Corsair 4000X & 4000D Review: An Excellent 450D Successor
Tom’s Hardware Verdict
Corsair’s Obsidian 4000 series offers pretty, minimalist design at a decent price, with everything you need for the vast majority of ATX builds. You might want to get in line, because Corsair is going to sell a lot of these.
Pros
- +
Clean aesthetics and refined interior
- +
Good enough thermal performance on the 4000X RGB
- +
Mesh option for performance enthusiasts or budget builders
- +
RGB variant includes iCUE hub.
- +
Relatively quiet
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When I pulled Corsair’s 4000X out of its box, the first thought that went through my mind is “Is this a 350D?”
The new Corsair Obsidian 4000 series cases look remarkably like 350D and 450D siblings from 6 to 7 years ago, and that’s a good thing. Sometimes I like taking a step into the past, and these were hugely popular cases at the time. I know lots of people that had them – for good reason. Of course, by today’s standards they’re outdated (and end of life), so it’s nice to see Corsair drop what seems to be a series of successors.
The new 4000 series come in three flavors: RGB (4000X), airflow (4000D Airflow), and sleek and silent (4000D). We have the airflow and RGB variants on the test bench today, and it’s time to see if they’ll make it onto our best PC cases lists. Pricing is set at $80 for the airflow variant and $120 for the RGB case, so they’re competing in a busy part of the market.
Let’s see if Corsair has what it takes.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Specifications
| Type | Mid Tower ATX |
|---|---|
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 18.3 x 9.06 x 17.8 inches (466 x 230 x 453 mm) |
| Max GPU Length | 14.2 inches (360 mm) |
| CPU Cooler Height | 6.7 inches (170 mm) |
| Weight | 12.2 pounds (7.8 kg) |
| External Bays | ✗ |
| Internal Bays | 2x 3.5-inch, 2x 2.5-inch |
| Expansion Slots | 7x + 2 vertical |
| Front I/O | 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB-C, 3.5 mm Audio/Mic Combo |
| Other | Tempered Glass Panel, RGB (only on 4000X RGB) |
| Front Fans | 3x 120mm RGB (Up to 2x 140mm, 3x 120mm) |
| Rear Fans | None (Up to 1x 120mm) |
| Top Fans | None (Up to 2x 120mm, 2x 140mm) |
| Bottom Fans | None |
| Side Fans | None |
| RGB | Optional on 4000X RGB |
| Damping | No |
| Warranty | 2 Years Limited |
Features
- Corsair 4000X (Black) at Amazon for $144.
99
The 4000X RGB comes with three fans behind a tempered glass panel at the front of the chassis. The 4000D will come with two non-RGB fans, with the front either covered with a solid metal slab or a meshed front panel on the 4000D Airflow. Other than those differences, the cases are all identical to one another. So for this review we’ll be focusing on the 4000X – but don’t worry, we’ll provide testing data on the 4000D Airflow, too.
Image 1 of 3
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
Circling around the case, it’s clear what Corsair’s design philosophy was with the 4000 series: simple, clean, and minimalist. There are a few design touches here and there, but they’re all well-executed and not obtrusive. Corsair’s new yellow accent color and sleeker branding also complements this design quite well.
Both the side panels come loose with two thumbscrews at the rear, pop out of pegs at the rear, and then swing outwards, briefly hinging at the front before they drop out.
This is actually quite a nice method, and I prefer it over the usual sliding mechanism – especially on the cable management side as it alleviates the usual issue with jamming the side panel into place against a mountain of cables.
Image 1 of 5
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The materials here overall aren’t stunning, but they don’t need to be at this price point. The paint job is quite good though, free of weird defects or bubbling, and with a nice fine top mesh and tempered glass (which you can’t really get wrong unless you over or under-tint), the 4000X and 4000D have a nice premium look and feel to them. On the topic of the glass tint, it’s quite dark, but that’s alright. This case is aimed at more budget-oriented builds that often end up with visually mismatched hardware, where a dark tint helps blend it all together while still giving that luxury glass look (not that anything is stopping you from packing it full of expensive gear).
Just note: anything that isn’t RGB, you’re unlikely to see once you put the panel on.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The IO resides at the top of the chassis, and though I like the clean appearance of minimal connectivity, I prefer having ample ports. A single USB 3.0 port next to a Type-C port, with a mic/headphone combo jack works, but you’ll find yourself reaching around the rear of the system often for additional USB ports.
Internal Layout
Image 1 of 7
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
On the inside, the 4000 series cases feature a commonly found compact ATX layout. At the bottom is a PSU shroud that hides the lower clutter, where you’ll be able to fit large power supplies and up to two hard drives. Behind the motherboard tray are two 2.5-inch caddies, which you can move to the top of the PSU shroud if you want to show off your SSDs.
In the main compartment there’s room for up to ATX size motherboards and the biggest of graphics cards. And though you can opt to vertical-mount your GPU, we would avoid this option as the two vertical slots are quite close to the side panel, so the looks will cost you in thermals — and you likely won’t see much anyway through the dark tint. A cable cover is present to ensure you can’t peek into the rear of the chassis and see the mess back there.
Cooling
As mentioned up top, the 4000X RGB comes with three 120mm RGB PWM spinners at the front, which are wired to an RGB control hub at the rear of the chassis. The PWM cables you’ll have to route to your motherboard or another controller – the hub in the rear of the chassis only handles the RGB. You won’t find this hub in the standard 4000D and 4000D airflow. The three fans are connected to it, with room for another three.
(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The 4000D and 4000D Airflow come with two voltage-controlled 120mm fans without RGB.
If you want to, you can choose to mount a 360mm AIO at the front of the case, though be wary of thick radiators, as the PSU shroud cutout won’t accommodate these. The top of the chassis has more room in that respect, though you’re limited to 280mm AIOs here. But be careful you’re not bumping into your motherboard’s VRM heatsink or memory – stick to a 240mm AIO if you want the safe option.
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(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)
The front of the case has a fine mesh filter behind the front panel, and a filter is also included for over the PSU intake. The power supply intake grill is oddly narrow, though I doubt it’ll suffocate the PSU much as most are quite efficient these days, anyway. So long as you don’t drop your system on thick shag carpeting, the PSU should still get plenty of air.
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Niels Broekhuijsen is a Contributing Writer for Tom’s Hardware US.
He reviews cases, water cooling and pc builds.
The 5 Best Airflow PC Cases in 2022 – Voltcave
PC Cases
Written by Azzief Khaliq
Last updated May 31, 2022
Affiliate Disclosure: When you purchase products through our links, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Keeping components cool is a huge part of building a good computer. Lower temperatures generally mean longer component lifespans and sometimes even better performance. The best way to keep temperatures low is to have good airflow, and that’s why you want to build a rig in one of the best airflow PC cases.
PC cases with good airflow are relatively common now, so picking out the best ones is a bit harder than it was before. To help you with that, we’ve picked out five of the best airflow cases available, from budget mid-towers to high-end full-towers, that will keep those CPUs and GPUs cool. Let’s get started.
Our Picks for Best Airflow PC Case
1.
Lian Li Lancool II Mesh
Best Mid-Tower Airflow PC Case
Lian Li Lancool II Mesh PC Case
$123.99
View on Amazon
View on Newegg
10/14/2022 12:06 am GMT
| Measurements (H x W x L) | 19.44 x 9.01 x 18.81 inches |
| Motherboard Support | E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX |
| PSU Support | ATX |
| Maximum GPU Length | 15.11 inches |
| Maximum CPU Cooler Height | 6.92 inches |
| Expansion Slots | Seven |
| Fan Mounts | • 3x 120 mm or 2x 140 mm (front) • 2x 120/140 mm (top) • 2x 120 mm (PSU shroud) • 1x 120 mm (rear) |
| Radiator Support | • Up to 360 mm (front) • 240 mm (top) |
| Drive Mounts | • 3x 3. 5”/2.5” drives• 6x 2.5” drives |
| I/O Ports | • 1x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C • 2x USB 3.0 • Audio In/Out |
Lian Li knows how to make cases, and the Lancool II Mesh proves it. It’s not flashy, but it offers some of the best stock cooling performance from a mid-tower PC case, and at a reasonable price too. This makes it a no-brainer if you’re looking for the best PC case for airflow in this form factor.
The Lancool II Mesh follows the standard template most airflow cases use. It has a free-flowing front mesh panel and an unrestrictive interior layout without any drive cages or other metal getting in the way. These are the basics of any airflow case, and the Lancool II Mesh gets it right.
Unlike some more affordable cases, the Lian Li Lancool II Mesh comes fully equipped from the factory with two 140 mm intake fans and a single 120 mm exhaust. So you get great temperatures out of the box. How great? Just look at the numbers:
Souce: Tom’s Hardware
65.
5 degrees Celsius in total on an Intel Core i9-9900K running at 4.6 GHz is impressive, as is 57.5 degrees on a stock RTX 2070 Super. This puts the Lancool II Mesh on par with the pricier Phanteks P500A, making it the better overall deal. The P500A is a great case and has its advantages, but the Lancool II Mesh is its equal as far as cooling goes.
In addition to cooling performance, there are a few small touches to the Lancool II Mesh that we really like. Firstly, the front intake fans (or radiator) mount to a “multi-way bracket” that lets you shift your fan and radiator position slightly to suit your cooling hardware.
For example, you can move your fans closer to the motherboard for air-cooled setups or push the bracket out to accommodate thicker radiators. This gives the Lancool II Mesh extra flexibility for changing hardware setups. It’s the same story with the drive cage: it’s on rails so that it’s easy to move it forward and backward to accommodate differently-sized PSUs.
Source: Lian Li
We also like that the Lancool II Mesh has a hinged tempered glass side panel on both sides of the case. This would usually be a visual nightmare, as many of us do botched cable management jobs behind the motherboard tray. But the Lancool II Mesh sidesteps this issue by having metal cover plates that help hide the cable mess, so you get the best of both worlds.
Overall, the Lian Li Lancool II Mesh is a great total package of price and performance. We don’t think it’s the most aesthetically-impressive case you can buy, but the value and great building experience make up for its minor flaws. It’s likely the best airflow PC case for most users.
