ATX is generally a good size to go with, though if you really want that compact PC case, MicroATX is a great substitute that doesn't sacrifice too much on functionality. Motherboard size doesn't matter too much since that largely boils down to how many on-board features you require and if you intend on installing more than a GPU to use up all the PCIe expansion slots. By going with a barebones $10 basic case, you'll likely have issues with effectively managing cable routing (though it's still possible to do a good job), you may not be able to create a custom water-cooling loop, and chances are it'll not have a fancy glass side-panel. The more you spend on a case (and some of our choices here are fairly pricey), the better the construction, materials, finish, and features usually are.
First, do you want a large or compact design? Does it need to support a beefy 360mm radiator for your all-in-one CPU cooler, or are you planning to maximize airflow with all the fans in the world? Once you've got a rough idea in mind, you can start browsing specific categories and form factors. When choosing a PC case for your next build, you'll need to consider a few factors. Be sure to also check out our PC case deals roundup to see if you can save on any of our favorites below. Take a look at our recommendations here to kick-start your creativity into putting together a PC representing who you are as an individual. Other shortlisted PC cases cover specialist categories like airflow, which the be quiet! Silent Base 802 excels at.īut again, the choice of a PC case is largely down to what you want to build. For more compact PC builds, an ITX case will do the job just fine, which is where the excellent NZXT H210i comes into play. If you want the most space available, you're going to want to choose a full-tower case, something like the Cooler Master H500P Mesh.
We will focus on the best PC cases on paper instead in this collection, so we take into account how many fans you can screw into the case, what size motherboards you can install, and more. We may have a soft spot for the excellent Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic, but it may not be to your liking. Mostly, it's about the look of the case, which is entirely subjective. Choosing the best PC case for you largely comes down to personal preference.