A new PC case brand is expected to arrive in North America, and it’s already gearing up with a couple of new and interesting designs. FormulaV Line, which quietly launched in 2024, announced two new cases at Computex 2026. This includes the Air Power G10, which includes three tilting fans that lets you direct the airflow inside the case where you need it, and the Crystal Z3, with its bottom-intake chamber that allows the case to easily breathe from four sides while still giving you a panoramic view of your build.

The Air Power G10 is FormulaV Line flagship case at Computex 2026, and its biggest innovation is the addition of three tilting front fans that allow you to change their angles by up to 10 degrees up or down. This would allow you to focus the airflow exactly where it’s needed — if you run an AIO cooler for your CPU, you could focus all the front fans towards your GPU to ensure that it gets the maximum amount of fresh air from outside your case. But if you prefer traditional air cooling for your processor, you can then point one of the fans towards it to help it get its fair share of cooler outside air.

This mid-tower case can accommodate ATX motherboards and comes with three 120mm front fans and a single 120mm rear fan. You can also install three 120mm fans at the top, up to two 140mm fans on the side, and two 120mm on the bottom. The top slot also accommodates radiators from 240mm to 360mm. Aside from the usual white and black cases, the Air Power G10 is also available in several other colors, including silver, dark blue, rose gold, and black wood.

Launching alongside the G10 is the Crystal Z3, which features a panoramic design. This PC case has two bottom-mounted fans that intake air from an open chamber, ensuring that it will never be starved for air, no matter what surface you plant your desktop computer on. Now, because the chamber is quite small, it would likely be difficult to reach inside for cleaning. So, FormulaV Line made the two bottom fans easily detachable, making maintenance and cleaning so much easier.

The G10 is expected to become available starting in September, while the Z3 will drop by August 2026. Unfortunately, we don’t have exact pricing details for these PC cases yet, but the company is known for its affordable pricing. The Air Power G10 is estimated to cost around $150, while the Z3 is projected to be around $80, giving budget PC builders a panoramic case option that won’t break the bank. These two new cases offer gamers more options, especially for those who can’t find anything they like in our list of the best PC cases.

A new PSU, cooling solutions, and a gaming chair

Aside from these two flagship PC cases, the company also has several other products on display at its booth. These include the FV1000GM Elite, a 1000-watt PSU with 80 Plus Gold efficiency certification, a fully modular design, and is compatible with ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1. It also boasts a Hybrid Fan Mode, allowing you to switch between maximum cooling and a quieter mode that adjusts the fan speed based on the temperature and other factors. This PSU is also expected to arrive by September 2026, and we’d love to get our hands on it to see how it compares against the best power supplies.

FormulaV Line also showed off a plethora of cooling solutions at Computex 2026. There’s the Ice Jet Vision 360 — an AIO solution with a 3.95-inch screen right on the CPU block — and the Air Bridge VT Vision, a three-fan solution that comes together as one unit and comes with three 3.38-inch TFT LCD screens right on the side, making it a great way to customize your PC case anyway you like. There are also several Ice Nova air coolers for those who prefer simpler setups, and they’re available in various sizes to ensure that you have an option no matter the size of the CPU case you’re building in.

Last, but not least, we saw the Solen gaming chair — an electric couch on wheels that lets you adjust its recline and footrest angle using rocker switches for the ultimate convenience. It also has a built-in vibrate function to soothe your sore back after a long day of gaming, and even has a USB-C and USB-A port for charging your gadgets right on it. The chair is powered by a removable battery, so you don’t have to worry about being tethered to the wall just to use all these functions. You can also top it up via USB-C, meaning you can keep it powered using your phone charger.

One of my first stops on Day 4 of Computex 2026, I swung by the Grand Hyatt Hotel, right next to the 1,600-plus-ft Taipei 101 tower, to visit Hyte, who had a lot to share, much of it with value in mind.

The new mid-tower Y50 chassis, a slightly smaller version of the popular Y70, retains all the hallmarks of the Y-Series cases and modernizes the platform. The Y70 is now positioned as the more premium model with the vertical mount (and you can put a screen in it).

The Y50 offers users the same stylish aesthetic at a much lower price point, under $100. The Hyte Y50 RGB offers the same 3-panel glass and adds a step down for the side fans to allow more room for radiators. Hyte offers the Y50 in four colorways: Snow White, Pitch Black, Black Cherry, Strawberry Milk, and Taro Milk as options, the same as the Y70 Touch.

Internally, the Y50 supports up to EATX motherboards and rear-connect motherboards from Asus, MSI (Project Zero), and Gigabyte (Stealth), as well as large graphics cards. It comes with their new FA120 RGB single-frame fans on the side, and a single FA120 on the rear. Hyte is also launching the aesthetic cable accessory kit that matches their colorways for $69.99 in July.

You get a 24-pin ATX forboard power, dual 8-pin EPS connectors to power the processor, and one 12-V2x6 cable. Hyte also displayed a couple of new fans in the FA12 and the THICC FR12 RGB, their first ARGB fans. The new FA12 (25mm thick) comes as a single fan (FA12 solo) or as a unibody 360mm frame, and both traditional and reverse-style blades. The PWM-controlled devices run up to 1,500 RPM and output 70 CFM at 1.5 mm H2O static pressure alone, and 210 CFM at 033 dBA maximum, so they are pretty quiet. You can pick up the trio for $24.99 or a 4-pack of singles for $29.99.

The THICC FR12 Trio adds a unique 360-degree ring of frosted RGB lighting around all three fans, and as the name implies, is thicker at 32mm. The added depth increases static pressure to 4.4 mm-H2O, airflow to 57.14, and spin up to 1,900 RPM. It’s not a ton of airflow or pressure, but it should certainly get the job done.

You can pick up the Trio for $44.99, and the Solo for $19.99. If the RGB lighting from the fans isn’t enough, the ARGB Noodle LN80 noodle can match your vibe for $29.99.Also in the picture is a prototype AIO, which uses a unique, clear unibody (360mm) of fans. They aren’t sure if it will come to market (it depends on feedback), and it’s not finalized (square or circular block cover?), but if it does, it will be in 4Q this year, and they are targeting a $99 price point.

The last item from the Hyte booth is an update to the Nexus 2.0 software. Nexus 3.0 software was written from the ground up with new code and will be a web-based GUI with a much lighter footprint, using 75% fewer resources while keeping all the same functionality. The updated software also now works on Mac (see MacBook in the image on the left) and Linux, and connects to your phone (QR code). Their goal is to get a public beta out by Q3 and start transitioning users off shortly after.

Tom's Hardware stopped by NZXT at Computex 2026 to get a look at their latest offerings. The first product we talked about was the next-generation H6 Flow, or better, just the H6. The new chassis takes the popular H6 Flow and improves on it by using a single curved pane of glass for a much cleaner appearance. The top and back of the case, where it’s now ventilated across the entire back side, are now raised above the other surfaces, giving the case some texture and a surprisingly fresh appearance.

The NZXT label moves to the rear of the base and is backlit with white RGB lighting. Internally, there are some changes, too. The H6 Flow had two 140mm fans on the bottom, while the H6 now has 360mm of fan space. The case comes in two flavors: the H6, which doesn’t include fans, and the H6 RGB+, which includes new Ultra RGB fans. Without fans, the case is an incredibly affordable $99. The RGB+ version includes two single-frame 360mm Ultra RGB fans (F360U) and costs $199.

The new Ultra RGB fans have a total of 96 individual RGBs across three zones (hub, tracks, and bars). The single fan F120/140U has 32. It’s a lot of RGB, no doubt, but it does look good inside this case if you’re a fan of all that bling. The best part is the ability to customize each zone for truly unique lighting. In addition to the Ultra fan debut, they added much simpler RGB and reverse-RGB fans to the lineup, which will be at a more affordable price point.

These fans don’t have nearly as many RGB LEDs, and the lighting emanates from the hub through the translucent blades. Reverse Ultra fans could be coming down the road, if there’s enough traction on the regular version.NZXT also had a white Mini-ITX H2 chassis with a new white colorway that looks really clean. Hopefully, we’ll see more white Mini-ITX motherboards. Last, I was escorted into a second room where they showed off new products we’ll see in the coming months. I apologize for the lack of details, or any other information for that matter, but that’s absolutely all I can share. Though I will say I’m looking forward to seeing these products when they're released, and I imagine you will too.

Corsair is well known for a wide range of computer products, including RAM, storage, CPU cooling, power supplies, gaming peripherals like keyboards and mice, and, of course, cases. Today, we have the Corsair 3200D RS ARGB in the lab, a budget offering by all definitions. Priced at $69.99 for the non-ARGB version and $79.99 for the ARGB version, it’s clear this high-airflow mid-tower chassis is aimed at the cost-conscious crowd. And to be frank, anyone buying a PC today needs a break from the RAM, storage, and video cards stuck in the land of ridiculous price points. If this isn’t the chassis for you, our Best PC Cases 2026 article can certainly help with your next build.

The 3200D is shaped like a typical stand-up mid-tower, and features a smoked-glass side panel to showcase the internals. The front panel features a unique Y-pattern grille that provides ample airflow, with the three included RS120 ARGB fans (in our review model) partially hidden behind a dust-collecting mesh and grille. On the front face, at the top, is a simple I/O area with a power button, a 3.5mm audio jack, a USB Type-C port, and a USB 2.0 Type-A port for front-panel connectivity. It’s a good-looking case for the money, and for those concerned about a USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) port, keep an eye out for a refreshed version with a faster Type-A port.

The mid-tower case supports a wide range of boards by specification, but E-ATX is not listed. It looks like you can shoehorn an E-ATX board in there, but you’d likely have to remove the GPU support strut attached to the frame. The 3200D RS also supports BTF (rear-connect) motherboards for a clean, connector-free appearance. Seven horizontal expansion slots allow for large video cards and another expansion card or two, depending on the motherboard’s PCIe slot configuration. Even a 3-slot card fits with room for another PCIe-based device. For cooling, you can install up to 360mm radiators on the top and front, with a 120mm radiator on the rear (or, just fans if you don’t have an AIO or custom water cooling). With a starting price under $80 and including three ARGB fans (or $70 with non-RGB fans), it offers a lot of value for the money for a budget PC case.

Corsair 3200D RS ARGB Specifications

External Design and IO Panel

Starting with the outside, the mid-tower chassis measures 19.4 x 18 x 8.6 inches, which is typical for this kind of case. The chassis is made of steel, tempered glass, and plastic, and feels lightweight yet sturdy as a whole. The smoked tempered-glass panel is dark enough to hide some unattractive internals, yet still light enough to show off what’s inside, especially with lighting. The open face on the front with the unique Y-pattern allows plenty of cool air to flow in, which should bode well for thermals, regardless of air or AIO / custom water cooling.

The bottom has venting, and another simple dust filter/mesh (not magnetic) slides into its space for the power supply. The other side panel, secured with captive thumbscrews, features an indented design element that looks better than the boring flat panel, but can limit cable routing space.

On top of the case is a simple mesh filter that prevents dust from coming into your case when it’s off. I do wish the magnet holding the mesh were a bit stronger, as it tends to move around and can get offset (this is my OCD talking).

Looking at the rear of the case, we see room for the motherboard I/O and a 120mm fan, which you can adjust the height of. Below that are seven case expansion slots, which provide plenty of room for large graphics cards and add-in cards. Below that is the power supply, held in place by two captive thumbscrews. Vertical mounting of the video card is not possible.

The front I/O panel includes a power button with a white LED that lights when the device is powered on. Next to that is a 3.5mm audio plug, a USB 3.3 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) Type-C port, and, finally, a USB 2.0 Type-A port, rounding out connectivity. Seeing USB 2.0 on the front panel of a brand-new case in 2026 was a curious design choice, but Corsair has announced the next version will upgrade it to USB 3.0 (the speed wasn’t explicitly mentioned, but we’d guess 5 Gbps/3.2 Gen 1).

Really, there’s nothing spectacular or extraordinary in the case. It’s an inexpensive mid-tower that includes three fans. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. You won’t find fancy adjustable rails for fans / radiators, moveable motherboard trays, or fan hubs. That said, you do get three high-quality Corsair RS120 ARGB fans with the case (a three-pack was on sale for $44 at Corsair when this was edited), which is a plus for a name-brand chassis in the sub-$80 price range.

Internal Features

Inside the chassis, the 3200D RS supports Mini-ITX to ATX motherboards, but does not list E-ATX, even though there may be enough room (if you remove the Anti-sag strut). It’s also BTF/rear-connect compatible, supporting motherboards from Asus, ASRock, Gigabyte, and MSI with rear-panel connections instead of the front. There’s plenty of room for routing and hiding wires that come out the front (or behind, in the case of the rear-connect motherboards). The company also includes several zip-ties to secure the wires to the case for clean routing.

You can install up to eight fans in the top, front, bottom, and rear, and up to three radiators, with the top and front supporting up to 360mm radiators and the rear supporting 120mm radiators. Be careful on top, as it’s tight up there and may not fit a rad and thick fans or thicker rad and normal (25mm) fans. The included RS120 fans, normally $16.99 each, are mounted to the front, spinning up to 2,100 RPM and providing over 72 CFM at full tilt, according to their specifications. They are a great start for adequate airflow out of the box. You can pop off the front panel and easily access the front mesh for cleaning, too.

Assuming I was running an AIO at the top, I’d also purchase a rear fan to exhaust warm air to complete the build with proper airflow. With the amount of air that can enter the case from the front and the space for radiators, you can cool just about anything. Unlike more expensive cases, this one does not include a fan hub, so you’ll connect all your fans directly to the motherboard or buy a separate hub if needed. Not remotely a problem, but definitely something to know before making a purchase.

At the bottom, the tool-less power supply bay is hidden beneath a perforated shroud that runs the full depth of the case. On top is space for a 120mm fan, angled from front to back and pointing directly at your graphics card. This configuration allows cool air to be pointed directly at the video card, improving cooling and lowering GPU temperatures. Corsair also integrated an adjustable Anti-sag Stabilization Arm into all 3200D models, so you don’t have to worry about your long (up to 400mm), heavy, and expensive video card (or PCIe slot) getting damaged.

The case supports two 2.5-inch drives and one 3.5-inch drive. The 2.5-inch drives mount behind the motherboard tray to simple brackets, while the 3.5-inch bay shares space with the power supply, all hidden from view.

Bottom Line

Corsair’s 3200D RS lands in a sweet spot of affordability and functionality. For under $80 (under $70 if you don’t want RGB fans), you have a clean-looking mid-tower with ample airflow from the unique Y-pattern on the front panel, support for rear-connect/BTF motherboards, room for large CPU coolers, 360mm radiators, large graphics cards, and you get three RS120 ARGB fans out of the box. The integrated GPU strut is quite useful for today’s large graphics cards and remains hidden, maintaining a clean interior aesthetic. Sure, it forgoes extras like a fan hub and doesn’t offer vertical GPU support or modular rails for mounting hardware, but none of these omissions feels unreasonable at this low price.