And if you really can’t get over how boring it looks, you can always get the RGB version for a bit more bling.
2. Phanteks P500A Digital
Best Premium Mid-Tower Airflow PC Case
Phanteks P500A Digital PC Case
$159.99
View on Amazon
10/13/2022 08:14 pm GMT Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mid Tower PC Case
$79.99
View on Amazon
View on Newegg
10/13/2022 08:39 pm GMT
| Measurements (H x W x L) | 17.91 x 7.87 x 15.75 inches |
| Motherboard Support | E-ATX (10.8 inches max) ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX |
| PSU Support | ATX |
| Maximum GPU Length | 13. |
| Maximum CPU Cooler Height | 6.49 inches |
| Expansion Slots | Seven |
| Fan Mounts | • 2x 120 mm / 2x 140 mm (front) • 1x 120 / 140 mm (top) • 1x 120 mm (rear) |
| Radiator Support | • Up to 240 / 280 mm (front) • 120 mm (rear) |
| Drive Mounts | • 2x 3.5” / 2.5” drives • 2x 2.5” drives |
| I/O Ports | • 2x USB 3.0 • Audio In/Out |
Phanteks’ P300A is one of the few readily-available airflow cases that comes in well under the $100 mark. Of course, the company has cut some corners to hit this price bracket. Still, they’ve retained the core design features that make its higher-end cases such airflow monsters.
Despite the huge price gap between the P300A and the higher-end Phanteks products (like the P500A) above, you still get the same front mesh panel here. It’s identical to that on the pricier models, so it still boasts a perfect balance between airflow and dust protection.
The open internal layout also helps keep your components cool by limiting airflow obstructions. So the basics of a good airflow case are present and accounted for. There is one issue, though: Phanteks’ cost-cutting involves shipping the P300A with only a single intake fan.
Source: Gamers Nexus
This limited fan setup means that the P300A has relatively high temperatures by default. Gamers Nexus’s 3DMark testing resulted in 34.5 and 56.4-degree Celsius deltas on the CPU and GPU, which isn’t particularly great for airflow cases.
However, since the P300A’s basic design is sound, bringing temperatures down is as simple as adding a few extra case fans. Of course, you’ll only want budget fans to keep the cost down, but even those should do the trick, given the airflow-friendly design. You can check out our best 120 mm fans list for some value and budget options that’ll work perfectly in the P300A.
Source: Phanteks
Overall, the Phanteks P300A is a solid choice if you want a good airflow PC case for less than $100. You will need to budget for at least an extra 120 mm fan, but the small additional cost will be worth it for great cooling at a great price.
4. Fractal Design Torrent
Best Full-Tower Airflow PC Case
| Measurements (H x W x L) | 20.87 x 9.53 x 21.42 inches |
| Motherboard Support | E-ATX, ATX, SSI-EEB, SSI-CEB, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX |
| PSU Support | ATX |
| Maximum GPU Length | 16.65 (with front fan) / 18.15 inches (without front fan) |
| Maximum CPU Cooler Height | 7.40 inches |
| Expansion Slots | Seven |
| Fan Mounts | • 3x 120/140 mm or 2x 180 mm (front) • 3x 120/140 mm or 2x 180 mm (bottom) • 1x 120/140 mm (rear) |
| Radiator Support | • Up to 360/420 mm (front) • Up to 360/420 mm (bottom) • 120/140 mm (rear) |
| Drive Mounts | • 2x 3. 5” drives• 4x 2.5” drives |
| I/O Ports | • 1x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C • 2x USB 3.0 • Audio In/Out |
Fractal Design’s Torrent is the company’s biggest departure yet. While the company’s known for its silence-focused cases, the Torrent is an out-and-out airflow full tower with a unique internal layout and impressive default fan setup.
The fan setup is arguably the Torrent’s star attraction. It comes with two 180 mm intakes and three 140 mm bottom intakes by default, which goes some way to justifying its price. Bottom fans usually don’t work that well in a PC case, but they’re perfect here because the Torrent has a top-mounted PSU.
Moving the PSU to the top makes room for three intakes and eliminates the cable clutter that usually impedes airflow performance. It also means the Torrent doesn’t need a PSU shroud, which ensures that the front fans can push all of their air to your heat-generating components.
What you get, then, are some of the best stock temps you’ll find in a case:
Source: Gamers Nexus
An 18-degree Celsius delta on a 4.4 GHz overclocked Intel i7-6700K is particularly impressive. The Torrent’s 47.0-degree delta for the MSI GTX 1080 Gaming X is excellent, too. Combine both, and you get some of the best overall thermal performance you can get in any case, regardless of the form factor.
However, that performance doesn’t come cheap. The Torrent will set you back more than $200, making it one of the pricier cases you can buy in 2022. And it’s not like the Torrent is perfect, either: there’s more plastic than usual for a Fractal Design case, and its storage drive setup is relatively limited for a full-tower case. Two 3.5” drives are nothing compared to the six 3.5” drives that some rivals can accommodate.
Source: Fractal Design
All in all, though, those are minor complaints. Neither detracts from the fact that the Fractal Design Torrent is a stunning airflow case capable of cooling any PC hardware you throw at it.
If airflow is your main priority and you don’t mind the cost, this is the full-tower case to get.
The Fractal Design Torrent is available in black and white, with various tempered glass tint options. Fractal also has an even pricier RGB version available, which swaps the default fans for their RGB equivalents.
5. SSUPD Meshlicious
Best Mini-ITX Airflow PC Case
SSUPD Meshlicious PC Case
$99.99
View on Amazon
10/14/2022 12:08 am GMT
| Measurements (H x W x L) | 14.1 x 6.55 x 9.64 inches |
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX |
| PSU Support | ATX, SFX-L, SFX |
| Maximum GPU Length | 13.22 inches (four-slot mode) / 13.1 inches (three-slot mode) |
| Maximum CPU Cooler Height | 2. 08 inches (four-slot mode) / 2.87 inches (three-slot mode) |
| Expansion Slots | Three |
| Fan Mounts | 2x 120/140 mm (front) |
| Radiator Support | Up to 240/280 mm (front) |
| Drive Mounts | Full-length GPU and ATX PSU: • 2x 2.5” drives Full-length GPU and SFX PSU: SFF GPU and SFX CPU: |
| I/O Ports | • 1x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C • 1x USB 3.0 |
SSUPD may have an odd name, but there’s nothing odd about the company’s Meshlicious case. As the name suggests, it’s a mesh-centric Mini-ITX case designed for optimal cooling in a small form factor, with some impressive component compatibility to boot.
The SSUPD Meshlicious’ highlight is definitely the airflow-focused design. Mini-ITX cases are generally cramped and not great for airflow, but SSUPD sidesteps this by going with mesh for almost every panel.
SSUPD sells the Meshlicious with two mesh panels or a one-mesh, one-glass setup. Unfortunately, most reviews are of the latter setup, which doesn’t show the case’s full potential. But the numbers should give you a good idea of what you can expect with two mesh panels.
Source: TechPowerUp
TechPowerUp stuffed an Intel Core i5-9600K and a Zotac RTX 3060 Ti Twin Edge OC into the Meshlicious and tested it with the mesh panel on either side. Placing the mesh panel on the CPU side led to a 55.4 degrees Celsius CPU temperature and an 86.4-degree GPU temperature in gaming tests.
Moving the mesh to the other side brought GPU temperatures down to 73.9 degrees but pushed the CPU up to 91.7 degrees. So going with the tempered glass version means you’ll have to sacrifice one component for the other. However, the all-mesh option should give you a good balance between the two and keep all your parts relatively happy.
Beyond the cooling, our favorite thing about the SSUPD Meshlicious is its GPU and storage flexibility.
The Meshlicious’ motherboard tray doubles as the divider between the CPU and GPU compartments, and you can move it to either make room for a four-slot GPU or a slightly taller CPU cooler.
Source: SSUPD
Drive support is decent, too. An SFX PSU will let you fit three 3.5” drives with a standard GPU and up to seven if you go with a small form factor (SFF) GPU like the MSI GTX 1650 4GT LP. It won’t necessarily make for a great gaming rig, but the option’s there if you need more storage than GPU power.
Overall, the SSUPD Meshlicious is one of the best cases for airflow in the SFF category. We like that SSUPD offers an all-mesh configuration, which puts the Meshlicious a cut above many other small cases for ventilation. The flexible internals are a great touch, too.
The SSUPD Meshlicious is also available in white. You can also choose between versions that ship with a PCIe 3.0 or 4.0 riser cable. The latter is much pricier, but you may need it depending on your GPU.
Before You Buy
We’ve discussed the fundamental aspects of choosing a case—component compatibility, form factor, and so on—before, so we won’t repeat them here. Instead, let’s take a quick look at some airflow-specific topics you’ll want to know when shopping for a cooling-friendly case.
What Makes an Airflow Case?
There are two main criteria that define cases with good airflow. The first and most important is a front panel that lets the fans suck in as much air as possible. Usually, this takes the form of a full mesh front panel, with or without additional dust filtering.
A mesh front panel means that the fans can suck in as much air as possible from across the whole front, unlike the restrictive side or front slots on most solid front panels. And more air, of course, means better cooling in general.
Source: Voltcave
The other key characteristic of an excellent airflow case is an open internal layout. This means that the case should have as few—ideally, no—restrictions or obstructions between the front intakes and the motherboard.
So no drive cages or other bits of metal. Usually, this leads to airflow cases having fewer drive mounts than non-airflow cases, but that’s a sacrifice you’ll have to make.
The interior layout of the Fractal Design Torrent. Source: Fractal Design
To be clear, these design choices don’t mean that the case is automatically set up with good airflow from the factory. Instead, these are good indicators that the case can perform well if it has the proper fan setup, which takes us neatly to our next topic.
Fans and Airflow
Just because a case has a mesh front panel and unobstructed airflow doesn’t mean that it’ll cool your components perfectly from the start. While many airflow cases will perform great in their default configurations, some cases ship with limited fans to keep the price down.
