The Lian Li Alpha 550W ($179.99) doesn't reach the level of the most ostentatious PC cases out there, but it's up there, and it's definitely made to be seen.
With its white trim, triple-decker RGB fans, and four glass panels (on front, top, and both sides), it straddles the line between a classy modern feel and a laser light show.
It's compatible with a variety of build types and highly configurable, with a special emphasis on storage capacity: The case can host up to eight drives.
We did note some downsides beyond the price—you'll see some empty room if you don't pack extra components in, as well as some finicky parts—but it's a worthwhile foundation for a flashy PC if you're allured by its ready-to-go lighting and extreme interior visibility.
Glass and Lighting...Everywhere
The Alpha 550W is compatible with ATX, Extended ATX (EATX), and MicroATX motherboards, and it comes in either white (our test unit) or black.
At 21.50 by 9.06 by 17.72 inches (HWD), it's on the larger side, and as I'll get to later, that's for better and worse.
You get three front-facing 120mm case fans and one rear 120mm fan, the former trio equipped with customizable RGB LEDs.
These front fans are set behind some crisscrossing plastic bars, as well as a pane of tempered glass.
The same is true of the top panel, but that window doesn't have pre-installed fans beneath it.
A multicolor, glowing LED bar runs across the top of the front face, and you can synchronize it with the fans.
Indeed, given that the Alpha 550W has a built-in controller for the fans and lighting, backed by a bundled remote, a fair portion of this case's cost is going into the built-in lighting.
The fact that it's all wired in for you saves you the frustration and added costs of other towers.
If you don't really want the LEDs, though, this probably isn't the best value for you.
Also note that the fan controller is proprietary and doesn't communicate directly with the motherboard, so you can't use third-party software (such as the semi-standard utilities from the big motherboard makers, Asus Aura Sync and MSI Mystic Light) to sync the lighting with other components.
The Lian Li Bora fans used in the case, when sold separately, do include this functionality, via a different controller.
Both side panels are outfitted with large, slightly tinted tempered-glass windows, easily removable via hand screws for interior access.
Meanwhile, the front and top panels can also be removed, by pulling them off the chassis, though it's not exactly elegant—you really do just yank them away.
Popping them back into place is no more technical, as you just line up the pegs with the holes and push them back in, which takes some trial and error.
On these panels, the glass and the plastic crisscross bars come off with the panel, leaving just included fan filters between you and the fans.
These are a nice touch, as they're easily removable for cleaning.
On the white model, the frame and edges of the case are white with a black interior border, and the inside of the case is also all white.
The black version of the Alpha 550W, on the other hand, is entirely black, not just an inverse of the white color scheme.
It's a sharp, modern look, and once the case fans are fired up, it's pretty eye-catching—I think it looks better in person than in photos online.
As for the lights, you can change the colors with the little included remote, or have it cycle through a variety of effects.
Some of these may be a bit over the top for what you have in mind (the same applies to the mere existence of three LED fans), but there are some classier, tamer options among the settings.
The front panel hides its ports behind a thin, pop-open door across the case's very top.
Behind it are two USB 3.0 ports and a USB Type-C port, as well as audio jacks.
The door is a bit finicky, though—you open it by pressing on a catch, which is located on the extreme right side.
If you absentmindedly push in on the left or middle, the plastic cover sags in, revealing itself to be pretty flimsy.
Once you drill it into your head that the door only pops open with pressure on the right side, it's not a big deal, but it does come off as one of the cheaper aspects of the case.
Lian Li should have put an icon or mark there as an indication of where to push.
Also worth noting: In an unusual design move, there are no drive-activity or power LEDs on this case.
(On the upside, that's two fewer header cables to plug into the motherboard.)
Big, Versatile, and Easy to Work With
At this size, the tower is too spacious for MicroATX—I'm not sure why you'd opt for such a large case with a small board, given the more tailored alternatives out there.
In fact, I used the Alpha 550W for a live PC build, and when I finished, I found that it was even a bit roomy for a full ATX build.