What really stands out is that the 3200D focused on things that matter most for a budget chassis: airflow, compatibility, and value. The thermals should be more than adequate for high-end gaming rigs, and the cable management is clean, even if the back panel design shrinks that space. The decision to put a USB 2.0 port on the front panel in 2026 is curious, but Corsair appears to have addressed the issue and will offer a faster port on an updated model.

While there’s no doubt this is one of the better options in the budget mid-tower space, it doesn’t quite make our best PC cases list. Other options like the Phanteks XT Pro Ultra cost the same ($79 - currently $69.99 with rebate at Newegg) and offer four 140mm fans, though radiator space is a bit more limited compared to the 3200D (240mm in front vs. 360mm). The Lian Li LanCool 207 ($82.99), for just a couple more dollars, also includes four fans and, like the Phanteks, is limited to a 360mm radiator on top. In short, if you’re watercooling and need space for two 360mm radiators, the 3200D is the right choice for a sub $70

In the end, the Corsair 3200D RS doesn’t reinvent the mid-tower formula, but does deliver a simple, airflow-focused chassis at a budget-friendly price. If you don’t like the smoke color here, you can also get it in black and white at the same low price. In a world where budget-friendly has gone out the door on many components, it’s nice to see a good value at a lower price point.

MORE: Best PC Cases

MORE: Best Mini-ITX Cases

Singularity Computers has launched the Portal Advanced, a premium wall-mounted display case designed to showcase your high-end PC to your friends and visitors in style. The new advanced edition takes the original Portal to the next level by introducing new color themes, a full rear panel, and a dedicated power supply cover to enhance aesthetics.

The Portal Advanced's construction is a mixture of anodized 6061 aluminum, cast acrylic, and steel. It supports motherboards of all form factors, spanning from mini-ITX to E-ATX, to ensure maximum compatibility. Catering to liquid cooling enthusiasts in mind, the Portal Advanced comes equipped with numerous pre-installed features to get your build started. Among these components is an integrated distribution plate, which incorporates a D5 pump top and reservoir. You will need to provide your own pump and radiators.

The Portal Advanced is compatible with any D5 pump. It also accommodates up to two massive 420mm radiators, regardless of thickness, on each side of the motherboard. The exceptional radiator support allows you to run the most demanding hardware with optimal temperatures. Meanwhile, the fill port and drain port on the Portal Advanced utilize standard 12 G1/4” fittings.

The Portal Advanced offers you a lot of flexibility in terms of hardware compatibility. Thanks to its open interior layout, there are virtually no limitations on graphics card size. You can install even the largest high-end graphics cards without concern in a vertical or horizontal orientation. When it comes to the power supply, however, the unit must not exceed 9.8 inches (250mm) in length. It should be sufficient since most standard and high-capacity power supplies in the market aren't that long.

Singularity Computers sells a comprehensive range of additional accessories for the Portal Advanced. There is a set of sturdy legs and feet that convert the Portal Advanced into a traditional open-air testbench, priced at around $119. Cable management can be further streamlined with the optional powerboard, available for $149. Alternatively, there's a VESA mount for $29, which turns the Portal Advanced into a traditional standing testbench.

The standard Portal retails for $399. The Portal Advanced, offered in its black or white trims, costs $499 and $599, respectively. This represents a notable price premium of 25% for the black variant and 50% for the white variant. For those who desire an even more striking appearance, Singularity Computers offers additional color options, including carbon, silver, and gold mirror finishes. These color upgrades will set you back an extra $49, though.

You can order the Portal Advanced directly from Singularity Computers’ online store. The estimated time of arrival for orders is two weeks.

PC case and accessories manufacturer Lian Li has announced a new variant for its DK07 motorized standing desk. The company has retained the original launch price of $1,399.99, and the desk is available starting today through Amazon, Newegg, Caseking, Overclockers UK, and SCAN.

Originally launched back in 2024, the updated version now comes in a dark walnut wood finish with a tempered glass panel and enough internal space to accommodate single or dual E-ATX systems.

• Check out the Lian Li DK07 Wood on Amazon
• Check out the Lian Li DK07 Wood on Newegg
• Check out the Lian Li DK07 Wood on Caseking
• Check out the Lian Li DK07 Wood on Overclockers UK
• Check out the Lian Li DK07 Wood on SCAN

Apart from the new tabletop finish, the new DK07 Wood offers features similar to the original, including an adjustable height ranging from 676 millimeters (26.61 inches) to 1,162 millimeters (45.7 inches), along with three customizable preset positions. For accessibility, the desk comes with a sliding front panel to lift the tempered glass top when accessing internal components. Additionally, the removable modular motherboard trays make the building process more convenient, allowing users to install and prepare components outside the desk before placing the system into the chassis.

The desk supports both horizontal and vertical GPU orientations, with clearance of up to 383mm in length. In terms of power supply, one can install up to two full-size 220mm PSUs with up to 10x 3.5” HDD and six 2.5” SSDs. There’s plenty of cooling options as well, including support for a 480mm radiator or up to four 360mm radiators and 17 x 120mm fans in a single system setup, or up to two 360mm radiators and 12 x 120mm fans in a dual system setup. You also get dedicated front panel I/O for each system, which includes power and reset buttons, two USB 3.1 Type-C ports, two USB 3.0 Type-A, and a mic/audio jack. Other notable features include a built-in wireless charging pad, two drawers, internal cable organizers, dual cable pass-through holes for peripherals, and a rear cable tray.

Lian Li’s DK07 standing desk seems quite the practical solution as it not only saves on space but also doubles as a chassis for two PCs with all the proper organization one could ask for, and even a tempered glass panel to show off your premium hardware. In more than one way, it makes more sense than it initially sounds, especially at $1,399.99. Considering the amount of functionality packed into the desk, the pricing feels somewhat reasonable when compared to buying a premium standing desk and a pair of enthusiast-grade PC cases separately. That said, it remains a niche product aimed at enthusiasts.

Given the cost and availability issues swirling around RAM, storage, and GPUs since late last year, it can be tough to get excited about building a new PC. But Corsair wants to tempt us back to the building realm by offering up a plethora of PC case options. The company’s 4000 Series cases are expanding to include both an RGB-fronted Frame 4000X RS case ($139 to start) and a Frame 4000D Wood variant ($129 to start).

But these are far from static SKUs, as Corsair has a configurator for these cases, which lets you choose from a nearly bafflinig list of options: 12 different front panels (six each in black or white), five different motherboard trays (including an aluminum model with shiny beveled edges), and two different types of PSU shrouds. There’s also a front-panel option with three USB-C ports, and either full-length side panels in glass or mesh. Then there are side panel kits that let you install a trio of extra fans on the bottom side, or snap in the company’s Xeneon Edge touchscreen.

These are by far the most customization options I’ve ever seen in a PC case line, and Corsair sent most of the accessories my way to check them out – it all came in three boxes that have made a mess of my office (and spilled over into my kitchen). I’m still not sure if I love or hate the “Elite Wood” front panel (which features real wood slats in a water- like ripple pattern, surrounded by the Corsair logo), but it’s definitely eye-catching.

Frame 4000X RS: RGB grille and four non-RGB fans

First off, let’s tackle the new cases as standard, without any configuration options. There’s the base model 4000D, which we reviewed and mostly liked last year, which is currently selling for $104. New to this launch are the Frame 4000D Wood RS, with vented wood slats in the front (similar to the Fractal North), starting at $129, and the 4000 Series model Corsair sent our way is the Frame 4000X RS, which features a transparent vented front with built-in RGB lighting and starts at $139. All are mid-tower cases built around the same basic chassis, support back-connect motherboards (up to E-ATX 305 mm x 277 mm), and are available in black or white.

You also get an adjustable anti-sag GPU support (and room for GPUs up to nearly 16 inches long), a tempered-glass side panel, and four included (non-RGB) RS120 fans as standard. These are nice enough cases, and I’m a sucker for wood accents. But it’s really the optional accessories that make the Frame 4000 lineup stand out. Let’s start with the front panels.

Pick your panel

Corsair sent us four front panels, all in black to match the case we were also sent, though most are available in white as well. There’s the RGB Flow panel seen in the Frame 4000X RS section above (a $19.99 upgrade over the base metal Airflow front panel). We have the Pixel Glass panel that would probably look best if you opted for RGB fans (a more plain Flat Glass panel is also available) – both are $19.99. Then there’s the traditional Wood panel, with flat slats, available in walnut for the black panel or a lighter oak for white versions of the case ($29.99).

And of course, the most eye-catching (and most expensive, at $49.99) panel is the Elite Wood, which we’ve showcased in our main images. It adds a 3D surface pattern to the wood, which looks like a water ripple or soundwave circular pattern that radiates out from the center metal Corsair logo; That panel is also available in walnut or oak.

It’s striking to see what is effectively rippling wood, and a departure from the wood slats we’ve seen on several case fronts now, going back to the Fractal North. But to my eye, it also sort of kills the whole cozy, natural vibe that made wood-fronted cases feel fresh in the first place. I don’t hate it, but personally, I think I’d opt for the cheaper traditional wood slat panel. I also asked a couple of colleagues what they thought of the Elite Wood panel; one outright hated it, while another loved it. It’s definitely polarizing, but credit to Corsair for doing something unique with the wood case aesthetic. And the fact that it’s an add-on option means you’re only going to consider it if you like the way it looks.

Also, lest anyone suggest that Corsair isn’t using real wood here, Corsair says it’s FSC-certified for sustainability and social responsibility. And I would caution that its surface is easy to damage, as I’ve learned to expect as someone with a wood countertop and test bench (which I finished myself). After I removed all the panels from their package, I stacked them on top of each other. And a couple days later when I grabbed them for photography, I noticed that the round mounting pins from a panel above had somewhat damaged (or at least discolored) the surface of the Elite Wood panel. So if you are juggling panels with your 4000-Series case, you should probably take some care to protect the wood surface – like wrapping it in cloth or just not piling other components on top of it.

One extra front-panel option

The 4000 cases come standard with a typical port allotment on the bottom of the case. You get a USB-C and two USB-A ports, and a combo audio jack. But for $24.99 extra, you can get the Elite front panel IO, which ditches USB-A for two extra USB-C ports. The yellow port is the fastest of the three, at 20 Gbps (provided your motherboard has a header capable of that speed. The other two USB-C ports are 5 Gbps USB (USB 3.2).

Swapping the front panel is as easy as removing two screws on the bottom and pulling the cables out from under / inside the chassis, then clipping the new one on, installing the screws, and re-routing the cables through the bottom.

While I love the idea of having access to more USB-C ports on the front of my case, I feel like losing USB-A altogether would create its own inconveniences, so I would probably skip this upgrade option. It’s also worth pointing out that the power button has its own ARGB, which is fine. But it requires its own RGB header connection, so if you opt for the RGB front panel, you’ll need to plug in two RGB headers for something that, were this case not so modular, would almost certainly require just one RGB cable / connector.

A trio of motherboard trays

Corsair offers up three motherboard trays (five if you count the white options for the two lesser trays). The standard tray (center) and RapidRoute 2.0 ($9.99 extra) are both steel and support rear-connect motherboards in multiple sizes. The RapidRoute (right) model includes several velcro cable routing clips that can attach anywhere on the dozens of mounting holes around the tray.

The Elite tray ($79.99) is aluminum (Meteorite Aluminum in marketing speak), and offers better looks and more rigidity. It has mirrored beveled edges, which strikes me as a pretty odd detail for a tray that is going to be covered by a motherboard on one side and a steel side panel on the other.

I first attempted to install my test system using the Elite tray, but as I discovered after installing our MSI Project Zero Micro ATX motherboard, the Elite tray blocks the area of the bottom headers, so it only supports full-sized ATX motherboards with rear connectors. I

t’s also worth pointing out that the tray attaches to the steel frame via a few screws, so any extra rigidity provided by the aluminum tray is compromised by the flex of the internal steel and the tabs that hold the tray in place. There’s not a worrisome amount of flex, I am just not sure the aluminum tray adds much of actual substance. It’s also not available in white, unlike the other two trays.

In the end, I went with the RapidRoute 2.0 tray, where the snap-on cable clips helped wrangle all the wires behind the motherboard. I would spend more time on wire cleanup if I were building this system for long-term use, but even a couple of clips helped tame most of the cable nest.

Side panels, PSU shrouds, and fan / screen mounts

Corsair also offers two PSU shrouds. The full-length option leaves the bottom of the case open, which you’ll want to do if you aren’t using the default full-length glass panel, to make room for fans or Corsair’s screen. Our case shipped with the compact shroud ($14.99), which extends the full width of the motherboard tray, and has plenty of room for my PSU and extra cables, while also hiding them for a cleaner interior.

But if you don’t feel the need for a full-length glass side, Corsair also has a couple of options that can make use of the lower third of the case. A Cold Air Intake kit ($39.99) gives you a glass panel for the top portion, and additional mounts for three 120mm fans on the bottom. For those concerned about GPU temperatures, this might be appealing – although I’d prefer it if the fan mounts were angled upward, rather than horizontally, which will pull in cool air just below the GPU, in most setups.

If you own or are considering buying 14.5-inch Corsair’s Xenion Edge screen, there’s also the $39.99 LCD Mounting kit, which again keeps the glass panel in the upper 2/3 of the case, while providing a recessed area where you can house the 2,560 x 720 touch display, so you can display and control smart devices and launch apps via Elgato’s Stream Deck software, add stat widgets, or display pretty much whatever you like. This setup is far more versatile than many in-case displays we’ve seen in recent years, but it’s also expensive – on top of the cost of the 4000 case and the added cost of the mounting kit, the Xeneon Edge costs $249.

Apart from this large collection of accessories, if you’re using the company’s configurator for these cases, the company will also happily offer up the aforementioned Xeneon Edge screen, a three-pack of ARGB RS120 fans ($34,99), or a pack of Corsair’s single-turn QuikTurn fan screws ($14.99).

Bottom line

Case companies have been promising customization options for years now (and some have delivered, at least to a degree). But with its 4000 Series chassis, Corsair has delivered more options than I’ve ever seen, both substantive and cosmetic. It’s an appealing proposition for those who like to dial in a more custom look, or those who want their case to evolve along with their needs and budget.

And I like that Corsair is attempting something different with its Elite Wood panel (which, at $49.99, seems like a surprisingly reasonable price for what is some pretty complex woodwork). I’d probably stick with the standard wood panel, but that’s because I’m one of those strange people who keep their PC in the living room, below the OLED screen that I use both as a TV and a monitor.

The only real nit that I have to pick about all these accessories and the new 4000 series case models is that the core chassis that all of this is based around, which starts at $104, has some flex and otherwise doesn’t feel super premium. But tack on most of the available accessories (not counting the $249 screen), and the fully configured 4000 case could cost as much as $340 — which is a long way from budget case territory.

Corsair has introduced a new configuration tool for its latest Frame 4000D enclosure that lets potential buyers change out virtually every single component on this highly customizable case, from the side panel down to the front I/O. Pricing starts at $104.99 for the basic black or white versions, but the configurator doesn't limit your imagination and will let you buy literally every available accessory. Going all out like that will jack the price well over $1000, but more sensible configurations might land anywhere between $250 to $500.

