If you are a gaming enthusiast, or just want to build your own custom PC with the hardware components of your choice, a PC case is a necessary thing on that road. There are so many options, features, design solutions, sizes, that it is pretty easy for people to get lost.
Because of that, first take a look at the most important aspects of the chassis that you should pay your attention to, and check our advice for some of the best PC cases you can find for your custom machines. They are all different and the fact that one suits your friend perfectly doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to fit you too. Therefore, choose wisely and be patient, there is one for you too.
Super-Tower Cases
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Full-Tower Cases
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Mini-Tower Cases
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How to Choose Computer Case
Design
Who doesn’t want something attractive to put all the fancy hardware into? Although it doesn’t have a real practical value, it makes us feel better if we are surrounded with something beautiful, that just makes us happy… and the same goes for PC cases.
Space for components (ATX, ITX, etc.)
Before anything else, you need to be sure that all the hardware that you want to put in your custom PC can really fit there. Because of that, double check everything and be sure that everything can fit where it should. Also, if your available space is a limiting factor or you just want a compact-sized PC, the scenario is pretty much the same. As said previously, double-check everything.
Cooling
Because no one wants their hardware to fry, this is probably the most important aspect of any chassis. Depending on what you prefer or what better suits your budget – air or liquid cooling, PC case of your choice should provide good results in at least one of these categories. Ultimate gaming machines deserve liquid cooling, while air cooling is more budget-orientated. Whatever you chose, just be sure that the computer case cooling performance is more than pleasing and that your components will stay safe in there.
Light
Just like design, this is more of an eye appealing characteristic that a real practical value. Therefore, if you have a possibility to get yourself a case with fancy RGB LED, go for it, but if that means you are going to sacrifice better cooling or the needed space, don’t do it. Fancy lights will become boring after a while anyway.
16 Best PC Cases
Super-Tower Cases
CORSAIR OBSIDIAN 1000D
A Big Guy That Has Everything You Ever Needed
Obsidian 1000D is a huge PC case with a complete support for two full PC’s (there is a space for one E-ATX and one Mini-ITX motherboard and two PSU’s). Stylish, made out of brushed aluminium, with smoke tempered glass panels, this is a premium looking case that will satisfy even the most demanding gamers.
There is support for 13 fans, up to four 480mm radiators, seven expansion slots for PCIe cards (nine when including vertical GPU mounting space), bays for 11 drives (five 3.5” and six 2.5” drives), two USB 3.1 Type-C ports and four USB 3.0 ports on the front panel. Everything you would expect from the best PC case is there.
When it comes to its size, cooling and expansion options, this PC case just doesn’t have much of a competition. This is simply an amazing casing destined for the best custom PCs out there, and besides rough cable management and the price, it has no other bad sides.
Pros:
- two USB 3.1 Type-C ports
- space for two motherboards
- clean design
- a lot of cooling options
Cons:
- high price
- cable management is a little rough
Thermaltake View 91 RGB
A Great Versatility Case That Makes No Compromise
Thermaltake View 91 RGB is a great PC case that can be compared even to the stunning Obsidian 1000D. Although it doesn’t have the dual motherboard and PSU support as the Corsairs rival, it delivers great cooling versatility with support for 200mm, 140mm and 120mm fans (depending on configuration and the size of the used fans, there is space for 8 to 15 fans), and up to four radiators, that makes it better in that department than Obsidian 1000D. Also, it is worth mentioning that it provides more drive space, 12 compared to Obsidian’s 11.
Sleek looking, with tempered glass panels to show its internal hardware and with support for CPU coolers up to 200mm in height, graphical cards up to 600mm in length and PSU’s up to 220mm in length, this XL-ATX super tower is constructed for high-end workstations and users that accept no compromise. If you want the best tempered glass PC case for your custom made “beast”, look no further, Thermaltake View 91 RGB is waiting for you.