Our budget mid-tower pick, the Phanteks P300A, is a perfect example. Phanteks ships most of its pricier cases with three fans, but they cut that down to a single exhaust with the P300A.
As a result, the P300A’s stock thermal performance is sub-par, even with its mesh front. But that’s not an issue with the case itself. Adding two extra fans to create the ideal two-intake, one-exhaust setup improves temps significantly:
Note the two highlighted results. Source: Gamers Nexus
By default, Gamers Nexus’ overclocked Intel i7-6700K hit a 65.1 degrees Celsius delta in a CPU torture test, which is hotter than even poorly-ventilated cases like the Fractal Define 7. However, adding two fans brought the delta down to 47.4 degrees, pushing it to nearly the top of Gamers Nexus’ results. Not a bad turnaround and proof that the P300A has the basics right.
So if you’re interested in an airflow case but the temperature results don’t seem to be that impressive, check its default fan setup before dismissing it entirely. Maybe all it needs is a couple of the best 140 mm fans to push it into top-tier territory.
Noise
If you’re moving over to an airflow case from a quieter, silence-focused case, you may be concerned with fan noise.
It’s a valid worry; the lack of sound dampening foam and closed-off front panel makes fan noise much more noticeable. Without those features, there isn’t much stopping the noise from reaching your ears.
However, it’s really not a huge deal if you’re willing to put in some work. Giving up all the sound-dampening features just means you can’t brute-force silence by blocking the noise; it doesn’t mean you can’t have a silent PC at all.
FanControl’s main interface. Source: Voltcave
Keeping noise levels under control with an airflow case has a lot to do with getting the right fans and setting up fan curves that find a good balance between noise and cooling performance. Check out our guide to setting fan curves for a step-by-step walkthrough to getting your CPU, GPU, and case fans just right.
Closing Thoughts
The best airflow PC cases have free-flowing front panels and interior layouts designed to provide as much airflow as possible to all those heat-generating components in your rig.
Unless you have specific needs, we think everyone should be building in airflow cases; they’re that good.
If you’re looking for a straightforward, good-value pick, the Lian Li Lancool II Mesh is the case we’d go for. It’s not the most premium offering, but it gets all the basics right and has some clever design touches. If you’re after the very best, there’s no overlooking the Fractal Design Torrent and its massive dual 180 mm intakes.
The world of PC cases with good airflow is vast, and our picks are only a small selection. If none of our picks really strike your fancy, take some time and explore. Our buying guide has the core information you’ll need to make an informed decision. All the best!
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Best Airflow PC Cases To Buy In 2022
There are fewer moments as gut-wrenching as feeling your PC heat up to extreme temperatures and wondering if it’s too late to get the best pc case for airflow.
If you’re here because you’re looking for a higher CFM, don’t feel bad—we’ve been there too. If you want to prevent your PC from overheating, you’ve come to the right place.
The good news is that there are many PC cases on the market. However, not all of them are ideal for promoting healthy airflow. Therefore, we did the digging for you and rounded up the best airflow PC cases that will fit various budgets and PC uses.
Are you ready to get a PC case that offers excellent airflow once and for all? Keep reading, and we’ll let you in on all our tips.
Best PC Cases For Airflow
PHANTEKS Eclipse P500A – Best Overall Airflow Case
Specs:
- Dimensions – 20.
1 x 9.45 x 20.0 inches - Supported Motherboard Sizes – Up to E-ATX
- Fan Support – Up to 3 120/140 mm intake fans (1 included), up to 3 120/2 140 mm top fans, up to 1 140 mm exhaust fan (included)
- Front/Intake Panel Type – Mesh
Phanteks had some great performers focused on airflow in the P300A and the P400A. Now they have charged the market with an even bigger case – the Eclipse P500A. It has muted styling and stealthy design.
It has room for flexibility: with an optional $20 mount, you can install a second mITX system, like some streamers prefer to do. It is about mid-range, shipping at $110 for the regular version, and $140 for the DRGB one.
The size of the chassis is quite large, but the P500A uses it excellently. Airflow is, obviously, a big win in this case. But the interior utility and ease of cable management is nothing to scoff at, either. Build quality is excellent, and the swivel TG door is fantastic.
If you get the RGB model, the front fans show off cool effects that’ll keep you in a trance. It is not the quietest but gets the job done.
The downside of this PC case is perhaps its size. This is quite a large mid-tower. And, if you are not using the second system option, then maybe it is simply too large for comfort. And depending on your preference, the design might look a bit also focused on utility.
The bottom line is that there are no compromises to be made with the Phanteks P500A. For a reasonable price, you are getting a fantastic piece of hardware. And it has one of the best airflow performances in the closed mid-tower category. This PC case is a no-brainer.
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Lian Li Lancool II Mesh (Performance) – Best ATX Airflow Case
Specs:
- Dimensions – 18.8 x 9.0 x 19.5 inches
- Supported Motherboard Sizes – Up to E-ATX
- Fan Support – Up to 3 120/2 140 mm intake fans (2 140 mm included), up to 2 120/140 mm top fans, up to 1 120 mm exhaust fan (included), up to 2 120 mm bottom fans on shroud
- Front/Intake Panel Type – Mesh
We’d suggest you opt for the ‘Performance’ model.
It comes with a duo of 140 mm PWM fans and a fan controller. This combo seems to us like a better deal than the 3 120 mm RGB fans alternative. Almost every single detail of this case is engineered to near-perfection.
The dual TG panels look great. The bottom side panel being mesh now allows for significant air to be drawn in by bottom fans. The internal is reasonably spacious, and you can fit a whopping nine drives inside this case. Airflow is, above all, superior to anything Lian Li has put out previously.
One reason it loses favor compared to the P500A is that USB-C support is optional, aka you need to shell out more money for it. We understand this is meant to be a cost-cutting move, but most consumers will appreciate the inclusion of USB-C, so this option is simply a hassle.
Just put it in, Lian Li. Another downer may be the somewhat bland design, similar to its predecessor. If you want a case that looks just as good as it performs, look further down our list.
That one nitpicks aside; you really cannot go wrong with this case. Its performance is top-notch, and Lian Li is known for its stellar build quality. For the price, you are getting so many features and such a flexible interior. Among normal ATX mid-towers, the Lancool II Mesh sets the bar.
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Fractal Design Focus G – Best Budget Airflow Case
Specs:
- Dimensions – 19 x 11 x 21 inches
- Supported Motherboard Sizes – Up to ATX
- Fan Support – Up to 2 120/140 mm intake fans (2 included), up to 2 120/140 mm top fans, up to 1 120 mm exhaust fan, up to 1 120 mm bottom fan
- Front/Intake Panel Type – Mesh
The Fractal Design Focus G is definitely our top pick for budget users. In addition to being the cheapest option on this list, it also comes bundled with two great intake fans out of the box, though you’ll need to add your own exhaust fan to the setup.
The Focus G offers a reasonably compact size (especially with the Mini version), a builder-friendly interior, and most importantly for airflow, a full mesh front panel.
This mesh front panel allows for superb air intake into the PC, especially if you utilize both of the available intake fan slots. Elsewhere in the chassis, you also have room to mount an extra bottom intake and top exhausts.
The only real downside of this case that we can think of is its side panel window, which is made of Acrylic instead of Tempered Glass. This is a minor nitpick, though, and won’t have any kind of impact on the thermal performance of your components inside of this rig.
If you want great airflow but can’t afford the higher-end cases on this list, then the Focus G should be perfectly suited for your needs. If you want to do a smaller Micro ATX build instead, you can also opt for either the Focus G Mini or Meshify C Mini linked below.
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Want a smaller version of this case? Get the Focus G Mini or Meshify C Mini instead
Silverstone Redline RL06 – Best Mid-Range Airflow Case
Specs:
- Dimensions – 7.
87 x 18.78 x 17.91 inches - Supported Motherboard Sizes – Micro ATX and ATX
- Fan Support – Up to 3 120 mm or 2 140 mm fans on front, 1 120 mm fan in the rear, and up to 2 120/140 mm fans on top
- Front/Intake Panel Type – Mesh
Let’s just get this out of the way: according to third-party reviews, the Silverstone Redline RL06 offers among the best, if not the best, airflow of any case on the market.
Knowing what we know about front panels now, it’s easy to see why: not only is the front panel mesh, it is huge, and it leads very directly into the three provided intake fans.
This case is focused on providing superb airflow above all else, and it shows. In addition to the three included intake fans, you also have an included exhaust fan pre-installed in the back.
While you will spend more for this than the Focus G, you won’t need to worry about buying any extra fans: out of the box, this one is already a positive pressure powerhouse.
In addition to the great airflow, you have extremely spacious internals to work within, including a dedicated PSU basement, with cable management and drive mounting in the back. This is a very clean-looking case, aesthetically-speaking, and a superb performer on top of that. We highly, highly recommend it.
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Cooler Master MasterCase H500M – Best High-End Airflow Case
Specs:
- Dimensions – 21.4 x 9.8 x 21.5 inches
- Supported Motherboard Sizes – Up to Extended ATX
- Fan Support – Up to 2 200 mm intake fans (2 addressable RGB included), Up to 1 120/140 mm fan in the rear (1 140 mm included), and up to 3 120/140mm fans up top
- Front/Intake Panel Type – Mesh
The Cooler Master MasterCase H500M (as well as the stock H500), offer dual 200 mm RGB fans for truly superb air intake and gorgeous RGB aesthetics. If the main selling point you need to hear is “it has RGB”, congratulations: it has RGB, and great thermals.
What’s not to love?
Well…the price point. Despite mostly being the same case as the H500 (which is available for roughly half the price), getting addressable RGB fans adds a significant price premium.
The difference between regular RGB and addressable RGB is the ability to address individual LEDs inside the RGB device, whereas plain RGB can only address the entire device. Addressable allows for even deeper customization of your RGB lighting, but you’ll pay a price for that.
If you don’t care about addressable RGB, feel free to opt for the H500. It’s virtually the same case, just with a less powerful RGB implementation.
