Lian Li PC-Q38 Mini-ITX Chassis Review

A Closer Look – Exterior

First impressions of this chassis are very promising. The black brushed aluminium just looks fantastic, although there is a silver version available too. The huge window shows off the whole interior, so you better step up your cable routing game, as it’ll be all on show.

You’ll not find any screws here either, as the panel uses a push-peg mounting system to keep things looking clean, while also being practical. I love that Lian Li decal on the interior too, a cool way to introduce the branding while keeping the exterior clean.

The top panel is tool-free too. It can be pulled off in seconds, allowing you easy access to the fan and radiator mounts. It’s got plenty of ventilation and the pattern design looks much smarter than most chassis.

The front panel certainly makes a nice statement, it’s very classy and understated. There are four chromed feet on the base, making it perfect to place on your desktop. However, they are removable should you want it flat to the ground. The chrome trim on the front of the chassis matches up to the feet too.

Down the right side, you’ll find even more ventilation. This one is important too, as the PSU is mounted up front.

The PSU is fed by an interior cable, running from the back of the chassis. There’s more ventilation here too, and even a SSD mount right on the back; making good use of all the space is no bad thing.

As I said, there’s loads of ventilation on this chassis, with the whole base allowing for good airflow. With a small chassis, heat can build up quickly, so it’s good to see that’s not going to be an issue here.