The configurator walks buyers through an eight-step process for picking the case color, front panel, motherboard tray, PSU shroud, front panel I/O, left-side panel, and additional accessories. Corsair also allows you to mix and match black and white components.

Starting with the front panel, Corsair has 12 options, consisting of wood, glass, and airflow-focused panels. Pricing ranges between $9.99 to $49.99, depending on the front panel type. For the motherboard tray, Corsair has four options, including black and white versions of its RapidRoute tray for $9.99, and a premium "Elite - Meteorite Aluminum" tray that goes for a whopping $79.99.

For the PSU shroud, Corsair offers black and white versions of a compact shroud cover that replaces the case's stock full-length shroud for $14.99 each. For front I/O, Corsair offers an alternative I/O bracket with three USB Type-C ports for $24.99. The default bracket on the Frame 4000D comes with two USB Type-A ports plus one Type-C port.

For the side panel, Corsair has 10 different options that can replace or add on to the Frame 4000D's default glass-and-mesh side panel. Options include a full tempered glass side panel (that removes the mesh panel) for $19.99, a new cold air intake side panel add-on for $39.99, and an LCD mounting kit add-on for $39.99. The cold air intake add-on provides three 120mm fan mounts to add additional cooling capacity.

For accessories, Corsair provides five options: two Xeneon Edge 14.5" LCD touchscreen options in black or white for $249.99, a pack of RS120 ARGB PWM fans for $59.99 in black and white, and an extra box of fan screws for $14.99.

For now, the Frame 4000D is the only Corsair case that supports its new customizer, but if it is successful, Corsair will likely branch out and make more cases compatible with this tool. For more details about the case itself, check out our review.

Corsair is replacing its 3000D mid-tower case with the new 3200D. The case features a design refresh, which the company claims improves airflow and compatibility with a wide range of components. Available in black, white, and smoke color options, pricing starts at $79.99, which includes three bundled Corsair RS120 120mm fans, or you can upgrade to ARGB fans for an additional $10.

The removable front panel of the case features a new pattern that resembles the Fractal Torrent series of PC cases, offering improved airflow. The power button is located at the front top, with additional I/O including a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port, a USB 2.0 Type-A port, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack. The left-side panel has a tempered glass finish, while the other is made of standard steel. Interestingly, there is no removable panel at the top; instead, there is a large open area with mounting options and a removable magnetic mesh filter.

The case supports up to two 360mm radiators, which can be mounted at the front or the top. For fan support, one can mount either three 120mm fans or two 140mm fans on the front and top. Additionally, there is a 120mm fan mount at the rear and two at the bottom above the PSU shroud. Notably, one of the fan mounts at the bottom has been angled to direct additional airflow to the GPU. In terms of CPU clearance, the case can accommodate up to 165mm coolers and PSUs with up to 220mm in length.

There’s support for reverse-connect motherboards, including Asus BTF, MSI Project Zero, and Gigabyte Project Zero, with up to an ATX form factor. There’s even a built-in adjustable GPU sag bracket to keep the GPU stable. Corsair lists the case as accommodating GPUs up to 375mm in length, which means some of the best graphics cards should fit without any issues. Additionally, the case supports up to three 2.5-inch SSDs and one 3.5-inch HDD, along with a side-mounted shroud for cable management.

The Corsair 3200D comes with a two-year warranty and will be available worldwide. Customers in the U.S. can purchase the case via Corsair's online store, as well as through authorized retailers and distributors.

Yesterday, Noctua and Antec released the Flux Pro Noctua-Edition, a case that has technically been on the market for some time. But this latest version has a few nice Noctua sprinkles added to it, including a full cadre of Noctua fans.

The release of this case marks quite a special milestone for Noctua: For each major component category that comes with a fan pre-installed from the factory, Noctua either sells one itself, or has partnered up with someone to make a “Noctua-Edition” variant of an existing product. That goes not only for this case, but also for graphics cards, a power supply, and more to come.

Noctua is the undebated industry king when it comes to quiet and effective cooling (the brand tops the list of the best PC fans we’ve tested). And now that we can build a PC packed with Noctua products (not including the motherboard, SSD, CPU, or memory, of course), we had to try out this hardware combination to see how it all works out.

For all intents and purposes, this is a ‘reference’ build, and I expect that we’ll be seeing quite a significant number of almost identical builds the coming while, albeit with slightly different component selections when it comes to the CPU and motherboard platform, memory, and storage.

Grab yourself a coffee, because there’s a lot to talk about here. This will be a longer build story than we usually feature, because let’s face it, this is essentially the endgame halo Noctua PC.

In this market, why are we building this PC at all?

As configured, this is a PC that will cost $6400 to build. It’s an outrageous amount of money for any PC, and it makes it so that very few people will be able to put together a system like this. For this reason, I want to preface this build story with a disclaimer: this is not buying advice.

This here, today, is a story, and the story I’d like to tell is what it’s like to build the Noctua-Endgame PC of 2026. This is peak PC-building luxury, and as awesome as it is, I truly cannot recommend you do this due to the cost. But what I can do, is showcase the building process, explore all the little details and easter eggs, with the best photos I can muster, so that you can live vicariously.

The Hardware Selection

For this system, I had a few options for what I could build in it. However, in the current state of the PC hardware crisis, I feel that running a monthly build with all new hardware each time at Tom’s could come across a bit gluttonous (as if this hardware selection isn’t that already).

Therefore, we decided to scale the builds back to a frequency that’s less than monthly, and thereby reduce the amount of hardware we sample for builds. We also want to re-use parts that we already have available, provided they fit the story. Of course, a few new parts would have to be used here and there – otherwise I’d just be doing the same build over and over.

Consequently, I was presented with a painful decision – not that I really had much of a choice. Now that we have a Noctua-Edition case, the final piece of the puzzle, the point is that you install as many Noctua(-Edition) components as possible, right?

The Donor PC

Recently, I built a PC I called “The Stout Owl.” This was an immense undertaking, as it involved learning a new craft, months of meticulously hand-crafting a wooden case, and housing a Noctua-themed build, which suited the wood well. To me, personally, that was absolute endgame, but not everyone is willing to spend three months building a wooden PC.

At this point, I’m quite attached to The Stout Owl. I really didn’t want to, but I took this PC apart to use its components in this current build. The job comes first, and this meant that other than the Flux Pro Noctua-Edition case, no new hardware had to be acquired for this build story.

Motherboard: Asus ProArt Z890-Creator WiFi

I decided to stick with the ProArt Z890-Creator from Asus. I’d go into tech specs, but let’s be real: Asus’ ProArt boards, with their classy black-and-gold design pair beautifully with Noctua’s colorway, so the specs aren’t the main priority here.

The whole reason Noctua exists is because the founders were growing tired of the bold and flashy ‘Gamer’ aesthetic with all the lights, and wanted something classier. This motherboard, and its AM5 counterpart, are properly-kitted high-end boards, and come with chique looks to match. (The Dutch spelling of chic is chic-er than the accepted English spelling, and I’m Dutch, so I’m using it).

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K gets a lot of flack for not being the best gaming CPU, but I actually think it’s a fantastic chip despite not offering chart-topping gaming performance.

With 8 performance cores and 16 efficiency cores, the chip certainly is no slouch. Although it can run seriously hot and hungry when heavily burdened, it also runs incredibly cool and efficient when just idling. If you’re not a gamer, but you need a workhorse chip, the Intel Core Ultra chips are seriously worth considering, especially if you live in a place with high electricity costs and run the PC idling or just browsing for many hours. Though, at its price, the Core Ultra 7 265K or about-to-launch 270K promises very similar performance for a fraction of the cost. But Intel’s new chip isn’t quite available yet, so we’re using the 285K.

Again, this is not buying advice.

CPU Cooler: NH-D15 G2

The NH-D15 G2 is Noctua’s flagship CPU cooler, so naturally, it had to be installed in this system. Noctua doesn’t make a liquid cooler yet, and although one is slated for release later this year, this is the reference Noctua PC build, so I didn’t feel it was right to use another brand’s AIO and swap the fans.

The NH-D15 G2 comes with two round-frame NF-A15x25r fans with the Sx2-PPO speed offset, to ensure the fans never harmonize. With 8 heatpipes, the cooler is good for dissipating heat from even the hottest chips.

PSU: Seasonic x Noctua TX-1600 Prime

The Seasonic x Noctua Prime TX-1600 is currently the only Noctua-Edition power supply you can buy.

Usually, this power supply comes with a first-generation NF-A12x25 fan. However, for the aforementioned wooden PC build, I had modded the PSU to use a G2 fan. I decided to keep it this way for this build.

I do have to note, that this power supply, with its 1600-watt envelope, is grossly oversized for this build. Later this year, Seasonic aims to release the Prime PX Noctua-Edition series power supplies, which will come in 850-to-1200-watt envelopes. These would be much more suitable for most builds.

But they aren’t out yet, so we’re using this modded TX-1600.

Graphics Card: Asus x Noctua RTX 5080

For The Stout Owl (the wooden PC), Noctua loaned us the RTX 5080 Noctua-Edition, which also went to our GPU analyst for a full review. If you want to know all about the tech specs and specifics about performance, it’s a great read.

But after the review sample left my bench, I realized I had fallen in love with Noctua RTX 5080, especially in the wooden home I had crafted for it. So, knowing the review sample was a loaner destined tour media outlets in Europe before heading back to Noctua HQ, I went out and purchased my own RTX 5080 Noctua-Edition.

I put my money where my mouth is

I was doubtful whether I should share this part of story, but I feel it’s the ultimate form of praise for a product. The Asus x Noctua RTX 5080 is so horrendously expensive, especially in today’s market (I’m glad I purchased mine a few months ago) that unless you care for its looks, thermals, and acoustics, is almost certainly not worth it.

But in my case, it’s the only GPU I would want in my personal system, running long, quiet hours on my desk next to me. My entire room is padded in acoustic material, which was necessary for fan reviews, and I’ve recently come to learn why it is that I value silence in my workspace as much as I do.

I don’t game much at all. But rather, I use the GPU for photography (a hobby of mine that’s also a useful skill in work). My editing software of choice is DXO Photolab, and its AI denoising is quite something to behold. However, running the DeepPrime3 AI denoising on the CPU, even on a workhorse CPU such as the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, is dreadfully slow. It takes 15-20 seconds per image export, depending on the crop factor. And the CPU runs hot and loud even with a D15 G2, and a zoom-snippet live preview? Forget about it.

That’s where the GPU comes in. I can edit smoothly, and during export (DXO only applies the full-image denoising during export), you can quite literally hear when a photo in the queue gets handed from the CPU to the GPU – the GPU has some coil whine for a split second while it handles the denoising, and then it’s done. It then waits for the CPU to hand it the next shot, and so on. Exports are much quicker, as you’ll see later in testing.

Of course, a 5080 is total overkill for this application, but I like this graphics card. So here we are.

Memory: Team Group T-Create 48 GB (2x 24 GB) 7200-MHz CUDIMM DDR5

When building this system, the black and gold of the Team Group T-Create memory is makes it almost the de-facto choice for an all-Noctua system. I say ‘almost,’ however, because currently, this memory kit is priced at $749, which is outrageously expensive. Of course, the high price here isn’t limited just to this kit.

Storage: Two 2 TB SSDs, one from Kingston, one from Team-Group

For storage, I used a 2 TB Kingston Renegade G5 PCIe 5.0 SSD as the main system drive, with the Team Group T-Create C47 series Classic 2TB PCIe 4.0 drive for additional capacity.

Parts list

*Case not included. MSRP is $399. Grand Total then comes to $6,400.

Inspecting the ‘old’ donor hardware

After disassembling the PC, I decided to have a look at the motherboard and the installed components. The Team-Group SSD was having some performance issues, and with the GPU out of the way, I could open up the slot and see that the entire surface wasn’t quite mating properly with the thermal pad.

As such, I moved one of the thermal pads from the empty slots and added it, which resolved the performance issues I was having.

I left the CPU happily in its socket, along with the mounting bracket, but did remove the CPU cooler’s heatsink to give it a fresh dab of thermal paste later. This wasn’t really necessary, but any time spent doing this was more time saved throughout the build now that the massive NH-D15 G2 wasn’t in the way.

I also removed one of the T-Create 48 GB memory kits. 96 GB of DDR5-7200 is complete overkill for most use cases, and the last thing I wanted to do at this point was have to list a total system cost of over $7,000.

Then, I installed the motherboard in the case. Because the central standoff has a small nub at its tip, you can actually support the full weight of the motherboard, unsecured, without having to flip the case on its side.

I’m glad this is a feature included with most cases nowadays, as especially with a large case like this – it’s tiresome to flip it on its side if it can be avoided. What’s even more impressive is that this still works with this motherboard – the ProArt Z890-Creator is built with a lot of very heavy heatsinks, and it is without a doubt the heaviest ATX motherboard I’ve ever handled.

Installing the modded TX-1600 Prime Noctua-Edition

Next, I decided to install the PSU and do the cable management before installing the fans. Generally speaking, I lean more towards small cases as personal preference. But with a case this big, I suddenly had tons of freedom of movement – it really doesn’t matter what you do first, or last with the Antec Flux Pro Noctua-Edition– you can pretty much get to anything at any point. I like smaller cases, but this is nice!

The PSU we’re using is the Seasonic Prime TX-1600 Noctua-Edition, and being a unit from the wooden PC mentioned earlier, this one is modded to feature an NF-A12x25 G2 fan, instead of the stock G1 fan that comes installed from the factory.

For the PSU install, I did run into a few issues. Naturally, the TX-1600 Noctua Edition doesn’t fit sideways, as one of the mounting options this case presents. It’s too long for that, and even if it could, the 1600-watt power envelope means it comes with a rarely-used, beefier connector to deal with the amperage – and the Flux Pro Noctua-Edition does not have a matching rerouting cable.

However, what did surprise me is that it’s also not possible to mount the PSU upside-down, with the fan facing upwards. Of course, most of us won’t do that, but the TX-1600’s manual specifically states that the semi-passive fan-mode on the PSU should only be used when the fan is facing up, so that any heat generated can leave passively by means of convection.

Normally, this isn’t something I’d complain about. In fact, I’m not really complaining. But for a Noctua power supply, in a Noctua case, this is a little bit puzzling. The only reason I can think of, other than it being a core part of the Flux Pro design and not really being up to Noctua to change, is that if the fan were to face upwards, paired with having fans installed that blow air towards the GPU – they would fight each other when the PSU is under load and cause cooling issues in the power supply – so Antec may have intentionally locked us out from such a mounting option as a precautionary measure.

However, I don’t think that this Noctua-Edition case is meant to be used in combination with this Noctua-Edition power supply, but more on that later.

First Round of Cable Management

Generally, cable management is something I take care of at the end of a build. Despite the oceans of space, I figured the fans, CPU cooler, and GPU would just get in the way, so I took the opportunity to get a large chunk of it done early.

With easy access to everything, cable management was a dream. Antec has really done wonders behind the motherboard tray, with tons of space, cable guides, Velcro straps, and a few complimentary zipties.

