Review of the Lian Li and Dan Cases A3-mATX Enclosure

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The innovative Lian Li x Dan Cases A3-mATX has the ability to fit an mATX motherboard, a 451mm long 4-slot GPU, an ATX power supply, up to 10 fans, and a 360mm radiator into its micro form factor frame. With all these components packed into a 26-liter chassis, does the A3-mATX render mini-ITX systems outdated? Are there compromises involved in this compact design? Let’s delve deeper into this case’s features to uncover the truth behind all the hype.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction
00:42 Overview of the A3-mATX, including pricing and background information
02:13 Commencing the teardown process
03:32 Chassis support for PSU, radiator, and fans
05:50 Exploring rear chassis options
06:55 Motherboard tray and storage assessment
08:20 Adjusting the PSU bracket for optimal positioning
10:18 Overview of installation hardware
11:46 Build Timelapse
15:06 Insights from James on the build process
15:40 Thermal performance testing
17:01 Final thoughts

Lian Li | Dan Cases A3-mATX Highlights:

The A3-mATX boasts a versatile micro form factor with a compact 26-liter capacity, supporting mid-tower features such as long 415mm 4-slot GPUs, 360mm radiator or AIO installation, and large CPU tower coolers.
3-sided high airflow mesh exterior panels for optimal internal component cooling.
A removable PSU bracket that can be placed at the front or side of the case in various positions to accommodate different cooling setups.
Optional accessories include a tempered glass side panel and vertical GPU mounting kit.

Key Specifications:

Chassis Type: mATX
Dimensions: (D) 443mm x (W) 194mm x (H) 321.5mm
Material: Steel
Supported Motherboards: mATX/ITX
Expansion Slots: 4
Storage Bays: 2 x Tray / 1 x Floor (2.5”), 1 x Floor (3.5”)
Max GPU Length: 415mm
Max CPU Cooler Height: 165mm
Max PSU Size: ATX/SFX/SFX-L (Max 220mm)
Fan Support: 3 x 120mm / 2 x 140mm(Top) 3 x 120mm / 2 x 140mm (Side) 3 x 120mm / 2 x 140mm (Bottom) 1 x 120mm (Rear)
Pre-installed fans: N/A
Radiator Support: 360mm / 280mm / 240mm (Top, side) 1 x 280mm/ 240mm (Floor)
Dust Filters: 1 x Floor
Front I/O: 2 x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1 x USB Gen 2 Type-C, 2 x 3.5mm Audio

Thermal Testing Performance

In order to evaluate the thermal capacity, we conduct the Cinebench R23 multi-thread benchmark and 3DMark Speed Way stress test concurrently in a loop for 30 minutes to fully load the system. This allows the CPU and GPU to reach a steady-state temperature. By assessing this data, we can compare the case’s ability to manage thermal demands and measure peak noise levels.

Thermal performance is evaluated in various configurations, including default settings, with the tempered glass side panel removed, and with the front panel detached to analyze the impact on CPU and GPU temperatures. Throughout the testing process, stock case fans are utilized unless stated otherwise. Water pumps are set to maximum RPM, and fans are adjusted using a custom RPM curve in the Motherboard software/BIOS.

All temperature readings are displayed as Deltas – meaning the ambient temperature is subtracted from the CPU temperature to provide a Delta value. The data presented in the charts represents the average component temperature during the test period as recorded by HWiNFO, with the final 15 minutes of data used to calculate the average. The ambient temperature during thermal tests ranges between 19-20⁰C.

Test System Overview:

Summary of Thermal Performance

We conducted thermal tests using a 360mm AIO CPU cooler in several case configurations.

The most optimal balance between CPU/GPU temperature and CPU clock frequency is achieved with the mesh side panel and 2 x side fans installed.

We observed that switching to the glass side panel or removing the side fans only led to a marginal 2°C increase in CPU temperature, while the GPU temperature remained stable at 43°C.

Utilizing the AIO fans as intakes to draw in cooler external air slightly lowered the CPU temperature but notably raised the GPU temperature, making this configuration less advisable.

Removing all case panels resulted in lower CPU and GPU temperatures, making the system operate at its quietest since the GPU fans didn’t need to run at high speeds.

When the AIO operates as an intake, leading to higher GPU temperatures, the system is at its loudest due to increased fan speeds.

Overall, the system operates at around 48dBA in all other configurations, which is noticeable but still within acceptable noise levels below 50dBA.

Concluding Impressions

This latest collaboration between Lian Li and Dan Cases exemplifies the ideal mATX form factor. Despite its compact 26-liter size, it accommodates high-end hardware, making it well-suited for a small gaming PC. While mini-ITX setups often entail compromises like limited RAM capacity, cooling challenges, power delivery issues, and constraints on GPU size, the A3-mATX resolves these concerns while maintaining a compact small form factor design.

However, like any case, there are slight drawbacks that should be noted. Due to the case’s size constraints, installing a 360mm radiator or AIO with a motherboard featuring tall VRM heatsinks can be quite tight. In our testing, the MSI MEG B650M Mortar VRM heatsink came into contact with the top-mounted radiator and was extremely close to the EPS power cables, bordering on uncomfortably close. This setup also makes connecting top-mounted components with the radiator in place nearly impossible.

Introducing a removable top panel or top radiator bracket to the case would simplify access and installation. Similarly, a removable floor panel would enhance ease of use, especially when dealing with installing a graphics card with the power supply in place. The case lacks robust cable management features as well.

Nevertheless, despite these minor downsides, the A3-mATX is a commendable case. Its compact size, compatibility with large AIO and air coolers, support for substantial 4-slot GPUs, and ATX power supply inclusion make it an ideal choice for a compact gaming system. Additionally, our testing revealed that CPU and GPU temperatures were comparable to those of larger ATX cases, making the Lian Li A3-mATX a winner on all fronts.