RGB and pricing nitpicks aside, this is a truly gorgeous case that performs well…as long as you swap to the included mesh front panel.
Both the H500 cases ship with two front panels: a glass front panel, which chokes airflow, and a mesh front panel, which doesn’t. In the context of this article, the choice should be fairly obvious: always go mesh.
The rest of the case is huge, but extremely flexible and builder-friendly. For those of you who want an Extended ATX build, congratulations: this is definitely the case for you.
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Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL – Best Airflow Case for Water Cooling
Specs:
- Dimensions – 20 x 11.22 x 18.5 inches
- Supported Motherboard Sizes – Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX, and optional EBB
- Fan Support -Up to 1x 120mm back fans, 3x 120mm and 2x 140mm top fans, and 3x 120mm and 2x 140mm bottom fans, and up to 3x 120mm side fans
- Front/Intake Panel Type – Tempered Glass
The Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL is ideal for the computer enthusiast especially for water cooling build with distro plate support, this case is a product with excellent value considering all of the features it offers.
The 011 Dynamic XL includes the option of an additional 120mm fan at the rear, and enough space for a radiator at the bottom.
In addition, it includes 3 360mm fans on the top, side, and bottom.
The exterior offers a lot for the eye to see. It accommodates four USB 3.0, one USB Type-C, and audio plugs with an embedded RGB controller. The interior of the case packs a punch with three options for liquid cooling, as well as easy swapping without shutting down the system, and additional space for adding more components.
The Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL also accommodates multiple other customizable features like a custom distro plate for custom loops, EBB boards, vertical GPUs, and more storage.
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Fractal Design Meshify S2 – Best Mid Tower Airflow Case
Specs:
- Dimensions – 21.38 x 9.17 x 18.31 inches
- Supported Motherboard Sizes – Up to E-ATX
- Fan Support – Up to 3 120/140 mm intake fans (2 140 mm included), up to 3 120/140 mm top fans, up to 1 120/140 mm exhaust fan (1 140 mm included), up to 2 120/140 mm bottom fans
- Front/Intake Panel Type – Mesh
Fractal Design is the brand revered for unmatched user experience.
They brought mesh panels to popularity with the Meshify C, making airflow not only a priority for hardcore enthusiasts but for the general consumer as well.
The S2 is a scaled-up version of the same concept. It has the chassis of the Define R6 and their signature attention-to-detail. It is a bit expensive at around $150.
A huge positive for this case is the immense space it offers. This has two implications. The first, building inside this case is a breeze and all your components fit in nicely. The second is that airflow is not hindered by the constraints of compactness.
The numerous accessories and the user guide are also a boon for first-time PC builders. The performance doesn’t just cater to airflow fanatics, however.
The radiator support is superb, with up to a 360/280 mm unit at the front, 420/360 mm at the top and even a 280/240 mm at the bottom. There is plenty of space to route pipes easily and even install a custom loop if you’re up for it.
Let’s go into some downers. The price is a bit higher than it needs to be. The mid-tower market has so many worthy rivals that Fractal’s pricing feels a bit off. Also, this case is basically Meshify C + Define R6. While that is not a bad thing necessarily, some effort to innovate would have been nice.
At the end though, the spacious interior and ample airflow in this case defend its place among the great airflow cases. Whether going for an airflow, water-cooled or balanced build, the Meshify S2 is flexible enough to accommodate it all.
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Thermaltake Core P3 TG – Best Open Air Case
Specs:
- Dimensions – 20.2 x 13.1 x 18.5 inches
- Supported Motherboard Sizes – Up to ATX
- Fan Support – Up to 3 120/140 mm fans at the left
- Front/Intake Panel Type – none
An open air case is a strange beast. Midway between having your components out in the open and enclosing them within a full frame, open air cases offer a unique sell.
By definition, most have airflow unmatched by traditional closed PC cases. The downside to this is the frustrating amount of dust that accumulates from allowing air to pass unmeshed or unfiltered.
If you understand the predicament of open air cases, then the Thermaltake Core P3 is an easy recommendation. Compared to the earlier Core P5, now the company has made things easier for beginners. You can now install an AIO without any DIY.
Also, the size is much more manageable and most components are modular. The airflow is not hindered by anything and the case itself does not produce any noise. Mounting options are myriad, both of the case and the components within.
Negatives about this case are few, and there’s nothing in particular to complain about. The thing is, almost all open air cases do things their own way, so comparing them is not really an easy task. For example, Thermaltake’s own core P90 looks really unique. So does InWin’s D-Frame and the Cougar Conquer.
The one big thing that sets the Thermaltake P3 TG is price. At $149, it might seem above mid-tier when compared to mid-towers. But in the open air category, this PC case is well worth the money.
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Cooler Master TD500 Mesh White – Best Looking Case with Airflow
Specs:
- Dimensions – 19.41 x 8.54 x 18.46 inches
- Supported Motherboard Sizes – Up to E-ATX
- Fan Support – Up to 3 120/2 140 mm intake fans (3 120 mm ARGB included), up to 3 120/2 140 mm top fans, up to 1 120 mm exhaust fan
- Front/Intake Panel Type – Mesh
Do you want a balance between looks and airflow? Then Cooler Master’s TD500, the mesh white to be particular, might be the product for you. While it seems like the company is in love with the number 500, this white case looks really great from afar.
The metal mesh front lets in sufficient airflow, which is of course our main concern.
There are three pre-installed 120 mm RGB fans there. This is addressable RGB, and a controller is included as well, which is nice.
The internals are roomy enough for large GPUs and coolers. The unique thing about this case includes the side TG panel which has an angled look we find alluring.
But, Cooler Master put a plastic piece at the front which is a letdown when you examine the case up close. The flexibility in terms of drives and components is also subpar. And, it does let out a bit of noise, compared to similarly price offerings from be quiet!
All in all, the Cooler Master TD500 Mesh White could cause you to fall in love with it on first sight. If it does, there are no pressing reasons not to get it, at a reasonable price of $120. It may not be the best at performance or utility, but it looks darn good.
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Corsair Carbide Air 540 – Best Cube Case for Airflow
Specs:
- Dimensions – 16.33 x 13.
07 x 18.03 inches - Supported Motherboard Sizes – Up to E-ATX
- Fan Support – Up to 3 120/2 140 mm intake fans (2 140 mm included), up to 2 120/140 mm top fans, up to 1 120/140 mm exhaust fan (140 mm included)
- Front/Intake Panel Type – Part Mesh
If you dislike the traditional tower shape of PC cases, then opting for cube cases is a genuine option. While you may not get many alternatives in this category, thankfully there is the Corsair Carbide Air 540 to save the day. A disclaimer first: this is a really old case, eight years old.
While design and layout of the Air 540 might look a bit dated, the airflow is not. The space is well-designed and fits plenty of fans or radiators.
The dual-chamber interior houses up to large components easily. Inclusion of toolless design is a plus. The construction quality is also robust. Three excellent 140 mm fans are included as a bonus.
This is, sadly, a noisy case.
And among today’s cases, the front I/O looks out of place. The industrial design may put you off, as the market has shifted; now a case is not just a box where you put your PC, but the centerpiece of your build.
If you want a cube case, for any particular reason, and yet want great airflow, pick the Air 540. At the price of $140, it is the best in its class for performance. We do hope Corsair refreshes this product, though, to bring it into the new decade.
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Phanteks P300A – Most Beginner Friendly
Specs:
- Dimensions – 17.72 x 7.87 x 15.75 inches
- Supported Motherboard Sizes – Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX
- Fan Support -Up to 2x 140mm front fans, 1x 120mm back fan, Up to 1x 140mm top fans
- Front/Intake Panel Type – Full Mesh
Every PC beginner needs a product simple enough to start out with. The Phanteks P300A has an intuitive design and a good price point for beginners just learning the ropes.
The chassis included in this case is minimalist, which helps keep the price range low and the learning experience great.
While this case only includes one fan, the chassis allows for a 240 or 280mm AIO cooler for maximum performance. The front has a mesh panel to help with optimizing the airflow, and the compact size of this case makes it ideal for smaller areas.
Its size, however, does not sacrifice the basics of the internal layout. Inside there is room for a motherboard, graphics card, and cooling components. While this may not appeal to the enthusiast, for a beginner, this setup is great.
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Phanteks P400A Digital RGB – Best RGB Airflow Case
Specs:
- Dimensions – 18.3 x 8.3 x 18.5 inches
- Supported Motherboard Sizes – E-ATX up to 272m, ATX, Micro-ATX, ITX
- Fan Support -up to 3x 120mm fans in the front, 2x 140mm top fans, 1x 120mm back fans
- Front/Intake Panel Type – Full Mesh
Last but not least, though.
.we know some of you won’t be satisfied with anything less than the most superb RGB implementation. The Phanteks P400A Digital RGB is the perfect fusion of new-age compatible airflow with classic design elements. This case takes focus away from the plain exterior design and shifts it towards the new interior features.
This model includes not one but three front D-RGB fans, accompanied by a mesh front panel to optimize airflow. This model excludes a front panel dust filter, which may seem like a downgrade but is handy for improving airflow.
Another internal element to note is the quality of cable management, making this the most organized airflow PC case for cable management. The P400A comes with plenty of grommets and holes to secure your cables cleanly.
There are extra drive spaces available for purchase with the case as well. On the top, I/O provides accommodations for two USB 3.0 ports, microphone and headphone ports, and a large power button.
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All You Need To Know About PC Case Airflow
Now that we covered the best airflow PC cases on the market, you still might have some lingering questions about what features you should look for.
Every person has different needs, so we’ll give you some items to consider as you do your research.
What is airflow, exactly, and how does it work?
Airflow in this context refers to the speed and volume at which air flows through your chassis. Generally speaking, you want as much air going through your case as fast as possible, that way the heat generated by your components doesn’t linger and build inside your PC.
While a PC could technically work without any intake or exhaust fans, it would also run much hotter and therefore much slower, since the CPU and GPU will throttle themselves to protect from damage.
