The 10 Best Horizontal PC Cases in 2024

By
Kaelum Ross

Updated May 7, 2024

Reviewing the best picks for home theatres, horizontal cabinets and more

This feature has been updated for mid-2024. Most of our picks remain the same after reviewing the new options on the market this year. A couple of our top cases have run into stock issues occasionally in 2024, we’ve added decent alternatives where relevant.

I know what you’re thinking:

“Where are all the horizontal cases amongst the thousands of vertical options?”.

Up-front options rule the market, and it’s difficult to find a good sideways case for all of you looking for something a little different for your next HTPC, VR, gaming, or server build.

But fear not, they do exist! And after some extensive reviews, we’re going to break down the top picks in this unique category.

A note on size

Before we jump in: many horizontal cases are on the smaller end of the scale. Whether you’re looking for a full tower or something for ITX, we’ve covered all the options below. Just remember to check that the dimensions of the parts you’re looking at will fit.

So, without further ado:

Source: SilverStone

SilverStone Technology GD09B

Overall Best Horizontal PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS*

REASONS TO BUY

+ Fantastic build quality

+ Decent layout for HTPCs & compact gaming builds

+ Good price

REASONS TO AVOID

− Finish can be a bit of a fingerprint magnet

− GPU space is tight for larger cards

Our Rating: 9.5/10

Offering both style and substance at a great price point, the GD09B really excels on multiple levels.

From a company that has specialized in building horizontal cases for over a decade, the GD09B has an impressive layout for hardware considering its small dimensions and horizontal orientation, with the ability to support up to an ATX motherboard.

7 expansion slots are available for the case. With support for 1 x 5.25″ external and 2 x 3.5″/ 1 x 2.5″ internal drives, there is decent room for your various storage needs.

Source: stevoisboss

With the compact nature of most horizontal cases, you may have to decide what is most important to you (e.g. drive bays in these cases often come at the cost of fan mounts or GPU space).

The case is surrounded by decent ventilation. This, combined with the reasonable size, allows for builds to run cool with good airflow. This is the ideal pick for a Home Theatre PC/HTPC build as you can keep fans at a lower speed due to the natural cooling capabilities of the chassis (smaller water cooling options are available too, but we think a fan build makes the most sense here).

We also really appreciate that despite the compactness, the GD09B still boasts room for a GPU up to 309mm. Many of the latest cards will fit into this space (but be sure to check dimensions of your desired pick).

We also highly rate the GD09B due to its sophisticated aesthetic and fantastic build quality. Along the front of the case are 2 USB3.0 ports, audio inputs, and a very sleek-looking drive bay.

This SilverStone offering manages to ticks so many boxes. Considering it’s far from the most expensive on the list, it’s the amount of value on offer that seals the deal as our top pick. If the design fits your idea of what you want from a horizontal motherboard case, we think you’ll love it.

Another option you may want to consider is the GD10B, which is very similar to the GD09 except it includes an additional 2 120mm fans (3 total) and a lockable aluminum front panel for a different aesthetic. It’s purely a choice of preference, the reason we rank the GD09B over it is we don’t think the extra fans and front panel will be worth the price increase for most of you. But if you like the look of it, it’s a great option!

2024 update: The GD09B continues to take our top spot for over 4 years running! The product listing we’ve linked to is sometimes low on stock. If this is the case for you, be sure to check the other versions (version 2/version-USA) on the same page and duplicate product listings on Amazon. These are very similar and are perfect alternatives.

If you like the look of the GD09B but find it’s running a little small, the updated version, Grandia 11, is available with a larger GPU and radiator support. It’s a great alternative, the only reason we don’t rank it as high as the GD09B is because it’s around 30% more expensive which is only worth it if you need the extra size.

Source: Cooler Master

Cooler Master HAF XB EVO

Runner-Up Best Horizontal PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

REASONS TO BUY

+ Great value

+ Generous CPU cooler/GPU clearance for its form factor

+ Decent build quality

REASONS TO AVOID

− Nearly twice the height of the GD09B

OUR RATING: 9.5/10

We didn’t quite want to give this Cooler Master pick the top spot partially due to its slightly more square/cube shape.

However, know that if this fits your idea of a horizontal case aesthetically, you’re going to be in for a treat, This chassis is a beast.

Somehow this unit manages to host capacity for up to 2 x 5.25″ drives, 4 x 3.5″ drives, and 4 x 2.5″ drives. If you don’t need all that in your build, then it’s simply more room for other parts to breathe/fit!

The case has room for plenty of airflow/cooling (up to 5 fans, with 2 XtraFlo fans pre-installed) and space for a modest set of water cooling radiators.

Source: taddtorborg

Included on the front panel are the usual I/O connectors (2 x USB3.0/audio ports). We’re pleased to see that the build is largely made of thick steel. The feel/quality of the HAF XB EVO is superb and it comes across even better in person.