The cable lengths of the Prime TX-1600 Noctua-Edition are also a perfect match, and boy, is the braiding lovely.

Installing the fans

For the fans, Noctua has done something quite special: They do not come pre-installed. Instead, they arrive in their own ‘Fan Kit’ box. The primary reason for this is that the rubber fan mounts are not suitable for holding the fans in the case during transport. But it does feel quite special to open the box and witness all six fans neatly laid out.

Installing the fans is also fun. This is like that expensive Lego kit you’ve always wanted – sure, they could assemble it in the factory, but it’s more fun to do it yourself.

What’s more, even though the spec sheet says the case comes with 6 fans, there’s actually a little seventh easter egg fan hidden somewhere. I’m not going to spoil this one in writing, but can you spot it in the photos somewhere?

I installed the rubber fasteners first as per the instructions, and then popped the fans into place.

The fan kit consists solely of Sx2-PP fans, and Noctua clearly states which fan has to be placed where, and in which direction you should route the connector cable.

Do so, and the cables end up in exactly the correct location to hook up to the pre-installed cable extensions that lead to the fan hub.

The fan hub has a magnetic backing, so it’s easy to move around, not that it was necessary.

Calling it a night, for now

I work in a studio with studio lights and accent lighting, but the build was looking fabulous at this point. I wrapped up the night by cutting the ends off the rubber fan fasteners, installed the heatsink, set the scene a little, and took my last photo of the day.

I had finished working for now, but kept walking back to look at the workpiece. It was at this moment that I started to understand the appeal of this method of an ‘all-Noctua’ build.

Mounting the CPU Cooler

The day prior, I had already mounted the CPU cooler, simply because I wanted to see what the heatsink would look like in the system before calling it a night. Especially without the fans installed on it, it really looks like a work of art, even if it’s ‘just’ a heatsink.

For installation, we note which direction is longer – the cooler is asymmetrical, and whereas the bottom side leaves clearance for the GPU, a big chunk of its mass extends to the same height as the very top edge of an ATX motherboard. The rear fin stack is also thicker than the front stack.

With the tower in place, I installed the two NF-A15x25r fans, placing the faster spinning of the two at the front.

It’s a known phenomenon in the world of PC cooling (and fans in general) that an impeller becomes notably louder when installed behind an object, so the slower fan gets installed in the middle for a quieter sound profile.

Installing the Asus x Noctua RTX 5080

The Asus x Noctua RTX 5080 is a behemoth of a graphics card, yet it fits in this case just fine. It even has room to spare.

Installation of the GPU is as simple as can be: remove two expansion slot covers, install the GPU, pop the anti-sag riser in place, and connect the power cable.

Do be sure to insert the power cable fully though – these cables can be finicky, and if not inserted properly, increase the chance of melting. So, we pay extra attention and make sure the clip is in its fastened position.

Strangely, this power supply doesn’t come with cable combs for the GPU power cable, but it does come with all others. I still had some laying around though. I’m allowed to use those, right?

Final Cable Management

With the build near completion, it was time for a final round of cable management. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I really like the cable management in this case.

Build complete

With that, I popped the side panels on, and the build was complete.

A personal disclaimer

It may come as no surprise if you’ve read this far, but I really quite like Noctua. I know they say “keep yourself unbiased” in the world of journalism, but the truth is, Noctua just makes great stuff.

I also adore the Noctua colorway. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it falls precisely in my tastes – my wooden floor at home is nearly the same shade beige as the fan frames, and most of my furniture is a similar shade of brown, many with the same slight reddish hue.

Top that with the ultimate silence, refined (zero) motor noise, no shouty ‘Gamer’ looks, outstanding warranty, support, and free bracket updates for legacy coolers – I wouldn’t want to live in a world without Noctua.

With that confession out of the way, let’s carry on.

Naturally, the memory runs on the XMP-II profile so that it reaches the full 7200 MHz. Additionally, we cranked the power target of the RTX 5080 all the way up to the maximum permitted 125%, and raised the Boost Clock setting from 2700 MHz default to 3000 MHz. We could squeeze more out, but this is just fine.

The Fan Curve

For the fan curve, Noctua offers a JSON file you can import into Fan Control, available for download here with a full explanation. We decided to download this fan curve and use the quietest of the three presets, but we did make a couple changes.

By default, the curve sets up a virtual sensor that combines data from the CPU and GPU, and links this to the fan curve. However, this meant that we couldn’t quite apply the fan curve to all devices.

For the case fans, it works very well. But I also wanted to use the exact same curve on the CPU cooler and the GPU. So, I duplicated the quiet profile twice, and linked one of them to the GPU’s core temperature, and another to the CPU’s package temperature reading.

The curve has a hysteresis of 5% / 5 seconds, which ensures the fans don’t ramp up or down in speed too quickly upon brief temperature spikes. This keeps the system running calm and consistent.

It’s worth noting that when using Fan Control, you do have to disable other software that may control the fans. Because the Flux Pro has a little display for the CPU and GPU temperatures, you also need to have Antec’s iUnity installed, but it’s important to remember to turn its fan control feature off. I didn’t at first, and kept wondering why Fan Control wasn’t behaving right.

Test Results

Under light browsing, the system barely consumes more than 100 watts. In fact, when not doing anything at all, it hovers around 97, but for a fair test I measure over the course of 5 minutes doing basic desktop things like web browsing, chatting, and writing this document.

Exporting photos loads up the CPU nicely, and gives the GPU some work too. All remains incredibly quiet, barely increasing in noise level over the noise floor of the room.

3DMark Speedway and Cyberpunk 2077 are much more real-life loads that balance a burden on both the CPU and GPU. Power consumption for these two tests hovers around 500 watts, and noise levels remain whisper quiet. The fans do come in a little bit, and there is a smidgeon of coil whine from the GPU, but it’s not nearly as audible as in the open-air PC I borrowed the GPU from.

For the synthetic workload, I’ve changed to using Furmark together with its built-in CPU burner, as I found that Prime95 sometimes lead to inconsistencies when running at the same time as Furmark – it would hog too many resources, and Furmark’s built-in CPU burner seems to ensure the GPU’s workload remains unaffected.

With that tool, power consumption raises to a staggering 827 watts, which is significantly more than any real-world workload would ever place on the system. The PC was also no longer quiet at this point.

Lastly, with all the fans on full speed, the GPU runs almost 10 degrees cooler, but the noise penalty simply isn’t worth it.

I Forget I’m heating the Room

Now, what I’m about to say is going to sound ridiculous, but bear with me. When I’m writing, I can end up sitting still at my desk for hours. Gaming, in that respect, is far more active, but when writing, I get cold.

When I’m in the type of flow that has me walking around the house, I’ll just turn on the central heating that runs on gas. But gas has become quite expensive in the Netherlands, so what I’ll sometimes do is simply run Furmark to heat up only the room to save money.

With past systems, this would be a bit intrusive, but with this Noctua system, especially in the Flux Pro where I can barely hear the coil whine anymore, something quite funny has been happening: I forget Furmark is running in the background.

I’m not kidding – I’ve once had Furmark run for 17 hours straight, when I only wanted a bit of heat in the morning. I was at my desk most of the day, and at some point, late in the evening, it was getting too warm in the room. I looked at my taskbar to close all my apps for the night, and that’s when I realized, I’d left Furmark going all day, minimized – and I hadn’t noticed.

The Reference Noctua-Edition PC Building Experience

Building a PC using Noctua parts wherever possible, down to things like the case, graphics card, and power supply, is an experience to remember.

This is about the “purest” Noctua PC you can build. With Noctua’s own flagship CPU cooler, the only Noctua-Edition case that currently exists, the most recent Noctua-Edition graphics card, the only Noctua-Edition PSU currently on the market, and a matching motherboard and memory kit – this is pretty much “The Reference Noctua-Edition PC,” and you can now buy all parts off the shelf and complete the build within a day. Sure, it took me two days, but I was writing and staging photos.

No Stone Left Unturned

These were all top-notch components to begin with, and the Antec Flux Pro Noctua-Edition’s touches truly elevate the building experience to a new level. Noctua paid attention to everything, down to things like the soft-grip torx screwdriver that comes with the D15 G2, the neatly arranged fans that you get to install yourself, the all metal Noctua badge, the easter-egg seventh fan, the braided cables that come with the PSU, the beautiful walnut on the Flux Pro… I could go on.

Even the manuals are beautifully made, clear, and printed on thick, high-quality semi-gloss paper – and they’re the same kind of paper for all Noctua and Noctua-Edition products, including those from different partners. It’s an attention to detail that, while few might notice it, makes for a more cohesive, enjoyable experience.

The anti-sag pillar for the GPU too – even that little thing has a fantastic, fine-particle anodized finish, and it just so happens that its height, in the shortest setting, precisely matches up when leaning on the rubber corner of an A12x25 G2 fan in this specific case. Coincidence? I think not.

If that’s not enough, Noctua has even made a fan curve specifically for use with this system that you can download and install into Fan Control, which we used for this build.

The attention to detail in every aspect is staggering, and it’s in a moment like this that I can finally understand why Noctua has taken so long to release all these products: micro-details included in products released quite some time ago match up perfectly with releases from these new partnerships.

All that said, as noted earlier, the TX-1600 installation issues fly in the face of all this talk of detail and synergy. But that’s likely why Noctua picked Seasonic’s PX series to build the next series of Noctua-Edition power supplies.

Not all is perfect: What’s the deal with the cheap metal panels?

I’m someone that remembers Antec from the P180 series cases. These ran from 2005 to 2010 or so, and they had some fantastic acoustic features, such as triple-layer side panels with brushed aluminum outsides, airflow labyrinths for noise-reduction, and very squishy mounting mechanisms for hard drives.

Flash forward to 2026 and this thin sheet-metal panel on the Flux Pro Noctua Edition: Is that really the best Antec has to offer?

That’s not a cherry on top of the cake, but more like pouring hot tarmac over a patisserie’s red velvet.

Admittedly, because of this I had some mixed feelings about the Flux Pro Noctua-Edition when I started. Despite being a special-edition of Antec’s flagship case, it still fell for a trap that I feel should be banished from flagship, high-end cases: undampened, thin sheet metal panels.

Yes, there’s a beautiful glass panel with a light, tasteful tint. The case also has a touch of truly well-cut, tidily-lasered, sanded, and lacquered piece of fine American walnut.

But, that only makes me more upset that the other panels and meshes are made of the same thin, tinny-sounding sheet metal as we find on $60 cases. This is like making the interior of a car as luxurious as a BMW, and then giving it the body panels of a Yaris, and putting the BMW badge on it.

You’re not sneaky, Antec. I can see exactly what you’re doing.

At least slap two strips of Butyl rubber on the inside. It’s what car makers do. Sure, it won’t make it look any better, but it will feel a lot more luxurious to handle. Seriously, self-adhesive butyl rubber costs effectively nothing, adds almost zero production complexity, and fundamentally changes the way sheet metal feels. Maybe not for the standard version of the Flux Pro, but for a Noctua-Edition case, it’s the least I would expect.

Of course, anodized aluminum would take my absolute preference, but in a case this big, it would certainly double (if not triple) the price to recoup the production costs, so I do understand that this was not an option.

Once the panels come off, the magic happens

Despite this criticism on the panels, I do understand why Noctua went with Antec for the Flux Pro as the collaboration for their first-ever Noctua-Edition case.

It has been quite a long time since I built a PC in a large E-ATX case, and the inner workings of this case are incredibly well thought-out.

I’ve also never really liked the NH-D15 much. Its technical prowess is undebatable. But the way it looks – it’s too big, and the unmatching round-frame fans leave it with unclear boundaries. For how cohesive everything Noctua looks, the D15 never really made sense to me. I’ve been begging Noctua to release the mythical NH-D12 G2, but alas.

Yet, installed in the Flux Pro, and I suddenly understand its appeal. Behind the glass panel, above the Noctua graphics card, the NH-D15 G2 sits there, looking right at home. Even the big waft of empty space above it where you could mount a radiator doesn’t bother me – in fact, it makes sense: It’s breathing space.

So, Should you build this PC?

Leaving the Intel versus AMD debate out of the equation, now that Antec’s Flux Pro Noctua-Edition is on the market, this is the obvious selection of components for a top-end Noctua-themed build. However, it’s about as un-creative as you could get when picking out a PC.

I started this build series at Tom’s Hardware with the aim of “inspiring creativity.” This build is arguably the least-creative assembly I’ve done in a very long time. Possibly ever.

This build is the equivalent of buying the Lego Bugatti kit. It’s premium; all the parts come organized in tidy little bags; the manual is beautiful and tells you precisely what to do; and as long as you follow the instructions, you’ll end up with a beautiful end product. Just like that other guy who got it before you, and the next guy in line will too.

It’s classy. It’s brown, beige, and has walnut wood. It’s quiet. This case paired with the component selection make for an ocean of high quality. The system is also fast, and it’s a sublime experience to build and live with.

But creative? That, it is not. Noctua and its partners have taken care of that part for you, which makes things feel a bit generic.

Yet, at the same time, this is one of the most enjoyable builds I’ve done in a long time. The way that Noctua has cherry-picked its partners for Noctua-Edition gear has clearly been incredibly strategic, and it shows in the entire building process. The parts all came out at different times, and ship in separate boxes, but they may as well have all come together in one big box named “The Noctua PC (2026, intel)” as a DIY kit.

This is the most cohesive PC build I’ve ever put together, refined in almost every way imaginable.

If you’ve got the money to throw at this and it fits your tastes and decor, I can safely say that you’ll enjoy the build process and end product. But it’s a lot of money, and if I was presented with the decision to build either this, or something else with $6,400 to spend… well, you know my answer.

Parts list

*Case not included. MSRP is $399. Grand Total then comes to $6,400.

Austrian PC cooling expert Noctua has just shared a teaser for its upcoming PC case. While there are no concrete details, the teaser image shared on X gives a glimpse of the front I/O positioned at the top of the case. Looking at the layout, it is safe to assume that this could be the Antec Flux Pro Noctua Edition case first showcased at Computex 2025.

Based on the Antec Flux Pro chassis, the special edition case comes in Noctua’s traditional brown color scheme with a wood trim at the front. It also comes with four Noctua NF-A14x25 G2 and two NF-A12x25 G2 fans, along with the NA-FH1 fan hub for controlling fan speeds. According to the company the case has gone through extensive laboratory testing to optimize cooling performance and reduce noise levels compared to the case's standard fan setup.

The rest of the features should be identical to the standard Antec Flux Pro full tower case offering a multi-directional vent design allowing for vertical and horizontal airflow. There is a dedicated compartment for the power supply unit at the bottom with proper mesh ventilation and support for up to 180mm PSUs in length. The iSHIFT PSU mount allows you to install the power supply facing the side of the case giving easier access to the cables.

