Lian Li PC-K8

It's Lian Li, Jim, but not as we know it, not as we know it...

When a new Lian Li case comes into the Atomic labs, we all gather round to breath in that just unpacked smell, to 'ooh' and 'aah' at the brushed aluminium coolness, and gawp at the features.

So, when the Lian Li PC-K8 came in, you might have been surprised to find us all a little... meh.

The PC-K8 is an odd beast. Externally, it's almost near-perfect Lian Li design, with addition of some rounded ventilation slots on the front fascia. But under the aluminium lies a steel chassis, bare of the usual bells and whistles, and with a yum-cha flavoured 450watt power supply.

The PC-K8, as we figure it, exists to get enthusiasts Lian Li looks for less than Lian Li's usual prices.

As such, the question then is does it work? Well, for $180 asking price, you could spend just a wee bit more and get the 'real thing'. Sure, you'd then need to get a new PSU, but let's be honest - 450watt is hardly enthusiast-grade anyway.

We're sure there's a sweet spot for the PC-K8, though, but we're just not sure that we're in it. For more pics of case and internals, check out our gallery.