Lian-Li PC-E8 MID Black Review :: Exterior

03-16-2009 · Category: Hardware - Cases

By Ben Sun

Lian-Li PC-E8 MID Black Review Front

Front

Lian-Li PC-E8 MID Black Review Right 3/4

Right 3/4

Lian-Li PC-E8 MID Black Review Left 3/4

Left 3/4

Lian-Li PC-E8 MID Black Review Left Side

Left Side


The front of the case does not have a door, which can be a good and bad thing. There are four 5.25" external drive bays on the front of the case. There is also a 3.5" drive bay below the 4 5.25" drive bays for someone that wants a FDD in that position. I sometimes wish case manufacturers would not include a floppy disk bay at all as the floppy disk has virtually become extinct due to DVD-RWs and USB flash drives that can do everything the FDD can but you can install another HDD in this position if desired.


Lian-Li PC-E8 MID Black Review Lian-Li door

Lian-Li door

Lian-Li PC-E8 MID Black Review Front IO

Front IO

Lian-Li PC-E8 MID Black Review Power and Reset

Power and Reset

Lian-Li PC-E8 MID Black Review Activity and HDD Activity LED

Activity and HDD Activity LED


The FRONT Panel IO on the case is on the bottom of the case under a door with the Lian-Li logo on it. The IO consists of 2 USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire port, and the HD Audio and Microphone jacks. The only thing missing from the IO is an external SATA port but as this case is not targeted for the high end price range this is acceptable. The Power and Reset buttons are on the right side of the case next to the FDD drive bay. Below the FDD is a grill for a 120mm front fan that is included with the case. Every drive bay besides the FDD bay has a mesh front.


Lian-Li PC-E8 MID Black Review Right side

Right side

Lian-Li PC-E8 MID Black Review Rear

Rear

Lian-Li PC-E8 MID Black Review PSU

PSU


The sides of the case have no windows on them to see inside the case. On the one hand this is great due to the fact that the case has a matte black finish and nothing mars it in the form of a window. On the other hand, a window on the left hand side would allow the user to show off the internal components of their computer. The rear of the case has a removable PSU unit that can also act as a PSU extender for those having a longer PSU. Below that is a 120mm fan grill with the I/O area and 7 PCI slot covers. The rear is not painted. The case sides are held into place by thumbscrews making for easy access.