One big plus for novice builders: this case was designed for you. Some features have been included to make the build process as easy as possible. Most notably screwless installation and a removable motherboard tray (trust us: trying to install a PC in a more compact case can be a pain, so this is a massive plus!).

Cooler Master HAF XB EVO vs SilverStone GD09B: When considering our two top picks, the big decider will be on aesthetics and dimensions. Which better fits your idea of a horizontal case? We prefer the look of the GD09B, but it’s really the personal choice that matters most.

Aside from that, the key secondary factor is if you’re looking for a gaming PC case. The HAF XB EVO has significantly more room for your CPU cooler and GPU. If your heart is set on the GD09B, you can certainly make that work for a powerful gaming build, but it will require a more careful selection of hardware.

With a great balance between cooling, space, ease of use, and high-quality build/design, the HAF XB is a fantastic option all-around.

Source: Thermaltake

Thermaltake Core P5 V2

Best Premium Horizontal Case

SPECIFICATIONS

REASONS TO BUY

+ Fantastic build quality and endless potential for great build aesthetics

+ Great open-air cooling

+ Good layout customization for your build requirements

REASONS TO AVOID

− Very expensive

OUR RATING: 9.5/10

This Thermaltake range is quite special. We were very close to ranking this as the best overall case despite its high price point.

With a full-glass design, once you have installed your components in the Core P5, it is truly a sight to behold and one of the most beautiful cases available in today’s market.

The legs are fully removable, allowing this case to look as good horizontally as it does vertically.

There is plenty of space to play with when building here. But more than that, the case is very modular/customizable. Thermaltake is aware that when you invest in a chassis this transparent you’re trying to build a PC that is fully visible. The ability to install GPUs, drives, and other components in various positions is something the P5 excels at more than most other options on the market.

With the great design of this case, comes the recommendation to include water cooling if possible. Given the high visibility, you’ll be wanting to avoid dust, and air cooling builds will cause more of that. If you want to go down this route, however, the excellent cabling management capabilities should allow you to clear decent airflow paths and keep it relatively clean.

Source: vmitri

The front I/O panel is well presented and has 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, and HD audio inputs.

This case may look intimidating to assemble, but it is actually quite a beginner-friendly unit. Being able to detach the glass during your build, makes the overall process a lot easier than traditional cases!

Thermaltake Core P1 vs P3 vs P5 vs P7 vs P8 vs P90:

Here we’ve focussed on P5 as the main choice, but there are other great options for this range. Note that all of these cases support horizontal placing.

Aside from the obvious presentation differences (especially the beastly P90…), the biggest differences here are in the size/form factor.

The P1 is the Mini-ITX option. Full review available here.
The P3 and P5 are both ATX options and have the same number of expansion slots/part compatibility, but the P5 has a larger height/depth for freedom in your build. Our P3 review is available here.
P7, confusingly, is the biggest of the set, supporting E-ATX motherboards.
The P8 is a newer offering and is perhaps the best looking of the lot, see our full write-up in our premium case feature.
P90 offers the second-largest layout, but across 2 separate areas (as you’ll see in pictures of its striking design).

If you have the budget, we cannot speak highly enough of the Thermaltake P series. The P5 strikes a perfect balance for mid-range builds that will tick the right boxes for nearly every horizontal mobo builder (especially style!).

2024 update: We’ve also been enjoying the new Core P6 model by Thermaltake. It’s a great addition to the series and takes some of the best parts from its predecessors. Namely a customizable choice between an open-air design like the P1/P3 or an enclosed P8 design, and an ATX form factor that will satisfy most builders.

The case has a removable stand so you can set up a great horizontal placement. If you’re an ATX builder, we still like the Core P5 the most as we consider it the best value; but if you’re drawn to the P6 and don’t mind paying the premium, go for it!

Source: Thermaltake

Thermaltake Core G3

Best Budget Horizontal PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

REASONS TO BUY

+ Fantastic price for what’s on offer

+ Sturdy, well-built unit

+ Plenty of ventilation to make up for the lesser cooling

REASONS TO AVOID

− Limited height of the case will be hard for beginner builders

OUR RATING: 9/10

I know, I know, the picture shows a vertical case.

But the beauty of the G3 is that it’s designed for either type of orientation.

The cheapest ATX case on our list, this Thermaltake offering still provides impressive performance for the price point.

Source: TheLeadPontoon

Designed to host a horizontal gaming PC with consideration for compactness (think virtual reality or people with small media cabinets). The case is on the smaller side for ATX but still offers 120mm / 240mm water cooling options and/or 3 fans, with 2 front fans pre-installed. The cooling should be fine for most builds but bear in mind that the space available is less than most mid-towers.

