Lian Li Tyr PC-X1000 Case Review

Results Analysis

The X1000 puts in an impressive turn when it comes to cooling performance, with good figures right across the board. Idle temperatures are excellent at even the lowest fan speed setting of 800RPM and CPU load temperatures are also very pleasing with a delta T of 24°C at 1,200RPM and just 1°C warmer with the fans switched down to 800RPM.

It’s GPU cooling where the X1000 excels though, thanks to the close proximity of those twin 140mm intake fans in the central compartment. This excellent airflow leads to GPU delta Ts of just 34°C with the fans at full speed, and a very respectable showing of 40°C when dialled down to 800RPM.

While these temperatures are still some way off those possible when using a super high airflow case like the Antec 902 or Cooler Master HAF, the X1000 delivers a fantastic blend of cooling and quietness without the need for a side fan into the mix. At 1,200RPM the X1000’s fans are on par with the Antec’s lowest speed setting and at 800RPM are practically inaudible, even in a very quiet environment. While a completely silent case is almost impossible to achieve without some seriously innovative modding, the X1000 is certainly one of the quietest we’ve yet to encounter, a fact that makes it’s cooling performance even more impressive.

Value

So we have a fantastic build quality, gorgeous style, clever design and excellent attention to detail combined with genuine quietness and cool performance – surely the X1000 is on its way to an excellence award? Well, unfortunately not, as no doubt those of you who noted the price tag on the first page will know, this is not a cheap case. In fact, barring specialist examples like the Moncaso 972 or the limited edition Lian Li PC-888, this is one of the most expensive case’s we’ve ever used.

We’re fully expecting it to retail at a price in excess of £300, a frankly unattainable price tag for any case no matter how high quality. At this end of the market the competition comes primarily from Coolermaster’s ATCS 840 (£165), the Silverstone TJ07 (£199) or the Antec P193 (£115). With such capable alternatives readily available, Lian Li's expectation of us paying over £300 for this case is sadly just a fantasy.

The fact that the X1000 offers zero out the box watercooling radiator support, despite its ultra high end target market, only widens the gap between the X1000 and its competition.

The bottom line is that it is one of the best cases we’ve ever had the pleasure of testing, but it’s price is prohibitively expensive for all but an tiny few. That's not to discount there is a market there - after all people still buy multiple GTX 295s and Intel Extreme Edition CPUs, however Lian Li needs to get the production costs down and hack £100-150 from the price tag for the X1000 to be any real thought of consideration.

• Build Quality
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• 10/10

• Ease of Use
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• 10/10

• Features
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• 9/10

• Performance
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• 9/10

• Value
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• -
• -
• -
• 4/10

• Overall
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• 7/10

Score Guide