Good airflow is vital for two reasons:
- Ensuring that your components perform in tip-top shape
- Ensuring that your components have the longest possible life, as higher temperatures degrade hardware faster
The last thing you’d want is for your PC to underperform or for your parts to die quicker than they otherwise would.
A proper airflow configuration can also help prevent excessive dust from building up inside your PC, though even with the best airflow and filters, dust is still inevitable over time.
Difference between Positive and Negative Air Pressure
Now, let’s talk pressure. This is actually fairly important to consider when balancing a case for proper airflow, as it can make a massive difference in how everything works out.
Depending on whether you’re running a Negative or Positive pressure configuration inside your PC, the exact same chassis with the exact same number of fans can experience fairly different results.
Allow us to explain.
Negative Pressure
Negative pressure refers to when there is more air being exhausted than air being taken in. For a particularly extreme example, this could refer to a PC where all fans are on exhaust instead of intake duty, but most won’t make this mistake.
Negative pressure results in a lack of cool air being created inside the case and excess dust being pulled in from outside of the chassis.
This is because all of the fans present are working against each other and pushing the same hot air just outside of the PC, where it’s likely to return very quickly due to the negative air pressure inside of the chassis.
As you’ve probably figured out by now, negative pressure is definitely not what we’re looking for. So what about positive pressure?
Positive Pressure
Positive pressure is when more air is being taken in than air is being exhausted. This ensures that the PC is always receiving fresh, cool air, which helps keep components cool…within reason.
Without at least one exhaust fan in a positive pressure configuration, you’ll begin noticing similar downsides as with negative pressure. Excess dust will build over your air intakes, and while the case will technically be cooler than with negative pressure, heat will still have difficulty escaping from your chassis.
For these reasons, it’s best to have a balanced-leaning-on-positive air pressure configuration.
For every one exhaust fan you have, you’ll want to have one intake (balanced), or 2+ intakes (positive). If you add additional exhaust fans to your chassis, be sure to also add intakes in order to keep the balance leaning toward positive pressure.
If you can avoid it, never allow your exhaust fans to outnumber your intakes.
Case Flow and Pressure Demonstration — How to balance airflow
Watch this video on YouTube
Fan and radiator mounts
Fans and liquid cooling radiators alike use the same mounts, and often what you’ll do is mount a radiator to a given space and an additional fan directly to the radiator in order to push air through it and keep the liquid (and therefore the component it’s cooling) cool.
We’ll explain this in more detail below.
Fan mounts and sizes
For most PC cases, fan mounts come in one of two sizes: 120 mm and 140 mm. These measurements refer to the length of one of the fan’s four sides.
While 120 mm fans are by far the most popular, 140 mm fans can be fairly useful, too. The main reason to opt for a 140 mm fan over 120 mm is noise, since larger fans can push more air more quietly than smaller fans.
In terms of raw airflow performance, however, some of the best fans on the market are still 120 mm: just not necessarily the quietest.
Generally-speaking, you’re going to want at least three fan mounts available in a given PC to accomplish a positive pressure setup, with two fans being used as intake and one being used as exhaust. (This applies especially to Mini ITX PCs.)
With larger cases, it’s common to have 3-4 intake fans with 1-2 exhaust fans, which is still a perfectly fine setup for accomplishing positive pressure.
How liquid cooling radiators work
Liquid cooling radiators are measured in mm, but of their longest side. A 120 mm radiator will slot right into a 120 mm fan slot with no issue, but a 240 mm radiator will require two 120 mm fan slots side-by-side in order to be properly mounted.
In most situations, it’s best to use a radiator in an intake position rather as an exhaust, since testing shows that CPU temps are massively impacted by configuration whereas GPU temps are not.
Front panel types and what you need for good airflow
For good reason, we’ve gone with one specific type of front panel for all of our main picks, for reasons that will become quickly apparent.
Solid Material (Tempered Glass, Plastic, etc)
Easily the worst for airflow. A solid front panel may look pleasing aesthetically, but unless there are vents elsewhere on the chassis for intake, then your airflow and temps are going to suffer.
If airflow and performance are your chief concern, do not buy a case with a solid front panel: at least, not one without ventilation on the sides.
Solid w/ ventilation
Like above, but better. As more users have become aware that solid front panels are bad for airflow and bad airflow is bad for their PCs, manufacturers have started using this to compromise between aesthetics and performance.
In some cases, this can be done by creating a wide gap between the glass and intake fans, usually protected by some sort of dust filter. In others, vents on the side or full-on side fan mounts may be the solution.
While these still won’t provide the best thermals, it’s still better than dealing with a fully-solid front panel with no form of air intake.
Perforated metal
An interesting choice, but one becoming more common in recent cases from Corsair and Cooler Master. While this isn’t the highest-performing option, it’s certainly a lot better than having a solid front panel.
On the scale from aesthetics to performance, this leans fairly close to performance…though whether or not perforated metal is actually aesthetically pleasing is going to vary from person to person.
Mesh
The best option…short of just pulling off your front panel (which you should not do, unless you want to dust your PC like a madman). Mesh prevents air from being outright blocked in any area, and requires only minimal fan power in order to pull air through.
Mesh’s high airflow performance has made it our top choice for the cases we’ve selected today, and third-party testing from sites like GamersNexus confirms it to be the best.
How case size impacts airflow
Case size doesn’t necessarily impact airflow by itself, as we discuss in our Mini ITX case article. However, case size will naturally impact temperatures if proper airflow isn’t in place, since the same amount of heat is being generated in a smaller space.
As long as your case has proper ventilation and enough fan mounts (at least three recommended for any Mini ITX/Micro ATX PC build), then you shouldn’t need to worry too much about airflow.
In addition to our main recommendations below (which are for standard ATX builds), we’ve also included a few smaller case picks that still have good airflow. So if you’re worried about getting good airflow but still want a smaller PC, don’t worry: we have you covered.
How many fans you need for good airflow
As we’ve discussed prior, the main thing you need is a positive pressure configuration: at least 2 intake fans per single exhaust fan.
1:1 configurations can be okay too, but are less ideal for keeping temps low and air flowing.
The more room for fans you have in your chassis, the more you’ll benefit from adding fans to it. We recommend mounting as many intake fans as your case can support, and adding a second exhaust fan if that number happens to exceed three.
As long as your fans are half-decent and in a positive pressure configuration, you’ll have the best airflow you can get with your chassis.
If you want some great fans for intake and exhaust, we recommend these Noctua fans.
When to Add More Fans to Your PC Case
If you’re on the fence about whether you need to add more fans to the PC case you purchased, the scenarios below should help you decide.
- If the fans that came with your PC case are noisy or you want larger and better quality fans.
- If you’re a gamer or have a powerful PC.
- If you’ll be overclocking since this increases the voltage and creates more heat.
You’ll want to make sure the PC case you purchase comes with mounts so you can install more fans. Even budget PC cases like the Phanteks P300A offer mounts for additional fans.
Issues with Choosing a PC Case With Poor Airflow
Choosing a PC case with good airflow is critical for your PC’s longevity. Below are some of the issues that can occur if you install a poor-quality case.
- The vital components of your PC will overheat.
- Can lead to permanent loss of data on your PC.
- Blue screen errors may occur on your screen.
- Your PC may frequently crash.
- Shortens the lifespan of the components at best and destroys them at worst.
The good news is that there are many options for affordable but high-quality PC cases designed for cooling on the market. One of our favorites is the Fractal Design Meshify C.
How the CPU and GPU are impacted by airflow
While your CPU and GPU have their own coolers, they still need to be receiving cool air for the best results, especially your CPU.
With a positive pressure configuration, ensure that both components are getting the influx of cool air that they need to achieve peak cooling performance.
This will also allow them to sustain higher clock speeds for longer periods of time, resulting in a not-insignificant increase in performance.
Addressing the Controversy
Some people believe that not having a PC case is the best solution because it allows plenty of air to reach the PC. However, while this is an understandable assumption, it’s misleading because studies show that cases with good airflow are highly effective at keeping a PC cool.
In fact, some people even say that having a high-quality PC case with plenty of fans keeps the PC cooler than not having a case at all.
That said, if you currently have a poor quality case, it’s likely trapping in heat. In that case, removing the PC case might keep the PC cooler.
The best PC cases for the price — what you need to know before buying
I will cover this and much more in today’s article.
By the end, you’ll know what to look for in a budget PC case, what to avoid in a budget PC case, and be better prepared to buy a PC case in the future, even if it’s not one of the ones listed in this article.
That’s it, let’s dive into what you need to know.
What to avoid in a budget PC 9 case0009
Built-in power supply
As attractive as it sounds to save extra money, built-in power supplies are usually a huge red flag and are not rated to last as long as power supplies purchased separately.
They are of poor build quality, which is a major problem for a power supply given that a power supply failure can be disastrous for the entire PC and maybe even for you, depending on how badly it fails.
Yes, exploding power packs are the real thing . Never skimp on the power supply — always buy brand name devices.
Sealed Front Panels
Another problem you may run into with budget PC cases — sometimes not even budget ones — is the Sealed Front Panel .
While sealed front panels were once standard, they have been abandoned over time for a very good reason: they block the air flow .
If you can provide adequate ventilation in another way, you can stay with a sealed front panel, but you will always get better results with a mesh or perforated front panel.
For now, the main takeaway is to avoid enclosures that don’t have good airflow paths . Your computer needs to breathe to keep you cool when you work hard, much like you do when you go for a run.
If the PC doesn’t look breathable, it probably is.
Limited fan slots
A lack of fan slots can be a problem when trying to expand your cooling system, especially if you need a lot of cooling. That by itself isn’t a reason to ditch a case, especially if it’s sensibly designed with limited fan slots in mind.
Many Micro ATX and Mini ITX cases, for example, will work with a limited number of fan slots, but will find a way around the larger problems this can create.
If you’re looking for cases not included in this guide that seem to have limited cooling capabilities, be sure to revisit the reviews to see what people have to say about its airflow and cooling performance.
Important features of a budget PC case
Large graphics card clearance
Even in a small PC case, having enough clearance for the graphics card — I would say at least 280mm or more — is very important.