In terms of fan support, it can accommodate up to 12 fans with three 120mm or 140mm fans at the front, top, and above the power supply shroud along with additional mounting options for two 120mm or 140mm fans at the bottom and one in the rear. There’s even enough room to accommodate radiators of up to 420mm in length. For dust filtration the front and bottom panels come with a 1.2mm fine mesh and there’s even a small LED display to showcase CPU and GPU temperatures. Apart from the power and reset buttons, the front I/O comes with two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, a USB Type-C 10Gbps port, a headphone/mic combo jack and a dedicated button to toggle the temperature LED display.

The Antec Flux Pro Noctua Edition was expected to launch late last year but seems that the two companies are finally ready to launch the case. Considering the original Antec Flux Pro is selling for about $180, we expect the Noctua edition to be priced at least $250 or above.

Based on the Leviathan project from the 2019 Cooler Master Case Mod World Series, the limited-edition Shark X mini-ITX case has finally arrived in the U.S. market as a standalone product. Available in black and white, the Shark X retails for $5,499.99, a small fortune for anyone looking to splash money on a unique case that will certainly turn heads.

• Buy the Cooler Master Shark X white edition at Amazon
• Buy the Cooler Master Shark X black edition at Amazon

The Shark X, made of plastic and steel and adorned with RGB lights from head to tail, is an impressively tall case, measuring 31.10 x 35.75 x 35.20 inches (790 x 908 x 894 mm). Despite its large external dimensions, the case can accommodate only mini-ITX motherboards. Whether you’re planning an Intel or AMD build, you’ll be limited to the constraints of a motherboard with a small footprint, such as only one primary expansion slot, limited memory slots, and M.2 slots for storage.

The motherboard isn’t the only constraint you’ll face when building in the Shark X, though. Its unconventional design means it comes with a pre-installed, custom Cooler Master MasterLiquid 120 AIO Atmos liquid cooler tailored to fit the unique internal layout. The cooling capacity of this liquid cooler limits your processor choice for the mini-ITX motherboard. Although the MasterLiquid 120 offers wide compatibility with legacy and current Intel and AMD sockets, it remains a 120mm liquid cooler at the end of the day. As a result, it may struggle to cool high-wattage processors adequately.

When it comes to graphics card compatibility, the Shark X offers a reasonable amount of space. The case can house graphics cards with dimensions up to 11.97 x 5.39 x 2.4 inches (304 x 137 x 61 mm). While this isn’t as spacious as larger enthusiast cases, it still provides ample room for most modern dual-slot graphics cards with a maximum length of 12 inches (304 mm). You can choose from a broad selection of high-performance graphics cards, including popular models such as the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti.

In addition to the 120mm AIO liquid cooler, Cooler Master equips the Shark X with the V850 SFX Gold power supply. The fully modular unit boasts an ample 850W capacity, making it suitable for powering high-end graphics cards and multi-core processors. The 80 Plus Gold certification attests to its energy efficiency, and its compact SFX form factor fits seamlessly into the Shark X’s interior.

The hardest thing to swallow with the Shark X is its eye-opening $5,499.99 price tag. It's strange because Cooler Master was selling the Shark X in Japan for around $4,300 two years ago, so it seems it's gotten more expensive over the years. The manufacturer even attempted to sell a prebuilt dubbed "The Apex" for $6,999, which included a Core i7-14700F, GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super, 64GB of DDR5-6000 memory, and a 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. Cooler Master has since modernized "The Apex" to a Core Ultra 7 265F, GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, 32GB of DDR5-6000 memory, and a 2TB M.2 SSD to bump the price up to $6,999.99.

Like Cooler Master's Sneaker X case, which still sells for $699.99, it takes a very special consumer, and one with deep pockets, to spend $5,499.99 on the Shark X.

Akasa, the U.K.-based PC hardware manufacturing company known for its fanless cases, just announced the latest model of its Euler line of fanless Mini-ITX chassis. According to the company’s X post, the Euler CMX is designed for the latest Intel Core and Intel Core Ultra processors with a maximum TDP of up to 35 watts.

This case is fully passively cooled via the aluminum fins on its case, and it also features dual USB 3.2 and USB 2.0 ports up front, a built-in 220W DC-to-DC power converter, and VESA mounts. The company said that its “built for reliable industrial & POS deployments,” but enthusiasts looking for a completely silent solution for a home media PC will also appreciate it.

The biggest change Akasa did to the Euler CMX is its ability to accommodate “regular-sized” Mini-ITX motherboards, compared to the previous models which were limited to thin Mini-ITX mobos. You’d still need an external AC-to-DC power brick to power whatever you’re building in this tiny case, but its 248.6 x 205 x 78.5mm (9.8 x 8.1 x 3.1 inches) dimension means that you can easily fit it nearly anywhere.

Unfortunately, this case only officially supports Intel LGA1851, LGA1700, LGA1200, and LGA115X sockets, so you can’t put most of the best gaming CPUs from AMD into it. Nevertheless, Akasa lists the Intel Core Ultra 9 285T as one of the CPUs that the fanless case can reliably cool. While it’s not as powerful as the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K we’ve reviewed (which we found to be lacking in the gaming department), it will likely still be a great choice for most productivity and HTPC purposes. You can also put in less powerful Intel Core Ultra 5 T-series chips in this case, which is particularly useful if you don’t need the performance of a high-end processor but want the zero-noise delivered by fanless builds.

As usual, you’ll have to pay the SFF tax if you want to get this fanless case as it costs almost $175 (pre-VAT) on Quiet PC if you want to get one for yourself. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of building a tiny fanless PC yourself, the retail store also offers a complete build starting with an Intel Core Ultra 5 245T CPU, 16GB of DDR5 memory, and a 500GB SSD for $1,489 (pre-VAT).

The Computer History Museum is teasing the “Big Mac.” This is an almost comically large-scale rendition of the circa 1986 Macintosh Plus. However, in 2026 design terms, only the keyboard looks particularly oversized, as screens on all-in-ones nowadays totally dominate designs, with the ‘PC’ bits so small they don’t look much different to monitors.

Above you can see the “astonishingly large Macintosh Plus computer” recently acquired by the museum, based in Mountain View, California. The device was likely built for exhibition and demo purposes back in the day, when the Plus was a commercially available and desirable machine.

The Computer History Museum shies away from any kind of technical details regarding the Big Mac. For this tease,r it preferred to try and hook in the keyboard ASMR crowd, a surprisingly large niche of enthusiasts. A staffer from the museum, we presume, is videos click clacking on the scaled-up replica of the Apple Keyboard (M0110A). As you can see, this keyboard would be very compact, with just 58 keys, but at least it has arrow keys, which were absent from its predecessor, the M0110.

Apple’s Macintosh Plus launched with the same Motorola 68000 CPU as the original Mac, but buyers benefited from a default 1MB of RAM (expandable to 4MB with its 4x standard 30-pin SIMM slots), an 800KB 3.5-inch floppy drive, and a SCSI port for peripherals like HDDs and printers.

Though it appealed to graphic artists, largely due to the direction of its software library driven by the Mac’s pioneering GUI adoption, these machines (original and Plus) were built around a tiny 9-inch monochrome CRT with 512 x 342 pixels resolution. That’s why, even with the ‘Big Mac,’ the screen looks kinda small, while the keyboard is comically large in 2026.

The Macintosh Plus launched at $2,599 in 1986, for the configuration outlined above. That’s over $7,500 in 2026 money. Still, it was a workhorse fully supported by Apple System releases for a decade, with Mac OS 7.5.5 maintaining support for the little all-in-one when it was released in Sept 1996.

The Computer History Museum teases that more info on the Big Mac is coming next week. Its social media post tag suggests this computer will form part of its Apple at 50 celebrations, which kickoff in March.

Cooler Master's Cosmos case has been a staple in the PC industry for almost 20 years. From the original Cosmos 1000 to the C700M flagship chassis, multiple iterations have combined bold, premium designs with aluminum external handles and a solid internal framework for mounting your precious hardware – with space for lots of it. Cooler Master's marketing team claims the new Cosmos Alpha, “... represents a significant step forward in the evolution of cases and what can be achieved with the latest generation of designs”. That's a bit over the top, but if you're a fan of big cases with room for lots of hardware, there's plenty to appreciate here.

For me, the star of the show is the FreeForm 2.0 platform, which evolved from a modular design to a more open, customizable platform, with Cooler Master describing it as freedom, scale, and personalization without compromise. In the Cosmos Alpha, this means the freedom to customize fan sizes and locations and the ability to adjust the motherboard. Eventually (they did not have an ETA), they’ll post measurements, dimensions, and tolerances on the Cooler Master website (and at Printables.com) so you can create 3D-printed items yourself or find other community-driven items to print for additional functionality.

The Cosmos Alpha is a step forward in design, keeping the familiar hands and feet, while maturing from the C700M to a simpler, more premium aesthetic. A hinged smoked-glass panel dominates one side, providing a tinted view of the inside, while a perforated panel covers the other. The IO panel features updated, ample connectivity, with six USB ports (two Type-C, four Type-A). You can install up to four 360mm radiators within the immense internal space ( 420mm is supported on the side, in front of the motherboard tray). Additionally, the Alpha also uses moveable fan mounts (so you can change fan size and location), and the motherboard tray slides back and forth so you can show off your hardware or make room for larger components (more on that later).

Cooler Master Cosmos Alpha Specifications

External Design and IO Panel

Starting with the outside, this is a full-tower – a huge one measuring a whopping 26 x 13 x 25 inches (LxWxH), including the handles and feet. It feels very structurally sound, and even when empty, it is heavy. Be sure you have the room for it and a substantial base if it isn’t going to be on the floor, because this case weighs well over 70 pounds once populated with hardware.

The outer frame, with handles and feet, is grey/silver with a matte finish. All panels (front/rear, sides, and top) are black, providing a nice contrast. The front features a decorative plastic grille with large cutouts shaped like the Cooler Master logo, a dust filter behind it, and the two included SilentFlow 200mm fans. A similar grille, with smaller air gaps, is on the rear. Here we see a single Mobius 120mm fan (included), but the space holds up to three 120mm fans — yes, three rear exhaust fans. The ‘exoskeleton’ and grille on the back hide your cables exiting the rear, routing them out the bottom for a much cleaner look than most cases.

On top is a black mesh grille that runs the full depth of the case. The important front IO panel features modern connectivity with four USB Type-A (5 Gbps) ports and two Type-C (20 Gbps) ports – effectively like having a USB hub built into the top of your case. There are also three buttons just below the USB ports. On the right are the power and reset buttons; in the middle is a status (power) indicator light; and on the left is the RGB light switch. It’s a sleek design and includes all the functionality expected from a new high-end chassis.

Internal Features

Inside the case is where the real fun begins. The Cosmos Alpha supports the full range of motherboard sizes, from Mini-ITX to E-ATX/EEB. It’s also rear-connect motherboard/BTF-compatible, which can really clean up the wires. Inside, you can install up to 12 fans (a 4-fan hub with RGB support included) in typical locations (front/side/top/rear), or 4 radiators (up to 420mm on the side). To fit four radiators, three can be mounted on the back, behind the motherboard, with the fourth on top. You can cool anything with that much space available for fans and radiators. Additionally, you can mount your power supply at the top or bottom, where it is hidden from view.

On the motherboard tray, there are removable panels on the right to hide cables, or you can remove them to install additional fans and create space behind the motherboard tray to store wires. You don’t have to move a thing, as there’s roughly two inches (53mm) of space between the motherboard tray and decorative panel. As you'd expect, given the case's size, there are plenty of places to route the wires and mounting points, with velcro straps to keep things neat. Another panel hides most of the wires, so neat routing isn’t terribly important if you don't want to worry about that. But if you’re anything like me, you will group and route the cables using the tie downs.

Compared to how some previous Cosmos cases could hold up to 18 drives, the three available (confirmed by Cooler Master) on the Alpha feel a bit paltry. We realize M.2-based storage has become increasingly popular, reducing the need for most internal SATA-based storage (specifically HDDs), but we’d wager there are some niche buyers looking for more than that in a full-tower case. You can likely print some for it, as there is room and files for generic mounts/rails exist.

You’ll find movable crossbars for fans in front, at the top, and at the bottom, and oval slots for screws/mounting let you install different-sized fans and adjust their locations to reduce hot spots or just fine-tune placement. Moving the crossbars was easy, but the sliding mechanism didn't feel as smooth as I expected/wanted. It's a minor complaint, but this is an expensive case.

The motherboard panel moves back and forth to increase clearance for, say, large air coolers versus AIOs, mounting fans or radiators behind it, or just to tweak airflow. You can also bring it closer to the side panel to show off your GPU and create more room behind the motherboard. Just be careful, as you can see from our mock build, the GPU can get very close to the smoked-glass side panel, which isn't great for the graphics card's cooling. The chassis supports vertical GPU mounting, but the hardware is not included ($69.99 at Amazon) on the Cosmos Alpha.

Cooler Master also includes an adjustable crossmember that runs from front to back, designed to support large graphics cards. On this bar is a movable support bracket that slides under the GPU to prevent GPU sag and bending.

Bottom Line

The new Cosmos Alpha ($399.99 on Newegg) builds on two decades of Cosmos legacy, modernizing the case with a sleek, solid redesign. The FreeForm 2.0 platform offers greater modularity and personalization, and Cooler Master promises access to open-source 3D files to design your own parts.

The unique sliding fan brackets and a movable motherboard tray are standout features that enable flexible layouts and more configurable cooling. While its size allows for a wide variety of motherboard types, radiators (up to 4), and fan support (up to 12), the case can be cumbersome due to the large footprint and weight. And SATA drive capacity feels limited for the size. Still, the update looks great, uses fast modern IO, and will host the biggest, most power-hungry hardware, along with the fans to cool it. It certainly isn’t cheap, but it could last through multiple builds.

MORE: Best PC Cases

MORE: Best Mini-ITX Cases

Corsair has just refreshed its FRAME 4000D lineup of cases with two new colors as part of its limited-edition "Vault" series. These aren't just generic colors either; rather, a hue-shifting paintjob that appears different depending on how you look at it. Otherwise, it's the same great FRAME 4000D tower that we've reviewed before, but now featuring a few upgrades that make it an even better pick.

Firstly, the Frame 4000D Vault comes in either "Nova" or "Galaxy" — the former dances between blue, teal and purple hues, while the latter will transition between pink through green to gray. Either colorway is achieved via a chromatic paint that reacts to light, creating interesting new tones from different angles. You can see the base colors more clearly in the picture below; the Galaxy color (left) looks to be more subtle.

Apart from these new colors, the case gets a revised front panel I/O, now featuring three USB-C ports; the company has removed the two Type-A ports from the standard FRAME 4000D. The ARGB power button now has an "MX-Style green" mechanical switch behind it that's actually replaceable, so you can change how the button feels. Next to the power button is the same 3.5mm headphone jack as before.

The side panel is also a bit different. Instead of ending right above the PSU shroud, it actually extends all the way from top to bottom, giving the case a seamless look. The mesh exterior of the power supply section is, therefore, gone, but at least you can now fit a 120mm fan on the case floor for extra airflow. That's because the PSU shroud has been shortened to occupy only half of the bottom now.

