li’s website, its not a official product! Microplex.no who sell the case, will not ship internationally but only in Norway, they have asked any possibly distributors to contact them if they are interested in providing this case to their customers. All high quality pictures courtesy of microplex.no. First let’s look at the specifications Dimensions - 515 x 458 x 460 mm Construction Material – Aluminium Weight – 8,15 kg Drive Bays - 18 x 5.25” Cooling - 2 x 80 mm, 3 x 120mm Exhausts Front Mounted Ports - 2 x USB, 1 x Firewire, 2 x Audio Motherboard - Up to full size ATX External Design Bellow you see the case in full view, as you can see it’s quite a stunning masterpiece, well I think anyway. The build quality is the same high quality we have come to expect from Lian Li manufactured cases. [preview]1072[/preview] At the rear of the case on the top, in the middle, there is a removable plate 200 x 348 mm in size, this provides good clearance to allow for water cooling and modding if so you desire. [preview]1073[/preview] At the top there’s the power button, followed by the Power/HDD leds and then the reset button. At the bottom you have the typical input/output ports that Lian Li have started to implement in their cases. [preview]1074[/preview] [preview]1075[/preview] In order to have access to the drive bays, first you need to take the front of the case off. This is the easy part, as with very little force is required, it simply just comes off when you place your hands on the top and the bottom of the front panel and pull at the same time. You need to be careful though, not to hold it from the pull of points, as it can come off while you carry the case. Here you can see how it looks under the front panel, with 18 x 5.25” bezels in view, which look like standard Lian Li bezels. [preview]1078[/preview] [preview]1077[/preview]
External and internal design The back of the case shows the fan mounts clearly, with the power supply unit at the bottom left. Now I’m sure about the purpose of the 2 x 80mm fans as I don’t plan to use them but maybe for water cooling, they can come in use. Considering there wasn’t enough room for another 120mm fans, I think it’s a fair decision. [preview]1079[/preview] Anti-vibration rubber and screws to install fans in all the locations are provided but no fans. In my opinion no fans means you can buy the fans you prefer fans but it does add to the final expense involved. I didn’t comment on the sides on the case because they look like the typical sides you find on Lian Li cases, which are secured using thumb screws as usual. Internal Design In the picture bellow we have the non-motherboard side of the case. The first thing you should notice is the large amounts of space available to work with. On this side you have 9 x 5.25” bays available to install devices. At the top there’s a gap which allows you have access to the motherboard side of the case, so you can you provide power to the motherboard. Also there’s an oval shaped space provided near the drive bays for connecting devices. [preview]1081[/preview] At the rear bottom you can see the area to install the power supply. I would suggest using thumb screws to install it since it’s so much easier. The air holes at the bottom case provide cool air to the PSU. [preview]1082[/preview] This is the motherboard side of the case; once again you can see the areas which provide access to other side and the huge space you have available to work with. Again you also have another 9 x 5.25” drive bays on this side making a total of 18 in total. I installed a motherboard very easily considering there’s nothing in the way to slow you down and plenty of space for people with larger hands to install a motherboard. My suggestion for improvements would be a slide-out motherboard tray but it could be difficult as the interior might be weakened, so maybe there are some design difficulties there. [preview]1080[/preview] Installing Drives In order to install drives, you need to take off the front and side panel of the side you’re installing the drive into. The device it self will slide in once you use the provided screws, so technical you only need to have access to the front but then again you do need to connect the device to the motherboard. I installed a couple of 5.25” to 3.5” converters as that’s the only way you can install hard drives (without the aid of additional accessories). Once again they slide in, but you will need to secure them with extra screws as they make hell of a noise if you don’t.
Additional Accessories Hard Drive Bays This device is installed at the rear of the case using one of the 120mm fan mounts. It provides 3 x 3.5” bays with anti-vibration rubber already installed so to reduce noise. So if you need the extra drives then its good option. [preview]1083[/preview] This accessory offers 3 x 3.5” drive bays, it has a front panel with the Lian Li logo and with an 80mm fan to cool the devices (including a dust filter). [preview]1089[/preview] There’s also the bigger version, which provides 4 x 3.5” drive bays and a 120mm fan to cool the devices. I think this would be better option because it allows you to install one extra drive compared to the above option. So you could have 4 x 3 = 12 hard drives on one side of the case if you want. [preview]1090[/preview] This is my favourite one, since it contains no Lian Li logo (I think one is enough on the case). I love the plain look, so basically it’s the same as the above item. [preview]1091[/preview] This one can be used on its own, it would be cheaper option as you could fit a fan and hold the HDD's using 5.25" to 3.5" converters. It can also be used the radiator mount. [preview]1084[/preview] Removable plate accessories Installing these devices is simple, unscrew and screw back on, no need to cut holes etc it’s the ready made solution for most modders if not all. The bellow device offers 2 x 120mm mount holes. This will help in exhausting hot air from both sides of the case. [preview]1086[/preview] This is simply a window, if you prefer to have lights etc to show off the case. [preview]1087[/preview] This one allows you to install a radiator for water cooling. You can see the mounting holes provided to install such a device. [preview]1088[/preview]
Other accessories and conclusion This allows for a redundant PSU to be installed similar to the one shown bellow. [preview]1094[/preview] [preview]1095[/preview] This allows you to install two PSU’s, considering the power requirements of some modern devices. Perhaps it could be useful for some hardcore gamers? [preview]1096[/preview] This is the widow mod for the case. Shows the main components in the case, excluding the drive bays. I tend to prefer the plain look though, so no window for me. [preview]1098[/preview] This is the simple Lian Li bezel with holes, it does look quite cool in addition to providing passive airflow. You could possibly mod a fan behind 3 of these? [preview]1097[/preview] Water Cooling The following is a radiator mounting bracket, as you can see in the pictures bellow you can install quite a large radiator. [preview]1100[/preview] [preview]1101[/preview] [preview]1102[/preview] Conclusion I must admit Microplex.no have designed a masterpiece while maintain high quality performance features. The cube case design is indeed a unique one, with its modular design (I’ve not seen another modular cube case). I love the fact that there are already many useful accessories available for the case. I feel maybe it should have one 5.25” side and one 3.5” side to install HDD, as it could save plenty of money in buying additional accessories but I don’t really consider this to be a downside, as its designed to be a server case so its meant for users wanting to install RAID configurations, who may implement removable hard drive racks for hot swapping. Now there is one BIG problem; that being currently there is no place in the UK/USA which can provide this case. I managed to get hold of this case of a German company who are no longer taking international orders at the moment. For now you need to get in contact with your favourite hardware supplier and ask them to contact Microplex Norge AS I hope you enjoyed this review, as this is my first ever review. I will be posting my own images soon enough I just need to take some good pictures with my not so good camera. edit: next page I have added a few pictures. Update: 25/10/2006 There's a Taiwanese company, Jaton Corporation - www.jaton-corp.com - that now handles international distribution of this case. There are currently 1 UK distributor and 1 USA distributor and more are on the way, so the number of countries where the Cube is available should increase pretty soon. UK Retailer: Aqua-Pc's
Image Gallery Heres a few pictures I took. [preview]1107[/preview] [preview]1108[/preview] [preview]1109[/preview] [preview]1110[/preview] [preview]1111[/preview] [preview]1112[/preview]
