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The 10 Best Corsair Cases in 2023

Best Corsair Case

The 10 Best Corsair Cases in 2023

I updated this feature in June after reviewing the latest Corsair releases in 2023. Most of my top recommendations remain the same, but I’ve added some extra alternatives throughout the article.

Is there anybody in the world of PC hardware that doesn’t know Corsair?

This classic manufacturer has been in the game for a long time, and it shows in their products.

Some of our all-time favorite cases come from this brand, and we can tell that they’re popular for a reason.

So today, we’re breaking down the best Corsair PC cases for gaming, streaming, production, and more (whatever price/size you’re looking for).

Top Picks

Best of the Rest: Quick-Fire Picks

 

Overall Best Corsair Case: Corsair iCUE 220T RGB

The iCUE 220T is Corsair’s best achievement in balancing design, build quality, aesthetic, internal space, and overall compactness while retaining a very impressive price.

To start, stock photos do not do this case justice.

Also ranking highly in our RGB case feature, you have a chassis here with a lot of beauty out of the box. But especially when powered on.

With a full-steel exterior and a thick tempered glass window down the full length of the side and front of the case, you have high visibility for your beautiful components.

We love that this Corsair RGB case comes with tint to the windows too, meaning any bright/RGB hardware still shines through, but will look sophisticated and not too bright/tacky.

That goes for the 3 included CORSAIR SP120 RGB PRO fans too, which look beautiful through the tinted front window.

These fans are all addressable, with an ability to customize and control the lighting alongside the included iCUE Lighting Node CORE fan controller.

Even if you’re not crazy about RGB, having 3 high-quality performance fans included in a case of this build quality is a really good deal, the lighting is just a bonus.

But the 220T is far from just a pretty chassis.

It’s an ATX PC case that still manages to retain pretty tight dimensions so is nice and compact, with space for:

  • 7 x expansion slots
  • GPU Clearance up to 300mm
  • 2 x 2.5″ + 2 x 3.5″ drive bays

For a mid-range gaming PC case, this is perfect; with enough room for decent storage/most GPUs.

We will add if you’re looking for one of the larger graphics cards on the market (like the new GTX 3090) you may want to check out some of our other premium picks below.

That being said, for a large majority of builds, this will be a fantastic case for your gaming/production needs.

And that goes for cooling too, with:

  • Up to 6 x 120mm fans (with the 3 included)
  • Up to 1 x 360mm, 1 x 240mm & 1 x 120mm radiators

Tie that capability with the tower’s decent internal ventilation for its size/price range and you have a great cooling machine here, capable of overclocking your build.

Simply put, we just love the high-quality design, build, and features you’re getting in such a well-priced case.

If you’re after a mid-range gaming, production or streaming build, then this is the best Corsair PC case available today for you.

2023 update: The iCUE 220T remains my top pick for 3 years running; although I also really appreciate the iCUE 4000X and this is a worthy competitor if you prefer its aesthetic and have a slightly higher budget.

Best Corsair Case for Airflow (Mid-range): Corsair Obsidian 750D Airflow Edition

What an incredible case this is.

So good in fact, that it has been around for several years!

While we didn’t give it the top spot; that is mostly due to its higher price-point than the iCUE 220.

If you have the extra money to stretch to this case or are looking for something extra powerful, you’re getting some of the best value on the market.

Starting with the build quality, the 750D is a beast and has the reputation for being very sturdy.

With an aluminum, high-quality steel, and tempered glass mix exterior.

Arguably the best Corsair full tower case on the market, this case is very large with room for:

  • E-ATX motherboard compatibility
  • 9 Expansion slots
  • GPU lengths up to 450mm
  • 3 x 5.25″, 4 x 2.5″ & 6 x 2.5″ / 3.5″ hybrid drive bays

As you can see, you have some incredible room in here for a monstrous build.

From a gaming-side, you will easily fit any mainstream GPU in here with room to breathe, alongside other high-performing components.

And as far as the incredible storage allowance goes, you have one of the best PC cases for video editing, server builds, and other production PCs in the 750D

Not only do you have great 2.5″/3.5″ storage, but 3 optical drive bays; great for an HTPC (but equally, if you have no interest in these bays, you can convert them easily).

And then there’s the cooling.

As you can expect from the name, the Obsidian 750D is one of the best Corsair cases for air cooling, water cooling, and overall airflow today.

On top of the fantastic inner ventilation setup, you have the capacity for:

  • Up to 5 x 140mm + 4 x 120mm fans (with 3 high-quality 140mm fans included)
  • Radiator Support for 1 x 360mm, 1 x 280mm & 1 x 140mm.

You can probably see by now why we rate this case so highly.

If you’re looking to build something truly powerful while still only paying a mid-range price tag, then this is the comfortable the best Corsair PC case for the job.

2023 update: Although I still highly rate the 750D, I’ve seen it run into stock issues a lot over the past year. The modern XXXXD series is an excellent alternative if airflow is your main concern; specifically the 5000D or the more premium 7000D. These cases also boast more modern aesthetics while retaining great inner airflow and full-length mesh layouts.

Best Budget Corsair Case: Corsair 200R

We will start by saying we highly recommend you stretch your budget a little further and pick up one of the 2 great value picks above.

That said, if you’re really wallet tight and after a cheap Corsair case, this is a decent option for the price.

The exterior is largely made up of thin steel (but we appreciate that Corsair haven’t gone all-out plastic here).

The design is simple and minimalist, which certainly isn’t a bad thing if it’s to your taste, and gives the capability for more fans on the side panel (that would usually be a window).

Size-wise, this is another compact ATX case, with room for:

  • 7 expansion slots
  • 420mm length GPU clearance
  • 3 x 5.25″, 4 x 3.5″ & 4 x 2.5″ drive bays
  • Fan setup: Up to 8 x 120mm fans (2 included)

This is a pretty impressive offering for its dimensions and size.

We like that there is a lot of storage and GPU space on offer (though we would say if you’re purchasing a graphics card that demands such space, you should pick up the 750D or 680X).

The 2 included fans will be all you need for most budget gaming setups, but it’s nice that the case has a lot more capability should you wish to expand/upgrade.

Note: The product listing has a lot of negative reviews for the 100R.

The 200R, with more general space for airflow and parts, is better-received.

While we would push you to the top picks over it, make no mistake: if you’re on a tight budget, this is the best cheap Corsair case today.

Best High-End Corsair Case: Corsair Crystal Series 680X

What a case this is.

One of the most featured premium chassis on What in Tech, the 680X is one of the greatest choices for some looking to build something truly special.

Yes, it is an expensive tower.

But you’re getting so much quality for the price.

With one of the nicest build qualities we’ve seen in a case, the unit is made of high-quality steel and 3 of its sides are covered by thick tempered glass windows.

It’s one of the best dual-chamber PC cases on the market.

This means it has a main compartment for your most powerful (and beautiful) components.

And then a second hidden chamber to hide your “uglier” components that don’t need the same level of cooling (think PSUs and HDDs).

Not only does this offer the best case airflow to your important hardware, but gives you the cleanest looking aesthetic possible.

I know we’ve said it before but, stock photos don’t show you how beautiful this case is.

Tied in with the fantastic 3 x Corsair LL120 fans included, your build will look fantastic powered on.

(Don’t underestimate the value of those fans also, with them being top-of-the-line and very expensive when bought solo, adding to the case value).

Then there’s the excellent capacity of the 680X too, with:

  • 10 x expansion slots
  • GPU lengths up to 330mm (will cover nearly all mainstream cards)
  • 3 x 3.5″ & 4 x 2.5″ drive bays (in the secondary hidden case)
  • Air cooling: Up to 8 x 120mm fans
  • Water cooling: Up to 1 x 360mm, 2 x 280mm & 1 x 140mm radiator support

For cooling, not only is this capability good for an ATX tower, but when you combine it with the extra space/airflow that having a dual chamber setup provides? It’s one of the best PC cases for cooling available.

You have all the room you need to create a beautifully-presented and powerful, overclocked gaming PC.

Simply put, few cases come close to offering the fantastic utility and style of the 680X.

If you have the budget, know this isn’t just the best Corsair computer case, but one of the best towers available today from any brand.

Best Corsair Micro ATX Case: Corsair Crystal Series 280X

If you’re looking for a Corsair mATX form factor offering you’re in luck.

The fantastic 680X case has a smaller brother, and it retains much of what makes the larger chassis so great at a smaller size/price tag.

Starting with the same great steel/3-way tempered glass exterior, it feels as good as it looks.

We know that most Micro ATX builds are really focussed on a high-quality aesthetic, so we love that this also has the dual-chamber layout for your PSU/HDDs.

The internal sie is good for the form factor, with:

  • 4 x expansion slots
  • Graphics card clearance up to 300mm length (still enough for most cards, but check before buying a GPU)
  • 2 x 3.5″ & 3 x 2.5″ drive bays (all hidden in the second chamber
  • Up to 6 x 120mm fans
  • Or up to 1 x 280mm & 2 x 240mm radiators

As you can probably see from the specs, this case pretty much ticks all the boxes for either a powerful mATX gaming case or one for production/streaming.

With a fantastic fan/water cooling capability, tied in with the dual-chamber ventilation, you have a fantastic case here for overclocking.

Of course, with Micro ATX, you’re making sacrifices in space/cooling for the smaller form factor compared to ATX.

But with the 280X? We haven’t seen many other cases come close to matching a typical mid-tower in performance.

Note: The 280X has seen some stock issues in the past. If not available, you can also pick up the non-RGB version which will be the same great case (but cheaper, without the high-quality RGB fans).

If you have the budget, this is easily the best Corsair Micro ATX case today.

Best Corsair Mini ITX Case?

Unfortunately, right now, there isn’t a Corsair ITX Case we would strongly recommend to you for your next build.

Even though the 280X is technically an mATX case, it’s a great option for ITX builds too.

But if you want something that is “officially” mITX, check out our Lian Li, InWin, and Quiet PC Case features; these have some of the best Mini ITX cases around that will be superior to Corsair offerings.

Quick-fire picks: Best of the Rest

While the top 5 are the best Corsair tower cases available today for most needs, there are some other great choices worth considering if you are looking for something specific price/design-wise:

Best Corsair Budget Alternative: Corsair Carbide 275R

Largely an improvement on the 200R but a little more expensive, the 275R is a good option if you still need something very cheap but have a little more to spare than the 200R.

Best Looking Corsair Case: Corsair Carbide SPEC-Omega

One of our top picks for unique looking PC cases, the SPEC-Omega is a simply beautiful chassis that still performs well.

You’re paying a little premium for the design, but if you like the aesthetic – we’d say it’s worth it.

Best Top Pick Alternative: Corsair iCue 220T Mesh

If you prefer the design, this is another take on our top iCue 220T top pick.

The version we link tends to be a little cheaper and we consider it better value, but this is still a great case if the price is similar at the time you’re purchasing.

Best Corsair Case for Performance Runner-Up: Corsair Air Series 540

If it was the same price as the 750D, it would be a tough race for which case was better.

One of the best dual-chamber PC cases available, this is a great option if you’re looking for something in between the 750D and 680X price range.

Best Budget Corsair Micro ATX Case: Corsair Carbide 88R

We appreciate that or top Micro ATX pick is fairly expensive.

While we think it’s worth the price tag, the 88R is a fantastic budget option, taking a lot of the great design philosophies of the 750D in a much smaller form factor.

What's Next?

About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

The 8 Best 1080p Ultrawide Monitors of 2023

1080p Ultrawide

The 8 Best 1080p Ultrawide Monitors of 2023

I updated this feature in June after reviewing the new ultrawide releases of 2023. None of the top choices have been this time around, but I’ve added a couple of good alternatives where relevant.

Ultrawide monitors make for some of the best screens for immersive gaming and media viewing, not to mention providing an aspect ratio perfect for extended productivity.

Which is why today’s feature is here to guide you through the best UWHD monitors available today at various price-points/specs.

Top Picks

Best of the Rest: Quick-Fire Picks

Overall Best 1080p Ultrawide Monitor: Sceptre Curved C305B-200UN

No monitor better encompassed what we think our gaming readers will be looking for than this fantastic Sceptre display.

Offering an unrivaled balance in picture quality, build quality, and price, the Sceptre C305B ticks all the boxes at a lower cost than we expected.

Note: We’ve based this top pick specifically around the best 1080 ultrawide gaming monitor. If you have no interest in gaming (or it’s at least not your main priority), the next 2 picks will be better suited for you.

To start, you are getting up to a whooping 200hz when using DisplayPort. Combined with its ultrawide resolution, this is a truly fantastic coupling of specs for competitive gaming/e-sports and playing through more immersive titles (if you haven’t played at high refresh rates before, it’s hard to overstate just how much they improve gaming).

On top of these leading specs, you’re also getting a display with a 90% sRGB color gamut, excellent blacks with its VA panel, and a 5ms GTG response time; you are well-positioned to have an excellent picture quality.

Freesync is also supported, enabling you to minimize ghosting/stuttering at the C305B’s higher refresh rates.

What makes us love this cheap 1080 ultrawide gaming monitor, even more, is that it’s not compromising on build quality too.

Built like a premium display should be; the stand/overall design is durable, the bezels are incredibly thin and there is even some subtle LED lighting on the back, which if your monitor is near a wall, will add some nice light-blend.

While we wouldn’t recommend any monitor speakers for an audiophile gaming setup, this display’s included sound is decent compared to many others we’ve experienced.

On top of everything else that’s great about this pick, it’s also a curved 1080p ultrawide monitor. Truthfully, there was enough going for this Sceptre display that we would’ve given it the top spot without this feature, but having curvature too will really take the immersion in gaming, media, and general use that extra bit further. If you’ve never used a curved monitor before, it’s something that is simply more impressive in person.

There is simply so much to love about the C305B.

Coming in at an incredible price range, we think anybody in the market after a full HD ultrawide monitor for gaming will simply love this pick.

2023 update: The C305B is still my top choice for the best 1080p ultrawide monitor. None of the new options I’ve reviewed balance price and quality better than this pick with the mid-range buyer in mind.

Best IPS 1080p Ultrawide Monitor: LG 34WN650-W 34-Inch

Our next pick is for those focussed less on a gaming monitor, and more on a very vibrant picture quality that’s perfect for media and general use (also perhaps best 1080p ultrawide monitor for Mac).

This LG display has one of the best picture qualities on the list, especially when considering its mid-range price.

Boasting an IPS panel, VesaDisplay HDR400, and an sRGB99% color gamut; the picture here is simply stunning, with excellent colors, blacks, and whites (particularly from the HDR400). This is easily our pick for the best 1080p ultrawide monitor for video editing and other production work.

With its core target focussed around being the perfect general use/office ultrawide monitor, this LG offering has some great quality-of-life features for users focussed on business software and general internet use; utility like flicker safe/reader modes, screen split, and ergonomic tilt/height options. It’s a nice, well-rounded display that meets its goals as a productivity monitor perfectly.

If you are still into gaming, we’re not trying to imply this LG 1080p ultrawide monitor isn’t more than capable of it. With its gorgeous picture quality and some decent game modes available, you can still have a quality, immersive setup on here (we just think that if you’re serious about gaming, the utility of the high refresh rate on the Sceptre ultrawide monitor or Samsung pick will be so beneficial for you).

With all that said, if you are focused on picture quality and great utility for a productivity/office monitor, this is easily the best IPS full HD ultrawide display for the job.

Best Cheap 1080p Ultrawide Monitor: LG 25UM58

Our next pick is arguably the most impressive display on the list.

Not because it’s the best, but because it’s an incredible budget 1080p ultrawide monitor. We’ve seen 16:9 full HD displays in this price-range with lower picture quality, so this LG monitor feels like it was made with some kind of wizardry to achieve a decent 1080p 21:9 display at this budget.

With an IPS panel, 99% sRGB color gamut, and up to 250-nits brightness, the specs here will still provide a decent enough picture for a nice office/budget gaming setup.