The front I/O panel is great and surprisingly one of the most plentiful on this list: with 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0 / standard audio ports.

Note that as the G3 is a very slim PC case, you will likely not have room for other PCI-e cards outside of your GPU. The case does, however, come with options to fit your GPU in vertically, giving you more control over space for the most spaciously demanding piece.

Overall, if you are looking for a cheap Horizontal PC case and don’t have the largest of components to install, the G3 is a great option for your build.

2024 update: While the Core G3 is still our favorite budget pick, it does still run into stock problems from time to time. If you can fit your build into a micro ATX chassis, we recommend the ML04 pick below if the G3 is not available. If you still need/want ATX, we haven’t found another budget case as memorable as the G3, so we’d highly recommend paying a little more for our top GD09B pick, which has fantastic value for its mid-range price.

Source: SilverStone

SilverStone ML04

Best Horizontal Micro ATX Case

SPECIFICATIONS

REASONS TO BUY

+ Unit is well built and deceptively compact

+ Great price

+ Still manages decent cooling for its size

REASONS TO AVOID

− Space limits mean it’s not suitable for full-sized GPUs/serious gaming builds

OUR RATING: 8/10

We’re back to SilverStone for the best horizontal microATX computer case.

With a very high-quality steel/aluminum mix build and compact form, this unit is durable and looks fantastic on display.

We’re getting into the smaller builds now. Don’t expect to fit a traditional gaming GPU in here (perfect for those who are after a build that utilizes onboard CPU graphics).

However, we like this case because it still manages to offer some good internal space despite the tight dimensions.

Source: tomclaessens

This includes drive allotment for 1 x 5.25 ” external, 2 x 3.5″ and 1 x 2.5″ internal. Cooling-wise, there’s space for 4 x 80mm fans and 4 x low profile / 1 x utility expansion slots.

Sure, this may not sound like much compared to some of the others above, but for the size? It’s impressive. With its ventilation, if you can keep down the cabling and components not needed, you’ll manage decent airflow.

SilverStone even suggests you can install traditional ATX/PS2 PSUs up to 140mm. Impressive considering even when many vertical Micro ATX cases don’t support these.

A standard front panel is on offer with 2 x USB 3.0 ports and audio inputs (pretty decent for the form factor).

Overall, if you’re looking for a wide PC case for your micro ATX build, this is a great option and the best we’ve come across.

Source: Fractal Design

Fractal Design Node 202

Best Horizontal Mini-ITX Case

SPECIFICATIONS

REASONS TO BUY

+ Beautiful design and build

+ Manages to fit a full GPU despite compactness

+ Good price

REASONS TO AVOID

− Only 2 fan mounts

− Requires a extra small CPU cooler

OUR RATING: 9/10

As you may know from our silent PC case picks, we’re big fans of Fractal Design.

With the Node 202, they’ve managed to create an incredibly attractive, low-volume case that would be perfect for gaming builds and those looking for a console-sized portable alternative.

Despite the compactness, there is still decent room for a powerful GPU (PCI-E riser card included, supporting up to 310mm in length!) to go alongside your mITX motherboard. That said, remember to check dimensions as we’re getting into the smallest of cases.

We’re really impressed that Fractal has managed to keep this case suitable for gamers (especially considering our mATX pick further above doesn’t allow for full-size GPUS!).

Source: Zabaron

The front I/O panel is the standard for small builds: 2 x USB 3.0 and audio inputs.

The inner layout provides decent ventilation for both the CPU and GPU, on top of offering 2 x 120mm fan mount options and 3 included dust filters (good for the form factor).

We would’ve liked to have seen a little more space for a larger CPU cooler, but there are plenty of specialist ITX options available that are designed to be included in these tight clearances.

Fractal is simply one of the best manufacturers of PC cases today and this is another great example of why. If you’re going for a mini-ITX build, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something so visually pleasing, high-quality, spacious (yet compact), and impressively low-cost as the Design Node 202. For this specific form factor, this one feels like a no-brainer.

Source: SilverStone

SilverStone GD08

Best Large / E-ATX Horizontal Case

SPECIFICATIONS

REASONS TO BUY

+ Stunning, high-quality build

+ Great space, layout, and cooling for enthusiast builds with lots of drives/large GPUs

REASONS TO AVOID

− Quite expensive

− Larger than many average builders will need

OUR RATING: 9/10

A third SilverStone case in this list may seem like a lot, but they’re masters of the flat PC case for a reason.

If you have the budget and space, we would recommend the Thermaltake P7 discussed above within our P5 pick. But overall, the value of the GD08 is fantastic.

Not only do you get the high-build quality (including a stunning aluminum front panel), but also an incredibly roomy environment that will give you the freedom to effectively balance airflow, cable management, and beefy components (with 7 expansion slots, up to 6 fans of varying sizes and good PSU/GPU compatibility).