Pros:
- vast fan options
- fully modular
- 12 PCIe slots
Cons:
- price
Full-Tower Cases
Corsair OBSIDIAN 750D Airflow Edition
An Affordable PC Case That Delivers a Great Experience
The majority of the Corsair cases have something in common: they are easy to assemble, have a clean design, great liquid cooling and one not-that-good characteristic: mediocre stock air cooling. Luckily, 750D is an exception to this rule and it delivers better than a competitive performance in that department, but doesn’t show such good results with overclocked multi-GPU configurations.
In general, 750D is a very useful case that offers space for up to 10 drives (that include four pretty handy tool-free dedicated SSD cages), nine PCIe slots, and space for eight fans. It is made out of solid steel and brushed aluminum and all in all, presents more than a good value for the money. Yes, it needs a bit of specialization, but every gaming enthusiast that uses water cooling would be very satisfied to have something like this in his or her disposal and not have to invest a kidney in order to buy it.
Pros:
- a good price
- clean look
- a lot of expansion slots
Cons:
- Not that good balance between air cooling and liquid cooling
- cabling problems with SSD mounting system
Cooler Master Cosmos C700M
The Best PC Case for Versatility
Cosmos C700M from Cooler Master is specially-built for those who like to build rigs that are highly versatile.
It comes with special mounting for GPU alongside riser Cable, which would make the inside of the case a bit more compact.
Apart from that, there is extremely nice Argo RGB lighting, to make everything look even more beautiful, so you could brag to your friends.
Apart from that, there are 8 additional expansion slots and very versatile liquid cooling support, to keep the extra heat under control.
As for connectivity, there is a pretty advanced I/O panel, with all standard ports, such as a headset, USB 3.1 generation 2 Type-C, a total of 4 USB 3.0 ports, really useful PWM button for fan speed and standard addressable RGB button.
All that can be seen through the dual-curved tempered glass side panel, which will allow you to see the entire rig.
Pros:
- Beautiful lighting
- Pretty extensive cable cover system
- Highly-versatile support for liquid cooling
- Great connectivity options
- Great looks, thanks to dual-curved tempered glass
Cons:
- Price is a bit too high for this performance
Thermaltake View 71 RGB
An Imperfection of Manufacture, But Great Performance
Thermaltake View 71 RGB is a prime example of how the quality of build doesn’t always go hand in hand with performance. This case offers great system cooling and you can be sure that your gaming motherboard will be safe with this one, no matter for how long you play your favourite title. Yes, because of this it is a bit noisier than the competition, but the cooling-to-noise ratio is still on its side.
It must be stated that its biggest rival Crystal 570X that offers a bit more features like extra fans, power supply shroud for hiding cables, better quality build, etc. is far behind Thermaltake View 71 RGB when talking about performance. A quality build is View 71 RGB’s major weakness, but still, its performance advantage over the competition makes it an acceptable loss.
Thermaltake View 71 RGB is constructed out of four 5mm tempered glass panels, it is fully modular and offers tool-free installation of up to 10 storage drives, has space for up to nine fans and it offers eight slots that are reserved for more costly PC case alternatives. More importantly, this case offers a better performance than most of its competitors, including Crystal 570X and Dark Base Pro 900, but for the considerably lower price, which makes it an even more attractive alternative and a great solution for the best gaming PC case.
Pros:
- very low temperatures
- 8 PCIe slots
- support for triple-fan radiators on front and top of the case
Cons:
- heavy
- minor flaws in manufacturing
Mid-tower Cases
Cooler Master MasterCase H500
An Affordable Case from Cooler Master
Gamers tastes in design run the gambit from neon-drenched clear cases to boxes that have a more industrial design. The Cooler Master MasterCase H500 falls into the latter category as it’s suitable for your gaming cave or living room.
The MasterCase H500 has a modern design with clean lines and a lightly tinted tempered glass panel on the side. From the front, you’ll be able to see the two included 200mm RGB fans, but you can switch out the panel as you’ll get mesh and acrylic options. The front of the case is also large enough to accommodate a 360mm radiator in the front along with 240mm of room for another up top.
On that note, Cooler Master put a handle on the top of this ATX case which makes it more portable than some of our picks. The case has 7 expansion slots and room for a couple of combo drives or 2.5-inch SSD’s. While it only comes with two RGB fans, it has another fan in the rear and support for several more. This good looking case has a standard 1-year from Cooler Master.