This 21:9 ultrawide display lacks support for Freesync, which isn’t as good as our top pick for hardcore gamers/those interested in esports, but will still be fine for many gamers who can’t stretch to the pricepoint.

As far as business and personal use go, we think the 25UM58 has the specs you need to create a productive visual workspace.

Perhaps the most important distinguishment between this and our other choices is that this LG display ultrawide display is 25 inches, versus the 34″+ of our other favorite choices.

This is a notable decrease. You still have a gorgeous workspace compared to traditional aspect ratios, though, but it’s probably the biggest reason why it’s still worth stretching to the better picks if you can.

Of course, at this price range, you’re not going to get the vibrance, low response times, high refresh rates, and fantastic blacks/whites as our other picks.

But we’re still floored by what a great option this is if you can only stretch to a budget display. The monitor even has bezels as thin as many of the more expensive picks which we would never expect usually with a budget pick.

If your wallet is tight but you still want a 21:9 desktop then this is, without doubt, the best cheap 1080p ultrawide monitor on the market today.

2023 update: I still highly rate the 25UM58, but wanted to make readers aware of the Philips 292E2E which often hovers around 5-10% more expensive but offers 4″ more screen space, slightly superior color, and, in my view, a more attractive design than our top LG pick; if you can fork out a little more, I think it’s worth the upgrade.

Best 1080p Super Ultrawide Monitor: Samsung 49-Inch CHG90

The last main pick on our list is for the best 1080p ultrawide screen money can buy.

Yes, it’s an expensive offering, but this Samsung ultrawide monitor is something truly special.

To start, this is a super ultrawide display.

Sounds like marketing jargon, we know, but it in fact means the CHG90 boasts a 32:9 monitor aspect ratio and a 3840 x 1080 resolution.

With standard monitors being a 16:9 aspect ratio, this Samsung offering is literally the size of 2 1080p monitors in one screen; and with its enormous 49-inch size, you really feel the presence of 2 monitors (effectively both 24.5 inches).

This dual monitor in one design makes this a beast of a productivity display, with pretty much limitless potential for business and personal use.

And combined with its QLED screen, 350-nits brightness & HDR support, the vibrant picture you will get on this display is simply phenomenal.

But there’s more; let’s talk gaming.

With a 144hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, stunning picture quality, and, of course, the 32:9 aspect ratio, this is one of the best ultrawide gaming monitors on the market.

It’s hard to overstate just how more immersive a normal ultrawide monitor can be; to get the extra screen width of the CHG90 takes this to a whole other level.

There is also a decent amount of support for this aspect ratio too. You may be worrying if you have a gaming PC powerful enough to run 3840x1080p 144hz, but this resolution has half the pixels of a 4k monitor, and there plenty of 4k 144hz displays on the market. As long as you have a mid to high-range setup, you should be able to run an array of titles here.

To top off the gaming features is built-in support for AMD Freesync 2, which is one of the best technologies available to minimize common monitor issues such as ghosting on high-end displays.

Then there is the build quality; this Samsung 1080p ultrawide display is gorgeous, with a sturdy, well-built frame. It’s worth mentioning that it doesn’t have speakers, but we think you’ll want a real audiophile solution for gaming/general use to appreciate how immersive/productive this display can be anyway.

Last but not least, this is a curved super ultrawide monitor. On top of everything else this display has going for it, its 1800R curvature offers an additional layer of immersion.

Between all the great features we’ve discussed, you probably realize why we rate this screen so highly.

If you have the budget, this is an incredible choice, and the best 1080p ultrawide monitor on the market; something truly special that will last you a long time.

Alternative Picks – Best of the Rest

While the top 4 picks are our absolute favorite options for gaming, media, and general/business use alike, we wanted to provide a few more quick-fire picks in case any of our readers have very specific requirements/briefly explain why we may not have chosen them above the top 4.

34″ 1080p Ultrawide Alternative: Sceptre C345W-2560UN

While we think the main Sceptre monitor we’ve recommended is the better choice value-wise, this is a great option if you happen to find it at a discount/if the top Sceptre choice is out of stock and you want something of similar quality.

Second Cheapest IPS 1080p Ultrawide Monitor: LG 34WL600-B

If you like the look of out budget 1080p ultrawide display pick but want something with a better design/picture quality, this LG monitor is a great pick “in-between” our top cheap and high-end IPS choices. We’d just say it will usually be worth picking up the top Sceptreor LG displays if possible over this.

Mid-Range 1080p Ultrawide IPS Monitor: Philips 342E2E

Operating in a similar space to the LG pick directly above, this is a good middle-ground pick for users focussed on a business/general use display (while we prefer our main picks, it would be decent on a discount).

Best 200Hz 1080p Ultrawide Monitor: MSI Optix MAG301CR

Our last pick is an MSI gaming monitor with a superb refresh rate; the main reasons we don’t rate this as highly as our top pick is its significantly larger price-range and user-reports of ghosting. We’d say this is only worth considering if you’re after a very high refresh-rate monitor and the other viable picks are not available.

1080p vs 1440p Ultrawide Resolution

Before we wrap up, we wanted to address the common question on the differences between 1080p and 1440p for ultrawide. Some users seem to think that 2560 x 1080 resolution is “not good enough” for ultrawide monitors. This simply isn’t true.

Of course, if you have the extra budget and a semi-powerful PC, 1440p ultrawide is a marvel to behold. But there is nothing wrong with 1080p, UWFHD monitors are still far superior and more immersive than their 16:9 counterparts and you can still expect a crisp image with full HD, making them a perfect budget ultrawide option; not to mention our Samsung monitor choice proves that this form factor has some incredible premium options too.

If your budget is more in-line with the cost of 1080p ultrawide, don’t fret! We think you’ll love the options above, with the top picks selected with a balance of the picture, high refresh rate, and build quality in mind, you can expect them to be excellent options for gaming, media, or general use.

What's Next?

About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

The 10 Best InWin Cases of 2023

Best InWin Case

The 10 Best InWin Cases in 2023

This feature has been updated for 2023. InWin cases have been largely unavailable through 2023. If the item you want in the feature isn’t available, I’d recommend checking out either our best PC case list, or if you prefer to shop by brand, I have a comprehensive list and a top 10 for all the popular PC case brands available here.

InWin has been in the PC case business for a long time.

And nowadays, with their wonderful mix of style, build quality, features, and value, they’re one of the best manufacturers around.

We’ve put together this feature to guide you through the best InWin case for gaming, production, streaming, and more (whatever size/budget you’re looking at).

Top Picks

Best of the Rest: Quick-Fire Picks

Overall Best InWin Case: InWin 303

The 303 is InWin’s fantastic answer to creating a “jack-of-all-trades” ATX PC case.

For the price, you’re getting a really high-quality product.

Starting with the design, this InWin chassis has an SECC steel exterior and a thick tempered glass window on its main side (a white option is also available).

It looks and feels great, with many other cases in this price-range relying on plastic elements.

What’s more, the finish of the tower is beautiful. Combined with its slick LED lighting, the 303 looks way better than most in its price range.

Feature-wise, it has everything you would want out of an ATX case for gaming or other mid-level builds, with:

  • 7 x expansion slots
  • VGA cards up to 350mm length
  • 2 x 3.5″ & 2 x 3.5″ drive bays

Great specs for a mid-range PC with enough storage room to boot.

Cooling wise, you’re looking at:

  • Up to 7 x 120mm fans
  • Up to 1 x 120mm + 1 x 360mm radiators (can be combined wth 3 x 120mm bottom fans)

Combined with a unique (and effective) ventilation design that holds the PSU on the top side of the case, you have lots of cooling potential in this case.

You’d certainly be able to handle a multi-GPU build in here should you desire.

But alternatively, it would be a great case for overclocking with a standard setup also.

There are many other nice quality-of-life features on the 303 that give it this accolade, like the (largely) toolless design & alternate GPU install options for security.

Simply put, this is easily the best InWin computer case available for mid-range builders, with such a fantastic quality coming from its low price tag.

2023 update: The 303 remains our top InWin choice for 3 years running with its fantastic balance between price, quality, and feature set.

Best Budget InWin Case: InWin 101

If you’re looking for a cheap InWin case, they’ve created a fantastic option in this chassis.

While not quite the same overall quality as the 303, the 101 nicely captures the overall “essence” of what makes the 303 a great case.

The build quality for example still has the great tempered glass window and some SECC components (but with some of the exterior being plastic).

The finish is still decent, and you’re getting some minimal LED lighting to contrast against the rest of the case color (the white version also looking sharp).

You’re largely getting  the same space availability too, with:

  • 7 x expansion slots
  • GPUs up to 305mm in length (but can be extended up to 421mm when removing side-cooling)
  • 2 x 3.5″ + 2 x 2.5″ drive bays
  • Air cooling: up to 6 x 120mm fans
  • Water cooling: up to 1 x 120mm, 1 x 240mm & 1 x 360mm radiators

As you can see, there’s still plenty of capability here for a powerful gaming/production PC.

The cooling capability in the case is still decent, albeit slightly inferior to the 303. But plenty for a single-GPU build.

If you’re building a budget PC, it’s hard to imagine you need more than what is offered here.

The 101 impressively retains a lot of our top pick’s quality for 2/3rds of the price.

We would go for the 303 if you could stretch to it for its improved aesthetic and cooling capability.

But know that if the 101 is the furthest your wallet can go, it’s still an excellent choice and easily the best budget InWin case around.

Best High-End InWin Case: InWin 925

If you’re looking to create the most powerful PC possible, regardless of price, oh boy, do we have the chassis for you.

The 925 is InWin’s answer to creating a HEDT case.

…and it is a very good answer!

Build-wise, you’re getting a beautiful brushed aluminum exterior that has been curved around edges for a truly unique aesthetic.

Stock photos don’t do the 925 justice.

Not only has the exterior been beautifully designed, but with its 2 full-length tempered glass side windows, you’ve got something special to show off your beautiful inner components.

But this case is far from just pretty.

An incredible feature-rich internal space is offered in the 925, with:

  • E-ATX Motherboard support
  • 8 standard + 2 vertical expansion slots
  • VGA cards up to 420mm length
  • 4 x 3.5″ & 3 x 2.5″ drive bays

It’s hard to imagine you needing much more capability/size than the 925 offers.

This would be an amazing case for a high-end gaming PC or production build (video editing, rendering, etc).

Cooling is another particular shining area.

With up to 9 x 120mm fans or 1 x 280mm & 2 x 360mm radiators (note, 1 360mm radiator requires removal of 3.5″ cage).

Combined with immense space and wonderful design for ventilation, this is a fantastic PC case for overclocking dual-GPUs (or more).

InWin 925 vs 928

The InWin 925 is essentially the slightly smaller version of the original 928, which retailed for over twice the price.

As good as the original case was, the 925 represents a very similar quality for much less cost.

This is of course a very expensive PC case. And with any premium product, there are slight diminishing returns.

But if you’re looking to build the most powerful PC you possibly can, this is one of the best cases around for it.

(Want something high-end but at a slightly lower price-point? Check out our alternative premium pick further down).

Best InWin Micro ATX Case: InWin 301

Another flagship model, the 301 is a great InWin mATX tower for those after a smaller form factor.

Built with the same design in mind as its bigger 303 brother, the 301 has the same SECC steel/tempered glass build quality.

The only notable design difference being the lack of LED lighting (but for around 25% less cost, logo/panel coloring still looks sharp).

Size-wise, you’ve still got room for:

  • 4 x expansion slots
  • GPU lengths up to 310mm
  • 1 x 3.5″ / 2.5″ & 2 x 2.5″ drive bays
  • Air cooling: Up to 5 x 120mm fans (2 require a PCI-e slot).
  • Radiators: Up to 1 x 120mm & 1 x 240mm (could be combined with the 2 PCI-e slot fans)

Of course, with the M ATX form factor, you’re getting a slight reduction in specs.

But you still have plenty of storage, cooling, and GPU capacity here.

And combined with the 300 series’ great internal design (with top-side PSU placement) the ventilation will be great for a small gaming/enthusiast PC.

We love that InWin managed to capture the essence of the 303 in a different form factor, for a suitably lower price without any notable sacrifice (aside the ones expected from the reduced dimensions).

If you’re looking for a smaller PC, know this is easily the best InWin Micro ATX case available for your build.

Best InWin Mini-ITX Case: InWin A1 Plus

Then there are those builders looking for the smallest PC case form factor possible.

InWin has been a particularly great manufacturer of mITX towers for years now, and at the top of that pile is the A1 Plus.

We have featured the A1 plus many times across What in Tech.

With its fantastic balance between feature-set, aesthetic, and (very small) size, its InWin at the top of their game.

Starting with the striking design, this is easily the best mITX RGB case around,

With the inclusion of 2 high-quality InWin Sirius Loop 120mm RGB fans and the whole unit resting on a transparent RGB base, the case looks wonderful as soon as it’s powered on.

The secret bonus being all of these RGB components are fully addressable, with the ability to sync them up to whatever color/pattern you like.

On top of the lighting, the unit itself is beautiful and well built; with a thick tempered glass window and solid SECC steel exterior.

It’s another example of stock photos not really demonstrating the aesthetic. Powered on with your parts installed, it’s an incredible look.

But we also like the A1 Plus because of its great space (considering the dimensions), with:

  • 2 x expansion slots
  • VGA length up to 320mm (impressive for ITX)
  • 2 x 2.5″ drive bays (often just 1 in this form factor)

As with any build this small, you’ll only be getting one GPU in here.

But the space for that single GPU is excellent, you can achieve a good amount of storage here too.

And you’ll easily be able to cool it (not something we can always say with ITX cases) with the option for up to 4 x 120mm fans (including the 2 ARGB ones included).

This is excellent for the size, and other little details like the QI wireless charger on the top of the unit give this case such a premium, feature-rich feel.

You may be thinking the price for the A1 is a tad high.

Well, on top of the build quality and addressable RGB aesthetic/cooling, you’re also getting a 650W PSU included.

While there are some complaints of the PSU quality around, we would say for a large majority of builds, the supply will cover what you’re looking for in an ITX build.

It was, for instance, testing and working with a GTX 1080TI gaming build.

The price may seem high; but with all things added in, you’re really getting some incredible value with the A1 Plus.

Not only is this the best InWin mITX case, but one of the best mITX cases available from any brand.

Best of the Rest – Alternative Picks

While the top 5 are our absolute favorite picks, we’ve included a few more quick-fire options that are still great for specific purposes (appreciating some readers will have some unique requirements ).

Best InWin Budget Mini ITX Case: InWin Chopin

As much as we love the InWin A1 Plus, if you’re looking for a much simpler build (e.g. general use or media) then the Chopin is a great option.

With its inclusion of a 150W PSU, its an incredible budget unit. Just note you’ll be relying on a build with onboard graphics (no GPU power availability).

Runner-Up Best Premium InWin Case: InWin 905

As great as the 925 is, the 905 is the best option for those after a premium case with a bit less of a price tag (or a great alternative if the 925 is out of stock).

With an incredible aesthetic, build quality, and capability in cooling/size, if this is as far as your budget can go for a high-end tower, know it’s an amazing pick.

Smallest InWin Case: InWin B1

Those looking for something extra small will love the B1.

Similarly to the Chopin, it comes with a PSU suitable for very basic usage (think HTPC or a normal browsing PC).

While we wouldn’t recommend it for anything complex, it’s a great value offering for those limited builders.

Most Unique InWin Case: InWin D-Frame

Featured many times on What in Tech, the D-Frame is the highest of innovative PC case-building without sacrificing performance.

If you want something that stands out, the D-Frame is the best InWin case for it.

Best Budget InWin Micro ATX Case: InWin BL040

Finally is a pick for those who are after an mATX PC with a bit more of a traditional design (or after something that can be lain horizontally).

While we give a slight edge to the 301, we added the BL040 as it meets a different kind of aesthetic.

If this is more what you’re after in a case, know it still performs great.

What's Next?