Source: ryansmission

The front panel is quite basic with standard audio inputs and 2 x USB 3.0 (would’ve been nice to see 4 USB ports on a case this size, but not a big deal considering most larger motherboards have plenty).

The case also has decent features to allow for an easy build. With the entire top being removable, you can easily get good access to its spacious layout (I know we’ve talked about its size a lot, but if you have the room, it really makes life a whole lot easier when building and managing temperatures).

Silverstone GD09 vs GD08: Although we highly rate the GD08, the reason we rank the GD09 at the top of the list is that we think it represents a better balance between price & space for the average PC builder. The GD09 still offers ample room for cooling, a mid-sized GPU, and drives for the HTPC builders, without becoming excessively expensive (and imposingly large) like the GD08.

That said, it ultimately comes down to your needs.

The size and quality of the GD08 make it a superb option if you’re looking to build a large-scale media center/server PC or a high-end gaming machine.

2024 update: The GD08 is still our top pick for large builds, but you may also be interested in the GD07B if you’re after a very similar case with a lock on the front panel (also a good alternative if the GD08 is out of stock).

More Options:

The above are our top picks, but if you’re looking for a few other options, we’ve included ones we’d still recommend for your next extra wide PC case.

Source: Thermaltake

Budget Horizontal ITX Case: Thermaltake Core V1

OUR RATING: 8.5/10

This tiny little cube was a decent runner-up to our ITX pick. It’s one of the most recommended ITX cases on What in Tech and is worth considering if you like the look (note there is also a great-looking white option available too).

At a very impressive low pricepoint (one of the cheapest on the list), the Core V1 still manages to boast a great build quality. With some steel components and a ventilation setup designed to get the most cooling out of its tiny space (up to 3 fans with 1 200mm one included, very impressive for the price point).

Bear in mind that while the cooling isn’t bad, you can only do so well with such a small setup! If you’re looking to run something monstrous, stick to one of the larger cases above.

Source: Seiren2112

The front I/O panel is standard, with 2 x USB 3.0 / audio inputs.

Given the layout and the “tiny cube” design, it isn’t necessarily the friendliest to all PC component shapes/sizes and you’ll need to be careful about the dimensions of your parts for this one (you’re certainly not fitting the large PSU/GPUs in here!).

It’s worth calling out that some users have seen quality issues with the Core V1 which is why we didn’t give it a top pick. With a 3-year warranty, if you’re one of the unlucky ones, you’ll be covered; but this is, of course, a risk that many would rather pay more money not to go through.

If your budget is tight and you’re confident that your build will fit, this case is a very impressive value offering and will give you a wonderfully unique aesthetic.

Source: Antec

Alternative Slim PC Case: Antec VSK2000

OUR RATING: 7/10

Another vertical/horizontal hybrid option, this mini-tower is a cheap case for those on a budget.

It comes with the standard 2 x 3.0 USB/audio I/O ports and a slick glossy black design.

Source: bluebanzai

The VSK2000 comes with a little less space for extras than our other Micro-ATX picks (4 expansion slots, 1 x 5.25″, 1 x 3.5″, and 1 x 2.5″ drives) and little room for air cooling (but one front fan included).

Despite this, the case seems to manage decent airflow, likely due to its decent ventilation and cable management options.

If you have a very minimalist build, a low budget, and are attracted to a small case for a micro-ATX build, the Antec VSK2000 will be a good choice for you.

Source: In-Win

Alternative Mini PC Case: In-Win CE685

OUR RATING: 7/10

Lastly on our top 10 list is the In-Win CE685, a MicroATX dual vertical/horizontal case.

At a cheap price point, the case offers good value for those balancing compactness and space.

A nice addition is the 4 x USB ports on the front I/O panel, many of its mATX competitors only offer 2.

Source: HikingMike

The case has space for 1 x 5.25″, 2 x 3.5″ & 1 x 2.5 (pretty standard for its size).

There is one included fan and not too much room to add more. However, the case still seems to manage good airflow (possibly because at this size, you’re not going to be installing too many hot parts!).

Much of the case boasts a toolless design (aside from the MB/PSU installs) so it would be a nice beginner pick.

Although not our top pick as we think the other MicroATX options are superior, if this case grabs your eye, it is still a great all-rounder and would make for a good horizontal case.

Round-up of Top Picks:

Best Overall: SilverStone Technology GD09B
Best Case Runner-Up: Cooler Master HAF XB EVO
Best High-End Case: Thermaltake Core P5
Best Budget: Thermaltake Core G3
Best Micro ATX Case: SilverStone ML04
Best Mini-ITX Case: Fractal Design Node 202
Best Large / E-ATX Case: SilverStone GD08
Thermaltake Core V1
Antec VSK2000
In-Win CE685

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About the author

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.

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