A discrete graphics card is a huge help for most workloads and a must for professional rendering or high refresh rate/high resolution gaming.
Although there are smaller versions of discrete graphics cards, they often require some performance compromises compared to their full size counterparts, and most modern high-end graphics cards simply don’t come in smaller versions.
In addition to the horizontal clearance for the graphics card, which is measured in millimeters, you also need to be mindful of the number of available expansion slots, especially for Mini ITX or other SFF PC cases.
While 2 slots is the standard size for most full size graphics cards, some others may be closer to 2.5 slots or even take up as many as 3 slots. However, this won’t be a problem for Micro ATX or Full ATX cases, unless you’re running multiple graphics cards .
CPU Cooler Height
If you’re using air cooling, another thing to watch out for is is the air cooler height .
As with other clearance issues, this is not usually a problem with ATX cases, but can be a major issue with Mini ITX cases and other SFF PCs.
However, the highest air coolers tend to be more expensive, and for low profile air coolers or all-in-one liquid coolers this is not a problem at all.
Mesh Case Panel
A feature that has become commonplace in most modern cases is the mesh or sometimes perforated front panel.
Mesh is generally better, but perforated or ventilated front panels may also work, depending on how the manufacturer decides.
The main reason why mesh panels have become so popular is that they provide unobstructed airflow , allowing you to use the intake fans at full capacity and force more cold air into your PC faster.
With the solid front panel , which used to be too common, the air intake was limited to ventilation somewhere near the front panel .
In really bad PC cases, this ventilation was insufficient or non-existent, resulting in blocked airflow and very poor cooling performance. Fortunately, mesh and its counterparts have become more common in today’s market than solid panels.
Extra fan slots
Even if you don’t fill them all at once, having extra fan slots definitely doesn’t hurt.
The extra fan slots can be used for things like AIO liquid coolers or just extra case fans, to improve the airflow and cooling efficiency of the .
In particular, you will need a case with additional fan slots if you want to use any form of liquid cooling, AIO or whatever, since liquid cooling heatsinks must use the existing fan slots to function.
Packaged Chassis Fans
One thing to look out for, especially if you’re shopping on a budget, are the included fans.
Not every case will include case fans, and sometimes the ones that are included may not be very good. But if you’re making a purchase on a budget, a case with no fans at all is definitely cause for concern.
I recommend purchasing at least one extra case exhaust fan if only one is included, but in cases with two fans, you can easily move the second one back to serve as an exhaust fan instead.
Cable management space
It’s not so much a hardware compatibility issue, , but a concern for tidiness and quality of life .
Having space to run cables away from the direct airflow path or components not only keeps your PC tidier, it also makes your life as a PC builder and maintainer much better in the long run.
This can be especially problematic for Mini ITX and Micro ATX cases, where workspace is already quite limited.
Support for modern USB standards
Chassis that do not support USB 3.0 on the front panel used to be surprisingly common, but fortunately this is not a problem in today’s market.
However, this is something to watch out for, as even your main external storage devices use USB 3.0 speeds, and having to connect a flash drive to the back of the motherboard can be a bit of a problem, especially if it’s already occupied by peripherals. devices.
In addition to meeting the basic requirements of USB 3.0, you can also find cases that support USB Type-C connections on the front. Unfortunately, this is much less common, although Type-C has been around for about the same amount of time.
It’s also a lot harder to find budget cases like the ones in this article, since the is more of a feature of the mid or high end case. However, this shouldn’t be much of an issue, especially if your motherboard has a Type-C port on the back, which has become commonplace.
How to Decide Which Chassis Form Factor You Need
With all of this stuff, how do you know which chassis form factor to look for?
The simple answer boils down to two questions: how much space do you have and how often are you going to move it ?
If you don’t have a lot of desk or floor space for a desktop PC, it’s probably best to get a smaller Mini ITX or Micro ATX case.
If you have no accommodation problems and rarely worry about moving , you definitely need to purchase an ATX or Micro ATX case. These larger form factors are better suited for PC enthusiasts with multiple graphics cards, liquid cooling, extra fans, and more.
You shouldn’t forego expansion options if you don’t need it now or if you just prefer the aesthetics of a smaller case.
If you want a smaller case for aesthetics, that’s fine — just make sure you’re aware of any compromises that come with it and work around them wisely.
Of course, the size of the case also depends on what components you want to fit into it. If you want to build a workstation with an E-ATX motherboard, you will need a larger case that will fit such a large motherboard.
The same is true for multiple graphics cards, a large AIO, or a custom water cooler setup that you want to fit inside the case.
3 best value for money PC cases
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Best ATX Tower: Fractal Design Focus G
What We Like :
- High airflow performance and expandable with two included 120mm fans and mesh panel
- Enough space for a long graphics card and additional cooling fans
- Fits most tall CPU air coolers — supports CPU cooler heights up to 165mm
What disappointed us :
- The most expensive case on this list
Note . Getting this version does not result in a price reduction compared to the Focus G ATX, but there is also a Focus G Mini version of this case that includes 2 cooling fans.
It’s basically the same design but slightly smaller. -
Micro ATX Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 Micro
What we liked :
- Pretty good overall expandability and cooling capacity, the included fan is quiet
- Very small footprint for Micro ATX chassis, also supports DTX
- Fairly low price
What disappointed us :
- Somewhat limited cooling options; but good enough if fully equipped with
- Not suitable for tall CPU air coolers — maximum air cooler height is 148mm. I recommend the Focus G Mini if your air cooler doesn’t fit, or install a 120mm AIO in side slot 9 instead0192
fans
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Best Mini ITX Case: Thermaltake Core V1 Cube
What we like :
- Lowest price on this list
- Good airflow including 200mm fan
- Decent expandability
What disappointed us :
- Slightly limited for long graphics cards
- Not suitable for tall CPU air coolers — height limited to 140mm
That’s it! Anyway, for now.
I hope this article has provided you with some solid case buying basics and helped you identify the perfect PC case for your budget or mid-range PC build needs.
Best PC Cases of 2021
When it comes to finding the best PC case for your next build. There are a few key points that everyone should keep in mind. Ensuring sufficient airflow for your components is one of the most important, and many of the best PC case manufacturers handle this issue with ease. More complex areas, such as aesthetic design and acoustic performance, are not easily addressed without additional cost. However, be that as it may, the best PC cases tend to offer a balance of all three.
Build quality and performance are just two factors that should influence your decision. You need to think about the form factor, whether you want to see your system through a tempered glass panel, and what budget constraints you have, as all of these can affect your decision.
In our search for the best PC cases, we have included high quality models from renowned manufacturers.
Plus, whether you’re going for a full-height tower, a Mini-ITX, or an all-tempered glass chassis, our recommendations include roomy interiors and excellent air circulation. If you are interested to know what makes them different from other cases, read on. You can also check out our collection of PC case reviews right here.
Contents
- First Look: Best PC Cases
- Best PC Cases
- Best Mid-Tower PC Cases
- Best Full-Tower PC Cases
- Best Silent PC Case
- Fractal Design Define 7
- How We Choose
- How We Test
- Things to Consider
- Motherboard Form Factor
- PC Case Form Factor
- Air flow and water cooling
- compartments for discs and expansion slots
- Cable management
- Silence
- Understanding of assembly
- The best buildings for PC for PC
- Best building for PC Mid-Tower
- Best Full-Tower PC Case
- Best Mini-ITX PC Case
- Best Quiet PC Case
- Fractal Design Define 7
- Conclusion
901IT81 Best Mini-Tower PC Cases 901X2
First glance: the best buildings for PC
Best building for PC
LIAN LI O11 Dynamic XL
Editor rating — 4.
9/5
Lian Li O11 XL justifies its lesser pre -pre -pre -trial characteristics, as well as in appearance. The tempered glass side window requires no tools and the thoughtful design outperforms the competition. This may be closer to the level of consumer enthusiasts and deserves a water-cooled system.
The brilliant combination of brushed aluminum and tempered glass gives this case a look unlike any other case on the market. It supports liquid cooling with plenty of space inside to install a liquid kit and has plenty of cable routing options.
Be sure to pack a set of fans for your build, but otherwise, you can go with arguably one of the best PC cases currently available.
Best Mid-Tower 9 PC Case0011
NZXT H510
Editor Rating — 4.7/5
NZXT H510 is another brilliant addition from the guys at NZXT. This mid-tower case defies Fractal Design’s popular Meshify C with the classic sleek look we all love from NZXT. Like its predecessor, the H500, it again comes with a host of features including fans, power supply shroud, water cooling support, and an impressive cable management system.
You really can’t beat the aesthetics of this mid-sized PC case. This is amazing. NZXT, as many know, is comfortable for both beginners and veterans.
Even when the fans are running at full speed, the case remains relatively quiet. Aside from a small NZXT logo on the front, the minimalist H510 is devoid of any branding but oozes quality.
We recommend this case in many of our top PC builds for its great ventilation and style.
Best Full-Tower PC Case
Phanteks Enthoo 719
Editor’s Rating — 4.7/5
Enthoo 719 is one of the best full-tower cases on the market for a fantastic number of features. Cost aside, this Phanteks beast looks amazing, offers great water cooling support, and can house a dual system.
The
Phanteks Enthoo 719, originally known as the Enthoo Luxe 2, is one of the best computer cases available, barely missing the top spot on the Lian Li chassis. Enthusiasts get more bang for their buck with this PC case; quality at the highest level.
It may look simplistic in the photo, but in real life it is a real beauty. A thick tempered glass panel is hinged to reveal a massive interior that has room for a dual system. You’ll have to buy fans separately with this case, but with a sleek design, plenty of water cooling support, and a logical layout, you can’t go wrong.
Best Mini-ITX PC Chassis
NZXT h310 — Mini-ITX
Editor Rating — 4.6/5
This NZXT PC case is a Mini-ITX case, which means it has a smaller form factor than the rest of the cases on this list. It has a tempered glass window to see inside the system, excellent water cooling capacity for its size, and a clever cable management system.