About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

The 15 Best Thermaltake Cases in 2023

Best Thermaltake Case

The 15 Best Thermaltake Cases in 2023

After reviewing all of the cases from this great brand, here are our top picks

Best Thermaltake Case

I updated this article in June to cover Thermaltake’s latest releases in 2023. There are no big changes to the list this time around, but I’ve added a couple of great alternatives for certain picks that run into stock issues.

Rivaled by very few in size, Thermaltake is one of the biggest and best manufacturers in the PC case business.

They’ve been in the game for a while, and it shows in their enormous line of fantastic towers today.

If you’re looking at their fantastic line-up, you’ll quickly realize there’s a lot to choose from.

Which is why today’s feature breaks down the best Thermaltake cases for gaming, production, streaming, and more (for all different sizes & budgets).

Top Picks

Worth Considering: Thermaltake P-Series

Best of the Rest: Quick-Fire Picks

Overall Best Thermaltake Case: Thermaltake Core P3

What a fantastic chassis this is.

Featured several times previously on What in Tech, the Core P-series is the best there is when it comes to high-visibility PC cases.

Our top pick from this iconic range is the P3; which strikes the best balance between cost and spec for most mid-range gaming/enthusiast builds.

The build quality of the P3 is fantastic. With a beautiful, thick tempered-glass surrounding the top side and a base made up of high-quality SPCC steel.

It’s deceptively sturdy, with options for vertical, horizontal, or wall-mounted placements (it’s also by far the best wall-mount case available should you be inclined). 

The P3 is a mid-tower (ATX compatible case) with room for:

  • 8 x expansion slots
  • GPU lengths up to 450mm (if radiator reservoir removed) with vertical install options
  • Hidden 2 x 2.5″ / 3.5″ and accessible 2 x 2.5″ / 3.5″ drive bays

This is a decent spec for an ATX case, you’ll have all the room you need in here for any of the mainstream GPUs.

We like that it manages to retain a good amount of storage capability considering the chassis is so exposed and focussed on high visibility (drives often get “shafted” in cases like this).

Don’t be intimidated by the way the Core P3 looks compared to a more traditional chassis.

It’s deceptively easy to build in because you have lots of room to play around with (no awkwardly leaning into a case!).

Finally is the cooling, which this tower simply excels at.

You have the capability for either 3 x 140mm fans or up to 1 x 420mm radiator.

While this may not sound like much for cooling, the P series units are the best Thermaltake cases for airflow, with their open-air design.

So essentially, you can get amazing cooling/overclocking potential with fewer fans – a real bonus in terms of value too.

If you’re after something extra special, capable, and with excellent value for your next build, it’s hard to find better than the P3.

2023 update: The Core P3 remains my top Thermaltake pick for 2 years running. If you want a more traditional PC case then there are better options below, but I think the Core P3 best encapsulates the heights of Thermaltake: great quality, design and space/airflow for your hardware.

Runner-Up Best Thermaltake Case: Thermaltake H200 TG RGB

As much as we love the Core P3, we know that many of you will be looking for more of a “traditional” PC case.

If that’s you, Thermaltake has a great option in the H200 TG RGB.

At an impressively low price-tag, the case comes with the aesthetic, build quality, and size that is perfect for most mid-range gaming/production builds.

With a well-finished SPCC steel exterior, tied with a nice full-length tempered glass window and slick RGB light, the case looks and feels great powered on.

This is one of the flagship Thermaltake ATX case offerings, with:

  • 7 x Expansion slots
  • VGA length clearance of 320mm
  • Up to 2 x 3.5″ or 3 x 2.5″ drives (or 1 of each), all hidden
  • Up to 6 x 120mm fans with 1 included (great for the price)
  • Or up to 1 x 280mm + 1 x 240mm radiators

These are all pretty standard specs for a mid-tower case.

And we don’t mean that badly, the great thing about the H200 is that it ticks all of the expected boxes that you need for typical builds.

The only area it is lacking on a tad is storage capability, but there is easily enough here for gamers and most common builds.

Though if you’re looking at something very high-end or for high-storage production (video editing, etc.) then see our top premium pick below.

The cooling capability of the case is great for the price range.

With enough room to comfortably cable manage also, you have the ability to avoid main-chamber clutter (helping airflow and aesthetic).

The H200 accomplishes everything the average gaming build needs, and does so with a nice style and build quality.

If this is the kind of budget you had in mind for a PC case, know it’s an excellent choice.

2023 update: The H200 is still my top pick for a more traditional-style Thermaltake case, but I’ve seen it run into stock issues over the last few months. If it’s not available, I’d recommend looking through the rest of this list or going for the Thermaltake V250.

Best Budget Thermaltake Case: Thermaltake S100

There are plenty of cheap Thermaltake cases on the list that are excellent for their value (including our runner-up pick directly above).

But the cheapest among them is the S100.

And what’s more impressive is the case still offers a good amount of utility for its price tag.

With a gorgeous minimalist design, tempered glass window, and SPCC steel exterior, you’re still getting some really impressive quality.

The S100 is a Micro ATX case, which we often recommend for budget builds because they are typically cheaper (as are mATX motherboards). In fact, we rate this as the best Micro ATX case available today.

This case is also on the larger side of the form factor too, so no concerns for newer builders about trying to build something intricate.

With space for:

  • 4 x expansion slots
  • VGA lengths up to 330mm
  • 2 x 2.5″ & 2 x 2.5″ / 3.5″ drive bays
  • Up to 6 x 120mm fans (with 1 pre-installed)

Some of these specs are really impressive for a cheap mATX case.

You comfortably have all the storage, GPU, and cooling capability you’ll need for a budget gaming build here.

The fact that this all comes in such a nice design and build is really an impressive feat.

Not only is this the best budget Thermaltake PC case, but one of the best for tight pockets from any manufacturer.

2023 Update: The S100 is easily still our top budget PC case pick for Thermaltake, but we’ve seen it occasionally run low on stock. If this is the case for you, check out our cheapest PC case features for more options.

Best EATX Case / Premium Pick: Tower 900

What an absolute beast of a chassis the Tower 900 is.

If you’re looking to build the most powerful PC possible, whether gaming, editing, server, or other high-end production builds, you’ll find few better than this.

Featured several times on What in Tech, there is so much this unit has to offer.

Starting with the build quality: you’re getting a very high-quality SGCC steel exterior with 3 thick, tinted tempered glass windows.

Not only is it one of the most durable PC cases we’ve ever come across, but its one of the best chassis to show off your internal parts (stock photos do not do it justice).

With its “super tower” form factor, the T900 has space for:

  • E-ATX motherboard compatibility
  • 8 x Expansion slots
  • GPU lengths up to 400mm
  • 1 x 5.25 “, 6 x 3.5″ / 2.5 ” and  2 x 2.5″ drive bays

Whatever your build requirements, it’s hard to imagine needing more than the internal spec offered here.

And what’s more, the Tower 900 is one of the best modular cases today.

This means it gives you a huge amount of customization potential, like removing bays and reservoirs you don’t need for better airflow/aesthetic.

Speaking of airflow…

The Tower 900 is the best Thermaltake case for water cooling, air cooling, or a hybrid solution (and one of the best from any brand).

With up to:

  • 13 x 120mm fans
  • 1 x 560mm & 1 x 480mm radiators (which can be combined with 5 x 120mm fans)

The specs speak for themselves; with an insane combination of top-of-the-line build quality, modularity, space, and airflow design.

Simply put: if you’re looking to build the most powerful rig you possibly can, this is easily the best Thermaltake computer case to accomplish it.

Best Thermaltake Micro ATX Case: Thermaltake Level 20 VT

If you’re looking for a “traditional” micro ATX case for your next build, we’ve already got you covered with our top budget pick above, the S100.

If however, you’re after the best innovation that Thermaltake has created for the form factor, that’s the 20 VT.

With its thick SPCC steel frame being accompanied by tempered glass windows, this is a fantastic high visibility / clear PC case, perfect for showing off your Micro ATX components.

Despite its very transparent design, it’s still very sturdy compared to other mATX chassis and would make a great portable PC case.

The space is impressive for its cube design/size too, with:

  • 5 expansion slots
  • VGA lengths up to 350mm (great for mATX)
  • 3 x 2.5″ & 3 x 2.5″ / 3.5″ drive bays
  • Fan cooling: up to 7 x 120mm + 1 included high-quality RGB 200m fan on the front
  • Water cooling: up to 3 x 240mm & 1 x 120mm radiators

Let us re-iterate: for the form factor, these are really good specs.

And when a manufacturer goes for a unique, cube PC case shape, those dimensions also tend to hurt the internal capability.

But clearly that hasn’t happened here; you have everything you need for a gaming, streaming, or production PC.

What’s more, the case has a great little dual-chamber on its bottom.

This will allow you to hide cables and “uglier” components (HDDs, etc); perfect for a chassis so focussed on high visibility.

The L20VT is great, and easily one of the best Thermaltake towers if you’re looking for a balance between form factor and capability.

Best Thermaltake Mini ITX Case: Thermaltake Core V1

This is one of the most popular mini ITX towers of all time (and for a good reason).

The Core V1 is a tiny, console-sized PC case.

But despite that, it still manages some impressive internal specs and a very nice build quality for the price (it’s one of the most featured cases on What in Tech).

With an SPCC/tempered glass exterior and multiple effective mesh panels; the case is sturdy, looks unique, and does pretty well airflow-wise (for an ITX case).

With room for:

  • 2 x expansion slots
  • 2 x 2.5″ & 2 x 3.5″ hidden drive bays
  • Graphics cards lengths up to 285mm
  • 1 included 200mm fan + space for 2 x 80mm fans

These specs are really impressive for the dimensions.

To put it in context, we’ve seen larger ITX cases with just 1 x 2.5″ drive bay, and way less cooling capability.

The fact that the drives are also hidden is a cherry on top (because why build an ITX case without a clean aesthetic?).

Yes, the GPU length clearance is a little low, but that’s what you can expect with mITX.

This is still one of the best ITX cases for gaming because you’ll be able to fit a good portion of mainstream cards in here.

(If you’re looking at something like a GTX 3090, then you should look at the other larger form factor picks above).

Overall, we’re really impressed with how much the Core V1 has to offer.

With such a small price tag, you get a great fan, build quality and capability for your tiny build.

This is not just the best Thermaltake ITX case, but arguably one of the best chassis of all time for the tiny form factor.

Worth Considering: Thermaltake P-Series

Our top Core P pick is the fantastic Thermaltake P3, as it caters to the most common mid-range gaming/enthusiast builds.

That said, there are other P-series cases of different sizes/price ranges that are also fantastic. We’ve broken them down briefly below for different needs.

Thermaltake Core P1

The Mini ITX choice – this is one of the best options if you’re building a smaller machine and want to show off the internal components (with great space/airflow for the size too).

Thermaltake Core P5

Very similar to the P3, but with more height/depth for freedom in your build and additional glass side panels (if you would prefer a more closed-off case that still has high visibility).

Thermaltake Core P90

For those after something extra unique, the Core P90 retains all of the great performance/build quality that the traditional P series units have and adds a second chamber to separate your “less attractive” parts, great for airflow and aesthetic.

Thermaltake Core P8

Just look at this thing, it speaks for itself.

If you love the high-visibility aesthetic that the P-series offers, and also want to build the most powerful machine possible within it, the Core P8 is your best choice.

Alternative Picks – Best of the Rest

While the above are the best Thermaltake cases most needs, we’ve included a few other quick-fire picks that may be worth considering if you’re picky.

Best ATX Case Alternative for Performance: Thermaltake Core X71

If your budget doesn’t quite go as high as the Tower 900, you’re not interested in the P-series but still want a case with excellent airflow and specs for a powerful build, the Core X71 is a fantastic “middle-ground” option.

Best Premium Alternative: Thermaltake View 71

While we think the Tower 900 is the best choice for your next high-power build, the View 71 is still a great option if you prefer the design/RGB inclusion.

Best Budget Case Alternative: Thermaltake V200

Very popular for a reason, the V200 offers beautiful design at a cheap price.

Performance-wise you’re not getting the best case here.

But if your requirements are modest for cooling, and you’re more focussed on getting the best looking PC case for the least cost, the V200 is perfect.

Most Unique Case (Budget): Thermaltake Versa N24

An excellent case for the price and part of our Unique PC Case feature, if you’re after something different that still performs impressively for a low price-point, the N24 is a great option.

Most Unique Case (Premium): Thermaltake AH T600

Last but not least is a case perfect if you want to balance great performance with a one-of-a-kind aesthetic.

The AH T600 manages both of these wonderfully and is a true marvel in innovation if you have the budget for it.

What's Next?

About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

The 10 Best RGB PC Cases of 2023

Best RGB PC Case Cover

The 10 Best RGB PC Cases of 2023

Best RGB PC Case Cover

I updated this feature in June after reviewing the new PC cases on the market in 2023. Most of my top picks remain the same this time, but I’ve added a few alternatives for certain options that sometimes run into stock issues.

Let’s be honest: aesthetics are a massive factor when buying a PC case.

Sure, you’re going to want the fundamentals like decent cooling, hardware space, and build quality..

But why not both?

We’ve put together this feature after many reviews to highlight the best RGB computer cases for a beautiful build. We’ve chosen them not just based on lighting, but their overall quality and value.

We’re aware beauty is in the eye of the beholder which is why we’ve included a lot of different case designs; including options for different sizes, budgets and RGB types.

1

Corsair iCUE 220T RGB

Overall Best RGB PC Case

Corsair iCUE 220T RGB

Our Rating: 9.5/10

2

MUSETEX Phantom 907 2

Runner-Up Best RGB PC Case

MUSETEX Phantom 907

Our Rating: 9.25/10

3

AeroCool Klaw

Best Budget RGB PC Case

AeroCool Klaw

Our Rating: 8.5/10

4

Asus ROG Strix Helios GX601

Best High-End RGB Case

Asus ROG Strix Helios GX601

Our Rating: 9.5/10

5

Antec Dapper Dark Phantom DP301M

Best RGB Micro ATX Case

Antec Dapper Dark Phantom DP301M

Our Rating: 9.5/10

6

InWin A1 Plus 2

Best RGB Mini-ITX Case

InWin A1 Plus

Our Rating: 9/10

7

Segotep Phoenix

Wildcard – Worth Considering

Segotep Phoenix

Our Rating: 9.25/10

8

darkflash phantom

Worth Considering

darkFlash Phantom DR12

Our Rating: 9/10

Corsair iCUE 220T RGB

Corsair iCUE 220T RGB Tempered Glass Edition

Overall Best RGB PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS*

Form Factor: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro-ATX, mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 160mm | GPU Length Clearance: 300mm | Dimensions: 395 x 210 x 450mm | Weight: 6.8kg | Radiator Support: 360mm | Fan Mounts: 6

REASONS TO BUY

+ Beautiful aesthetic

+ High quality build and fan inclusion for the price

+ Decent layout for a neat, mid-range build

REASONS TO AVOID
– Slightly smaller than most ATX cases for big GPUs
 

Our Rating: 9.5/10

This is an awesome chassis from Corsair, one of the best case manufacturers in today’s market.

The exterior is made of good quality steel and thick tempered glass on the side/front.

These windows are slightly tinted, which may sound counter-intuitive for an RGB-focused case.

But having strong LED lights shine through tinting actually provides a way more sophisticated look and, in our experience, looks better than a fully transparent window (don’t worry, they’ll still be bright!).

Speaking of lights…

A lot of this list is focused on cases with in-built LED lighting (instead of relying on LED fans), but the iCUE 220T packs an incredible value with 3 x CORSAIR SP120 RGB PRO fans.

These are addressable RGB fans each including 8 separate LEDs.

You’re then also getting an iCUE Lighting Node CORE fan controller included, easily allowing control of your 3 included fans (and up to 3 more) with the fantastic Corsair iCue software.

The combination of the tinted windows, fantastic lighting of the fans, and control from the iCue is why we rate this case so highly for RGB builders (especially at its modest price point).