Since this is a limited-edition case, each tower comes with a numbered aluminum badge. Corsair is making 1,337 of both colorways, which means 2,674 cases in total. It's priced at $139.99 and doesn't seem to come with any fans. That makes it more expensive than both the plain FRAME 4000D and the FRAME 4000D RS ARGB that does include three RS120 fans for $124.99.

That concludes the list of changes and everything else remains identical. You get the same highly modular build of the FRAME 4000D with customizable panels enabling different layouts. The case supports back-connect motherboards and includes Corsair's InfiniRail fan mounting system which can hold up to 200 mm in the front and 140mm in the roof.

The FRAME 4000D was a great case before — one that almost made it onto our list of the best PC cases out there — and the FRAME 4000D Vault is a worthy follow-up. It may not be as fancy as the LCD-laden version that costs $400 but these color-shifting builds should still make your PC stand out. All the PC building comforts you expect are here for a decent price, and it's backed by a two-year warranty.

Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of attempts by DIY modders and PC enthusiasts to shrink gaming PCs down to the size of traditional game consoles. This is often done with the goal of enjoying PC gaming on a large TV from the comfort of their couch. From custom small form factor builds to console-inspired enclosures, the idea of a living room-friendly PC isn’t exactly new. However, a modder on YouTube by the name of PhasedTech has taken this concept to a whole new level by cramming an entire desktop PC inside a svelte Xbox One S.

Now there have been similar projects in the past where modders have managed to install an entire PC inside the chassis of an old console. But, as pointed out in the video, most of them rely on an external power brick and / or integrated graphics. To make the project a bit more challenging, PhasedTech set out to use an internal power supply, a discrete graphics card, as well as an optical disc drive so the system could functionally mimic the original console. Additionally, the build avoids the use of glue, ensuring that all components are properly mounted and bolted in for a more professional finish. Lastly, only the rear and bottom of the chassis have been modified, with no changes allowed to the front, sides, or top panels.

Since the Xbox One S has a volume of approximately 4.4 liters, the parts chosen for the project had to be compact and consume relatively low power. For that reason, the hardware leans more towards a balanced console-like setup rather than a high-end gaming PC. The modder used a mini-ITX motherboard with an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 CPU cooled by a Noctua NH-L9i, along with 16GB of DDR4 ultra-low-profile memory. For storage, the system uses a standard NVMe SSD, a 250W flex PSU to provide power, and a low-profile single-slot Nvidia RTX 3050 to handle the graphics.

After separating the outer chassis from the core internals of the Xbox Series S, the modder began by laying out all the components to get a sense of where each part will go. They then shaved off some internal supports to make room for the hardware, followed by drilling a few holes to secure the power supply and motherboard using standoffs. Using a custom right-angle mount and screws, a USB Type-A extender cable is installed at the front of the console chassis.

For the optical disc drive, the modder soldered two wires to the drive’s eject switch, with the other ends connected to a micro switch. This micro switch is intended to be used with the original Xbox eject button, enabling the disc drive to be controlled using the console’s built-in button. After a quick test of the optical drive, all the power supply cables are installed, followed by preparation of the top half of the chassis.

By making use of two threaded mounting points and some plastic grooves inside the top chassis, the modder 3D-printed a two-part custom bracket to securely mount the disc drive, GPU riser cable, power button, and eject button in place. Notably a four-lane PCIe riser cable is used due to the limited internal space as opposed to a traditional 16-lane cable. Fortunately that does not impact the performance of the GPU used for the build. After installing the disc drive, power/eject buttons, GPU, and a bit of cabling, the top and bottom chassis are snapped back together, along with two custom 3D printed I/O shields for the rear.

The system boots into Windows without any issues, but due to the relatively low-end hardware, it is best suited for less resource-intensive and eSports titles. According to PhasedTech, games like Valorant and Counter-Strike 2 can push to 200 FPS at 1080p using medium settings, with temperatures reaching up to 80°C. While they haven’t offered any extended benchmark results, the project stands out for being able to balance performance, thermals, and functionality within the limited space of a console chassis, while preserving the original look and feel of the original Xbox One S.

A retro computer enthusiast has fitted a thermal printer into an ancient Apple Macintosh Plus. A short video clip shared on social media shows the mod is effective and, dare we say, practical. The otherwise redundant floppy drive in this Mac Mini brain transplanted desktop looks almost perfect for spewing forth coils of thermal copy paper.

The original Apple Macintosh has such iconic computing appeal that it is natural that enthusiasts repurpose the old chassis if or when the innards deteriorate beyond repair. But what do you make of the cutout where the floppy drive used to be?

The above perfectly valid answer is provided by Japanese pickle store manager and Mac enthusiast, Meinan, on X. Apparently, they were lucky enough to get this thermal printer in some kind of auction for ‘1 yen’, and were looking for a good way to make use of it. We don’t know how it is hooked up to the computer, but would guess it simply interfaces via USB, like printers have done for decades now.

Modern Mac Mini inside

A brief glance at the display of this Mac Plus, shows that it has been seriously ungraded in the processing department too. Gone is the low-res mono CRT, and a vibrant LCD display is fitted in the frame. Powering the modern mac OS system you see running is some version of the Mac Mini.

In some ways it is a shame that Meinan’s machine couldn’t be preserved in its original configuration, of course. But we don’t know what happened to this aged computer before its shell was reused. It seems to be a particularly interesting cross-generation sample. The shell mixes a Mac 128K facia, with a Plus 1Mb rear housing (and contents at one time) making it a possibly rare transition machine.

Overall, the thermal printer mod is a pretty interesting one. The project reminds us of the iMac G4 ‘lamp shade’ revitalization mod by Action Retro in 2024. Similarly, a Mac Mini was squeezed into the retro-shell in that project. Sadly, Action Retro didn’t reuse the vestigial optical drive during that mod, which seemed like a missed opportunity.

A maker just shared their custom 3D-printed SFF case based on the discontinued Xikii FF04, a sub-10-liter case that integrates an Asus Pro Art RTX 4080 Super. Redditor u/AudiblyTacit showcased their build in the r/sffpc subreddit, stating that they had heavily modified the design to accommodate their updated hardware and calling it FF04MOD Block I. The custom SFF case now features a more recent Asus RTX 5070 Ti Prime OC and the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D, which remains one of AMD’s most potent gaming chips.

u/AudiblyTacit said they based their custom build on a 3D-printed model from another user, then heavily modified it for their hardware, aesthetics, and performance. For example, they modified the lid to add a vent with a magnetic mesh screen to improve airflow, and changed its color from the usual single-color black or gray found in most PC builds to alternating red-and-white diagonal stripes. They also added a similar design to the GPU power adapter, but this time incorporating a flammable warning as a nod to the melting power adapters that have affected several modern high-powered GPUs.

Update: So worth the effort – promised more photos + performance update from r/sffpc

The final 3D-printed case measures 8.75 x 5.75 x 14.5 inches. Although it has a similar depth and height to the original FF04 design, it’s about an inch and a half wider to accommodate the chunkier RTX 5070 Ti. This also increases the total volume to 11.9 liters (up from the original’s 9.8 liters). Additionally, the Redditor added a small external monitor to monitor the system.

Although you can see some of the tell-tale signs of 3D printing on the build, it’s still one of the cleanest custom SFF PC cases you can find on the internet (but if you don’t have the patience for making your own, you should check out our best mini-ITX cases). The Redditor also showed how many iterations it took to reach the final design, with one image showing around five external cases, plus several other 3D-printed parts. They also said they used Polymaker HT PLA GF for better strength and print quality.

These are the complete specs of the entire PC build and the cost:

Despite being an SFF, the custom SFF case delivered stellar performance. GPU temperatures hovered around 69-70 degrees Celsius at 98% utilization, which is to be expected given its open design. As for the CPU, it stayed around 60 degrees Celsius, and neither component showed any signs of throttling or instability. The build also received the following scores in several tests - Speed Way: 7,717 at around 77 FPS; Port Royal: 14,344 at around 66 FPS; and Steel Nomad: 6,811 at around 68 FPS.

The system is currently running stock, so the builder said they’re open to advice on AM5 BIOS tuning, X3D optimization, memory tuning, PBO or undervolting, and other SFF optimizations. At the same time, they said that they’re just cleaning up the 3D files and will eventually share them online.

Fractal's North PC case has spent the last few years on our Best PC cases for its combination of high airflow and mid-century modern design – wood-slatted front and all. But not everyone loves that warm wood look, and our chief complaint about the case in our review was that it was noisy. Now the company is ready to address both those issues, with a new North Momentum Edition variant with new fans that the company says are quieter and a stealth black look that, while it doesn't ditch the wood slats, makes them stand out a whole lot less.

Apart from including the company's new Momentum fans and a blacked-out aesthetic (the slats are now black oak, with the grain still visible up close), these Momentum Edition cases are largely the same as the originals. The larger XL model now supports rear-connector motherboards, like MSI's Project Zero options, for a cleaner-looking interior.

The non-XL Momentum Edition also now includes three smaller 120mm Momentum 12 fans in the front of the case, rather than the pair of larger 140mm Aspect fans in the original. If, like me, you assumed that three smaller fans would be a downgrade compared to two larger models, Fractal claims there's no need to worry.

In its internal testing, Fractal says the Momentum Edition case (below, left) with its three 120 mm fans is about 4 dBA quieter (42.4 dBA) than the original North (below, right) and its 140 mm spinners (46.1 dBA), with both at max fan speed. And the new 120mm fans can ramp up to 2,050 RPM, while the older 140 mm models maxed out at 1,650 RPM. Average temps were also 2 degrees Celsius lower, with most of the difference coming from lower GPU temperatures. This makes sense, given the new fan layout means there's more intake in the lower portion of the case front.

We didn't have the time to throw a system inside the North Momentum Edition, but we will be testing the company's Momentum fans on their own, so stay tuned. Still, we're tentatively glad to hear this new model should be quieter and cooler. That said, I've been using the original North as the case for my main system since 2023. It sits under my desk, about 15 inches from my knee as I write this, and it has handled my Ryzen 9 7950X / RTX 4090 build without giving me any major complaints on the noise front. But I might feel differently if the case were on top of my desk, rather than below it.

There's also a promise of improved cable routing, but that only applies to the North Momentum XL, not the smaller model shown above. Since the larger case now supports rear-connect motherboards, the space between the back of the case and the door has been widened from 29 to 37 mm. That's good, considering the primary complaint I've had about most back-connect cases is that they don't have enough room for all the cables behind the board.

One change I'd love to see is the addition of a second USB Type-C port on the top panel, given the proliferation of USB-C devices. But since this is a minor refresh (at least when it comes to design), I'm not surprised to see the same IO, with two USB-A and a USB-C port, alongside separate mic and headphone jacks.

Fractal says the North Momentum Edition will sell for $179, with the Momentum Edition XL selling for $209. That's a $15-$25 difference over typical prices for the original North cases, but that's not including sales. When I wrote this, the North XL was just $127 at Micro Center, and we've seen the original North as low as $109.

Hopefully, these new variants stick reasonably close to their older siblings on price as they settle into the market. Because as much as I like the black-on-black look and the idea of quieter, better-performing fans, I'm not sure I'd pay $70-$80 extra for these upgrades over what was already one of my favorite cases of the last decade.

Many of us feel the constant urge to upgrade our PC, but getting new PC parts has been increasingly challenging lately. Whether it's due to limited launch availability, scalping of components, or the current AI boom causing memory shortages, it feels like there's always a factor preventing a purchase or upgrade at a reasonable price. The positive outlook is that not all worthwhile upgrades need to focus solely on performance. You can upgrade your monitor, peripherals like gaming keyboards, gaming mouse, speakers, or gaming chair. But one of the best and affordable ways to get your upgrade fix while feeling like you've got a new PC is to put your existing system in a new PC case.

A PC case generally lasts through more than one build, so it’s critical when choosing a new chassis that you consider what parts you have and future upgrades to larger, potentially more power-hungry components as prices drop. And while you’re changing cases, it’s a great time to reapply your thermal paste (if necessary) and do any other cheap or useful maintenance, such as blowing the dust off components. You can even upgrade your cooler; our best CPU coolers list can help you do so on the cheap, while you're at it.

Good airflow aside, a primary motivator for purchasing a new PC case is aesthetics. Modern case designs offer far more variety than a simple black box, significantly enhancing the look of your entire setup. Since cases are typically kept for a long time, choosing one you enjoy looking at is important.

In recent years, we’ve seen wood accents in cases, like the popular Fractal Design North (which made our best PC cases list), and more standard designs, like ‘fish tank’ style cases, and the increasing popularity of rear-connect-compatible chassis for the spate of back-connect motherboards we’ve seen. Are you into old-school styling? There are cases like that too, including the Thermaltake Retro 260/360 TG and Silverstone’s FLP01 and FLP02 that exude 80s and 90s PC vibes.

Fractal Design North

Upgrading your PC case can also be a practical way to boost performance by significantly improving internal airflow and lowering component temperatures. Perhaps your current chassis was sufficient for a lower-power setup, but since you upgraded your system—before the recent surge in AI-related component prices—it’s now showing its limitations with more power-hungry components. Better airflow generally translates into lower temperatures for your CPU and GPU. As our case reviews demonstrate, this heat reduction is the reason for improved metrics, allowing for higher core boost clocks/speeds.

Increasing airflow isn't only about performance, either. There’s also the matter of keeping things quiet. With high-airflow cases, you may be able to run your fans slower, reducing noise while maintaining the same level of cooling. For example, the NZXT H7 Flow we reviewed has solid airflow and is also relatively quiet.

NZXT H7 Flow

Modern cases also feature updated connectivity on the front I/O panel. That case you bought just a couple of years ago may not have enough ports for your usage patterns and only have USB Type-A ports, lacking today’s now common Type-C port. Port type is one thing, and port speeds are another. Many cases from years back support only USB 2.0 (480 Mbps), whereas modern chassis front IO panels support up to USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps - Type-C) and USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps). For my work, I transfer quite a few images and other files from system to system, and time is money. Even if it isn’t for work, getting data off an external drive or USB stick to the faster internal storage is a tangible upgrade. Less waiting means more playing.

Cases like the Fractal Design North (also on our best case list), Meshify 3 XL, Terra, MSI’s MAG PANO 100R/110R, and the Asus A31 Plus, to name a few, all include a fast Type-C port and faster Type-A ports compared to older chassis. Just make sure your motherboard has an internal USB-C header to plug that front-panel port into.

MSI MAG Pano 100R PZ

A new PC case or peripherals can inject fresh excitement into your current setup, offering a cool new look while you wait for better prices on parts like storage, RAM, or a video card. It's a great option if you have some extra cash but aren't ready for a completely new system or you want to wait until the prices for RAM, storage, and GPUs gets back to some semblance of normal – whenever that might be. For our top recommendations, check out our guide to the best PC cases.

Microtransactions have been the bane of gamers ever since Oblivion's horse armor DLC in 2006. But as we approach the 20th anniversary of the predatory practice, some users may want to kick it old school and get back to the original microtransaction: paying one shiny quarter for every play session at the arcade. Enter YouTube hardware engineer Mr. Yeester (stylized mryeester), who shared a new project this weekend that integrates a coin acceptor into a gaming PC, replacing a standard power switch with an arcade machine-style pay-to-play assembly.

