PC case
EUR94,96
Lian-Li DAN Cases A3-mATX Wood Edition PC-Gehäuse, Micro-ATX - Buche, weiss
mATX, Mini-ITX
Why I prefer a budget case over a premium model
25-5-2026
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Pictures: Kevin Hofer
A little over a year ago, I built my PC inside a Nano Q from Thor Zone. And yet, this expensive case has already finished its run, and I’ve switched to the slightly larger Lian-Li Dan Cases A3 mATX. Read on to find out why.
What a thrill! An exterior made from one whole piece of aluminium, the option to finish the front with walnut wood, all while promising a superb building experience. These promises by the Nano Q from Thor Zone convinced me to buy it and upgrade my PC in the spring of 2025. The case would be able to house my components for many years to come. However, the excitement didn’t last long.
A few weeks ago, during my second playthrough of Split Fiction, the screen suddenly went black. After a bit of troubleshooting, I realised the CPU and power supply were defective. When I opened up the case to repair them, I was in for another letdown: the riser cable connecting the GPU to my motherboard was frayed. What the heck happened?
Goodbye, Nano Q
The Nano Q has a quirky peculiarity: to access components, I have to pull the cover off the metal frame and slip it back on during assembly. Sort of like this:
Friction against the riser cable caused it to fray. And since the cable touches the metal housing, there’s a risk of a short circuit. This probably didn’t cause the current malfunction, but since I’m replacing components anyway, I’ll play it safe. After a mere 14 months, I’m retiring the Nano Q due to this problem. But what to do with my PC parts?
Hello, Dan Cases A3 mATX
Luckily, I didn’t have to look very far. Even before buying the Nano Q, I had my eye on the Lian-Li Dan Cases A3 mATX. The dimensions are similar, but as an mATX case, the Dan Case is slightly larger. The Nano Q supports only Mini-ITX motherboards. Both feature wood on the front, something I value a lot. And while the A3 may not look quite as sleek as the Nano Q, it’s less than a quarter of the price. Above all, it prioritises function over form.
Build experience: in a league of its own
My biggest complaint regarding the Nano Q was its annoying assembly and poor instructions. But the A3 mATX is different. Its instructions are clear and almost everything fits into place. I can take the case apart down to the bare frame and install everything with ease – whether it’s a large graphics card, an AIO, air cooling or an mATX or Mini-ITX motherboard. The case also offers solid cable management: I combine cables using special clips, and there are extra ones included. Thanks to this, I install all my components in under 30 minutes.
There are two downsides, though: the radiator on my Arctic Liquid Freezer III 240 is very thick. As a result, just like with the Nano Q, I have to use thinner fans. And yet, the AIO still blocks the top motherboard connectors for fans and CPU power. I have to connect them before installation. In addition, the included cable from my power supply to the CPU power connector isn’t long enough. I run it right across the case – luckily there isn’t a glass side panel, otherwise the mere sight would bother me.
Other advantages: front-panel ports
The Nano Q doesn’t have any front-panel ports, so I had to use a USB hub. It did provide easily accessible ports, but it took up space on my desk.
The A3 mATX solves this problem: it features two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port and even audio jacks on the front panel. Even though the Dan Cases model is larger than the Thor Zone, I don’t run out of space – on the contrary, since there’s one less device on my desk, it actually looks tidier.
The downside: gaps galore
The A3 mATX is generally well built. All the panels fit flush, the screw holes are perfectly aligned and the wooden front has a high-quality feel. However, there are small gaps between the panels. More to the point, this case just looks like a mere PC case. With its curves and seamless shell, the Nano Q remains a real eye-catcher. It feels like I’ve switched from a sleek race car to a family sedan.
Following the Nano Q debacle, I return to function over form
The Lian-Li Dan Cases A3 mATX has been at home on my desk for two weeks now. I don’t regret the change. Its slightly larger size doesn’t bother me, even though I’m a fan of Mini-ITX models. The smooth assembly experience makes up for this, and thanks to front ports, I have just as much space as before.
With the Nano Q, I dreaded every bit of tinkering. But with the A3, I know it’s no big deal. I really like my new case and would recommend it to anyone looking for a compact model that isn’t too small.
Kevin Hofer
Senior Editor
kevin.hofer@digitecgalaxus.chFrom big data to big brother, Cyborgs to Sci-Fi. All aspects of technology and society fascinate me.
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