But the 220T isn’t just a pretty case.

Corsair iCUE 220T RGB 2

Source: grdud

The case is a compact mid-tower designed for an ATX motherboard (or smaller).

With space for:

  • 7 expansion slots
  • VGA lengths up to 300mm
  • 2 x 3.5″ & 2 x 2.5″ drive bays

We love how there’s good room for a powerful gaming GPU despite it being about 30% smaller than the average ATX tower. We would have liked to see an extra 20mm or so of GPU space as there will be some cards that won’t fit in here. If this is the case for your preferred card, we’ve got many larger choices below.

Cooling-wise, you’ll have room for:

  • Up to 6 x 120mm fans (with 3 included)
  • Up to 1 x 360mm, 1 x 240mm & 1 x 120mm radiators

This is an impressive amount considering it’s one of the smallest ATX cases, many larger options offer fewer allotments.

Also included is a full-length PSU shroud to aid your cable management. With a layout that aids itself nicely in building a clean setup, the 220T is deceptively capable of good ventilation despite its glass front and would manage well for overclocking.

Tied with further RGB hardware you can achieve an incredibly unique aesthetic.

But even out of the box, the iCUE 220T still looks amazing. We give it the top spot because it’s not just gorgeous in its RGB potential, but also in its build quality, cooling, and value.

2023 update: While the iCUE 220T is still our top pick, we’ve seen it occasionally run out of stock over 2022. If this is the case for you, we can also recommend the mesh edition, which may have a more understated look, but also comes with some improved airflow on the front of the case; featured here on WIT.

MUSETEX Phantom 907 2

MUSETEX Phantom 907

Runner-Up Best RGB PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Form Factor: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro-ATX, mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 160mm | GPU Length Clearance: 380mm | Dimensions: 447 x 211 x 450mm | Weight: 6.75kg | Radiator Support: 360mm | Fan Mounts: 8

REASONS TO BUY

+ Unparalleled value at its price-point

+ Nice spacious case for airflow/parts

+ Plenty of RGB inclusion/control

REASONS TO AVOID
– Fans/build quality slightly inferior to pricier options
 
– Smaller manufacturer
 
 

Our Rating: 9.25/10

We don’t often give such a small manufacturer a high accolade.

But MUSETEX has created a really impressive PC case for RGB builders at an insane value point (we nearly gave it the #1 pick and think that many of you may prefer it over the Corsair 220T).

The build quality is great; with a steel exterior and 2 sturdy tempered glass windows covering the side and front panels.

A lot of the cases great value comes from its 6 x pre-installed RGB fans. These are also connected to a fan controller that works with an included remote with plenty of features.

It might not be made for the top-of-the-line Corsair/ASUS RGB software.

But you’re getting an incredible amount of customization. Anything from static colors to having your lights change to music/your voice.

It’s hard to imagine needing much more out of an RGB ATX case.

MUSETEX Phantom 907

Source: Bojangles

The 907 has good space too, with:

  • 7 x expansion slots
  • Maximum GPU lengths of 380mm
  • 3 x 2.5″ & 3 x 3.5″ drive bays

This chassis is slightly larger than the 220T, with a good amount of room for more hard drives/SSDs and pretty much any mainstream graphics card (including RTX 3090, 3080 & 3070s).

It even boasts support for EATX motherboards (though we recommend our high-end pick below if you’re looking for an EATX RGB case).

Cooling-wise, you’re already set with the 6 x included fans and some good cable management/airflow features.

If you are looking at liquid cooling, we’d recommend the other cases on this list (as much of the value of the 907 comes from the fans).

Corsair 220T vs MUSETEX Phantom 207

So with all that said? Why do we rank the Corsair case over this MUSETEX offering?

It’s close, but we slightly prefer the 220T with its higher quality build & tinted windows giving off a more elegant RGB aesthetic (if you like a more “vibrant” case, the 907 will suit you more).

We also have a whole host of experience with Corsair, their cases, and customer service. MUSETEX isn’t a bad manufacturer, but they’re smaller and less “reputable” than Corsair. It’s not a deal-breaker, but a nice bonus to purchase from a brand with a long history of high-quality towers.

With all that said, the value of the Phantom 907 is fantastic. There’s so much included in the price tag. We really think your decision should largely come down to if you’re comfortable buying from a smaller brand and which cases you prefer aesthetically.

AeroCool Klaw

AeroCool Klaw

Best Budget RGB PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Form Factor: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro-ATX, mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 165mm | GPU Length Clearance: 370mm | Dimensions: 445.5 x 228 x 461mm | Weight: 7.5kg | Radiator Support: 260 | Fan Mounts: 6

REASONS TO BUY

+ Great aesthetic/build quality for its price

+ Ticks all the boxes for a good budget build

REASONS TO AVOID
– Worth spending more on the other picks if possible
 
– Some weird layout choices makes building a little tougher
 

Our Rating: 8.5/10

If possible, we’d recommend forking out slightly more for one of our other top picks.

That being said, the AeroCool Klaw is an impressive offering if you’re looking for a mid-tower RGB case on a very tight budget.

With an SPCC steel exterior, ABS plastic front, and tempered glass side panel, you’re still getting a fairly good build quality. Though expectedly not quite on par with our pricier picks.

But the RGB is where this case really shines.

Included you’ll have:

  • 3 addressable RGB strips running down the front of the case (all controlled via a button on the front I/O panel)
  • 3 pre-installed RGB ring fans (also fully addressable)

These fans aren’t the same quality as our top picks, but for the price, it’s a very decent value point.

The Klat also has space for:

  • 7 x expansion slots
  • GPUs up to 370mm
  • 2 x 2.5″ /3.5″ & 4 x 2.5 ” drive bays
AeroCool Klaw 2

Source: Aerocool

If you’re building a budget gaming PC, we assume you’re looking at a single GPU setup, which this case can definitely perform well with.

Cooling-wise, you can have up to 6 fans (with the 3 RGB 120mm fans included).

If you’re looking at liquid cooling, we’d recommend investing in one of the more expensive cases we review in this list.

The cable management/airflow won’t be quite as decent as our top offerings but you’ll still be able to cool a budget build without concern.

If you’re looking for the cheapest RGB PC case possible, there’s one even cheaper with the AeroCool Bolt.

But we’ve chosen the Claw as our top pick because, with just a little bit more money, you’re getting the 3 RGB fans included. So we consider it the best value point for those with a slim wallet.

Sure, we’d recommend our other picks over the Klaw, but if this is the only option that fits your budget, you’re still going to have a great time building here.

2023 update: We’ve seen the Klaw occasionally run into stock issues; if that’s the case, we also recommend the Antex NX260 or the MUSETEX DT-N1 as the cheapest alternatives that are still worth your time.

Asus ROG Strix Helios GX601

Asus ROG Strix Helios GX601

Best High-End RGB Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Form Factor: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: EATX (12″x10.9″), ATX, Micro-ATX, mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 190mm | GPU Length Clearance: 450mm | Dimensions: 250 x 565 x 591 mm | Weight: 18kg | Radiator Support: 420mm | Fan Mounts: 7

REASONS TO BUY

+ Unrivalled build quality & design

+ Great spacious layout for high-end hardware

+ Plenty of cooling/cable management potential

REASONS TO AVOID
– Fairly expensive
 
– High-quality build makes it heavy and large
 

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Oh boy, this is an amazing case.

Popular for a reason despite its high price point, the GX601 has so many great features.

The exterior is largely a thick aluminum, easily the best material for PC cases. It gives a sleek look and better build quality than the usual steel/plastic hybrid options.

Then there are the 3 thick, tempered glass windows on the front, left, and right sides.

These are tinted slightly while still being bright enough to allow your hardware and RGB components to shine through (we find this looks way better than non-tinted).

Finally, there’s the beautiful front panel addressable RGB lighting that has a tempered glass etching to allow your inner lighting to shine through the front ASUS design (we’ve not seen this in a case before!). The RGB is also nicely controllable with the front I/O panel button or the Asus Aura Sync software (one of the best on the market).

Asus ROG Strix Helios GX601 2

Source: mgkhn

This means that you could have RGB fans on the front accommodating the pre-installed lighting.

It’s hard to express how good the GX601 looks through stock photos, it looks so much better in person. This is truly one of the best-looking PC cases once your high-end gaming build is setup and running.

But enough on design, because this chassis excels across the board, with:

  • 8 + 2 vertical expansion slots
  • Maximum 450mm GPU length
  • 2 x 2.5″ / 3.5″ & 4 x 2.5″ drive bays pre-installed with up to 9 total (enough space for even the most SSD-heavy builds)
  • Great I/O panel with 4 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 & 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Type C), LED/fan control, and the usual HD audio ports.
  • Good quality, easy-to-use dust filters

It has the most space out of all the cases on the list, also making it our top pick for anyone looking for the best RGB EATX case.

With this room, you have everything needed for a high storage/multi-GPU enthusiast builds dedicated to gaming, streaming, or production/video editing.

And to cool all of that hardware, you’ll also have:

  • Up to 6 x 140mm fans (4 high-quality ones included)
  • Up to 1 x 420mm, 1 x 360mm & 1 x 140mm radiators

6 fan mounts may sound low, but these are 140mm which perform notably better than 120mm.

Tied with excellent cable management facilities and a good overall design for airflow, you’ve got an amazing PC case for water cooling & air cooling alike, capable of overclocking an intense gaming setup.

A small but nice detail is the included straps on the top of the tower if you need it to operate as a LAN party PC case (fair warning though: this thing is heavy).

Yes, this tower is expensive.

But compared to the other cases on this list and out of all of our experience with in-built RGB options, this ASUS offering is one of the real standouts for high-end builds.

If you’re building something truly special and are looking for the best RGB full tower on the market, you’ve found it.

Antec Dapper Dark Phantom DP301M

Antec Dapper Dark Phantom DP301M

Best RGB Micro ATX Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Form Factor: Mini Tower | Motherboard Support: Micro-ATX, mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 160mm | GPU Length Clearance: 360mm | Dimensions: 420 x 210 x 402mm | Weight: 5.9kg | Radiator Support: 280mm | Fan Mounts: 6

REASONS TO BUY

+ Great ARGB aesthetic for the price

+ Surprisingly spacious for mATX

+ Good cooling options

REASONS TO AVOID
– No RGB fans included
 
– Lighting may be too minimalist for some tastes
 
– Build quality is mostly good, but some lesser elements are not found in cases like the Corsair 280X
 

Our Rating: 9/10

Don’t be deceived by the bizarre name. This is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a Micro ATX case with decent RGB capability.

From one of the “OG” gaming PC case manufacturers, Antec has created a great design with the DP301M.

With a largely SPCC steel (plus some plastic), tempered glass window, and a unique “boomerang” RGB strip on the front, the case has a great aesthetic and build quality.

That RGB strip is also easily controlled from the front I/O panel with a single button.

Naturally, with an RGB mini-tower form factor, you’re getting less space than an ATX case.

But there’s still impressive room in here for:

  • 4 expansion slots
  • GPU length up to 360mm (great for an mATX tower)
  • 2 x 2.5″ / 3.5″ & 2 x 2.5″ drive bays
Antec Dapper Dark Phantom DP301M 2

Source: Ingreen

With the decent GPU allowance and storage, we’re pleasantly surprised by the space. It has a good design to accommodate airflow/cable management, alongside:

  • Up to 6 x 120mm fans (with 1 included)
  • Up to 280mm top & 120mm rear radiators (could be combined with 2 x 120mm fans on top)

This is really impressive for mATX, definitely still suitable for some decent overclocking in a small gaming build.

Looking for a high-end RGB mATX option?  If you have the budget, the best choice is the CORSAIR Crystal 280X

We’ve raved about the 280X in our dual-chamber guide and recommend it if you can stretch to it.

With that said, we’ve focussed on the DP301M for a reason. We think it will reflect a more reasonable budget for most and love its understated lighting.

When considering the average mid-range PC and value, this is easily the best mATX RGB case available.

2023 update: The DP301M is also sadly occasionally out of stock right now. There isn’t another Micro ATX option on the market with a decent amount of built-in RGB, so if you’re unlucky on its availability, I would recommend either getting a slightly larger case for your build from the options above or going with an mATX case that has great ARGB fans like the Lian Li 205M MESH.

InWin A1 Plus 2

InWin A1 Plus

Best RGB Mini-ITX Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Form Factor: SFF | Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro-ATX, mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 160mm | GPU Length Clearance: 320mm | Dimensions: 273 x 224 x 357mm | Weight: 7.1 kg | Radiator Support: 120mm | Fan Mounts: 4

REASONS TO BUY

+ Incredible build qualtiy and ARGB aesthetic

+ Balances compact dimensions with a decent layout for ITX builds

+ Decent thermals for an ITX case

REASONS TO AVOID
– Slightly expensive
 
– Included PSU could be better
 

Our Rating: 9.25/10

And then there are those of you looking for nice lighting in the smallest form factor.

Recommended multiple times on other What in Tech features, the A1 Plus is a fantastic RGB ITX case.

With an excellent quality SECC steel exterior and a thick, tinted tempered glass window, the tiny tower sits on a beautiful transparent RGB base.

We don’t really come across many other towers with such lighting.

And what’s more, it comes with 2 high-quality InWin Sirius Loop 120mm ARGB case fans (fully addressable).

It packs great space for the form factor too, with:

  • 2 expansion slots
  • VGA length up to 320mm (great for ITX)
  • 2 x 2.5″ drive bays
  • Wireless QI charger on the top (very unique/impressive for the size)

This may all sound super low, but we’re very impressed with the incisions compared to many of its Mini ITX case competitors.

InWin A1 Plus

Source: SpiralCaseMods

This would be perfect if you’re looking for a portable case or if you’re simply someone that likes their builds as compact as possible.

On top of the 2 included RGB case fans, you could include a further 2 x 120mm fans (or 1 x 120mm radiator).

Having up to 4 fans in a chassis this small is a great feat. It really stands out as one of the top ITX choices for cooling.

Additionally, the case comes included with a 650W PSU pre-installed.

We will say the power supply is a slight letdown. If you’re getting a very powerful GPU, CPU, and motherboard, you may want to invest in another and use the base one as a backup.

But for the average ITX gaming PC, it will be able to handle things if this sounds like overkill for you.

If you’re looking for a very cheap RGB Mini ITX case, then a good backup is the Cooler Master Case H100.

This case still boasts impressive capability for the size and comes with a 200mm RGB fan.

But without question, the InWin A1 Plus is our top choice.

Honorable Mentions

While the above choices are the best RGB tower cases available, if you’re looking for a different flavour, we’ve included some extras we’d still highly recommend.

Segotep Phoenix

Segotep Phoenix

Wildcard - Worth Considering

SPECIFICATIONS

Form Factor: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro-ATX, mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 167mm | GPU Length Clearance: 323mm | Dimensions: 483 x 216 x 508mm | Weight: 10.85kg | Radiator Support: 360mm | Fan Mounts: 7

REASONS TO BUY

+ Beautiful, unique RGB lighting

+ Fairly spacious for a mid-range build

REASONS TO AVOID
– No front airflow or fans included
 
– A little pricey; the premium is for the design
 

Our Rating: 8.5/10

I’m sure you can tell from the image why we wanted to include this.

Boasting a fantastic design, the case’s front panel has incredible LED lighting that can be synced with the most popular RGB software if you have an addressable header on your motherboard.

You’re also getting good build quality, with a tempered glass panel and 0.8mm thick SPCC steel.

The Phoenix has made a couple more design choices that truly make it one of the more unique towers on the market.

Firstly, it’s an inverted case, with the side panel on the right side. Perfect if you’d rather your case sit on the left side.

Next, the case is designed with sideways motherboard mounting.  i.e. the rear I/O panels and cables come out of the top of the case instead of the back.

We actually really like this design choice as it means your I/O panel ports are really easily accessible (no reaching behind the back of the PC).

It also means your GPU will hang directly downwards, you won’t find many other builds that look like this!

