Downsize from Lian Li A71 to compact ATX or M-ATX?

dlknight

dlknight

dlknight

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Hey All,

I've had the Lian Li A71 for a few years now and didn't get around to watercooling which was my original intention. Wondered if it would be sensible to downsize to a more modern and suitable size case? Or even change form factor completely to Micro ATX?

Well this is the current case and setup -



  • MSI Z77A-GD65
  • i5-2320
  • PowerColor PCS+ 7950
  • Corsair TX850
  • 2 x 3.5" Seagate 500GB
  • Intel 520 240GB SSD
  • ASUS D2X Soundcard
  • Prolimatech Megahalems Cooler

Cases I have been looking at (which will require M/B change) are the Silverstone SG09 (and SG10 when released), Temjin TJ08 and Fortress FT03. Also some of the smaller Lian Li cases like the PC-A55B (which takes ATX).

So come on your suggestions please ! :)

Oh and budget wise, keep the lower side of £100 I think....
 
Id personally get the A71F modded for better cable management and perhaps get the interior powdercoated. I have the updated non door A70F model, really beautifully built cases with excellent cooling. Something that you could loose in a smaller case. Is the size of the 71F a bit too much hence your interest in changing to a smaller setup?
 
setter said:
Id personally get the A71F modded for better cable management and perhaps get the interior powdercoated. I have the updated non door A70F model, really beautifully built cases with excellent cooling. Something that you could loose in a smaller case. Is the size of the 71F a bit too much hence your interest in changing to a smaller setup?
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Hey setter, I'm thinking it is too big yes - even a nice compact ATX case would be good. I don't know anyone locally that can powder coat it and after sending it away to be done elsewhere will probably end up spending the same amount of money as a new case? - you are right about cooling it keeps my CPU (not overlocked) at around 35C at idle and video card stays around 70C when overclocked to 1100MHz core :)

Another list of cases which I have seen which caught my eye -

If my mind was made purely by cost then the Lian Li PCA05FNB would probably be in my basket right now :)
 
Exact same situation here. My A71b is 5 now and WC project never happened. Was going to downsize to a Bitfenix ITX & rebuild. But, instead I've splashed out on the blowhole top panel and will pick up an EK WC kit over the summer. I do like all those cases though :) bar the SJ09 it's quite ugly.
 
MatsyLR said:
Liking the look of that Lian Li PC-A05FNB, pitty no meshed front :c
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Yes pity it hasn't got a door on the front and fan filters etc. Also wish it was less cluttered and minus the 3.5" bay like the Lian Li PC-A55B...

FartInferno said:
Exact same situation here. My A71b is 5 now and WC project never happened. Was going to downsize to a Bitfenix ITX & rebuild. But, instead I've splashed out on the blowhole top panel and will pick up an EK WC kit over the summer. I do like all those cases though :) bar the SJ09 it's quite ugly.
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Yes agree the SJ09 is pretty ugly! would love to see some pictures of your rig FartInferno :) - I looked high and low for a top panel for my A71B but couldn't find one in the UK, a competitor to OCUK offered to cut my existing panel for me but it is pricey.. I have seen the 2 x 120 Lian Li top panel with radiator available but even that is £120.... Have you gone custom or gone with the Lian Li top panel?
 
dlknight said:
Yes agree the SJ09 is pretty ugly! would love to see some pictures of your rig FartInferno :) - I looked high and low for a top panel for my A71B but couldn't find one in the UK, a competitor to OCUK offered to cut my existing panel for me but it is pricey.. I have seen the 2 x 120 Lian Li top panel with radiator available but even that is £120.... Have you gone custom or gone with the Lian Li top panel?
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I actually spent way too much & ordered the Lian-Li top panel T-713B with 3x 120mm cut-outs: $83 from the States (Shipping was twice the price of the panel:eek:), was thinking about buying an EK 360 kit & then cutting my original top panel to suit it but, laziness won :)

Also, been thinking about powdercoating the lot as well but it sits in a corner out of sight so would be wasted money.

Here's the current interior looking very sparse. It has run a crossfire setup in the past, the GFX card support bar is usually installed but had it out for my mini rewire.
IMG_20130331_173943.jpg
 
I see that the older A70/71F has a mobo tray that extends right to the case floor. On my A70F it stops about 4- 5" short of the floor with a horizontal bar supporting it.

Mine before i swapped cases.
IMG_0062.jpg
 
FartInferno said:
I actually spent way too much & ordered the Lian-Li top panel T-713B with 3x 120mm cut-outs: $83 from the States (Shipping was twice the price of the panel:eek:), was thinking about buying an EK 360 kit & then cutting my original top panel to suit it but, laziness won :)

Also, been thinking about powdercoating the lot as well but it sits in a corner out of sight so would be wasted money.

Here's the current interior looking very sparse. It has run a crossfire setup in the past, the GFX card support bar is usually installed but had it out for my mini rewire.
Click to expand...

So does the T-713B line up with the fan mounts on the EK 360 OK? I know what you mean about looking sparse - I would love to have a nice compact ATX build but have the same good temps as the A71..

Do I see IDE drives in your PC :) that really is old skool!

setter said:
I see that the older A70/71F has a mobo tray that extends right to the case floor. On my A70F it stops about 4- 5" short of the floor with a horizontal bar supporting it.
Click to expand...

Yes there is a nice pre-cut hole just below the motherboard on mine that allows you to tuck all the cables from the PSU and motherboard through and out to the back behind the mobo tray for concealment :) -

 
dlknight said:
So does the T-713B line up with the fan mounts on the EK 360 OK? I know what you mean about looking sparse - I would love to have a nice compact ATX build but have the same good temps as the A71..

Do I see IDE drives in your PC :) that really is old skool!
Click to expand...

Hehe, 2 IDE DVDRW's from 2004 in there... Did have a Travan tape drive in there for a while too when I discovered an old backup tape I made from 1998 :D As for the EK360 lining up on the panel... I have no idea :p It's out for delivery today so might have a clue later but, I see no reason why it shouldn't.

Yes there is a nice pre-cut hole just below the motherboard on mine that allows you to tuck all the cables from the PSU and motherboard through and out to the back behind the mobo tray for concealment :) -
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No pre-cut holes in mine. Cut several in it last week to tidy up. Need some grommets for them as they're currently lined with black insulation tape :)
 
Id like to get mine modded as well for better cable management, and powdercoat the inside. Aside from theese little niggles, it's a much better case than the bitfenix shinobi xl im currently using.
 
Heh :) still not sure what to do lol

I saw your Bitfenix Shinobi in the New Cases Gallery setter :)

I'm very tempted by the Lian Li PC-A05FNB at the moment so need to check funds...
 
dlknight said:
Heh :) still not sure what to do lol

I saw your Bitfenix Shinobi in the New Cases Gallery setter :)

I'm very tempted by the Lian Li PC-A05FNB at the moment so need to check funds...
Click to expand...

Toss a coin :) the PC-A05FNB is the better looking of the bunch. I'd be tempted by the Anidees AI-6B but, it's still only 10cm smaller than the A71 so not much of a downsize.

Got my Top panel yesterday & it's a perfect fit for EK 360 radiator (at least according to template off their sit:D). Just need to spen on the rest now....
 
Well I've picked up a Lian Li PC-B25F for a good price and migrated from the A71 -

QpxWnS0l.jpg KponDc3l.jpg

Got a PC-A05 too which I believe is the older model with the motherboard mounted the other way up. Cable management was a nightmare in the B25F so I'm guessing it would be even more of a nightmare in the PC-A05! :|
 
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