The project, posted to mryeester's YouTube channel, shows the process of assembling and programming the system so simply that many viewers with some technical proficiency can follow along and replicate the success at home.

Mr. Yeester is no stranger to Tom's Hardware's news desk, having previously received recognition for his attempt to turn a real, working Honda CR-V's throttle and steering wheel into a video game controller, as well as his 2022 research on thermal paste additives. Comparatively, Yeester's work on the coin-powered gaming PC is a much easier, simpler, and safer project that could easily inspire a slew of copycats, requiring only a decent hardware spend and some practice with cable crimpers.

The brunt of the project revolves around the coin acceptor itself. The coin acceptor used by mryeester is shockingly inexpensive, at only $23 on Amazon, as listed in the video description. Unlike more traditional coin slots found in change machines and arcade boxes that accept a wide range of local currency, this component works more like a comparator.

The chosen coin acceptor can be programmed by the owner to accept only a single specific denomination of currency, measuring the coin's size and thickness with phototransistors and infrared LEDs as it passes through. The coin slot prevents spoofing by incorrect but similarly shaped objects through magnetic coils trained to the magnetic disturbance displaced by the chosen denomination.

Beyond the coin acceptor itself, the project continues in a largely standard manner. The output from the coin slot, which sends a signal when the correct coin is detected, is sent to a 12V relay module, which in turn activates a small physical lever assembly. The relay and coin acceptor are both powered via an ATX 24-pin power supply, plugged into a power supply breakout module. The transfer board separates all the rails of a standard desktop PSU, providing easy access to a simple 12V power supply.

After a digital setup process of the coin acceptor, done by running U.S. quarters through the reader over a dozen times to train the sensors on the coin, the most difficult part of assembly is stripping some 28-gauge wire, connecting the coin acceptor to a relay and both modules to 12V power, and finally creating custom motherboard power button header cables with a crimping kit.

Once both the coin acceptor and the relay are configured to send out a long, slow signal burst when a coin is read, the signal can be picked up as a power-on/off switch by a standard PC motherboard header, and you're off to the races: you have a gaming PC ready to cost its users money for operation.

Mr. Yeester's Amazon shopping list, containing all the necessary components and tools for assembling the project, totals around $135 before tax and shipping. Yeester also quickly put the coin acceptor in a carved-out cardboard box for his final deployment, a quaint solution that a more aesthetics-oriented maker might improve on for a bit more coin.

While this DIY project itself is simple and fun, what it indicates about the state of video gaming and computing is anything but. As nearly every YouTube comment indicates, users and enthusiasts are increasingly frustrated with the record-high prices of RAM. These record-high prices, almost 200% more than they were mere months ago, are entirely thanks to the data center market, which is already buying up 70% of 2026's entire worldwide memory chip production. And of course, the games played on the expensive hardware aren't getting any cheaper either, as gamers are forced to battle even more ads for the privilege of playing, while the games industry at large continues to stumble.

PC components manufacturer Phanteks showcased one of the most striking PC cases at CES this year. At first glance, the new Exo 626s looks like an open-frame case; however, it comes with dedicated chambers for the PSU, motherboard, graphics card, and a 360mm AIO liquid cooler for the CPU.

The idea behind this case is that with each component having a separate chamber, airflow is easier to manage, and heat from one part doesn’t affect the others. From what we gathered on our visit in Vegas, the GPU chamber can fit large-sized graphics cards going as big as 4-slots. It comes with an RGB LED strip and a mesh finish at the top and the bottom, allowing the card to breathe easily. The PSU chamber at the bottom features a similar RGB strip along with some I/O ports at the front, including two USB Type-A ports, a USB Type-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

The AIO chamber also features a mesh finish at the front and is positioned next to the motherboard with a provision to route the water cooling tubes directly into the motherboard chamber. Lastly, the motherboard chamber comes with a glass panel at the front, while the back panel gives access to the AIO radiator and the rear side of the motherboard with a provision to mount a 120mm fan for additional cooling.

Unfortunately, the case is available as part of a pre-built only, as it is made in partnership with CyberPowerPC, with no confirmation on a standalone retail version at the moment. The pre-built will be offered with an Intel Core Ultra 285K CPU, an RTX 5080 GPU, an Asus TUF Z890 motherboard, 32GB of DDR5 dual-channel memory clocked at 6400 MHz, a 2TB WD Black SN8100 PCIe Gen 5 SSD, a Bitspower 360mm AIO liquid cooler with ARGB lighting, and a Corsair RM1000X 1000W 80+ Gold power supply unit. As for the pricing, it will be retailing at $3,500.

While the Exo 626s looks impressive, locking such an innovative case behind an expensive pre-built feels like a missed opportunity. This is exactly the kind of uncanny airflow-focused design PC enthusiasts would love to experiment with in their own custom builds. Hopefully, Phanteks takes note of the interest and considers releasing the Exo 626s as a standalone case for consumers and not just system integrators.

Asus is going all out at CES this year, bringing a range of embedded devices like its new Zephyrus laptops, but also exciting PC components — such as the new ROG Cronox case. It's an e-ATX behemoth capable of sporting up to fourteen 120mm fans, along with the biggest GPUs money can buy today. It also just happens to feature a large 9.2-inch LCD, too.

That secondary display is at the bottom, just underneath the motherboard and above the fans. It shows system stats like temperatures and fan speeds, but it can be customized to play whatever animations or videos you want. The screen module sits on a hinge, so it can actually be angled outward to face you regardless of where your PC is situated.

We checked out this display in-person and, as you can see, it's pretty imposing. The case looks fantastic in person, and the screen is an FHD-class display with a resolution of 1920x400 (height cut short) running at 60 Hz. The screen looks very sharp, but the ROG logo makes some of the metrics harder to read, which may concern some users.

The case itself is built out of aluminium and features a panoramic design with tempered glass curved very subtly at the crease. Like other chassis in this segment, this gives you an aquarium-like aesthetic where every part of your build is in clear sight. That's why even the fans on the side can be rotated slightly toward the inside, and to ensure optimal airflow.

Speaking of, there's another fan at the bottom-rear responsible for directly blowing fresh air toward the GPU, so the card's fans can suck up fresh air at all times. Moreover, the case supports up to two 360mm radiators and GPUs up to 400mm in length can fit without issue, along with CPU coolers up to 180mm in height.

The ROG Cronox is also BTF-ready, meaning it's fully compatible with back-connect motherboards. Asus itself has new AMD motherboards and "wireless" AIOs that work without any cables, using pogo pins to communicate. And with the BTF 3.0 standard on the way, this might be the perfect time to hop on the cable-less look trend.

There's no word on pricing or availability, but the case does come in both black and white. There'll be an "ARGB" variant, which just means it will come with four of Asus' new ROG Eurux GR120 fans that you've seen in the pictures so far. These are the company's flagship offering with all the bells and whistles, like daisy-chain support, launching in conjunction with the Cronox.

Thermaltake is taking a trip back to the 80s and 90s with its latest portfolio of products announced at CES 2026. The company unveiled two new PC cases with an 80s-style aesthetic, as well as a new AIO liquid cooler series featuring an LCD display fitted into a CRT-shaped cover that sits above the pump housing.

The 80s-themed cases Thermaltake showed off come in two variants: the Retro 260 TG and the Retro 360 TG. Both have modernly-designed layouts on the inside, but feature the classic off-white color scheme computers in the 80s were known for. The cases also have front panels that mimic systems of the 80s — stamped with a (fake) floppy disk reader and two 5.25" bays, one of which has a (fake) CD_ROM reader. (To clarify: neither case has any real 5.25" bays.)

As the names suggest, the 260 variant is smaller and supports micro-ATX motherboards and up to 240mm AIO liquid coolers on the top and front of the case. The 360 model has a larger interior that can accommodate standard ATX motherboards and up to 360mm AIO liquid coolers on the top and right side of the case. Thermaltake is also offering an optional 6-inch LCD screen for these cases, which sits where the fake 5.25" bays are on the front panel.

Thermaltake also showed off a pair of new AIO liquid coolers with the same retro theme as its new cases. The Retro 240 and 360 AIOs are new 240mm and 360mm liquid coolers, which each sport a 4-inch 720p LCD display on the front that's shaped like a CRT display. Both models come with a single fan frame, which is illuminated with aRGB lighting.

Thermaltake also showed off a keyboard and a mouse with the same theme. The keyboard has a compact 75-percent layout, Gateron G-Pro 3.0 mechanical switches, double-shot PBT keycaps, and 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity. The mouse is geared toward gamers, and has a PixArt PAW3395 26,000 DPI sensor, Huano transparent blue shell switches, and a 400mAh battery, as well as 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth, and wired connectivity. It offers up to a 1,000 Hz polling rate and weighs just 1.83 ounces (52g).

Nostalgia is always in — component-maker SilverStone has found success with its retro-style PC cases (it announced several throughout 2025), and even OEMs such as Maingear have retro-styled product lines of pre-built machines. That said, ThermalTake's products don't have all the fully-functional retro features, while SilverStone's products are more functional — for example, the FLP03 has three functional external 5.25" drive bays.

A maker has shared their take on the Makeyo MK01 3D printed PC case. They outline a handful of useful mods that they implemented based upon this premium 3D printing template. The MK01 was already a stunner, but the addition of a front USB-C port, inner 2.5-inch SSD brackets, and a fresh color scheme, all make Marst_art’s re-spin worthy of attention.

The re-maker reckons that the PC case landscape is flooded with white / black / glass boxy structures, focused on showcasing RGB light shows. Marst_art would rather the case design to do the talking, not the lights, so was drawn to adopt the retro-futuristic Makeyo design.

It is difficult to find something perfect for your dream PC build, off the peg. Marst_art begins his video by commenting that “the Makeyo MK01 is exactly what I’m looking for in a case… Well, almost exactly.” Then the maker explained that he would implement the following enhancements, to tweak the Makeyo MK01 'just so':

• Add a front USB-C port for easy access, particularly for a VR HMD,
• Implement internal SSD mounts for the multitude of SATA drives Marst_art still uses,
• Change the design of the power button shroud, which is viewed as unnecessary.

Marst_art used a Bambu Lab A1 3D printer to output all the files required for this PC case build. He chose PLA for the case panels, which would be magnetically attached for quick servicing, while ABS was the material of choice for the frame for its heat resistance.

After printing and preparing all the parts, he noticed that he needed to print an adaptor to fit an SFX PSU in the design, as provided. With the Mayeko MK01 fitted with a full ATX motherboard, an SFX PSU is necessary, using the current plans.

Inside the finished chassis, Marst_art used his previous PC’s guts, so it ended up being fitted with an AMD Ryzen 7 5700G CPU, Nvidia RTX 3080 GPU, 64GB RAM (bragging now), and a total 10TB of M.2 and SATA storage.

The final change, which the maker had previously suggested he would implement, was a power button shroud redesign. The interesting ‘X’ motif which detached to allow the power button to be prodded wasn’t required or desired by Marst_art. Instead, he 3D printed an ‘X’ insert in a translucent material, so the assembly just became a prominent power button with the light shining through its center.

If you want to check out the original Makeyo MK01 3D project, and compare it to the remake / tweaked version, check out the video below:

On the journey, following the Makeyo plans, Marst_art noticed that the plans and guide materials didn’t quite match up. That is actually explained by Makeyo’s diligent work on updating and refining the premium 3D printer design plans it sells. So, there’s a slight disconnect, but what you are printing now is a refined (bug fixed) version of what was originally launched.

Apparently, Makeyo is actually working on an updated revision which supports the mounting of 2.5-inch SSDs. Marst_art therefore reasons that his ‘janky’ SATA mounting 3D printer files aren’t worth sharing at this time.

HAVN’s latest flagship PC case, the BF360 Flow, ditches RGB for a black aesthetic flanked with a stone-textured front panel. But its most notable feature is its unusual approach to airflow, incorporating a “scoop” at the bottom to direct air directly against the GPU.

Will this engineering choice result in performance that stands out enough to make our list of the best PC cases? Let’s take a look at the specifications and features of the case, then we’ll get to the design and features before wrapping up our review with thermal and acoustic benchmarks to see how well the case performs.

Product Specifications

Features of HAVN’s BF360 Flow

▶️ Solid black and stone-textured design, massive 180mm fans

The stone-textured front panel covers two of HAVN’s enormous H18 (180mm) fans for air intake.

These fans are much larger than your typical PC parts. To give you a better idea of just how massive they are, here are a couple of photos with HAVN’s H18 placed next to Montech’s extra-thick E28 fan!

▶️ Air scoop for superior GPU cooling performance

The BF360 Flow incorporates an air scoop, which directs the airflow of the bottom fan directly toward the GPU, resulting in some of the best GPU temperatures we’ve seen in any PC case.

▶️ GPU anti-sag support

For lage GPUs, the case includes a highly adjustable anti-sag bracket that mounts on the motherboard tray area and can be slid up and down as well as swiveled out to best support your specific graphics card.

▶️ PWM hub

At the top of the case’s backside is a hardware PWM controller, supporting up to six fans (the maximum supported by this case).

Rear view, Storage support, cable management

Starting at the top left corner, you’ll see the PWM hub. Below it are two drive trays, which can each support two 2.5-inch drives or a single 3.5-inch drive.

If you by chance need more storage, an additional tray (not included) can be installed next to the cable management routing path.

The cable management paths have velcro straps to secure the cables and keep things organized. The cable pass-through paths are lined with a flexible material, and have securing braces (shown above) that can be used to keep cables from moving.

▶️ IO panel

The IO panel is located at the front and top of the case. It features a lighted power button, two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and an audio jack.

▶️ Dust filters

The BF360 Flow has three dust filters – located in the top (pictured below), front, and bottom (below the PSU).

The dust filter on the bottom of the chassis is independent and easily removed. The other two filters are part of the top panel (shown above) and the stone-textured front panel (shown below), but are also easily removable.

▶️ Rear view

For the most part, if you’ve seen the back of one computer case – you’ve seen most. With this case, you have your standard seven PCI-e slots and exhaust fan, and the PSU slot at the bottom. What stands out in the BF360 Flow is the side panel cutouts or grips, which are used to remove the panels, and a pull tab at up top for removing that panel.

Thermal tests, test setup, and testing methodology

I’ve benchmarked this case primarily to focus on the efficiency of its thermal transfer.

Our thermal tests are presented to give you more information about the product’s performance, but aren’t intended as the sole judgment of the chassis. The style, price, features, and noise levels of a case should also be considered, and we all have different preferences. What I might like in a case, you might not, and that’s OK. My goal with these reviews is to give everyone, no matter their preferences, enough information to decide whether or not a product is right for them.

Maximum thermal performance – noise-normalized to 38.9 dBA

This set of tests is designed to appeal to those who love quiet PCs, with both system fans and the CPU fan noise normalized to 38.9 dBA. Consider this a measure of the case’s thermal efficiency when noise levels are set to run quietly. This first set of benchmarks examines CPU performance.