That makes it a pleasure to work in, as we were far from restricted and had space to install components, but there's plenty of open space (especially to the right of the motherboard) when complete.
That said, we also could have added extras like liquid-cooling radiators and pumps (more on that below) that would go a long way toward eating up the extra space.
An EATX build, with such an oversize motherboard, might be the only loadout that truly makes the most use of the space, if you're considering one.
Cordoning off some of the empty room is a large white shroud across the bottom of the case, which covers the power supply.
You have to load the power supply in sideways from the right side of the case (which is the back of the motherboard, if you're having trouble visualizing).
It can vent out the back and pull in air through the bottom, where a third filter keeps dust out of the system.
On top of the shroud is a little black metal stand, onto which you can mount a 2.5-inch drive.
It serves to showcase the drive on a pedestal, though it looks a little lonely out there on its own, and it's difficult to hide the cables running out to it.
While the most visible place to install a drive, it's far from the only location: The Alpha 550W can hold up to eight drives.
In addition to the front mount, two rear vertical plates behind the right panel can hold five 2.5-inch drives, while a couple of trays in the power-supply shroud area serve as bays for two more drives.
(This assembly is removable if you don't need it.) You can also mount 3.5-inch drives in these two bays, and two on one of the vertical plates, if you'd like a combination of drive types.
That's a ton of potential storage, avoiding the issue of the slightly smaller In Win 805($259.99 at Newegg), which has room for only two 3.5-inch drives.
One of these rear plates is located on a foldable arm, under which you can pass cables through from the front and then hide them by folding it back up.
Around front, a metal runner blocks these cables from view, hiding the mess.
Additionally, some Velcro cable straps in this area hold the bundles together, keeping them firmly in place.
Cable management and removing the glass side panels all require no tools, making it easy to install components the first time, or to hop in and make an alteration.
All told, when everything is installed and tucked away, it's a nice-looking rig.
As I noted, there was a bit more spare room for the build I did than I might have liked, but you may have more gear to stuff in.
The components are showcased nicely through the quartet of windows, you can route the cables through more than a few hidey-holes to keep things neat, and the fans are spiffy when fired up.
The Alpha 550W is also very friendly to liquid cooling, thanks to many of these design choices.
The top and front fan arrays support a cooling radiator, depending how you want to set up your system.
The top panel looks closed off, at first glance, because of the glass, but as I explained earlier, you can pull off the whole top for installation, and the filter there is just waiting for fans and a radiator.
For even more advanced cooling setups, the front-facing metal runner I mentioned has four slots in it, through which you can push screws for mounting a cooler pump and reservoir to the right of the motherboard, facing outward and in full view.
You Have to Love the Lights
The Lian Li Alpha 550W isn't the most affordable option if you're looking to keep your build cost down, but it's a nice-looking and versatile tower.
The inclusion of pre-installed RGB fan lighting is a big draw for those who don't want to deal with running wiring and a fan controller (RGB fans can get messy with all their wiring), and the array of bling looks attractive set behind the glass.
The case is on the larger side, but it does leave room to pack it with optional components, even if the essentials look a bit bare on their own.
That said, if you're keen on LEDs, you can find more reserved options, such as the NZXT H500i($149.99 at Amazon), or the more similar In Win 805.
But we're happy with the Lian Li Alpha 550W, and if you can find it discounted off of its $179.99 list price (we saw it for as much as $50 off, in the weeks before this review posted), it's an absolute keeper.
Pros
Dazzling RGB fan lighting.
Classy tempered-glass sides.
Big, removable fan filters.
Easy to work in.
Compatible with ATX, EATX, and MicroATX boards.
View More
Cons
A little too roomy for many builds.
Flimsy door over front ports.
Fan and case lights controllable only via bundled remote, not software.
The Bottom Line
The Lian Li Alpha 550W is a highly versatile and flashy tempered-glass case, though its price, size, and lighting will appeal only to DIY-ers looking for lots of pre-wired bling and space for an expansive build.
