Lian Li Tyr PC-X2000

Results

After testing it’s obvious that the impressive ventilation setup inside the Lian Li Tyr PC-X2000 was up to the challenge of our worst case scenario hardware, and was certainly a match for the other cases we’ve reviewed with the same components. The fact that the PC-X2000 was just 1°C hotter than the Zalman GS1000, which placed two high speed 120mm practically on top of the CPU, is a real testament to efficiency of the PCX-2000’s triple intake based cooling, and the impressive performance continued in the GPU stress test where the PC-X2000 with high fans now tops our leader board.

However, what is even more impressive is that there was only a two degree difference in load temperatures between the high and low fan speed setting, meaning for most circumstances you can happily run the PCX-2000 at low speed and not compromise too much on thermal performance.

And boy, do you want to run this case with low fan speed because it is phenomenally quiet. “Silent Cooling” is a term frequently banded about by cooling companies, only for us to test it and find that while the hardware might be quiet, it’s by no means silent. However In the case of the PC-X2000 the term silent is absolutely appropriate.

During testing, Rich snuck up and switched the PC I’d built into the case on and I simply did not notice until I popped the case panel off only to find the fans spinning. All our concerns about the fan noise generated by the four 140mm fans were proved completely unfounded, and at the low speed fan preset we doubt you’ll find a case as quiet that keeps your hardware so cool. Even at high fan speed, the PCX-2000 isn't too noisy, although it was certainly noticeable above the low drone of the bit-tech offices.

Conclusions

The Lian Li Tyr PC-X2000 is certainly an impressive piece of hardware, combining a gorgeous and unique design, an innovative layout, simply superlative noise levels and impressive cooling performance. However, there are a few minor blemishes on the face of this otherwise fantastic case, and sadly most of them are directed towards the case’s front fascia panel.

The problems causing the front aluminium panel to bow in the middle really should have been caught before the case went into full production, and it’s certainly disappointing to see such a premium case suffering from case panels not fitting together properly. The fact that the fascia is so easily removed is also a concern, as is the placement of the fan controller, inexplicably placed behind both the front fascia and the dust filter. While we appreciate that the fans might be a "set and forget" feature, we really shouldn't have to dismantle a case to switch the case fans from low to high.

While the case was a delight to fit our machine in thanks a wonderful removable motherboard tray, as we tested we kept finding minor niggles that started to detract from the experience and excitement we’d felt when the PC-X2000 had first been unboxed. The lack of sufficient fastening for the side panels and options for cable routing inside the case are the prime offenders, especially as they are such simple problems to remedy. To see such an otherwise excellent case pulled down by minor design oversights and manufacturing defects is a real shame, but is sadly the case.

Such problems really shouldn’t be present in a case that we’re told will launch at well over £200. For that money you expect the excellent design, ease of use and thermal performance of the PC-X2000, but not the minor niggles that could spoil your purchase. Don’t get me wrong, the Lian Li PC-X2000 is a simply stunning case, both aesthetically and performance wise. It’s just that the minor problems that seem to us so simple to fix, really shouldn’t be there at this price point especially.

• Build Quality
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• 7/10

• Features
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• 9/10

• Ease of Use
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• -
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• 7/10

• Performance
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• -
• 9/10

• Value
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• -
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• 7/10

• Overall
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• -
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• 8/10

What do these scores mean?