The
NZXT h310 is an incredibly well designed case, both aesthetically and functionally. He resembles his older brother H510. Despite the smaller form factor, it features smart SSD mounts, a power supply shroud, a water cooling stand, and a tempered glass side panel.
The case has excellent heatsink and fan mounting options, which is impressive for a case of this size. You can easily set up a custom circuit or air-cooling solution, whichever you prefer. It comes with two pre-installed 120mm fans to ensure sufficient air flow out of the box.
If you’re interested in building a lower profile computer or don’t like big, bulky cases, you should consider the NZXT h310. It has all the features you need in a compact mini-ITX design.
Best Quiet PC Case
Fractal Design Define 7
Editor Rating — 4.8/5
Fractal Design is known for its incredible build quality and love for providing us builders with useful features. The Define 7 case follows this trend and is an update to the brilliant R6. It has one of the best acoustic performances as most of the panels use heavy-duty sound-absorbing materials.
One of the simplest design cases we have presented, but its functionality is unlike any other case on the market.
Its sheer size supports liquid cooling and has plenty of cable routing options. This line of cases is highly valued by consumers who love quiet operation, and the Define 7 certainly fits the bill. This cabinet has the same specs as the older Fractal Design Define R6, and while its cooling performance may be questionable, the acoustics are not.
How we choose
All of the computer cases on this list are here for a reason—we didn’t just pick them out of thin air. First of all, we did a search to find out which PC cases gamers are getting into, trying to strike a balance between those with the highest reviews and those with the lowest prices.
We took into account reviews from various manufacturers, as well as reviews from other manufacturers of computer games.
We then get as many of our recommendations as we can so we can see the build quality up close, test how easy they are to build in, and see how they effectively cool components.
How we test
We love trying out all the recommended hardware, from graphics cards to PC cases.
Product testing is a huge part of our overall selection process and is a way to make sure a particular option is the best fit for the job.
PC cases must pass our testing, which is basically building a PC with some other boring stuff, but most if not all of the recommendations go through a rigorous testing process.
In the case of a PC case, we need to evaluate build quality, design, thermal performance, and finally cost.
This process allows us to give you an accurate picture of how well a business is performing and, ultimately, whether it is worth your hard-earned money.
Things to consider
When buying cases, you will need certain things, such as cooling or motherboard support. But there are other things that you really want or appreciate as an improvement in your quality of life.
First of all, you will want to know which parts you will be using in your case. You’ll want to know the form factor of your motherboard (ATX, micro-ATX, mini-ITX), the length of your graphics card, how many drives you’ll be using, how many fans you’ll need, whether you’re installing a heatsink or not, etc.
All of these factors are important to consider before purchasing an enclosure. That is why we will look at these things in more detail.
Motherboard form factor
Before buying a case, you need to know the form factor of the motherboard. The three most popular form factors are ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX, each smaller than the last.
Smaller size means you have less room for components and generally fewer features. That’s fine if you don’t need much, but if you’re building a high-end gaming build or a mid-range build that you’re going to upgrade in the future, then you can stick with the classic version. ATX board.
PC Chassis Form Factor
Since there are different sizes of motherboards, it is obvious that there will be smaller cases that cannot accommodate larger form factors. However, larger cases usually fit smaller motherboards, but always be sure to double check compatibility before purchasing.
There are three known types of computer cases (although there are more) and each is compatible with different types of motherboards:
- Full-Tower PC cases are the largest PC cases and can handle E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX.
Their large size is more for add-on components rather than exceptionally large motherboards. You can browse our best tower PC cases here. - Medium sized PC cases are the most popular and can also work with Mini-ITX to ATX motherboards.
- Mini-ITX PC cases sacrifice larger ATX boards, but can always fit inside Mini-ITX boards, and the weird PC case can handle Micro-ATX.
In addition to the form factor, there are cases that have similar dimensions but do not match the design. Take the outdoor PC cases for example, giving water cooling enthusiasts a unique chassis to create incredible hinge designs.
Airflow and Water Cooling
Without a cooler for your CPU, your CPU would reach dangerous temperatures. While PC components are designed to operate at relatively high temperatures without damage, that doesn’t mean you want them to get too hot. If your components overheat, it will damage them and significantly shorten their life.
When assembling a computer, it must have good airflow.
Most cases come with fans already installed, and some even come with built-in LEDs. It would also make sense to have extra space for aftermarket fans or a heatsink if you decide to use an all-in-one cooler.
I would recommend having at least two case fans, but ideally three or more. If you’re only using two, you’ll want one of them to draw in cold air and the other to blow out hot air. This system will keep a constant flow of air flowing through your components while drawing in cooler air and expelling warm air.
Fan configurations vary depending on your application and the level of airflow required by your system. For example, heavy overclockers will need more airflow to hot components than the average builder.
Of course, some PC cases are designed to use negative air pressure (there are only exhaust fans), but this can attract dust in unwanted places, so be careful.
It can be tricky to figure out how to choose the best water-cooling case. Water coolers tend to have large heatsinks and pumps, so you’ll need a case with plenty of room for the water cooler itself, not to mention large heatsink fans.
Drive Bays and Expansion Slots
Typically, cases come with three different types of drive bays, each used differently:
- 2.5″ drive bays are typically used for Solid State Drives (SSDs) .
- 3.5-inch drive bays are used for standard mechanical hard drives.
- The 5.25″ bays are used for optical drives (also called DVD or BluRay readers). However, many manufacturers have begun to phase out 5.25″ optical drive bays as physical drives become less popular (or necessary).
The cases will also have expansion slots. They are located at the back of the case and are used for video cards, sound cards, etc. That is, they are very important.
Some PC cases no longer have drive bays and instead use SSD/HDD mounting brackets. This system is no different and in some cases is actually a more efficient way to use space.
Cable management
A good case has many options for organizing your cables. Most have a hole in the back to run cables through, but some are better for cables than others.
For example, holes may be there, but not in ideal places. In some cases, there is also not enough space under the rear panel for cables.
Poorly managed cables not only look bad, but can also restrict airflow. We’ve thrown this quick video together to show you how to properly make a control cable in one of the budget PC pickaxes, Fractal Design Focus G.
Silence
Nobody wants to be bothered by noisy business lovers. If your case has fans, make sure they aren’t too loud — trust me, you’ll thank me later. Many popular cases, including all cases from our review, have been reviewed on the Internet. Before buying a case, be sure to check their reviews. During testing, many reviewers pay attention not only to the cooling capacity of the fans, but also to their noise level.
Understanding Build Quality
If you’re building a computer, chances are you’re putting in a decent amount of changes. Damaging or destroying your components is the last thing you want to do, so it’s important to buy a case with a solid construction (this is an even bigger problem if you move your computer frequently).
Windows with side panels are fine, but make sure the glass is strong and the body is sturdy. If you like tempered glass PC cases, read our guide to the best tempered glass cases right here.
Let’s take a quick look at our top picks for PC cases and take a look at their stats.
Best PC Cases of 2021 — In-Depth Review
Best PC Cases
Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL
- Type — Full Tower
- Motherboard Support -ITX
- Dimensions (HxWxD) — 513x285x471mm
- Fans Included — N / A
PLUS
This spacious case can support Mini-ITX to E-ATX motherboards. If you want to install EBB, you can purchase an optional accessory.
Thanks to the increased size compared to its predecessor, it is now even easier to install the most ambitious systems inside. The case also comes with hot-swappable drives, which is a great feature over your standard cages/brackets. Inside, you’ll find four 2.
5″/3.5″ hot swappable and six internal 2.5″ SSDs.
Chassis features designed primarily for custom water-cooled builds, with some added cutouts for various system configurations. Plus, everything is virtually tool-free and easily accessible, which is surprisingly rare with PC cases. There is a lot of support for heatsinks and fans. The front I/O ports are fairly standard, but it’s nice to see USB Type-C being used.
Eight standard expansion slots on the rear panel with vertical GPU mount support for high performance GPUs up to 169 in heightmm.
Overall this is one of the best PC cases we’ve ever seen with great GPU cooling, hot swap drives, great rad/fan support, multiple PSU support and one of the prettiest designs, great stuff Lian Li.
Best Mid-Tower PC Case
NZXT H510
- Type — Medium Tower
- Motherboard Support — ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX Bessions
- The price of the elite version overestimated
- Air flow configuration attracts dust in unwanted places
- Excessive compounds too tight
- Limited/ outputs on the front panel
NZXT NOV this Mid-Tower H510 is another impressive model from the brand.
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At first glance, you’ll immediately know it’s from NZXT, and the overall design is minimalistic yet elegant. The quality speaks for itself, and this PC case also has impressive cooling performance. The case supports motherboards up to ATX and offers a decent amount of features for the price. Along with the included 120mm Aer fans, we see excellent water cooling support, a power supply shroud, cable management brackets, and tempered glass.
NZXT has added a USB Type-C port to this updated model and has the ability to vertically mount the GPU, which is always great in a tempered glass case. The case looks sleek with two-tone high-gloss metal panels, and a cable slat finishes off the design beautifully.
Given its modest asking price, the H510 is one of the best mid-range models on the market. This case gives your PC a premium look with minimal effort, and thanks to NZXT’s clever design, it’s incredibly easy to fit in.
Best Full-Tower PC Case
Phanteks Enthoo 719
- Motherboard Support — E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, SSI-EEB 90×92
- — Dimensions 5 ×240 mm
- Included supported chassis fans — N / A 9is one of the best full-tower cases you can get.
This tower is not only huge, but also durable and looks incredibly high quality. In addition, the price-performance ratio with this chassis is almost impossible.
This PC case supports EEB to Mini-ITX motherboards and can even support dual system setup. That’s right, if you’re a streamer/content creator, you can get everything you need and fit it into one full tower.
Some might consider this a «budget» full-featured chassis, but don’t let that fool you, it’s a great chassis. Any design looks amazing behind a huge solid tempered glass panel. Water cooling is not required, but the basic features are essential to maintain a custom circuit. Plus, there’s plenty of storage options, with 11 slots for a 2.5″ SSD and 12 slots for a 3.5″ drive.
