When building a new gaming PC, your chosen case will mostly determine the overall aesthetics. A PC case is also responsible for housing and cooling those expensive components. Thanks to manufacturers championing airflow and performance over the years, there has never been a better time to find the best PC case for your build. You just have to decide if you are building a standard ATX system, mATX, or mini-ITX form factor first.
Modern mid-towers can accommodate almost every component – so there are far fewer compatibility issues to worry about these days. That being said, you should always double-check the PC cases specifications to ensure that it supports your chosen motherboard size, fan configuration, radiator support, and your GPU has the clearance it needs.
Best PC Case: Lian Li O11 Vision
Lian Li O11 Vision
- Type: Mid-Tower
- Motherboard Support: E-ATX (Under 280mm)/ATX/Micro-ATX/Mini-ITX
- Dimensions: (D) 480mm x ( W ) 304mm x (H) 464.5mm
- Fan support: Side: 3 x 120mm / 2 x 140mm Bottom: 3 x 120mm / 3 x 140mm Rear:1 or 2 x 120mm
Best mid-tower PC Case: Corsair 5000D Airflow
Corsair 5000D Airflow
- Type: Mid tower
- Motherboard Support: ATX / mATX / Mini ITX
- Dimensions (LxWxH): 520mm x 245mm x 520mm
- Included Fans: 2 x 120mm AirGuide
- Excellent performance
- Premium build-quality
- Stylish design
- Logical internal layout
- Spacious
- 5000X tempered glass version is aesthetically nicer, however, airflow is reduced
Best full-tower PC Case: Corsair 7000D Airflow
Corsair 7000D Airflow
- Type: Full-tower
- Motherboard Support: E-ATX, ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX
- Dimensions: 600mm x 550mm x 248mm
- Included Fans: 3 x Corsair 140mm AirGuide fans
- Materials: Steel, Tempered Glass, Plastic
- Expansion Slots: 8+3 Vertical
- Maximum GPU length: 450 mm
- Case Drive Bays: 6x 3.5in & 4x 2.5in
- Radiator Compatibility: 120mm, 140mm, 240mm, 280mm, 360mm, 420mm, 480mm
Best budget PC case: Montech AIR 903 MAX
Montech AIR 903 MAX
- Type: Mid tower
- Motherboard Support: E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
- Dimensions (L*W*H): 478*230*493 (mm)
- Included Fans: Front: 3 x 140mm / Rear: 1 x 140mm
Best mini-ITX PC case: Cooler Master NR200P V2
Cooler Master NR200P V2
- Type: Mini-ITX
- Motherboard Support: Mini ITX (Max size: 170x180mm)
- Dimensions: 372 x 185 x 292mm
- Included fans: 1x 120mm
Best Super-tower PC Case: Corsair Obsidian 1000D
Corsair Obsidian 1000D
- Type: Super tower
- Motherboard Support: E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, SSI EEB
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 695.96 x 307.34 x 693.42mm
- Included Fans: 4 included, supports 13 total
Best dual-chambered PC case: HYTE Y70 Touch
HYTE Y70 Touch
- Type: Mid-tower
- Motherboard Support: ITX, mATX, ATX, EATXf
- Dimensions: 470 x 320 x 470 mm
- Included fans
Best open-air PC case: Cooler Master MasterFrame 700
Cooler Master MasterFrame 700
- Type: Open-air frame/ test bench
- Motherboard support: Mini-ITX, mATX, ATX, E-ATX, SSI-EEB
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 702 x 306 x 410mm
- Included fans: N/A
Honorable PC Case mentions
There is seemingly an endless list of great PC cases to choose from, below we will showcase a few of those that could easily slot into this list.
- ASUS AP201:
- Phanteks NV5/ NV7:
- Corsair 4000-series:
- Antec Performance 1 FT:
- Thermaltake CTE C750:
- Fractal Design TERRA:
The best PC cases have good airflow
Aside from a few specific use cases such as watercooling, the best PC case is often the best airflow PC Case. Airflow is one of the most crucial factors in a good case – giving your system as much fresh air as possible. The case usually works in tandem with case fans, sufficiently cooling the ambient temperature of the internals.
Our CPUs and GPUs feature cooler and heat sinks but we want as much cool air going to these components as possible. You are going to want to avoid cases with completely closed fronts in favor of mesh panels and fan/ radiator support. Sufficient airflow will keep your components happy and performing as expected – which is all we want.
You may think well why not just opt for an open-air case? Well, you are right unthinking that the open nature provides the components with an unrestricted airflow. The issue is that you don’t need unrestricted airflow and the downside of dust build-up and limited component protection means a standard PC case is the recommended way to go.
PC case sizes explained (ATX, mATX, mITX)
PCs come in all shapes and sizes and this is down to something called “form factor”. Certain components, like a PC case, come in various form factors to satisfy the needs of everyday consumers. When it comes to PC cases, you will find the larger models support almost everything but as you get smaller, support becomes limited.
Form factors at a glance:
- SFF: This form factor is one of the smallest, often featuring a mini-ITX motherboard and SFF PSU. Smaller than this would be custom PCBs such as Raspberry Pi.
- Mini-Tower: Similar to the above, however, you will find a bit more room for airflow and building.
- Micro-Tower: mATX or Micro ATX motherboards will fit inside these cases. These are smaller than a full-size PC and tend to support mini-ITX too.
- Mid-Tower: This is the most common PC case size, favored for its practicality and performance. These can support ATX and larger motherboards, all the way down to mini-ITX.
- Full-Tower/ Super-Tower: Giant towers that can fit any motherboard and system configuration. These are ideal for dual systems or elaborate custom loops.
The easiest form factors to build in are the bigger ones, with mid-tower taking the biscuit. Full-towers are also pretty easy to build in but their sheer mass makes them slightly less convenient than a mid-tower. As you dive into the SFF / mini-ITX PC cases things start to get a bit tricky, with limited space and cable management options.