The Lian Li Alpha 550W ($179.99) doesn't reach the level of the most ostentatious PC cases out there, but it's up there, and it's definitely made to be seen.
With its white trim, triple-decker RGB fans, and four glass panels (on front, top, and both sides), it straddles the line between a classy modern feel and a laser light show.
It's compatible with a variety of build types and highly configurable, with a special emphasis on storage capacity: The case can host up to eight drives.
We did note some downsides beyond the price—you'll see some empty room if you don't pack extra components in, as well as some finicky parts—but it's a worthwhile foundation for a flashy PC if you're allured by its ready-to-go lighting and extreme interior visibility.
Glass and Lighting...Everywhere
The Alpha 550W is compatible with ATX, Extended ATX (EATX), and MicroATX motherboards, and it comes in either white (our test unit) or black.
At 21.50 by 9.06 by 17.72 inches (HWD), it's on the larger side, and as I'll get to later, that's for better and worse.
You get three front-facing 120mm case fans and one rear 120mm fan, the former trio equipped with customizable RGB LEDs.
These front fans are set behind some crisscrossing plastic bars, as well as a pane of tempered glass.
The same is true of the top panel, but that window doesn't have pre-installed fans beneath it.
A multicolor, glowing LED bar runs across the top of the front face, and you can synchronize it with the fans.
Indeed, given that the Alpha 550W has a built-in controller for the fans and lighting, backed by a bundled remote, a fair portion of this case's cost is going into the built-in lighting.
The fact that it's all wired in for you saves you the frustration and added costs of other towers.
If you don't really want the LEDs, though, this probably isn't the best value for you.
Also note that the fan controller is proprietary and doesn't communicate directly with the motherboard, so you can't use third-party software (such as the semi-standard utilities from the big motherboard makers, Asus Aura Sync and MSI Mystic Light) to sync the lighting with other components.
The Lian Li Bora fans used in the case, when sold separately, do include this functionality, via a different controller.
Both side panels are outfitted with large, slightly tinted tempered-glass windows, easily removable via hand screws for interior access.
Meanwhile, the front and top panels can also be removed, by pulling them off the chassis, though it's not exactly elegant—you really do just yank them away.
Popping them back into place is no more technical, as you just line up the pegs with the holes and push them back in, which takes some trial and error.
On these panels, the glass and the plastic crisscross bars come off with the panel, leaving just included fan filters between you and the fans.
These are a nice touch, as they're easily removable for cleaning.
On the white model, the frame and edges of the case are white with a black interior border, and the inside of the case is also all white.
The black version of the Alpha 550W, on the other hand, is entirely black, not just an inverse of the white color scheme.
It's a sharp, modern look, and once the case fans are fired up, it's pretty eye-catching—I think it looks better in person than in photos online.
As for the lights, you can change the colors with the little included remote, or have it cycle through a variety of effects.
Some of these may be a bit over the top for what you have in mind (the same applies to the mere existence of three LED fans), but there are some classier, tamer options among the settings.
The front panel hides its ports behind a thin, pop-open door across the case's very top.
Behind it are two USB 3.0 ports and a USB Type-C port, as well as audio jacks.
The door is a bit finicky, though—you open it by pressing on a catch, which is located on the extreme right side.
If you absentmindedly push in on the left or middle, the plastic cover sags in, revealing itself to be pretty flimsy.
Once you drill it into your head that the door only pops open with pressure on the right side, it's not a big deal, but it does come off as one of the cheaper aspects of the case.
Lian Li should have put an icon or mark there as an indication of where to push.
Also worth noting: In an unusual design move, there are no drive-activity or power LEDs on this case.
(On the upside, that's two fewer header cables to plug into the motherboard.)
Big, Versatile, and Easy to Work With
At this size, the tower is too spacious for MicroATX—I'm not sure why you'd opt for such a large case with a small board, given the more tailored alternatives out there.
In fact, I used the Alpha 550W for a live PC build, and when I finished, I found that it was even a bit roomy for a full ATX build.