Segotep Phoenix 2

Source: FpsMafia

The Phoenix is an ATX RGB mid-tower, with space for:

  • 7 expansion slots
  • VGA lengths up to 320mm
  • 2 x 3.5″ & 2 x 2.5″ drive bays

Pretty standard for an ATX chassis, perfectly suitable as a mid-range gaming case.

For cooling, there’s space for:

  • Up to 5 x 120mm fans
  • Up to 1 x 360mm & 1 x 240mm radiators

Not particularly impressive for its size, but still enough for some decent graphics cards.

The cable management and airflow design also aren’t as good as our top picks which were the main reasons this case missed out on the spots taken by the 220T and Phantom.

But that being said, this is perhaps the most unique case on the list.

If you really want to stand out, the Phoenix is still a great option.

darkflash phantom

darkFlash Phantom DR12

Worth Considering

SPECIFICATIONS

Form Factor: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro-ATX, mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 174mm | GPU Length Clearance: 375mm | Dimensions: 548 x 219 x 419mm | Weight: 8.8kg | Radiator Support: 360mm | Fan Mounts: 11

REASONS TO BUY

+ Stunning glass + RGB fan aesthetic

+ Great value for the build quality and fan inclusion

REASONS TO AVOID
– Airflow is serviceable but not the best due to the glass coverage
 
– Some layout decisions make building “hands-on”
 

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Last but by no means least is a great option if you’re looking for a PC case with RGB fans (and a lot of them).

We’ve included the DR12 as it’s a great “mid-range” choice for a lot of different build types.

To start, it has 3 very sharp, full-length tempered-glass windows (left/right sides and front).

But the case’s crowning design feature is the 6 pre-installed 120mm RGB LED fans.

Combined with the high-quality glass windows, these fans beautifully illuminate the front and rear of the build.

The DR12 is a mid-tower, with space for:

  • 7 x expansion slots
  • GPU card lengths up to 359mm
  • 2 x 3.5″ & 3 x 2.5″ drive bays

Pretty standard specifications here but a good balance for either a gaming or streaming build.

darkflash phantom 2

Source: JLewis198038

As far as cooling goes, given the tower includes 6 RGB fans, you’ll be wanting to focus on air cooling.

You can add a further 5 x 120mm fans if you wish, totaling 11 x 120mm fans.

That’s a crazy amount for an ATX case.

One downside though is the airflow. While not awful, is not the best in the DR12.

This is a tad disappointing given how clearly aligned to air cooling the case is.

But given the sheer quantity of fans you can install, you still have a great PC for overclocking here.

(If you were inclined, you could even use the spare space we talked about using for 5 extra fans on radiators for an air/water cooling hybrid build).

Overall, with specific consideration to the fantastic value the 6 RGB fans add, this is a great RGB ATX case if you like the design.

More RGB PC Case Options?

There are some more RGB computer cases floating around.

But we simply wouldn’t recommend them over the above choices.

For example, we know a lot of gamers may be looking for an NZXT RGB case.

While you can easily add RGB fans to NZXT towers, we’ve focussed specifically here on PC cases that have RGB elements included (either fans and or/in-built lighting) at a great value.

We’d push you towards the above for anything from a gaming/streaming PC to a production/video editing computer.

That being said, If you wanted an alternate idea, you could create a cool “RGB” computer by:

  1. Purchasing a clear PC case as a foundation
  2. Installing RGB fans that will give you lighting in your transparent tower
  3. Buying an RGB motherboard that will give you the best onboard lighting and RGB header capacity for additional lighting

If you’d prefer to add your own RGB fans to a case that doesn’t include any lighting by default, we’ve included 2 final quick-fire picks below that are premium, large, and the cases that could include the most RGB fans (purchased separately):

Corsair Obsidian Series 1000D

Best Premium Case for RGB Fans: Corsair Obsidian Series 1000D

This is a monstrous case with the capability to host up to 18 x 120mm fans in a wonderful presentation and everything you need for a high-end gaming build.

If you want to see an example of how effective RGB fans can look in this case, check out our more detailed review included in our EATX Case feature.

The only reason this case doesn’t get a high ranking in this list is because we’ve focussed on cases with included lighting, if that’s not important to you in building your RGB PC, this is a wonderful high-end option.

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Thermaltake Core P8

Best Looking Case for RGB Fans: Thermaltake Core P8

Featured many, many times on What in Tech, the fabulous Core P8 can host up to 18 x 120mm RGB fans all highly visible in the cases 3 x tempered glass, high-visibility layout.

If you have the budget to purchase this great case and RGB fans, it’s one of the most amazing aesthetics you can achieve. Check out our full Core P8 review on the premium case spotlight.

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Final Thoughts

And there you have it! After reviewing countless options, these are the options that really stand out to us as the best RGB PC cases.

If you’re still feeling overwhelmed by what to pick, we would recommend focusing on these factors:

  1. Price: are you interested in budget, mid-range, or high-end?
  2. Size: are you looking to build something small or huge? ITX, mATX, ATX or eATX? What sized GPU/PSU/CPU cooler are you looking for? This will narrow things down a lot.
  3. Aesthetic: So you’re looking for an RGB case, but do you want one understated and sophisticated like our top Corsair 220T pick? Or something a little more vibrant like the MUSEXTEX offering? You can also think about if you’re more interested in in-built lighting or simply buying a clear PC case with lots of visibility for RGB fans.

If you’re clear on these 3 areas, finding the perfect case from this list (or some of our other features) will be a piece of cake!

What's Next?

About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

* Specifications throughout our articles are double-checked and intended to inform our users, but should not be treated as factual information. When making final decisions on your products, please check the manufacturer pages to confirm the fine details.

The 10 Best SilverStone Cases in 2023

Best SilverStone Case

The 10 Best SilverStone Cases of 2023

I updated this feature in June to cover SilverStone’s releases over 2023. A few of our picks have been changed, and I’ve added alternatives for some of the cases that occasionally run into stock issues.

SilverStone Technology is a name you’ll know if you’ve been buying PC cases for the last couple of decades.

In a world of flashy towers with lots of bells and whistles, the SilverStone brand stands out by offering their more “mature”, minimalist designs (while still included lots of great case specs).

This feature will take you through the best SilverStone PC cases for gaming, home theatre, production, and more; whatever your size/budget requirements.

Top Picks

Best of the Rest: Quick-Fire Picks

Overall Best SilverStone Case: SilverStone RL06

This is a popular case for a reason.

The RL06 is Silverstone’s best balance between cost, build quality, and feature-set.

What you’re getting for its price-point is really a fantastic value chassis that we think will meet your needs nicely if you’re building a mid-range gaming or production PC.

Starting with the build, a good portion of the exterior is made of well-finished steel that looks as good as it feels.

All the RL06 series models are good but the ones we love the most are the GP variations.

These come with thick tempered glass windows running down the full length of the case.

This will make your build really stand out once complete and powered on.

Space-wise, this is an ATX case, with room for:

  • 7 x expansion slots
  • Graphics cards up to 348mm (will cover nearly all mainstream cards)
  • 3 x 2.5″ / 3.5″ & 2 x 2.5″ drive bays

The size and specs are great, with plenty of storage room should you be building something media/editing focussed.

But also just as much room for GPUs for a gaming focussed build.

The RL06 has great cooling in mind also, with capacity for:

  • 6 x 120mm fans with 3 x high-quality LED fans included (in GP/PRO versions)
  • Or 2 x 240mm & 1 x 120mm radiators

Combined with a great internal design for ventilation and good cable management facilities, this is a great PC case for overclocking and cooling.

With its aesthetic, fan inclusion, features and build quality all under a fantastic price-point, I’m sure you can tell why we consider the RL06 the best SilverStone PC case available today.

2023 update: The RL06 still takes my top spot on this feature, but I’ve seen it occasionally run into stock issues over the last few months. Note that all 4 versions of the Amazon listing are mostly just aesthetic changes so even if the one we reviewed is out of stock, they’re all viable options.

Runner-Up Best SilverStone Case: SilverStone GD09

Featured previously as the best horizontal PC case available today, the GD09 is a fantastic chassis.

We give this the runner-up accolade as the RL06 caters more for typical gaming/production builds in its form factor.

But if you like the aesthetic of the GD09 and don’t need some insane capability for multi-GPUs or overclocking, or you’re looking for the best HTPC case around, then you’re in luck.

The exterior is made from beautiful thick steel with a faux aluminum finish (as you can probably tell even from the stock photos, it looks great).

Size-wise, you’re getting:

  • 7 expansion slots
  • GPUs up to 309mm (width restriction of 133mm)
  • 1 x 5.25″, 2 x 3.5″ & 1 x 2.5″ drive bays
  • Up to 3 x 120mm fans (1 included) + 2 x 80mm fans

With its optical drive, fan availability, and overall style, SilverStone primarily has HTPC case builders in mind with this offering.

That doesn’t mean you couldn’t use it for a modest gaming PC if preferred; there is still plenty of cooling available here for a single GPU.

We really love the unique take GD09 has here on the console-shaped PC case.

Perfect for a media center, living room PC, or just someone who likes a more mature style, the GD09 is a fantastic ATX case.

2023 update: If the link below to the GD09 is out of stock, please also check here. For whatever reason, its stock is spread over 2 different listings on Amazon.

Overall Best Budget SilverStone Case: SilverStone FARA R1

As far as cheap SilverStone cases go, the FARA R1 is very impressive quality-wise considering its low price-point.

You’re of course not getting the same build quality as the top picks, with a thinner steel material used for most of the exterior.

That said, the fact that it’s based on steel at all is decent (with many all-plastic cases existing in its price range), and the finish still looks slick.

This budget ATX case has good room for gaming or cheap enthusiast builds too, with:

  • 7 x expansion slots
  • GPUs up to 322mm length (potentially more with the front fan removed, but likely unnecessary).
  • 1 x 3.5″ & 4 x 2.5″ drive bays
  • Air cooling: up to 6 x 120mm with 1 pre-installed 120mm fan (great for the price)
  • Water cooling: up to 1 x 280mm, 1 x 240mm & 1 x 120mm radiators

If you’re going for a budget build, you’ll be able to add 1 or 2 more fans to the pre-installed one and have enough for decent cooling.

And that’s the beauty of the R1; it may not be the highest-quality case in the world.

But for its price, it has so much to get you going (with options to upgrade later more storage/fans, etc).

Simply put, if your wallet can’t stretch to one of the top picks, this is still a fantastic offering and easily the best budget SilverStone PC case today.

Overall Best SilverStone Micro ATX Case: SilverStone PS15

For those builders looking for a smaller form factor, the PS15 is a great middle-ground answer at a very decent price.

With a full-steel exterior (bar the mesh front panel) and a tempered glass window, the case looks great when put next to other mATX towers in its budget.

The white version in particular is gorgeous; with the full interior painted white (not something you always see in white PC cases).

We also love how the glass window runs down the full length of the main side.

Many cases usually hide the bottom section for the PSU, but SilverStone subtly hides it in the back and give your flashier components more room to shine.

On the smaller side of an mATX case, the PS15 still packs a bunch for:

  • 4 expansion slots
  • VGA card up to 314mm in length (good enough for most mainstream offerings)
  • 1 x 2.5″ & 3 x 2.5″ drive bays
  • Up to 5 x 120mm fans (with 1 included, fantastic for the price)
  • Or up to 1 x 240mm & 1 x 120mm radiators

For the form factor, these are decent specs. You have enough storage and GPU room here for a build focussed on either gaming or production/media (or both!).

The cooling capability is also decent, and with the mesh design and some additional quality-of-life airflow features around the case, you’ll be in a good place to cool in a form factor that often struggles.

Offering incredible value for its price, the PS15 is the best Silverstone mATX case on offer today.

Overall Best SilverStone Mini ITX Case: SilverStone SG13P

The SG13P is another example of how SilverStone weaves incredible chassis design into really affordable price tags.

In the smallest main form factor, the SG13P is tiny, and is a unique cube-shaped style.

While the case exterior is largely plastic, it still feels and looks great with a faux aluminum finish topping it off.

The multiple mesh panels around the case manage to look stylish, while of course offering much-needed ventilation often lacking in the form factor.

Size-wise, you’ll have:

  • 2 x expansion slots
  • GPUs up to 270mm long (129mm wide)
  • 1 x 2.5″ /3.5″ & 1 x 2.5″ drive bays
  • 1 x 140mm fan or radiator

The specs are nice for the dimensions, we particularly like how you can fit a 3.5″ drive in here (not always the case with mITX).

You will of course need to be careful of what components you buy, not just GPUS but your motherboard & PSU too to ensure they will fit.

The fan/water cooling capability is minimal, but that is to be expected with mITX.

The point of the SG13P is to make up for it with oversized vents (cheaper than buying fans!).

If you like the unique design and appreciate the incredible value offering the SG13P represents, then go for it. It’s comfortably our pick for the best SilverStone mITX case.

Alternative Picks – Best of the Rest

While the above 5 options are our top choices, SilverStone has a lot of quality cases on offer, and we chose a couple of quick-fire picks we would still recommend if you have some specific requirements/taste.

Stylish ATX Case Alternative: SilverStone SETA A1

The A1 wasn’t very far off being one of our top ATX picks; it’s more a testament to how good the top 2 ATX cases are that it wasn’t included.

Arguably the best-looking case SilverStone has created, if you’re looking for something stylish that would still be a great basis for a powerful PC, the A1 is a great choice.

Best Premium ATX Alternative: SilverStone PM02

Another ATX case nearly taking one of the top spots, the PM02 is slightly more expensive than our top picks but comes with higher quality exterior material and 4 great 140mm fans included.

If the style appeals to you and its within your budget, know its a fantastic option for a gaming/production build.

Best Alternative Micro ATX Case: SilverStone PS14

Of all of our top picks, the battle between the PS14 and PS15 was the closest.

Very similar in spec and price, it really comes down to the aesthetic.

We prefer the PS15 for offering a more shrouded PSU, but if you prefer the PS14 design, then go for it – it’s just as good feature-wise.

Best Server PC Case: SilverStone CS30

If you’re looking at building a server or high-storage media centre/editing PC, the CS30 is the best on the list for your needs.

As well as an all-around high quality build, the CS30 has an incredible amount of storage availability, with included cooling too.

Mini-ITX Case Alternative: SilverStone ML08

If you’re an experienced builder and want something with an extra-unique form factor, the ML08 is a great option.

With a console-shape style, it’s very attractive; just make sure to check the dimensions of your parts first!

What's Next?

About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

The 5 Best Be Quiet! Cases in 2023

Best Be Quiet Case

The 5 Best Be Quiet! Cases in 2023

We've reviewed all of the cases from this great brand, here are the best

Best Be Quiet Case

We updated this feature in June to cover the new Be Quiet! releases of 2023. Our top pick has been changed with a fantastic new upgrade.

Be Quiet! has been a sleeper-hit in the PC case manufacturing game for years now.

While they’re not as big a brand as say, Corsair or Thermaltake, they’ve made a name for themselves by being one of the best choices for a silent PC case 

That’s why we’ve built today’s feature to guide you through the best Be Quiet! PC cases for your next gaming, streaming, or production build (with different budgets in mind).

1

Silent Base 802

Overall Best Be Quiet! Case

Silent Base 802

Our Rating: 9.5/10

2

Be Quiet! Pure Base 500DX

Runner-Up Pick

Pure Base 500DX

Our Rating: 9/10

3

Be Quiet! Pure Base 600

Best Budget Be Quiet! Case

Pure Base 600

Our Rating: 9/10

4

Be Quiet! Dark Base PRO 900

Best Premium Be Quiet! Case

Dark Base PRO 900

Our Rating: 9/10

5

Dark Base Pro 700

Honorable Mention

Dark Base Pro 700

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Silent Base 802

Overall Best Be Quiet! Case: Be Quiet! Silent Base 802 / BG039

Comfortably taking our top spot is the fantastic Silent Base 802.

