The creativity and engineering that goes into a small PC chassis can be really amazing. Some compact chassis can be utter garbage, while others works of art. Lian Li swings closer to the latter option with their small chassis. Their newest PC-Q21 is said to be a tight fit, but can still manage to fit a decent PC inside.
At first glance, the Lian Li PC-Q21 does look like a challenge to anyone wanting to fit a full-featured system into a small package. However, the specs and installation instructions reveal that the case has more then enough mounts. With enough patience and a little fore-thought, you can easily shove a powerful computer into this tiny box.
The PC-Q21 features a slim ODD mount at the top that can double as an SSD mount, as well as a mount up front for either a 2.5″ or 3.5″ drive. The bottom of the box is where things get interesting though, as you can use the mounting plate for additional drives, remove it for an additional fan, or use the space to accommodate a dual slot video card.
Some size concerns are still apparent. The PSU is mounted above the CPU, so you’ll have to be choosy with your cooling solution. Also the case is only 170mm long on the interior, so no gigantic video cards will fit.
As for pricing and availability, the PC-Q21 should be available in early September for an MSRP of $74.99 USD. More info can be found below.
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Lian Li Introduces the PC-Q21 Series PC Chassis
Mini Tower Chassis Offers a Tight Fit but Enough Room for a Full Powered Mini-ITX system
September 9, 2015, Keelung, Taiwan – Lian-Li Industrial Co. Ltd announces the PC-Q21 Mini Tower Chassis for Mini-ITX systems. This compact chassis tucks a full computer into a small box. The slot-load slim ODD bay at the top gives legacy optical drives a cool home or holds a modern SSD. There are two PCI expansion slots and more room under them than in previous models. This lets in more air, and accommodates a very flexible bottom-mounted drive sled. Even the front has space enough for a full 2.5″ drive or a 3.5″ drive with shorter graphics cards.
Compact Size with Many Configuration Options
The small size of the PC-Q21 is its biggest feature, but that does not mean it compromised on space or its number of mountings. It can be a challenge to fit everything you need into a case this small, but the PC-Q21 still presents many possible configurations. The top ODD bay can hold a slim, slot-load DVD drive or an SSD in addition to the total of three internal drives listed. The bottom rack holds two 2.5″ drives or can be removed for three different options: a full 3.5″ drive, a 120mm fan, or to provide extra room for an oversized, up to two-slot graphics card. The front wall also has holes drilled with an adjustable brace for hanging a 2.5″ or 3.5″ drive.
Robust Build Quality and Construction
The PC-Q21 is a solidly-built cuboid. Its pop-off doors are secure yet easy to remove when you need access. Drives are secured in several optional places. The ODD bay opening is thin yet comes with a cover for when not in use. The rubber feet and air filter keep it safe from floor or desk dangers. Even the PCI expansion slots come with thick sturdy vent covers for extra protection if you opt not to use one or both.
Designed To Save Space
The PC-Q21 maximizes its available space to fit a full Mini-ATX system. It takes planning and some finger flexibility fit everything inside, but it can store a lot. The key to the PC-Q21 is its modularity – it can be built in layers. There are mountings for drives on the top, front, and bottom. The bottom drive cage can be removed for extra room, or remain for extra storage. It can fit a 120mm fan on the bottom, but most of its cooling comes from the CPU and PSU fans drawing air into the center and exhausting out the back. The case can be picked up easily and it does not take up a lot of room on your desk, saving you more room.
Price and Availability
The PC-Q21 will be available in the USA in early September for the MSRP of USD 74.99.
For more information, visit Lian Li’s website:
http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt_portfolio/pc-q21/
And see it on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/FH_pp9mVwJw
About Lian Li
Lian Li Industrial Co. Ltd is an Aluminum Chassis and Chassis peripheral manufacturer and provider of industrial wholesale as well as OEM & ODM services for the PC industry as required. With over 20 years of service excellence, ISO 9001 certification and a team of professional staff willing to do the utmost to deliver durable, superior quality products, all backed by a 2 year guarantee*; your satisfaction is guaranteed (*conditions apply). To learn more about Lian Li, please visit their websites at www.Lian-Li.com.
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