That makes it a pleasure to work in, as we were far from restricted and had space to install components, but there's plenty of open space (especially to the right of the motherboard) when complete.
That said, we also could have added extras like liquid-cooling radiators and pumps (more on that below) that would go a long way toward eating up the extra space.
An EATX build, with such an oversize motherboard, might be the only loadout that truly makes the most use of the space, if you're considering one.
Cordoning off some of the empty room is a large white shroud across the bottom of the case, which covers the power supply.
You have to load the power supply in sideways from the right side of the case (which is the back of the motherboard, if you're having trouble visualizing).
It can vent out the back and pull in air through the bottom, where a third filter keeps dust out of the system.
On top of the shroud is a little black metal stand, onto which you can mount a 2.5-inch drive.
It serves to showcase the drive on a pedestal, though it looks a little lonely out there on its own, and it's difficult to hide the cables running out to it.
While the most visible place to install a drive, it's far from the only location: The Alpha 550W can hold up to eight drives.
In addition to the front mount, two rear vertical plates behind the right panel can hold five 2.5-inch drives, while a couple of trays in the power-supply shroud area serve as bays for two more drives.
(This assembly is removable if you don't need it.) You can also mount 3.5-inch drives in these two bays, and two on one of the vertical plates, if you'd like a combination of drive types.
That's a ton of potential storage, avoiding the issue of the slightly smaller In Win 805($259.99 at Newegg), which has room for only two 3.5-inch drives.
One of these rear plates is located on a foldable arm, under which you can pass cables through from the front and then hide them by folding it back up.
Around front, a metal runner blocks these cables from view, hiding the mess.
Additionally, some Velcro cable straps in this area hold the bundles together, keeping them firmly in place.
Cable management and removing the glass side panels all require no tools, making it easy to install components the first time, or to hop in and make an alteration.
All told, when everything is installed and tucked away, it's a nice-looking rig.
As I noted, there was a bit more spare room for the build I did than I might have liked, but you may have more gear to stuff in.
The components are showcased nicely through the quartet of windows, you can route the cables through more than a few hidey-holes to keep things neat, and the fans are spiffy when fired up.
The Alpha 550W is also very friendly to liquid cooling, thanks to many of these design choices.
The top and front fan arrays support a cooling radiator, depending how you want to set up your system.
The top panel looks closed off, at first glance, because of the glass, but as I explained earlier, you can pull off the whole top for installation, and the filter there is just waiting for fans and a radiator.
For even more advanced cooling setups, the front-facing metal runner I mentioned has four slots in it, through which you can push screws for mounting a cooler pump and reservoir to the right of the motherboard, facing outward and in full view.
You Have to Love the Lights
The Lian Li Alpha 550W isn't the most affordable option if you're looking to keep your build cost down, but it's a nice-looking and versatile tower.
The inclusion of pre-installed RGB fan lighting is a big draw for those who don't want to deal with running wiring and a fan controller (RGB fans can get messy with all their wiring), and the array of bling looks attractive set behind the glass.
The case is on the larger side, but it does leave room to pack it with optional components, even if the essentials look a bit bare on their own.
That said, if you're keen on LEDs, you can find more reserved options, such as the NZXT H500i($149.99 at Amazon), or the more similar In Win 805.
But we're happy with the Lian Li Alpha 550W, and if you can find it discounted off of its $179.99 list price (we saw it for as much as $50 off, in the weeks before this review posted), it's an absolute keeper.
Pros
Dazzling RGB fan lighting.
Classy tempered-glass sides.
Big, removable fan filters.
Easy to work in.
Compatible with ATX, EATX, and MicroATX boards.
View More
Cons
A little too roomy for many builds.
Flimsy door over front ports.
Fan and case lights controllable only via bundled remote, not software.
The Bottom Line
The Lian Li Alpha 550W is a highly versatile and flashy tempered-glass case, though its price, size, and lighting will appeal only to DIY-ers looking for lots of pre-wired bling and space for an expansive build.