Ranked as one of our favorite picks in our silence-focussed feature, this chassis excels at balancing excellent sound dampening with great performance.

Boasting an exterior made largely of insulated steel, the cases finished looks and feels high quality and is of course, specialized to reduce noise as much as possible.

It does a fantastic job of just that. I was really impressed by how quiet the 801 stayed even in intensive gaming sessions.

The only similar cases rivaling it in this department/price range are our top Fractal Design picks.

The SB 802 excels in space too; this Be Quiet! mid-tower has room for:

  • 7 x expansion slots
  • GPU lengths up to 432mm
  • 3 x 3.5″ & 7 x 2.5″ drive bays (more available via bay upgrade)
  • Air cooling: Up to 8 x 140mm with 3 high-quality 140mm fans included.
  • Water cooling: Up to 1 x 420, 1 x 360 & 1 x 140mm radiators

It’s not a small case by any means, but the specs for its dimensions are still impressive.

You have all of the GPU and storage room you could need, whether you’re looking for a gaming PC case or something more production focussed.

There’s plenty of cooling capability in the 802 too.

A case optimized for silence will never provide the same airflow as a louder tower (it’s the trade-off for sound-dampening insulation).

However, this chassis still does a great job of maintaining decent thermals, and provides great value out of the box with its 3 included fans.

Another feature I like is the front I/O panel fan controller designed to allow you to control the fan speed.

This isn’t a unique feature by any means, but nice to have it integrated into a build focused on noise reduction.

We have reviewed the BG039 version today, but the other variants of this case are great depending on your preferences. The main differences are a white color and/or a glass panel on the side (this will reduce sound insulation slightly but allow you to show off your awesome build!).

What the Silent Base 802 does so well is balance all the features we expect anybody building a quiet mid-range build would need.

Build quality, size, internal features, low noise all in a decent price tag; this is why we consider the 802 the best Be Quiet! computer case today.

2023 update: The 802 replaces our previous top pick, the 801. There are only direct improvements in this new version, with the most notable being improvements to the case airflow and slight allotment increases in fans and drive bays.

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Be Quiet! Pure Base 500DX

Runner-Up Pick: Be Quiet! Pure Base 500DX

Our second-place pick comes for those wanting slightly more focus on airflow for an ATX build (in the mid-range pricing).

The 500DX trades in sound dampening panels for tempered glass internal views and more intake on the side.

Make no mistake, the build quality of the case is still great, with a design a little less minimalist compared to the 801 (with some beautiful RGB lighting included).

The 500DX still performs notably quieter than your average mid-range case with its 3 included silent fans and dampening panels on the non-window side of the case.

There’s decent space inside too, with:

  • 7 x expansion slots
  • GPUs up to 369mm in length (enough for nearly all mainstream cards)
  • 2 x 3.5″ & 5 x 2.5″ drive bays
  • Up to 5 x 140mm fans (with 3 high-quality silence-optimized fans included)

There is less fan availability than the 801. However, this is partially made up for by the increased airflow capability of the 500DX.

The issue with this increased airflow comes when your build is under high load (say, playing intensive games, video editing, etc.); you will hear noise levels akin to a more typical chassis.

This is where  the 500DX has chosen to focus on cooling over noise dampening like our top pick.

That doesn’t make this case worse than the 801, it just depends on what your priorities are.

We chose the 801 as our top because it has a great balance between cooling and sound. I also still find it more than capable of hosting a powerful gaming build at reasonable temps.

But make no mistake, if you prefer the aesthetic and airflow focus of the 500DX, it’s a great pickup and a tad cheaper than the 801.

Our Rating: 9/10

Be Quiet! Pure Base 600

Best Budget Be Quiet! Case: Be Quiet! Pure Base 600

Arguably one of the best budget quiet PC cases from any brand, the Pure Base 600 has a lot going for it in its price tag.

You’re still getting an exterior with steel elements (albeit more plastic) that looks and feels higher quality than the price may suggest.

The dampening is, of course, not going to be the same quality/thickness as you’ll see in the 801 and other premium picks.

But it still manages an impressive low-noise level that we think would meet most expectations for a budget gaming PC case (or even one for streaming and video/music production).

Spec-wise, this is another mid-tower, with:

  • 7 x expansion slots
  • GPUs up to 280mm (or 425mm without HDD cage)
  • 2 x 5.25″, 3 x 3.5″ & 8 x 2.5″ drive bays
  • Up to 4 x 140mm + 1 x 120mm fans (with 1 140mm & 1 120mm Pure Wings 2 fans included)

The fact that you are getting 2 high-quality Be Quiet! fans in a case already cheap on its own is a really impressive value-add.

With plenty of storage capability here too, you’re covered for most builds – and the case has good modularity with options to remove some of the HDD cages to make room for larger GPUs should your build be gaming focussed.

If your wallet is tight or you just want to dip your toes into the world of silent PC building, the Pure Base 600 is a great starting point, and easily the best budget Be Quiet! PC case on the market.

Our Rating: 9/10

Be Quiet! Dark Base PRO 900

Best Premium Be Quiet! Case: Be Quiet! Dark Base PRO 900

The Pro 900 is Be Quiet!’s answer to any builder who is after the most powerful silent PC build they can possibly create, regardless of price.

We have to point out that there are certainly diminishing returns when comparing the PRO 900 to our top 801 pick or the more expensive Fractal Design choices.

But if you have a larger wallet, this is a very powerful chassis for a high-end build.

One of our favorite features of the 900 (aside from the obvious high-quality design, aluminum/thick steel build, and noise dampening) is the level of modularity this case offers.

So many panels and cages can be removed or repositioned to help you minimize unnecessary parts.

This isn’t just great for airflow, but also reduces any subtler vibrations to optimize low decibel output.

And then there is the incredible space; this Be Quiet! full tower case comes with:

  • E-ATX motherboard support
  • 8 x expansion slots
  • GPU lengths up to 325mm (or 470mm without HDD bracket)
  • Up to 2 x 5.25″, 7 x 3.5″ & 14 x 2.5″ drive bays
  • Up to 9 x 140mm fans with 3 x Silent Wings 3 140mm fans included (one of the best quiet fans on the market)
  • Or up to 2 x 420mm & 1 x 140mm radiators (could be combined with 2 140mm fans)

The capability in the PRO 900 is some of the highest I’ve seen in any chassis. There’s so much room to work with here even for high-level enthusiasts.

With unbelievable storage specs, you have a fantastic PC case for video editing, storage builds, or a high-end HTPC.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to build the most powerful silent gaming PC possible, there is plenty of room in here for a beastly overclocked GPU setup (especially with the excellent cooling capability).

With the amount of space in here though, you don’t have to choose one or the other; this case could easily host a multi-faceted enthusiast build.

To be clear; as enticing as this is, I don’t think you necessarily need to go this pricey to build something powerful for gaming or production. Our top picks would do just fine and there is some notable diminishing returns with the price increase of the Pro 900.

That said, if you are without any limits in your budget and are looking for something extra special, the PRO 900 is a great choice.

Our Rating: 9/10

Dark Base Pro 700

Honorable Mention: Dark Base Pro 700

Coming in at the end of our list is a mid to high-range pick in the Pro 700.

This chassis is still fantastic in its own right, with an exterior largely made of steel, aluminum, and tempered glass; it looks simply beautiful.

Made to be the premium pick in between the price range of the silent base models and the top-end PRO 900, this chassis strikes a good level of quality and has excellent specs/noise dampening for a powerful (yet quiet) build.

The reason we don’t rate it as highly is it comes in at a similar price point to our favorite Fractal Design cases.

And in this specific price range, we think Fractal has the edge.

However, if you happen to prefer the build/design of this case or it meets your spec requirement in a way one of the high-end Fractal cases doesn’t, know we’ve included it for a reason.

It’s still a great chassis and easily one of the best Be Quiet! towers on the market.

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Be Quiet! E-ATX / Micro ATX / Mini ITX PC Cases?

Today, there aren’t any Be Quiet! cases of other form factors we’d recommend (the company specializes in mid towers).

That said, if you’re after a silent case of a different size, there are plenty good options in our quiet PC case feature or our breakdown of the best Fractal Design cases (What in Tech’s favourite case brand for silent cases).

What's Next?

About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

The 10 Best Pink PC Cases of 2023

Pink PC Case 1

The 10 Best Pink PC Cases of 2023

Pink PC Case 1

We updated this article in June. After reviewing the latest cases in 2023, most of our top picks remain the same, but we have highlighted some excellent new alternatives in certain sections where relevant.

So, you want to build something trend-setting? Then pink is the way to go!

Back when we originally wrote this feature, the options were rather slim.

But thankfully over the last few years, case manufacturers have seen some sense and finally started offering some great options!

We’ve reviewed each of them and featured the best picks for all shapes, sizes, and budgets just below.

Important Note on Pink PC Case Availability

The demand for a pink tower is quite high compared to the number of available options so they often sell out reasonably fast.

The good news is that this whole list is full of great options. Don’t be dissuaded if the top few choices happen to be out of stock. Apevia has especially stood out as a brand offering lots of options for you in this color.

1

Apevia Crusader-F-PK

Overall Best Pink PC Case

Apevia Crusader-F-PK

Our Rating: 9.5/10

2

Golden Field MAGE-P

Runner-Up Best Pink PC Case

Golden Field MAGE-P

Our Rating: 9/10

3

Apevia ENZO-PK

Best Cheap Pink PC Case

Apevia ENZO-PK

Our Rating: 8.5/10

4

InWin A1 Plus

Best High-End Pink Case

InWin A1 Plus

Our Rating: 9/10

5

Apevia PRODIGY-PK

Best Pink Micro ATX Case

Apevia PRODIGY-PK

Our Rating: 9/10

6

SilverStone SG13P

Best Pink Mini-ITX Case

SilverStone SG13P

Our Rating: 8.5/10

7

darkFlash DLM22

Best Budget Pink PC Case Alternative

darkFlash DLM22

Our Rating: 9/10

Apevia Crusader-F-PK

Apevia Crusader-F-PK

Overall Best Pink PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Form Factor: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro-ATX, mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 165mm | GPU Length Clearance: 360mm | Dimensions: 394 x 203 x 457mm | Weight: 5.9kg | Radiator Support: N/A | Fan Mounts: 8

REASONS TO BUY

+ Incredible value

+ Great layout and airflow for a mid-range build

+ Decent build quality for price

REASONS TO AVOID
– Inner chassis not pink
 
– Not built for water cooling (fan options are great, however)
 

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Apevia has created a lot of cute computer cases worth talking about. Our favorite out of those is the Crusader-F-PK.

Coming in a tad cheaper than our runner-up pick with 4 RGB fans, this is a perfect basis for a vibrant aesthetic. There’s also a light-toggle button on the front I/O panel, which cycles through 16 different effects for the pre-installed fans (anything from single colors, to “pulsing”, to off if you’d prefer a more minimalist look).

We’re pleased with the internal layout of this pink mid-tower too. It includes room for GPUs up to 350mm wide and 8 fan mounts; plenty of cooling potential for enthusiast builds.

Apevia Crusader-F-PK 2

Source: MasterChiefn

The case also has good cable management options and a decent design to facilitate airflow.  It will certainly meet most gaming needs at the price point with the included fans alone.

The design is striking; with a cool, “rugged” pink finish on the outer casing working alongside the RGB fans and tempered glass window to create a very unique-looking case. We love that Apevia has gone for a tint in their window here. Our experience is that tinted side panels look way better at tastefully displaying internal flashy parts.

We’re also floored with the build quality for the price. The F-PK feels as good as it looks and it’s quite mind-boggling that the case comes with such a wonderful design, build, and 4 RGB fans at a cost where many competitors offer far less.

Even if it was more expensive, we’d still rate the F-PK very highly, the fact that it’s also so cheap is just a wonderful bonus add! If you’re looking for the best pink computer case, we think this is the ideal all-around pick.

Golden Field MAGE-P

Golden Field MAGE-P

Runner-Up Best Pink PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Form Factor: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro-ATX, mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 165mm | GPU Length Clearance: 320mm | Dimensions: 440 x 215 x 480mm | Weight: 9.5kg | Radiator Support: 360mm | Fan Mounts: 8

REASONS TO BUY

+ Beautiful full-pink design

+ Good build quality

+ Decent space, value & cooling for most builds

REASONS TO AVOID
– Included LED fans are static (not customizable)
 
– Commonly low on stock/avaialbility
 

Our Rating: 9/10

As good as the Apevia Crusader-F-PK, this next pink ATX case strikes a close competition.

The MAGE-P is a beautiful tower and strikes a wonderful balance between aesthetic, build quality, functionality, and price.

The chassis looks slick. With a tasteful SPCC steel build that feels as good as it looks. The casing feels built to last. We also love the tempered glass window that runs down the full length of the side (many cases in this price range cut the window down to where the PSU shroud starts, so they’re not truly “full-length”).

Easily our favorite aspect of the aesthetic is its largely pink design including the inside. This may sound obvious in a list full of pink CPU cases, but you’ll notice as we go through the best picks that many offerings in this color are still largely black/dark on the inside.

It is, of course, up to you to decide which you prefer. We think most creating a pink gaming PC setup will prefer the look with a case fully coated inside and out.

Also included are a nice PSU shroud and hidden compartments for your HDDs and SSDs, all of which have enough spare room for decent cable management. We really appreciate a case designed to cover these “uglier” components with ample room, as it means you can achieve a very neat, clean aesthetic to show off your flashy parts and achieve better airflow.

Golden Field MAGE-P

Source: Emmatron

Speaking of airflow; the MAGE-P’s front has a tasteful pink mesh design that increases ventilation and also gives visibility to the 3 pre-installed LED fans. We love this inclusion for the price. It really adds a great amount of value to the case.

As good as the onboard ventilation/cooling is, you could take it further by installing up to 8 x 120mm fans (with ample room for water cooling around the case too). These are really decent allowances for this form factor, giving you a lot of capability for overclocking too.

With a 320mm GPU length clearance, this is a great choice for a pink gaming pc case. Or if you’re more interested in storage, the MAGE-P has an impressive allowance for 4 x 2.5″ & 2 x 3.5″/2.5″ drive bays (all hidden in the back of the case).

Apevia Crusader vs Golden Field MAGE-P

So with all that gushing aside, why do we rank the Apevia Crusader above this?

Well, as good as the MAGE-P is, it’s notably more expensive than our top pick. The F-PK doesn’t only come with an additional fan, but the fans are also RGB (i.e. changeable color) instead of static LED fans. So we think the F-PK is a slightly better value offering.

Additionally, while the Golden Field case is of high quality, the brand is a little less of a staple in the PC case space than Apevia (which has a long history of great options). We don’t think this is a major factor, but a slight win in the Crusader’s favor.

But don’t let that put you off if you prefer this pick, we’ve ranked it so high for a reason. The MAGE-P earns big points for its all-pink interior.

With its beautiful aesthetic, build quality, cooling setup, and included fans all packaged under a fair price, the MAGE-P is easily one of the best pink computer cases available today.

2023 update: If you like the look of the MAGE-P, Lian Li has also released a fantastic case with a similar aesthetic; a pink edition of their LANCOOL 205 series (it’s no secret that I love this case and basically everything Lian Li makes!).

I considered outright replacing the MAGE-P with this pick, however, it’s common for special pink color editions of existing cases to not last very long, so pick it up if you can!

Apevia ENZO-PK

Apevia ENZO-PK

Best Cheap Pink PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Form Factor: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro-ATX, mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 160mm | GPU Length Clearance: 360mm | Dimensions: 405 x 201 x 455mm | Weight: 6.2kg | Radiator Support: N/A | Fan Mounts: 6

REASONS TO BUY

+ Incredible value option

+ Layout/cooling good enough for budget builds

REASONS TO AVOID
– Nice aesthetic, but slightly cheap materials
 
– Other picks recommended for enthusiast builds due to better thermals/space
 

Our Rating: 8.5/10

At an impressively low price point and the cheapest pink case on the list, the ENZO-PK still boasts a good quality metal build, a tempered glass window, and gorgeous coloring on the outside chassis (some of the internals are also pink, which we really appreciate).