Pros:
- Two 200mm RGB fans
- Magnetic Filter
- Cable & PSU covers
Cons:
- None
NZXT H710i
The Best PC Case for Good Hardware Organization
NZXT H710i model comes with certain new features, such as front I/O USB Type-C port, as well as a vertical area to mount your GPU.
Along with that comes Smart Device V2, which has a pretty quick microprocessor, used for NZXT CAM-powered control for RGB lighting and fans.
As for the lighting, there are two HUE 2 RGB channels, which will make your rig look amazing at all times, with all color combinations.
There are three additional fan channels where you can put two types of fans, both those regulated by voltage or PWM fans.
As for the organization, H710i has an enhanced cable management system, which consists of a patented routing kit for cables, with included straps and channels. This way, you can easily wire every component, as well as keep everything neat and organized.
When it comes to supported motherboard types, this gaming case offers pretty good motherboard support because it can support almost all types of motherboards, such as Mini-ITX, MicroATX, EATX, and ATX.
Pros:
- Offers excellent organization
- Perfect performance, due to Smart Device V2
- Enhanced cable management system
- Great motherboard support
- Vertical GPU mounting
Cons:
- It is a good case but lacks different components, such as RGB stripes, Smart Fan sensor, front fans and more dust filters
Rosewill CULLINAN RGB
A Top-Notch PC Case Built for People Who Know How to Value their Money
For a very attractive price, Rosewill CULLINAN RGB offers a great quality build, with glass on three sides and the outstanding four fans that are included in the package. Other than this, you will end up with pretty good cable management and the possibility to install up to nine storage drives without compromising any other features.
Equipped with RGB fans (there can be six fans max), Rosewill CULLINAN RGB allows for their easy color and speed change, while its inside is pretty spacious, guaranteeing that all your hardware will have their place. This is among the best cheap PC case models on the market right now, simply a great chassis, very cool looking, with a quality build, a decent list of features and last, but not least, a very competitive price.
Pros:
- loads of space
- a built-in fan and RGB controllers
- tool-less drives
Cons:
- installation of the front radiator and the 3.5″ drives limits the length of the PSU that can be installed
- some of the screws are hard to reach
Fractal Design Define R6
A Classy Beast with Outstanding Build Quality
Gaming cases can take a beating over their lifetime, and if you have high-priced components, you need protection for the guts. If build quality and design are important to you, look no further than the Define R6 from Fractal Design.
This mid-tower ATX case has room for nine fans and gives you a full view of your layout with a massive glass panel. That panel is tempered and scratch-resistant but dampened to keep the noise down as well. There are three 140mm fans pre-installed and plenty of space for water cooling support and multiple radiators. It’s also very roomy with 9 expansion slots and a hybrid drive bay system built to handle a wide variety of configurations.
From its sturdy steel exterior to that large tempered glass panel, this case is built like a tank. Fractal Design put a lot of thought into this optimized case, and it gets high marks all-around in our book. It’s a bit pricey, but well worth it if you want a clean case that will last a lifetime.
Pros:
- Build quality
- Full-size tempered glass panel
- Modular design
- Reversible front door
Cons:
- The price tag
NZXT H500
NZXT H500 comes with a clean design, two RGB LED strips, lighting controller; it takes up to four fans and supports 2+1 2.5” drives and 2+1 3.5” drives. Although mid-tower, it is pretty compact, large enough to accept the full ATX board. It is completely made out of steel, other the side panels that are tempered glass-made, which gives the chassis an impressive look – one of the best PC case designs out there.
Made from premium materials, in a couple of color schemes, with a vertical GPU mount, and cable management that is absolutely superb, NZXT H500 is a real bargain. Very affordable, with premium features, quality made – this chassis is just a dream come true for any custom PC maker.
Pros:
- easy cable management
- premium features
- easy build
Cons:
- some awkward positioning
- a limited number of ports
Mini-Tower Cases
NZXT H210
PC Case with the Improved Motherboard Support
H210 model comes with additional features, such as front I/O USB Type-C port, as well as side panel made of tempered glass with only one screw to install it.
