Testing Methodology
The testing hardware represents a standard sample of what one might find produced by a major manufacturer: a purpose-built small case utilizing a single 120-mm exhaust fan to cool a micro-ATX based system.
Our hardware configuration consists of the following:
- CPU: AMD 64 X2 5000+ at 2.60 GHz
- Motherboard: Asus M2N61-AX with nForce 430 chipset
- CPU Heatsink: AMD stock heatsink/fan unit
- Memory: 2×1024MB OCZ Gold DDR2 PC-6400
- Graphics Card: nVidia 8600GT 256MB (not available in PC-C36 test)
- Hard Drive(s): Western Digital Caviar SE SATA drive
- Optical Drive(s): Samsung Super Writemaster Lighscribe
System temperatures were measured using SpeedFan 4.35 and the system load was generated by running two instances of Prime95’s In-place large FFTs test for at least 30 minutes. Ambient temperature was maintained at 19C throughout testing.
A single temperature measurement was taken in the reference case at idle and load. These measurements were reproduced in the Lian Li PC-C36 MUSE. Unfortunately, due to our configuration difficulty, testing with the Lian Li was performed with the motherboard’s built-in video chipset, rather than the 8600GT, so a GPU temperature was not taken. Internal system temperature may therefore vary from a true 1-to-1 comparison with the reference case without this typically hot component.
Results
Testing highlighted some of the unique challenges of running a modern system in a desktop or HTPC configuration.
Temperatures at idle
At idle, the Lian Li shows slightly higher temperatures than the reference case, but nothing that appears dangerously high.
Things heat up at full load.
Full system load shows a different story. The reference case gets fairly warm, but the PC-C36’s desktop-style design shows challenges that don’t often occur in a tower case. Both the CPU and the hard drive are significantly warmer than the reference case at load.
Because of the high temperatures at load with our test system, we would recommend building a system specifically for home entertainment use into the PC-C36. AMD, Intel, and nVidia offer a variety of CPU, chipset, and video options that operate with low power requirements and heat signatures.
Conclusion
Lian Li has provided a solid entry into the home theater enclosure market with the PC-C36 MUSE. The enclosure features an attractive design that looks right at home in an entertainment cabinet, and runs almost silently. The MUSE’s few shortcomings can be worked around through careful component selection. Unfortunately, a user who already has a mATX setup in need of a home should be aware of the limitations presented by the case’s riser card configuration and slim cooling provisions.
The PC-C36 is Lian Li’s answer to the home theater PC market, a burgeoning segment that seems under-served by enclosure manufacturers. Lian Li has provided a solid offering that looks fantastic in the home entertainment cabinet and promises solid performance with the right PC components. We are pleased to award this impressive enclosure with Icrontic’s “Stamp of Approval”.
Pros:
- Excellent aesthetics.
- Perfect home theater form factor.
- Lian Li quality.
- Included TFX power supply unit.
- Good interior organization.
- Two back panel options.
- Beautiful silence.
Cons:
- Only one motherboard PCI-E slot configuration compatible with riser card.
- Lack of cooling exhaust leads to some toasty temperatures at full load.
The Lian Li PC-C36 complements our home entertainment setup nicely.
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