With an aesthetically pleasing shroud to hide your cables, PSU and up to 3 x 3.5″ & 2 x 2.5″ drives, the layout is good at maintaining a clean-looking setup.

From an airflow perspective, the front of the case is completely covered. While not quite as cool compared to our top 2 picks, the PK still does a decent job with lots of ventilation on the top, rear, and bottom.We expect they went with the covered front for design reasons. So if you prefer that kind of look, know we still deem it suitable for running a pink gaming/budget enthusiast build.

Apevia ENZO-PK

Source: joes2fst4u

The room inside is decent for ATX with video cards up to 350mm, CPU coolers up to 160mm & room for up to 6 x 120mm fans. 1 fan is included, which we appreciate at the price-point.

One important note: This pick does offer good value, but sometimes it’s not always about having the cheapest price tag. The MAGE-P includes an extra 3 fans for only around 10-15% extra cost (all of which are LED too). If you’re trying to create a budget pink PC build, then the ENZO-PK is great. But from a value perspective? We would push you towards the F-PK or the MAGE-P, as these models offer so much more cooling for very little extra cost.

With all that said, if you like the aesthetic of the ENZO-PK, aren’t looking for flashy LED fans, then this is a great budget pick.

InWin A1 Plus

InWin A1 Plus

Best High-End Pink Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Form Factor: SFF | Motherboard Support: mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 160mm | GPU Length Clearance: 320mm | Dimensions: 273 x 224 x 357mm | Weight: 7.1kg | Radiator Support: 120mm | Fan Mounts: 4

REASONS TO BUY

+ Gorgeous design and build quality

+ Great layout for enthusiast ITX builds

+ Impressive cooling for a case of its size

REASONS TO AVOID
– Included PSU could be better
 
– Expensive for ITX
 

Our Rating: 9/10

For those of you who have more of a budget and are looking to build a tiny tower, the A1 is a fantastic option and is a staple choice for many gamer girl PC cases.

This is an mITX form factor, so you’ll need to come into the build with the right parts. That being said, it offers an impressive amount of room for its size. With 2 x 2.5″ drives, 2 expansion slots and still somehow managing to have space for a GPU up to 320mm.

This case gets top marks for design and build; with high-quality SECC steel, tempered glass window, and a gorgeous pink finish. The A1 already looks great before you power it on.

But once you complete your build, you’re treated to the included 2 addressable RGB fans and light glowing in the transparent stand the case sites on. It’s simply stunning and we rate this the best build quality of all of the pink PC cases we’ve reviewed.

InWin A1 Plus

Source: GirlyGamer11

The cooling is also great for the size. On top of the included fans (both 120mm), the case boasts decent ventilation & airflow. When building an mITX PC, you can never expect the same cooling as a mid-tower, but the case represents an excellent balance and will still do very well for a small gaming PC. 

The front I/O panel has the standard ports: 2x USB3.0 and 2 x audio (you would be hard-pressed to find better for ITX). A nice unique feature is the top wireless QI charger for your phone. With its small form factor and this utility on your desk, we love how it can almost appear like a cute charging hub, despite also being the host of a powerful build!

Although this is the most expensive case on the list, it actually matches up in value pretty decently to the cheaper top picks. Coming pre-installed with a 650w gold-rated power supply (handy to have included for such a small form factor, where compatible PSUs can be more pricey).

It’s worth noting this PSU isn’t top quality. If you’re building an average ITX gaming PC you’re going to be fine, but if you want to cram as much power into this thing as possible, you may want to consider the Corsair SF series and use the pre-installed PSU as a backup.

Between the high-quality design/color, lights, and component space, the InWin A1 is ideal for someone dedicated to a small, stylish build while maintaining a good feature set for quality gaming, streaming, and other demanding setups.

Apevia PRODIGY-PK

Apevia PRODIGY-PK

Best Pink Micro ATX Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Form Factor: SFF | Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro-ATX, mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 158mm | GPU Length Clearance: 350mm | Dimensions: 410 x 202 x 395mm | Weight: 5.9kg | Radiator Support: 240mm | Fan Mounts: 5

REASONS TO BUY

+ Great value for what’s included

+ Good airflow

+ Layout that will serve most mATX builds nicely

REASONS TO AVOID
– Included fans are quite basic
 
– Some cheap elements (expected at this price) 
 

Our Rating: 9/10

Our next pick is for those after a pink mini-tower, the mATX form factor is usually best for balancing compact dimensions while still retaining the freedom to install wide arrays of parts.

Offering a level of value only rivaled by our top picks the PK boasts a beautiful design. With a full pink steel exterior and fantastic mesh coverage on both the front and top of the case. We appreciate that Apevia acknowledges that in smaller case form factors, ventilation is often an issue (with the reduced room for airflow), so this case offering the most points for air to enter/leave is a good decision.

You’re also getting 3 x RGB fans pre-installed (with a handy controller button on the front I/O panel). Combined with the ventilation, the PK is the best pink mATX choice we’ve come across for cooling, suitable for gaming and other popular demanding build types.

Apevia PRODIGY-PK

Source: APEVIA

The internal specs are great for the size. The case manages to boast a 350mm GPU clearance & room for 6 x 120mm fans (not to mention radiator options for water cooling). These specs may not sound crazy, but they’re great for this form factor.

On top of that, we appreciate the chassis still having a decent shroud for your PSU, cables, and up to 2 x 3.5″ & 2 x 2.5″ drive bays (you won’t have quite the same room for cable management as the ATX choices, but there’s still ample space to get things right if you are a little more through).

We’ll restate that we’re really pleasantly surprised with all the value on offer here. This would make a great girl gamer PC case with its nice compact style and capability for gaming.

Apevia has done it again with the Prodigy-PK. If you’re in the market for this form factor, we think you’ll really enjoy building in this chassis.

SilverStone SG13P

SilverStone SG13P

Best Budget Pink Mini-ITX Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Form Factor: SFF | Motherboard Support: mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 61mm | GPU Length Clearance: 270mm | Dimensions: 222 x 181 x 285mm | Weight: 2.5kg | Radiator Support: 140mm | Fan Mounts: 1

REASONS TO BUY

+ Fantastic value

+ Full-pink coloring

+ Perfect for portability

REASONS TO AVOID
– Slightly limited cooling(fine for budget builds)
 
– Some planning is required with its unique layout
 

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Our next pick is for those looking for an extra small tower that isn’t quite in the InWin A1 price range.

Silverstone is a great manufacturer, and it shows in this offering. While largely plastic, the case has a faux aluminum design and feels metallic (not “cheap-feeling” in the slightest, impressive for the price).

SilverStone SG13P

Source: frognep

InWin Plus A1 vs SilverStone SG13P

Price is the obvious difference here, with the SG13P coming in much cheaper. A lot of the A1’s additional price tag is about the included PSU. If however you weren’t settled on the PSU in the A1 and wanted something more powerful, buying the SG13P standalone could be a good option.

The design is super simplistic when compared to the A1. Depending on your personal preference, this might be what you’re looking for.

Even smaller than the A1, it lacks the space/airflow of the high-end mITX choice (with 1 x 140mm / radiator option available) and can only support cards of up to 270mm long. This GPU length is a little disappointing as you’ll have to be very careful with the hardware you’re choosing to include.

But if you are not trying to build a super-powerful expensive PC and desire that level of compactness, you can still accomplish your goals with this case.

The front I/O panel is the standard 2 x USB 3.0 / audio ports, nicely presented underneath the front mesh design.

As far as cheap pink pc cases go for a mini ITX build, this is your only option! Thankfully, it’s a great, well-balanced piece of kit, and providing you’re checking your dimensions and not trying to build some ultra-powerful PC, we think you’ll have a great time with the SG13P.

darkFlash DLM22

darkFlash DLM22

Best Budget Pink PC Case Alternative

SPECIFICATIONS

Form Factor: SFF | Motherboard Support: Micro-ATX, mini-ITX | CPU Clearance: 160mm | GPU Length Clearance: 350mm | Dimensions: 360 x 203 x 411mm | Weight: 4.9kg | Radiator Support: 240mm | Fan Mounts: 5

REASONS TO BUY

+ Great value

+ Good layout and airflow for budget builds

+ Full pink, the metal look is sleek for price

REASONS TO AVOID
– Often runs low on stock
 
– Some users report damage on arrival
 

Our Rating: 9/10

The DLM22 is a fantastic option for a pink setup (and not the first time it has appeared on What in Tech for its quality). The amount of value you’re getting in a case this cheap is very impressive.

Let’s start with the design. Gorgeously simplistic with a good build quality, we really liked how this case looks in person.

With a shroud covering the PSU/HDDs and space in the back for decent cable management, you’ll have the option to keep your inner components simple to match the exterior. If preferred, you can be flashy and show off bright components through the high-quality tempered glass window (which also has a great, screwless/door-open design, very handy for easy PC access).

darkFlash DLM22

Source: Rosalie

One important note: The DLM22 is an mATX chassis. This means it’s a tad smaller than many of the featured ATX choices. You have more than enough great options for parts to fit in an mATX case (still fitting most GPUs), but just make sure to check the dimensions of your parts.

Speaking of size; the DLM22 also boasts great options for cooling. With space for 2 x 120mm front, 2 x 140mm top, and 1 x 120mm rear fans, you’re going to have more than enough cooling for a compact build.

Water cooling is also an option, with radiator space at the top (240mm) and rear (120mm). This isn’t a super high availability for liquid cooling, but could easily combine with 2 front fans for a great solution.

The front I/O panel is pretty standard, with 1 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, and HD audio ports (looking very well-integrated with the overall case design).

Something to point out is a minority of customers, unfortunately, seem to receive defective cases. This is all too common with high-value towers under $100 (even from much larger manufacturers). It’s worth bearing in mind that a majority of people didn’t run into such problems. In the worst-case scenario, your warranty will cover the replacement.

Boasting great value, style, and space; if this fits your aesthetic and size requirements, we think you’ll love the DLM22.

2023 update: We’ve been seeing the DLM22 pink edition go in and out of stock regularly over 2023. It typically takes a few weeks to reappear in the pink edition, so we’d suggest going with one of the other excellent alternatives on the list if it’s not available.

Alternative Picks – Best of the Rest

While the above picks are what we consider the top pink computer cases for gaming, streaming or even business/personal use, there are a few more decent options that are worth considering if your requirements are more specific:

Apevia Aura-F-PK

Tempered Glass Pink PC Case Alternative: Apevia Aura-F-PK

With 2 tempered glass sides, the Aura F-PK is gorgeous. The airflow in this machine is slightly inferior to our top picks, but it’s still serviceable with its 4 included RGB fans.

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Apevia Genesis PRO

Pink PC Case with Most Fans Included: Apevia Genesis PRO

The Genesis PRO boasts a fantastic 6 RGB fans pre-installed. This case offers great value and an awesome aesthetic (its airflow will be a tad less efficient with its tempered glass front, but we doubt you’ll be lacking for cooling, even in a gaming build). 

If you like this design but don’t need to go as far as 6 fans, the non-pro version of the case, the Apevia Genesis-PK, is also worth considering.

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Apevia Matrix-PK

Pink RGB PC Case Alternative: Apevia Matrix-PK

Last but not least is an option if someone want RGB lighting built into the design of the case (not just RGB fans).

The Matrix-PK pulls this off beautifully and offers lots of the great features/airflow we’ve seen from the other Apevia PC cases.

Our Rating: 8.5/10

Other Options?

While we think the top 10 picks above are excellent options for your build, we wanted to share a couple of other ideas if you wanted to get creative:

DIY – Spray painting a PC

Many custom builders have had success with customizing a PC this way.

There are a lot of great existing resources out there on this topic. But here are the high-level steps on how to spray paint a PC:

  1. Purchase a white case as a base.
  2. (Optional) – Sand down the layers to give a better chance at a “sticking” finish.
  3. Apply tape/some other make-shift cover method to areas of the case you do not want to be painted (if any).
  4. Begin spraying the case with very thin layers of paint (outside on surfaces you are OK with getting paint on like cardboard).
  5. Leave each coat to dry for 15-120 mins (depending on the product, most will give direction).
  6. Repeat the process until there is a consistent color across the full case – and voila!

Pink fans against a light PC case

A great substitute for a pink case would be combining RGB fans (our favorite type here) with a white or transparent PC case that would work well to reflect the pink light and create a very unique aesthetic. In case you didn’t know, you can use software to edit the color settings of these fans and achieve consistent pinks instead of the crazy rainbow colors you see in the example pictures!

Best Purple PC Case?

A quick word for those after a purple computer case as we see this question asked with no real answer. Unfortunately, there isn’t really a great choice for you on the market today. Your best bet is to go for either one of the deep pink PC cases on this list, or look at our DIY option directly above (e.g. combined a clear PC case with purple fans).

What's Next?

About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

* Specifications throughout our articles are double-checked and intended to inform our users, but should not be treated as factual information. When making final decisions on your products, please check the manufacturer pages to confirm the fine details.

The 5 Best Red PC Cases of 2023

Red PC Case Cover

The 5 Best Red PC Cases of 2023

I have updated this feature in June after reviewing the latest cases on the market in 2023. My top picks remain the same this time. The only new red PC case on the market I’d recommend is the HYTE Y60, which is a great premium option but a little too expensive compared to my preferred picks below.

Want to stand out from all the other fully white/black PC cases on the market?

Well, if pink is a bit too far for your tastes, then there are some great looking red computer cases available.

There are certainly fewer options than the more common colors.

But that’s why we’ve put this feature together to guide you through the best.

Whether you’re building a gaming PC or something for streaming/production, these are the best red computer cases on the market today.

 Table of Contents – Top Picks
 

Overall Best PC Case: Corsair Carbide SPEC-OMEGA

This is one beautiful tower.

There are plenty of striking Corsair towers on the market but this is one of their best (and that’s saying something, coming from one of the best chassis brands around).

Included in one of our larger PC Case features, we love the SPEC-OMEGA’s asymmetrical red and black case design, the whole exterior build is created with nice, thick high-quality steel.

What’s more, the red coloring has a beautiful matte finish (giving it a much classier look than a common glossy design).

See the front side of the case where the red and black of the case meet?

Down the full length of that front is a red LED light strip that looks beautiful when illuminating the rest of your build.

You won’t see this in the product photo, but take a look at a user’s build setup in the dark and you’ll see what we mean.

It’s a great tempered glass PC case too, with two high quality, thick windows (one on the side and one on half of the front).

Between the unique look and great glass displays, this would be a great case to show off your internal parts (such as someone looking at an RGB build).

But it’s not just pretty!

The reason it’s taken our top spot is that it combines this great aesthetic with awesome space/features.

It’s an ATX mid-tower, including:

  •  7 Expansion slots
  • VGA lengths up to 370mm (more than most will need)
  • 3 x 3.5″ & 2 x 2.5″ drive bays

Tying this availability with a good motherboard, you’re going to have plenty of space for a powerful gaming computer build (including multi-GPU).

Now, what about cooling all of this?

Well, you’ll have space for:

  • Up to 6 120mm fans – with 2 good performance CORSAIR SP120L fans pre-installed
  • Up to 1 x 360mm, 1 x 240mm & 1 x 120mm radiators

Pair that with a good internal design for airflow and case management, and you have a fantastic PC case for water cooling, air cooling, or both.

(Like the look of this case but want something a tad cheaper/different? The Corsair Carbide SPEC-04 is a good second option in the series).

The SPEC-OMEGA is a fantastic balance between offering a good looking tower with the features you need for a good build.

Simply put, when bearing in mind the fantastic value-point it offers, this is the best red PC case on the market today.

Runner-Up Best PC Case: NZXT H710

Coming in not too far behind is a fantastic offering from one of the biggest case brands in the game.

The NZXT H series is hugely popular due to its slick, “monolithic” style.