Since there are many options for supporting heatsinks and fans, Phanteks Enthoo 719comes with a fan hub. A simple feature to enable, but much appreciated when you need to tidy up the cables in this build. Looks great and performs even better, this is the ultimate full-tower PC case.
Best Mini-ITX PC Chassis
NZXT h310 — Mini-ITX
- Type — Mini Tower
- Motherboard Support — Mini-ITX
- Type — Mid Tower
- Motherboard Support — E-ATX, ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX
- HXWXD Dimensions — 547x240x475mm
- Fans Included — 3-x4 Dynamic X2 4GP mm.0192
- Saves the optical compartment
- Excellent build quality
- The noise -absorbing door does not affect the thermal characteristics this latest update follows this trend. The Define 7 is essentially the latest update to the brilliant R6 and is for those who love quiet operation. The interior, color options, and tempered glass options remain the same, with a few changes. Which makes this case one of the best silent PC cases I’ve seen in years.
You can’t hide from Fractal’s build quality, it hits you right in the face. Plus, the brand is constantly adding useful features whenever they find a gap for one, and while you might not always need it, these extras are great to have.
We see lightly tinted glass on them, and the interior is now covered in a gorgeous white finish on the tempered glass models. Of course, if you choose the non-TG version, the interior remains gunmetal grey. This case supports up to E-ATX, but you won’t be able to use cutouts. For optimal use in this case, use the ATX form factor.
Sound performance is very close to its predecessors, with added quality of life improvements that are crucial. Cooling performance drops with the case’s front door, but you’re more likely to grab one to reduce system noise. The front, sides and top are made from durable sound-absorbing materials for excellent acoustic performance.
This well-designed chassis features a modular layout, multiple cooling mounts, water cooling, and drive options. A truly amazing case and one of the best for quiet operation.
Conclusion
Although often overlooked, the importance of a PC case cannot be overestimated. Your case protects the rest of your components and provides them with airflow to ensure they run at a stable temperature, so it’s important to find the best PC cases available.
Best PC Cases with Airflow and Innovative Design [2020 Guide]
Who needs a new PC case for 2018? Well, those who assemble custom desktops will obviously need cases for them.
This case is an important consideration when assembling a PC as it determines how much space is left for components.
Desktop computer cases come in many shapes and sizes as there are Full-Tower, Mid-Tower and Mini-Tower (or mini-ITX) categories.
The best PC cases are attractively designed, include many external connection ports and include numerous expansion slots. We mainly look at mid-sized PC cases with room for fans and additional drives, providing the best airflow for your build.
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1
Corsair Crystal 460 X (recommended)
The Crystal 460 X is a mid-rack chassis that can easily fit an E-ATX motherboard. This is a case with an attractive dual-panel tempered glass design, and unlike many cases the 460 X has a steel case. The most innovative addition to the 460 X is the RGB fans on the front, which give the desktop some dazzling lighting effects.
Although relatively compact, this case is spacious enough to accommodate large graphics cards (up to 370mm) and heatsinks. All in all, this is a great looking case that will give your desktop a little extra sparkle.
- Buy now on Amazon
Characteristics:
- Dimensions: 440 mm x 220 mm x 464 mm
- Chassis form factor: Mid Tower
- Expansion slots: Seven
- External connection ports: two USB 3.0, one headphone port and one microphone port
- Drive bays: two 3.5″ bays and three 2.5″ bays
- Turnover: $139.99
- Website: Crystal 460 X
ALSO READ: The best PC monitors for 2018 that are really worth the money
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2
Phanteks Enthoo Pro M Glass
Enthoo Pro M Glass is another mid-height case with a clear tempered glass panel on the side that gives the case an extra shine.
The front of the case also includes a front belt with a dust filter. This is a slightly wider case than the Crystal 460 X and can accommodate a 420mm graphics card and a 264mm E-ATX motherboard.
Chassis includes two 3.5-bay, one 2.5-bay and a pair of 140mm fans. Pro M Glass also has plenty of holes for cable management. Since the Enthoo Pro M Glass retails for around $99, it’s one of the best options for 2018.
- Buy now on Amazon
Features:
- Dimensions: 235 mm x 480 mm x 500 mm (W x H x D)
- Chassis Form Factor: Mid-Tower
- Expansion slots: Seven
- External connection ports: two x USB 3.0 slots, headphones, microphone and reset
- Drive bays: 8 x 3.5″ (two included) and 3 x 2.5″ (one included)
- Turnover: $99.99
- Website: Enthoo Pro M Glass
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3
Corsair Carbide Series 100R Mid-Tower
The Carbide Series 100R is a versatile case with an elegant design.
The case has a hidden window on the side, which gives it some transparency. 100R supports ATX, Mini-ITX and MicroATX motherboards and can accommodate 414mm graphics cards. The
Carbide Series 100R has thumbscrew side panels so you can easily open it without any additional tools and also includes cable management channels for easy cable organization. Plus 100R retails for just $49.99, which is excellent quality.
- Buy now on Amazon
Features:
- Dimensions: 471 mm x 200 mm x 430 mm
- Chassis Form Factor: Mid-Tower
- Expansion slots: Seven
- External connection ports: two USB 3.0, one headphone port and one microphone port
- Drive bays: two 5.25″ and four 3.5″ / 2.5″
- Turnover: $49.99
- Website: 100R Series Carbide
[ Update ] Corsair Carbide 100R is the best selling PC at the moment.
I would also like to note the new released CORSAIR CARBIDE SPEC-06 RGB. It comes with a beautiful design and plenty of room for versatile cooling options and extra drives. - Editor’s Note: If you are interested in other computer cases, check out our extensive collection of manuals.
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4
V Win 805 Type-C
The InWin 805 is a mid-height fully transparent desktop case with a stunning design. The case also has a quality brushed aluminum assembly for the top and front panels.
In addition, there are three alternative color schemes for the front of the In Win 805 and an In Win LED logo that illuminates the side of the case.
In addition to its great design, the In Win 805 includes four USB slots, more than many alternatives. The Win 805 Type-C model includes one USB 3.1 Ultra-Speed Transmission connector.
The case supports ATX, Mini-ITX and Micro-ITX motherboards, is compatible with high-end 320mm graphics cards, and can also include two liquid-cooled radiators at the front and rear.
Features:
- Dimensions: 476 mm x 205 mm x 455 mm
- Chassis Form Factor: Mid-Tower
- Expansion slots: eight
- External connection ports: two USB 2.0, one USB.3.0, one USB 3.1 and one HD audio
- Drive bays: two x 2.5 or 3.5 or four x 2.5
- Turnover : $171.95
- Site: Win 805
Buy now on Amazon
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5
Cooler Master Cosmos C700P
If you want a truly spacious case, the Cooler Master Cosmos C700P is the one to go for. This gigantic case includes eight expansion ports, supports up to nine 2.5/3.5 drive bays, can install a 420mm liquid-cooled radiator at the front, and holds 490mm graphics cards without 3.5″ hard drive bay. The front I/O panel of the C700P has four USB 3.0 ports and one USB 3.
1 port. Master Cosmos C700P also has a glossy and flexible body design. The most notable novelty of the C700P is the RGB lighting control, which illuminates the top and bottom of the case with four alternate lighting modes.
Housing includes two panoramic tempered glass panels on the sides. The aluminum handles are a handy addition to the C700P. Because it has a frame construction, it’s also a flexible case that allows for alternate layouts and one that you can take apart completely.
Features:
- Dimensions: 639 mm x 306 mm x 651 mm
- Chassis form factor: Full-tower
- Supported motherboards: Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX and Mini-ITX
- Expansion slots: eight
- External ports: one USB 3.1, four USB 3.0, one headphone port and one microphone port
- Drive bays: nine hard drive bays 2.
5 / 3.5 - Turnover: $299.99
- Site: Cooler Master Cosmos C700P
Buy now on Amazon
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6
Meshify-C Fractal Design
Fractal Design Meshify-C is a new mid-height case with a unique aesthetic design. The case has a polygonal bezel which has also been added to improve airflow.
Meshify-C also includes tempered glass side panels, which are becoming more common on cases.
The case already includes a couple of pre-installed fans, and you can add five more. Design Meshify-C is one of the best mid-rack cases with flexible storage options, good cable management, and an efficient SSD circuit board.
Features:
- Dimensions: 395 mm x 212 mm x 440 mm
- Chassis Form Factor: Mid-Tower
- Supported motherboards: ATX, ITX and MATX
- Expansion slots: Seven
- External ports: two USB 3.
0 and one HD audio - Drive bays: three 2.5 or two 2.5 / 3.5 in
- Turnover: $89.99
- Website: Designed by Meshify-C
bays
Buy now on Amazon
These are the six best PC cases to build your own desktop in 2018. The selected cases are basically ATX motherboard middlewares that are ideal for gaming platforms.
If you’re looking for a more compact and portable mini-ITX case, check out the Micro ATX Mini Tower , NZXT Manta and Define Nano S.
Explore more options online and let us know in the comments about your choice.
RELATED STORIES TO CHECK:
- These are the 6 best Xbox One cases worth buying
- Top 5 Hardware Configuration Software for Windows PC Users
- Top 7 Hardware Diagnostic Tools for Windows 10 Users
Editor’s note. This post was originally published in January 2018 and has been updated with new products so our users will have a wider choice of alternatives.
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W x1 x9 Dimensions mm x 210 mm x 372 mm
With the h310, you’ll be hard-pressed to find many design features other than the H510. It comes with tempered glass, cable management brackets, and multiple SSD mounting options. Plus, it’s available in similar colorways and has impressive water cooling support for the price.
The case comes pre-installed with two 120mm Aer fans, so make sure your ITX board is suitable for this. Otherwise, select the h310i model with built-in smart device V2.
It may not be as compact as cases like the Thermaltake Core V1 or Fractal Design Node 202 PC cases, but its unique size in this bracket means you can get impressive builds and fit ATX size power supplies.
Aesthetic steel and tempered glass design, it’s a real eye-catcher.
Take a look at our full NZXT h310 review here.
Best Silent PC Case
Fractal Design Define 7
Bessions