Lian Li PC-V360 Review

Lian Li PC-V360 Review

Manufacturer Lian Li
UK Price (as reviewed): £99.95 (inc. VAT)
US Price (as reviewed): $136.90 (ex. TAX)

We've seen plenty of innovation on the case scene recently. The mini-ITX Corsair Obsidian 250D shook things up at the small end while the Phanteks Enthoo Primo managed the enviable task of winning an award despite costing £200. Lian Li hasn't been absent from the scene either and its PC-V358 offered some nifty little features.

The PC-V360 might sound like a slightly larger version of the PC-V358 but while it's also a micro-ATX case, the two couldn't be more different. Here Lian Li is once again tweaking traditional case design and the most obvious change with the PC-V360 is how thin it is. It measures just 180mm from side to side - a good 3cm shorter even than other small micro-ATX cases such as the Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 and over 5cm narrower than your average ATX tower case.


It looks extremely small as a result, especially as it's also one of the shortest micro-ATX towers we've reviewed at 405mm high. Only the depth of 484mm is similar to other cases of this type.

Far from this slimness making for an unattractive case it really enhances the look. Plus, all the Lian Li exquisiteness is here, although if the usual plain brushed aluminium and minimalist exterior is something you haven't got on with in the past, there's not a great deal here that will change your mind.


As with the PC-V358, the PC-V360 features pop-on side panels, which are held in place by several ball joints. These are possibly a little too firm, requiring a fair amount of force to pry off the panels although they not only make the case visually super-clean but are generally quicker and easier to deal with than a sliding/thumb-screw combination, once you've got the hang of them.

There are five main air vents and all but one are capable of supporting fans. The front section sports vents either side that feed a fan hidden beneath, while meshes in the side and roof cater for further fans. It's not a high-airflow case by any means but it's got potential, as we'll see over the page.


The bottom vent is fanless but does include a dust filter that's externally accessible for cleaning, while the other vents are a mixture of neat holes drilled directly into the chassis or as is the case with the roof and side vents, Lian Li has instead opted for its familiar super-flush perforated aluminium mesh.


Ports are slightly awkwardly-placed being at the side of the case right at the bottom - a pain if your PC lives on the floor, while the power button sits in a more convenient location just south of the external 5.25in bay. Oh, and if silver isn't your thing, then thankfully it's available in black too.

Specifications

• Dimensions (mm) 180 x 480 x 388 (W x D x H)
  
• Material Aluminium
  
• Available colours Black, silver (reviewed)
  
• Weight 4.8kg
  
• Front panel Power, 2 x USB 3, stereo, microphone,
  
• Drive bays 5 x 3.5in, 4 x 2.5in (one shared with 3.5in), 5.25in external
  
• Form factor(s) Micro-ATX
  
• Cooling 1 x 140mm front fan mount (fan included), 1 x 80mm rear fan mount (fan not included) 1 x 120mm roof fan mount (fan included) 2 x 120mm side fan mounts (fans not included)
  
• CPU cooler clearance 95mm with optical drive installed
  
• Maximum graphics card length 290mm dual-slot (with hard disk cage, unlimited without)
  
• Maximum PSU length 280mm
  
• Extras front and PSU fan filters