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Lian Li’s PC-A51 mid-tower takes a different approach to internal airflow

lian lis pc a51 mid tower takes opposite approach airflow li
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Lian Li, which is known for making PC cases, power supplies and other PC-centric gear, has announced the PC-A51, an austere mid-tower case that starts at $149 and ships in one of four color/design schemes (black pictured). However, it’s an internal feature that makes the Lian Li PC-A51 stand out.

With most PC cases, airflow works like this: air gets sucked in through the front panel, blown over all the components as it travels through the case, then exits through the rear panel. With the Lian Li PC-A51, however, airflow works in reverse. Air gets pulled through the back of the case with the help of a 120mm fan, then pushed out through the front panel with the help of a front-mounted 140mm fan, a unique design Lian Li says was developed with input from the PC DIY community.

As for specs, the Lian Li PC-A51 includes five removable hard drive bays, each of which supports either a 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drive. The firm also indicates that if you remove all of the bays, you can fit three more 2.5-inch drives onto the motherboard tray, as well as another 2.5-incher behind the tray. The case supports ATX and Micro ATX cases, sports seven expansion slots 

The Lian Li PC-A51 supports graphics cards that are 15.7-inches long, CPU coolers that are 6.89-inches high, and power supplies that are 6.29-inches long.

As mentioned, the Lian Li PC-A51 sports an entry level price of $149. At that price, you can get the case in black or silver. Snagging one with black internals and a panel window bumps the cost up to $189. The Lian Li PC-A51 tops out at $199. For that you get a case that features a mix of red and black, along with a panel window.

What do you think? Sound off in the comments below.

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Konrad Krawczyk
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Konrad covers desktops, laptops, tablets, sports tech and subjects in between for Digital Trends. Prior to joining DT, he…
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