The Lian Li PC-Q36 is a mini-tower chassis built for Mini-ITX motherboards, with a two-compartment layout. It is a case, not a complete computer, so it does not ship with a processor, memory or storage. The closest Thinvent alternative is the Thinvent Treo Mini PC, which is a complete, ready-to-use system with a processor, RAM, SSD and operating system included.
Lian Li PC-Q36 vs Thinvent Treo Mini PC
| Lian Li PC-Q36 | Thinvent Treo Mini PC, Intel Core Ultra 5 125U | Thinvent Treo Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 5 7430U | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Mini-tower chassis | Complete mini PC | Complete mini PC |
| Processor | Not included | Intel Core Ultra 5 125U (12 cores, up to 4.3 GHz) | AMD Ryzen 5 7430U (6 cores, up to 4.3 GHz) |
| RAM | Not included | Up to 32 GB DDR5 (this configuration) | Up to 64 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | Not included | Up to 2 TB SSD | Up to 2 TB SSD |
| Form Factor | Mini-ITX tower | Mini PC, 199.5 × 181.5 × 29.5 mm | Mini PC, 199.5 × 181.5 × 29.5 mm |
| Operating System | Not included | Windows 11 Pro (other options available) | Windows 11 Pro (other options available) |
| Dimensions | 246 × 324 × 320 mm | 199.5 × 181.5 × 29.5 mm | 199.5 × 181.5 × 29.5 mm |
Thinvent product links:
Key differences
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The Lian Li PC-Q36 is an empty chassis. The Thinvent Treo Mini PC is a complete system with a processor, RAM, SSD and operating system.
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The Thinvent Treo Mini PC has up to 2 TB of SSD storage in every listed configuration.
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The Thinvent Treo Mini PC with AMD Ryzen 5 7430U supports up to 64 GB of RAM.
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The Thinvent Treo Mini PC is far smaller at 199.5 × 181.5 × 29.5 mm, compared with the PC-Q36's 246 × 324 × 320 mm.
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The PC-Q36 has more room for a custom build, including support for a 300 mm graphics card and a 240 mm radiator, which the Treo Mini PC does not offer because it is a fixed-configuration mini PC.
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The Treo Mini PC has a VESA mount for wall or monitor mounting; we could not confirm the PC-Q36's mounting options.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Lian Li PC-Q36 if you plan to build a custom PC from separate parts and need space for a full-length graphics card. Choose the Thinvent Treo Mini PC if you want a compact, ready-to-run computer with a processor, memory, SSD and operating system already fitted.
