Lian-Li DK-01 Aluminium Desk Chassis Review

Final Thoughts

Pricing

There’s no way of getting past it, the Lian-Li DK-01X is freaking expensive, in fact, the entire DK desk series is expensive, however, that’s not really a bad thing as I think you’ll agree, you get exactly what you pay for. This isn’t a standard chassis, this thing is massive, with extensive amounts of high-quality aluminium, precision engineering, tempered glass and a whole lot more. The only limit here is your own budget, but I couldn’t imagine being able to buy something of this standard for anything less, without sacrificing build quality and materials. The DK-01X can be purchased from Overclockers UK for £734.99 or Newegg for $989.00 (US).

Overview

Where do I even begin with this! It’s incredible, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind about that. I’m sure many of you simply read this review because you want one, despite the fact you’ll likely never buy one. This is to chassis’ as the Bugatti Veyron is to a standard Volkswagen Golf. It’s Lian-Li flexing their chassis building prowess and they’ve done a fantastic job of it.

Build quality is as good as it gets. There’s a lot of very high-quality aluminium here and a lot of work has gone into cutting and drilling it to handle a multitude of high-end hardware. Throughout the entire build process, I didn’t find a single rough edge and every component locked together with laser-like precision. You’re paying for a premium quality product and nothing less than perfect would be acceptable in this price range, fortunate then that Lian-Li have delivered the goods.

Practically speaking, this chassis is a real pain to put together. You’re going to need a lot of work space, the installation is time-consuming and requires a little more care and effort than your typical build. The end results are worth it and while it’s a fantastic show piece for displaying your system, it’s also incredibly practical. I have a desk the same size as this chassis, but I also have a full-tower chassis alongside it. With the DK-01X I would no longer need that floor space for the chassis, and all the power cables and more would be tucked into the back compartment. While it may empty your wallet, the chassis is actually a fantastic space saver, despite its large size.

A lot of care has gone into the design of the DK-01 and while it is big, it’s still very easy to maintain. Sure you’re going to need to get the duster out a little more often to keep that top panel in great condition, but the slide out tray of the main section is an incredible thing to have. Being able to slide it out and get instant access to your graphics card, motherboard, hard drives, or any other component for that matter is fantastic. It makes cleaning the dust filters a lot easier too and the next time you need to swap out a stick of RAM, it could only be easier if you had an open air test bench; just remember to keep the locking key somewhere safe, as it’d be a real shame if you locked yourself out of the chassis. With a hidden compartment at the back to store a multiplug adaptor and any excess cables, as well as a place to mount a monitor stand, this really is an all-in-one solution, with the exception that it doesn’t also come with a chair.

Personally, I like using the glass top for my keyboard and mouse, simply because I have a glass topped desk of my own that’s the same size and height. However, I really do like the option of the keyboard and mouse tray that hangs from the front, but I would have much preferred one that slides out from under the chassis. That keyboard tray, combined with the optional headset mount and tray on the side, makes this a really versatile chassis, with a lot of possible configurations to suit your needs.

Pros

• Exceptional build quality
• Innovative design
• Combine your desk and chassis in a single unit – potential space saver
• Great for showing off your components
• Extensive component compatibility
• Water cooling support
• Slide out dust filters
• Optional keyboard/headset trays
• Rear compartment for storing cables and plugs
• Supports monitor clamps
• Modular hard drive bays
• Seven high-quality fans pre-installed

Cons

• Expensive

“One of the greatest chassis’ I’ve ever seen. It’s a remarkable piece of engineering and design that will quickly leave a hole in your wallet, but it’s certainly a product you wouldn’t regret once it got delivered. A chassis like this demands a high-end build and if you’ve got a build that you really want to show off, this is easily one of the grandest ways you can do that.”

Thank you Lian-Li for providing us with this sample.