The H710 is one of the mid-range versions in the series with a fantastic red and black case design.

With a beautiful SGCC steel exterior and tempered glass window, the build quality also looks (and feels) excellent.

But where the case really excels is in the internal features.

Boasting excellent space for:

  • 7 expansion slots
  • 5 x 2.5″, 2 x 3.5″ & 2 x 2.5/3.5″ drive bays
  • GPU size up to 412mm

The storage space is particularly great.

While this is more than most gaming builds will need, this is an excellent option for a video editing case, or someone building a production PC with high storage needs.

While also officially an ATX case, it boasts support for EATX motherboards (though we expect these to be a tight fit and you’d be better looking for a full tower case if you want such a build).

It goes without saying that even with an ATX mobo, you’ll have the space you need for a powerful multi-GPU rig.

And excellent cooling too, with:

  • Up to 7 x 120mm fans – with 3 x 3 Aer F120 & 1 x 3 Aer F140 fans pre-installed
  • Up to 4 x 140mm & 1 x 120mm radiators

This case also has a great internal airflow design and good cable management capabilities to accentuate your air/water solution.

A small but nice touch to note is the front I/O panel also includes a USB 3.2 Type C port.

As you’ll see, in a lot of ways this case seems a tad more impressive when comparing the H710 vs SPEC-OMEGA.

While this chassis may have slightly better specs, we gave the Corsair offering the top spot as the design is particularly excellent for a red tower.

Additionally, while the H710 does have 2 more fans, the Corsair is still cheaper and its features are more than enough for a great multi-GPU gaming build.

That being said, this was a close race.

If you like the design of the H710, or want the extra room it has, then don’t hesitate in picking it up, it’s excellent.

Best Budget Red PC Case: Phanteks Eclipse P400S

If you’re looking for a cheap red PC case, you’ve got an amazing option here.

The P400 is one we’ve raved about previously on What in Tech. Even including it in our best overall PC case feature.

If you’re on a limited budget, it packs an impressive punch for the price point.

With a largely steel exterior, this specific option is a special edition red and black computer case.

It’s more subtle than most of the other choices, with a great looking red LED light shining at the bottom of the front and some sharp red internal casing behind the tempered glass window.

This specific version, the P400S,  is designed to be a quiet PC case.

Including some high-quality noise dampening panels (great for the price, but if you were looking for a completely silent PC case, there are better options).

On top of this impressive build quality, you’re still getting the great space that you’d expect from an ATX computer case:

  • 7 Expansion slots
  • GPUs up to 395mm
  • Up to 6 x 2.5/3.5″ (2 included) & 2 x 2.5″ (2 included) drive bays

Like the H710, although this is a mid-tower case, it boasts EATX motherboard support (but again, we’d recommend an EATX case if you want this type of build).

You’ll have great cooling options for a gaming PC too, with:

  • Up to 6 x 120mm fans – with 2 x 120mm fans pre-installed
  • Up to 1 x 360mm front & 120mm rear radiators (a tad underwhelming for water cooling, but could be combined with 2 x 120mm top fans)

The cable management space isn’t quite the same as our top picks but still good enough to achieve a clean build with decent airflow.

(If your budget is even tighter, the cheapest red PC case we’d recommend is the Cooler Master MasterBox MB600L, but we’d strongly suggest stretching a bit further to the P400S if you can).

While this is our budget choice, it’s impressive how well it competes with our two top picks.

Rest assured if you’re looking for a cheap gaming PC case (in any color), this is one of the best around.

Best Red Mini ITX Case: NZXT H210i

The smaller brother of our runner-up pick.

If you’re looking for a red ITX case, whether for portability or style, there aren’t many good options.

But this one is awesome.

Boasting a similar black and red design and build quality to the H710, you’re still getting the excellent SGCC steel/tempered glass exterior.

Also boasting some of the best features we’ve seen in an mITX case, it has:

  • 2 expansion slots (standard for an ITX tower)
  • 3 x 2.5″ (+1 optional) & 1 x 3.5″ drive bays
  • VGA cards up to 325mm

While the storage/VGA length may not sound like much, they’re both fantastic for the form factor, making this an excellent Mini ITX gaming case (or even one for streaming/mid-range production).

Cooling wise you’ll be getting:

  • Up to 4 x 120mm fans with 2 x 1 AER F120 fans included
  • Up to 3 x 120mm radiators

This may not seem like much, but again, the capability is great for the size.

Bear in mind as well with an mITX build, you’ll only need to cool 1 graphics card.

The H210i has more than enough for that, one of the best Mini ITX cases for overclocking.

On top of all that, we’re impressed it still retains the USB 3.2 Type C port on its front I/O panel that the ATX model has.

We don’t know how NZXT managed to fit so much capability into such a small unit but rest assured, this is one of the best mini ITX cases available (and easily the best red one).

Best High-End Red PC Case: Antec Torque

Just take a look at the picture, need we say more?

While it might not be to everyone’s tastes/budget, the Torque is one of the best looking PC cases on the market.

Boasting a wonderful red and black aluminum exterior and tempered glass windows on both sides, this chassis feels as high-quality as it looks.

Each aluminum panel is uniquely curved/styled in this clear PC case design that allows you not only gives an amazing looking exterior but lots of room to show off your hardware.

Speaking of hardware, you’ll have:

As you can see there is excellent room here for some intensive multi-GPU space making it a great case for SLI/Crossfire.

The storage capability is on the lower side as Antec has focussed on maintaining space for GPUs (and also minimizing “less attractive” parts).

But even for a powerful gaming build, a large capacity SSD, HDD and NVMe M.2 storage on the motherboard are all you’ll need.

One of our favorite things, however, is the cooling capability of the Torque:

  • Up to 6 x 120mm fans
  • Up to 2 x 360mm radiators

While this may seem pretty standard for an ATX mid-tower, bear in mind this is a completely open-air PC case.

Most open-air PC cases have way less cooling than this.

If you combine the fantastic airflow with those fan/radiator options? You’re going to have an amazing PC case for water cooling and/or fan cooling.

We love that while the Torque’s focus is clearly on aesthetics, it isn’t compromising on cooling and GPU space.

If you have the budget and want to stand out from the crowd, this is one of the best PC cases available for gaming at a high-spec/overclocking.

PC Case Size Comparison

More Red PC Case Options?

While there are other red towers, they aren’t ones we’d recommend.

We’ve focussed specifically here on PC cases that have red components to their design (many cases claim to be “red” when all they’re just black cases that have red LED fans).

We think all the options above would be excellent for a gaming PC case, and some of them also very suitable for purposes like streaming, production, and video editing rigs.

But if you wanted an alternate idea, you could create a cool “red” computer by:

  1. Purchasing a clear PC case as a base
  2. Install fans in the case that illuminate your transparent PC case in red
  3. If you want to take it a step further, you can also go for further red light hardware – most notably an RGB motherboard which gives more ports for RGB lights.

Best Red Micro ATX Case?

You may have noticed the absence of a red mini-tower pick.

This is simply because while they do exist, there isn’t a single one we’d recommend for a decent gaming/streaming/production computer.

If you want a red mATX PC, we’d recommend either:

  1. Picking up our top choice, the CORSAIR Carbide SPEC-Omega, which happens to also be the smallest red ATX case on the list, and installing an mATX motherboard in it.
  2. Check out the option just above and get a Micro ATX clear PC case with red LED fans to give it the color you want.

What's Next?

About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.

The 5 Best PC Cases for First-Time Builders in 2023

Best PC Case for First-Time Builders

The 5 Best PC Cases for First-Time Builders in 2023

The ideal picks for easy setups without compromising on quality

Best PC Case for First-Time Builders

We updated this article in June to cover new 2023 releases. Our runner-up pick has been updated to a fantastic new offering. Other picks (including our top choice) remain the same.

We know that for those new to PC building, picking every part can be overwhelming, especially the basis of what you intend to build everything in!

Don’t worry, I’ve had many experiences in helping new builders get started (and have reviewed 100s of options). Today’s feature is here to guide you through the best PC cases for beginners that I’ve found.

1

Fractal Design Define R5

Best PC Case for First-Time Builders

Fractal Design Define R5

Our Rating: 9.75/10

2

Phanteks Eclipse P400A

Runner-Up Pick

Phanteks Eclipse P400A

Our Rating: 9.5/10

3

Lian Li LANCOOL 205

Best Budget Case for First-Time Builders

Lian Li LANCOOL 205

Our Rating: 9.25/10

4

Cooler Master N200

Cheapest PC Case for First-Time Builders

Cooler Master N200

Our Rating: 9.5/10

5

Fractal Fractal Design Meshify C

Cheaper Define R5 Alternative

Fractal Design Meshify C

Our Rating: 9/10

Fractal Design Define R5

Best PC Case for First-Time Builders: Fractal Design Define R5

This isn’t just the best PC case for beginners, but one of the top choices available today in any category.

If you’re not familiar with Fractal Design, they are one of the best PC case manufacturers in the business and a perfect starting point on your journey.

With the R5, you’re getting thick, solid steel on most of the exterior (and a metal-finished plastic front, designed to be lighter for airflow but still looks as excellent as the rest of the outside). The whole case has a beautiful, minimalist design and feels as good as it looks. When considering the best computer case for first-time builders, I like that the R5 has a windowless design for 2 reasons:

  1. The sound-dampening material used on all sides (including the windowless panel) makes this one of the quietest options on the market (something that Fractal is known for). This is great for new builders who don’t have to worry about the fine intricacies of getting a quiet build (reducing vibrations from certain parts, etc.)
  2. It’s always good to be a little clean with your internal setup for airflow. But with a windowless design, a new builder doesn’t have to be obsessed with extremely neat cable management (but if that’s something you do want, don’t worry, the R5 has plenty of capability).

This is a mid-tower/ATX case, which is the best form factor for a beginner to build in. They have plenty of space, ATX motherboards are easy to find and you’re very unlikely to run into any size compatibility. With room inside for:

  • 7 x expansion slots
  • Graphics cards up to 310mm (this will be enough room for a majority of cards, but you can remove one of the HDD cages to increase this to 440mm, which is very easy to do).
  • 8 x 3.5″ / 2.5″, 2 x 2.5″ & 2 x 5.25″ drive bays
  • Up to 9 140mm fans with 2 high-quality Fractal Design Dynamic GP-14 fans pre-installed

All these specs check out for a beginner. You have the perfect gaming PC case for a first-time builder with great graphics card room and fantastic airflow/included fans. The fact that you can upgrade your cooling to include an additional 7 140mm fans is fantastic if you ever want to pursue overclocking, but for a beginner, there is more than enough to get your base build cooled.

The storage capability of this case is also fantastic. We expect most first-time builders will be looking at 1 SSD & potentially 1 HDD, but there’s an option to add so much more at a later date if you want your build to also operate as a server PC case or something else with high storage requirements (video editing, production work, etc.)

With great internal cable management, a really intuitive layout, and easily removable doors on both sides, there’s so much to appreciate here for every type of builder.

We love that you don’t have to compromise and get a PC case “for dummies”. The R5 has everything a great gaming/work build needs, but just also happens to be the best PC case for beginners too!

2022 mid-year update: The Define R5 remains our top pick for 2.5 years running. Nothing else has entered the market that competes with the all-around balance between price, features, quality, and ease-of-use that the R5 offers.

Our Rating: 10/10

Phanteks Eclipse P400A

Runner-Up Best ATX Case for First-Time Builders: Phanteks Eclipse P400A

Another case that we have featured countless times and consider to be the best chassis that Phanteks has ever produced.

The P400A is a really fantastic balance between build quality, design, cooling performance, space, and price.

Although our favorite pick is the R5, if you are more drawn toward a chassis with a window, then this will be the better choice for you.

The P400A has a thick steel exterior and full-length tempered glass that are deceptively high quality and aesthetically pleasing for the case’s price-range (topped off by that slim, understated LED lighting you see at the bottom of the front). It really is a great looking chassis built to last.

Another ATX case, there’s space for

  • 7 x expansion slots
  • Graphics card lengths up to 420mm (will be enough for close to every GPU on the market)
  • Space for 2 x 2.5″ & 2 x 3.5″ drives (more than enough for beginner builds)
  • Air cooling: 6 x 120mm fans with 2 high-quality 120mm fans included

As you can see, like the R5, this case has all the room and cooling to get you off to a great start. There’s a little less in the way of fan slots on the P400A. But really, this won’t matter for a majority of builds (certainly not for beginners), you can get very far with the cooling in the case, and it has a superb internal ventilation design (you really will be fine with the included fans alone if you’re not overclocking and keep the internals fairly neat).

Similarly to the R5, there is a great inner layout that aids cable management and ease of installation. You of course have to be a little more careful removing a tempered glass window, but this is something even a first-timer builder will be fine with.

If your idea of the best beginner computer case includes a window to show off your cool hardware, then the P400A, with its fantastic value and quality, is for you.

2023 update: The P400A updates our previous runner-up pick, the P400. The new case is all upgrade and no downgrade. Most notably, the mesh front panel gives the case a superb airflow imporvement while still keeping a sleek aesthetic.

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Lian Li LANCOOL 205

Best Budget PC Case for First-Time Builders: Lian Li LANCOOL 205

As great as the Fractal and Phanteks offerings are, we appreciate some of you will be looking for an extra cheap PC case suitable for beginners.

The best chassis that hits the mark is the LANCOOL 205 from Lian Li, another one of the top PC case brands in the business. I’ve kept this list focused on high-quality producers, as think the last thing a new builder wants is to be worrying about subpar manufacturing quality.

This is another case with a deceptively high-quality build for its price. Boasting a fully SPCC steel /tempered glass exterior (a little thinner than our top picks, but still great for the budget). Like the other choices, the LANCOOL 205 also has a decent internal layout that provides even a budget gaming PC build with good airflow and ventilation.

This chassis is an ATX case, with room inside for:

  • 7 x expansion slots
  • 350mm GPU clearance length (enough for nearly all mainstream cards)
  • 4 x 2.5″ & 2 x 2.5″ / 3.5″ drive bays
  • Up to 5 x 120mm fans with 2 included

We love that the LANCOOL 205 still comes with 2 fans pre-installed at its low price, which will be enough to get a beginner gaming PC case up and running. The rest of the specs also match nicely with what a budget build will be looking for, with plenty of hardware space. You won’t have quite the same noise cancellation and airflow as the top choices, but this case still does a fantastic job for the price.

Simply put, if your wallet can only stretch as far as the LANCOOL 205, know you’re still getting an excellent product, and what we consider the best cheap PC case for first-time builders.

Our Rating: 9/10

Quick-Fire Picks (Best of the Rest)

While the top 3 picks are our top choices for the best PC case for beginner builders, we’ve added a couple of extra choices for those with more specific requirements may want to consider.

Cooler Master N200

Cheapest PC Case for First-Time Builders: Cooler Master N200

While the LANCOOL 205 is the better PC case for beginners, we know some of you will be on very tight budgets. The N200 is an absolutely ridiculous value offering for first-time builders. with its Micro ATX form factor, it will be a little tighter to build in but still more than doable, read more about it here.

Our Rating: 9/10

Fractal Fractal Design Meshify C

Cheaper Define R5 Alternative for First-Time Builders: Fractal Design Meshify C

If you like the style, quality, and quiet-focus of our Define R5 pick but want something a bit cheaper/with a window, the Meshify C is perfect.

It won’t give you the same level of silence as the R5, but it makes up for that with improved airflow; easily one of the best budget towers for beginners to consider. Read about it here.

Our Rating: 9/10

What's Next?

About the author

Picture of Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross
Kaelum Ross, BSc is the Lead Writer at What in Tech and a leading authority in PC hardware and software. With a career as a senior IT professional, Kaelum has led multi-million dollar projects covering everything from bespoke software development to complex Windows hardware upgrades. Today, Kaelum uses his expertise to serve What in Tech's readers and has been featured in numerous global publications including New York Magazine and Lifewire.