Overall, the entire design is kind of remastered to look more modern, which includes having a tempered glass on the side, so you could see your rig, as well as a pretty good cable management system.
Talking about cable management, it is fairly simple to do so because there is a patented cable routing kit, which comes with already installed straps and channels, making your job to manage cables pretty easy.
As for the cooling system, there are two additional Aer F120mm fans, which come in the package and can provide the best possible internal airflow. Along with that, PSU intakes come with filters that can be easily removed.
Apart from that, there is a removable bracket where you can put 240mm radiators to ensure easy installation of water cooling.
When it comes to motherboard type support, this case has enhanced motherboard support because it supports Mini-ITX.
Pros:
- Easy to install a single-screw tempered glass panel
- Modern design
- Easy and simple to manage cables
- Great cooling design
- Comes with already installed fans
Cons:
- It is build of quite cheap material
Phanteks Evolv Shift
A Unique Mini-Tower PC Case that Offers Something Completely Different
Phanteks Evolv Shift isn’t just an ordinary PC case; its solid build and aesthetically attractive looks achieved with a combination of aluminum and tempered glass are just some of the features that support its one of a kind status. This is a PC case that is built for all-in-one liquid-cooling, although it also supports regular air cooling (but its performance in that department is not that good to be seriously considered).
With support for three storage drives, dual all-in-one coolers, SFX-L PSUs, full-sized graphics cards, and equipped with the movable/rotatable GPU bracket, Phanteks Evolv Shift quite surely offers much more than you would expect from the chassis of this size. For all those who want something extraordinary, and at the same time, affordable, Phanteks Evolv Shift is a great solution. This isn’t the perfect case, it has its disadvantages, but if you consider its practicality and uniqueness, this is for sure the best budget computer case of this size.
Pros:
- quality of build
- usable horizontally or vertically
- large tempered glass panels
Cons:
- bad thermal performance
- noisy
- only one fan is included in the package
SilverStone Technology ML08B
A Cheap, Compact-Sized Case that Can Take More than its Mini-Size Insinuates
If you want to find yourself a cheap, compact-size case that will be able to handle and accept a lot of hardware, SilverStone Technology ML08B might be a great choice. Although more expensive than for instance the Cougar QBX, this is still a good deal. It costs more, but it offers a lot of hardware space in a much smaller package, which is very important for this type of cases.
SilverStone Technology ML08B is pretty much the same case as the SilverStone RAVEN RVZ02; their key difference is their external appearance, besides that, everything else, including performance, is pretty much the same. Its minimalistic design offers no space for fans and accepts only two or three 2.5” drives, depending on the size of the other components. Although this is not the best small PC case on the market, it delivers all that is expected from such a mini-packed device, and all that for a decent price.
Pros:
- a minimalistic design
- affordable
- it allows for full graphics card installation
Cons:
- lack of exhaust fans
Cougar Case QBX
A Small, but Very Elegant and Capable PC Case
When talking about the Cougar Case QBX, the first thing that comes up is its elegant design, which already won a trade show design award. That, along with its low price, is this case’s main selling point. When talking about its performance it doesn’t deliver anything stunning – it is solid, but not great, especially with its stock 92mm fan.
Cougar Case QBX has a good airflow of the main system and it can handle some larger thermal loads. It can be equipped with seven fans, while it offers space for just one 3.5” storage drive and up to four 2.5” drives. Of course, the type of equipment you are going to install inside will require a lot of calculation, because there is a limited space inside and all has to perfectly fit. All in all, its good price, amazing design and rather solid performance make Cougar Case QBX one of the best mini PC case models you can find.
Pros:
- elegant design
- high-quality materials
- good mechanical strength
- good price
Cons:
- not that good performance with the stock cooler
Conclusion
These PC cases were just suggestions that you should observe more like a guideline and not like a must. They’re here to help you with your choice and if they did that, their purpose is fulfilled. However, we are convinced that you’ll be able to find your best fit somewhere on our list, or at least get the idea of what you are looking for.
Good luck, and enjoy your new PC case!