With our first noise-normalized test, which stresses only the CPU, the performance was basically “average,” cooling 267.4W compared to an average of 268.8 across the 11 cases we’ve tested this way.

Our second test stresses both the CPU and GPU, to make the case as warm as possible. The added heat of the GPU reduces CPU performance slightly, from 267.4W down to 259.7W.

But let’s not forget: one of the distinguishing features of the BF360 Flow is its air scoop, which directs airflow directly to the GPU.

This engineering design isn’t just for looks – it performs especially well, with the case turning in the second-lowest GPU temperatures we’ve seen in this noise-normalized test. Of course, the large, thick intake fans themselves certainly help thermals all on their own.

Maximum Noise Levels

I measured the noise levels with my sound meter from one meter away from the computer case, with the pre-installed fans running at their maximum RPM speeds, recording a measurement of 46.6 dBA. Personally, I think that’s too loud. But in contrast to other cases on the market, the noise level is about average.

Maximum thermal performance – fans at full speed

Our noise-normalized results are designed for folks who prefer silence, but what if you don’t mind additional noise and just care about maximum performance?

Allowing the fans to run at full speed increases CPU performance from 267W to 288W, an increase of about 8%. In contrast to the competition, the BF360 performed a little worse than others, but is only about 10W behind our best result.

Things look better, however, when we add the heat of a GPU to the test. Whereas many cases lose CPU cooling efficiency when the GPU’s heat is added, the impact on the BF360 Flow is almost non-existent. We measured 287.9W, with the HAVN case taking third place in this test.

And when it comes to GPU temperatures, the BF360 Flow shines. With a measurement of only 61.5C, HAVN’s case delivered the best graphics card temperatures we’ve seen in this test yet!

The temperature recorded was 61.8C, which is technically the best we’ve seen, though it is effectively tied (within margin of error) with Montech’s HS02 Pro case here.

One more thing

When HAVN sent along the BF360 Flow for testing, the company also included extra H18 fans. We wanted to see how much (or little) an additional fan might improve performance, and added an H18 exhaust fan above the CPU cooler. For the first test, we set a power limit of 150W for the CPU and also stressed the GPU (consuming 295W).

This test showed a three-degree improvement to CPU temperatures with the addition of an extra fan. GPU temperatures were technically 0.5C higher, but this is a “margin of error” difference, and both results are essentially on par with each other.

For the second test, we removed the power limits from the CPU. The same pattern emerged: slightly better CPU performance, with GPU temperatures essentially the same.

Conclusion

HAVN’s BF360 Flow delivers a highly effective approach to GPU cooling, made possible with its air-scoop intake design and massive 180mm fans. The case consistently produced some of the lowest GPU temperatures we’ve recorded, even outperforming many competitors built for high airflow.

Not everything is perfect with this case, though. The one-year warranty feels underwhelming for a case that’s priced above $150. And the lack of ARGB may limit its appeal to some gamers. But where it counts most, the BF360 Flow excels. Its subdued aesthetic, smart airflow engineering, and chart-topping GPU performance make it a compelling option for users prioritizing cool and consistent graphics card temperatures. If GPU thermals are a top priority, HAVN’s BF360 Flow stands out as one of the strongest options available today.

Case deals are poppin off for Cyber Monday — the black version of Fractal Design's Pop Air TG ATX mid-tower chassis is 40% off, priced at just $59.99 at Newegg. The case provides all the features you'd expect from a mid-tower case, including AIO radiator accommodation, tempered glass side panel, integrated intake and exhaust fans, storage trays that support 3.5" and 2.5" SSDs, all packed in a sleek package with a mesh front panel.

• Grab this deal at Newegg

We never reviewed the vanilla Pop version, but we did review its silent counterpart and gave it a four-star rating for its excellent sound profile. Still, the regular Air variant fixes our biggest complaint with the Silent version, that being the previous chassis's lack of airflow.

The Pop Air sports a mesh front panel paired with two 120mm intake fans that come from the factory. There is also an additional 120mm in the rear that comes stock, which helps exhaust air out of the case. For those who love liquid cooling, there is enough room to fit a single 280mm in the front, 240mm up top, and 120mm in the rear.

There are four storage trays on the chassis out of the box, consisting of two 3.5"/2.5" drive bays and two SSD brackets behind the motherboard tray that support two more 2.5" SSDs. GPU support is excellent, supporting cards as long as 355mm, which is enough to support most large graphics cards on the market, including non-flagship third-party RTX 5090 cards. For those going for an air-cooled setup on the CPU, the Pop Air supports CPU air towers up to 170mm in height. That's enough height to run Noctua's flagship NH-D15 G2 and its new Chromax black variants.

Sadly, only the black version of the normally colorful Pop Air is available with the aformentioned 40% discounted price. Regardless, for just $60, you are getting a chassis from a very reputable case manufacturer that normally competes with cases in the $100-$120 range, which is capable of working with entry-level and high-end hardware. You can find adequate cases in the $60 range, probably some with just as good airflow as the Pop Air, but chassis that cost triple-digit prices (like the Pop Air) typically have more quality of life features, such as better cable management, better construction, and higher quality materials.

If you're looking for more Black Friday savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, Gaming Chair, Best Wi-Fi Routers, Best Motherboard or CPU Deals pages.

If you're pricing up a new PC for Black Friday, then you're in luck. Corsair's dual-chamber iCUE Link 2500X dual-chamber case has dropped to under $50 at Newegg in this Black Friday deal. This discount applies to both case variants, though if you're after the perforated mesh front panel variant, it's only available in White at the discounted price.

• Grab the Corsair iCUE Link 2500X at Newegg

Sporting support for both Micro ATX and Mini ITX motherboards, Corsair's iCUE Link 2500X appears to be a solid alternative to the standard mid-tower, if you're happy with the wider-than-usual design.

The case ships with two 120mm ARGB fans preinstalled, supporting up to nine 120mm fans or four 140mm fans, providing plenty of cooling throughout your build. If you're looking to fit an AIO in there, the chassis also supports up to 360mm radiators. However, the mesh version of the chassis has additional space for fans, and you can mount a 240mm radiator up at the front if you're so inclined.

Another added benefit of Corsair's case is that you can still grab Micro ATX parts for a reasonable price. If you shrink all the way to an SFF, then you'd expect to pay premiums for your motherboard and power supply. But, since the 2500X is larger, it supports full-size ATX PSUs and Micro ATX motherboards with solid radiator support. You can also expect support for huge graphics cards, with clearance of 425mm, so you can expect near-enough mid-tower support for most parts, aside from the motherboard.

We went hands-on with the case last year and praised its support for rear-connect motherboards and the level of customization on offer, though some of that comes from purchasing aftermarket Corsair parts. At under $50 at Newegg this Black Friday, even in its "base" form, the Corsair iCUE Link 2500X is a solid deal.

If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best Black Friday PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, or CPU Deals pages.

SilverStone has taken attendees to its EXPO 2025 in Japan by surprise with an early appearance of the unannounced FLP03. If you are a fan of these cases, cooling and power specialist’s prior tributes to 1980s era PC chassis, then you will be interested in this. It is another tower form factor design, but a little smaller, targeting Micro ATX builds. We have a full comparison below.

Click 'See more' for more images

Reports from various Japanese social media users and tech media indicate that SilverStone had held back availability of its FLP02 to coincide with Saturday’s event in Tokyo. So, it was quite a surprise to see the FLP03 on show, in the flesh, as part of the product exhibit.

In the top picture, you can see the SilverStone FLP02 next to the freshly revealed FLP03 (center). The new case is clearly smaller but retains many of the design cues of its stable mate – for better or worse. It even shares the front panel insert with Power, Lock (with keys), Reset and Turbo button / display.

Above you can see the size difference isn’t really substantial. The new FLP03 at 220 (W) x 456 (H) x 477 (D) is only markedly different in height. It isn’t really going to save much space on or under your desk. However, due to its reduced dimensions, the FLP03 can’t support SSI-CEB or ATX sized motherboards that the FLP02 can. Moreover, the new model has fewer expansion bays, fewer expansion slots, and has had a cooling / radiator rejig.

The FLP03 still offers decent max compatibility settings, though. Users can fit humungous GPUs up to 412mm in length, and CPU coolers up to 171mm tall, as well as standard ATX PSUs.

We’ve looked into foreign media coverage of the FLP03, but we haven’t seen the ‘why’ of this new product addressed. We guess that SilverStone will share its reasoning for this iterative update in subsequent events. There is such a rich heritage of beige PC designs which could have influenced the next in the series, we feel slightly disappointed… But perhaps we will learn more at CES 2026, and be convinced otherwise.

The SilverStone FLP03 is tipped for release not long after the CES. Some say it will be released in Feb or March next year.

Those looking to build a mid-tower rig can get Corsair’s iCUE Link 2500X dual-chamber case at a massive discount. With a listed MSRP of $219.99, you can grab the white variant at just $59.99 over at Newegg. Essentially, you are saving over 70%, and if you care about better airflow, the front mesh panel variant is also available at the same discounted price.

• Check out this deal on Newegg

The Corsair iCUE Link 2500X can accommodate m-ATX and mini-ITX back-connect motherboards (Asus BTF, MSI Project Zero), allowing you to keep your setup clean and clutter-free. It comes with two 120mm RGB fans pre-installed and supports up to 9x 120mm or 4x 140mm fans, with options for mounting 240mm or 360mm radiators. The Airflow variant does not come with any pre-installed fans but offers wider support for up to 11 x 120mm and 6 x 140mm fans, plus an additional mounting option for 240mm radiators at the front.

In terms of front I/O, the case comes with two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, and a headphone/mic combo jack. The case can also accommodate two 2.5-inch SSDs and two 3.5-inch HDDs, full-size ATX power supplies of up to 225mm in length, and a maximum CPU cooler height of 180mm. Allowing you to fit the biggest-sized GPUs of up to 400mm, Corsair also sells a vertical mounting kit separately for this case. Additionally, the company sells swappable accent panels to completely change the aesthetics of your build, available in wood or aluminum.

In our hands-on, we found the case delivered outstanding support for newer rear-connector motherboards and excellent cable management, though the pricing definitely didn’t impress us. Fortunately, with this sale, you can grab either variant at a significantly better price.

If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, or CPU Deals pages.

Lian Li’s Lancool 217 is one of my favorite cases of 2025, thanks to its classy wood trim, complete lack of RGB, and excellent airflow due to large 170 mm intake fans. Now the company is back with a version of the 217 that’s the polar opposite. With an RGB-lit front infinity mirror, three RGB fans, and top-mounted buttons to control the lightshow, this case feels like it fell off the set of the recent Tron reboot and onto my workbench.

But at its core, the Lancool 217 INF is still the same dual-chamber case as the 217, with nearly all the same great features, plus one change that fixes my main gripe about the original. The front panel IO can be moved from its default location on the bottom side to the top, where the three USB ports and audio jack are a lot easier to reach if your case lives on the floor.

Lian Li Lancool 217 INF Specifications

The Lancool 217 and the 217 INF are so close to each other in specs that the table above is nearly identical to the previous model. The major downside is that the 217 INF lacks the GPU-focused bottom-mounted 120mm fans (which you could add yourself, since the mounting holes are still there). And the price has gone up $5 over the non-RGB model. But with the infinity mirror, RGB fans, configurable front IO, and support for the company’s wireless fan and RGB control via a built-in receiver, the minor price jump hardly feels prohibitive given the added features.

Storage aplenty

Like its non-RGB sibling, the Lancool 217 INF offers lots of storage options for those who need more than just M.2 storage. Two removable drive bays in the bottom hold up to four total 3.5-inch drives. Two removable panels behind the motherboard can house 2.5-inch drives, and there are screw holes for mounting a third 2.5-inch SATA drive behind the GPU cooling fans, at the back of the PSU shroud.

Just note you'll need to remove one of the 3.5-inch drive sleds if you're using a long power supply. Even with the small Enermax Revolution D.F. power supply I used in the 217 build, it was helpful to remove the first drive cage to make room for cable clutter.

Pick your port placement

Port selection on the 217 is pretty standard. But for a case that's just shy of 19 inches tall and 20 inches deep, the default location on the bottom side isn’t great unless you’re plopping this mid-tower on your desk. But unlike with the original 217, Lian Li lets you move the ports on the 217 INF up to the top. This isn’t exactly simple, as you have to remove basically all the panels, take out some screws, and remove all the front-panel wires through a hole in the front, then snake them through a hole in the top, re-attach the panel, and put everything back together.

All that took me about 10 minutes, even without looking at the manual, so it’s not exactly a chore. I don’t love the way the ports are recessed below the panel in their top spot, but I certainly welcome the ability to move the ports to a better position.

Big fans, embedded in glass

The Lancool 217's fans are the same 170 mm as the original model. But here they sport RGB and are embedded in the infinity mirror front. The fan covers, which look and feel a lot like speaker grilles, can be turned counter-clockwise and removed for cleaning.

Surrounding the fans in glass rather than the open mesh of the original model's front undoubtedly changes the internal airflow to some extent. But with such large fans covering nearly the entire front of the case, cooling should still be more than adequate for air coolers and gaming-focused builds. But I still wish Lian Li had included bottom fans for the GPU, like on the original 217.

Power supply mounting: traditional or sideways

Just as with the original 217, the power supply installs in the bottom rear of the 217 INF. You can mount it the traditional way, with the cable and switch poking out the back if you remove a pre-installed panel. And you'll want to do this if you have a long PSU. But the Lancool 217 is really designed for you to mount the power supply sideways. There is a cable extension with an L connector to plug the PSU in from the motherboard side, and this gives you easier access to the PSU connectors, which then face the rear motherboard area.

This works well for normal-sized PSUs, but if you're installing a PSU that is longer than about 140 mm, you're likely to run into cable clearance issues with this orientation. That goes doubly if you're building a system with a rear-connector motherboard (which the 217 INF supports), where cable clearance and cable slack space are tough to come by.

Cable routing

The Lancool 217 INF has three large grommetted holes for cable pass-throughs, as well as slits along the rear of the PSU shroud. Combined with the several pre-installed velcro straps and cable clips, plugging things in and keeping cable mess to a minimum was simple.

Bottom line

Personally, I much prefer the wood accents and refreshingly RGB-free fans of the original Lancool 217. That and its five-fan cooling help make it one of the best PC cases you can buy. But if you like the large fans in that case, but are after something with a design that will stand out loud and proud in your gaming setup, the Lancool 217 INF is well worth considering. That’s especially true if you’re going to put your PC on the floor. Because the 217 INF’s configurable front IO lets you move those ports up to the top where you’re far more likely to use them.

Most cases incorporate front or side-mounted intake fans, but Montech has switched things up and placed them at the bottom in its King 45 Pro, for the best GPU thermals possible, similar to the recently reviewed HS02 Pro, but differing in implementation: The fans are installed at an angle here and have been upgraded to the company’s newly-released RX120 Pro fans.

Will Montech’s King 45 Pro make our list of the best PC cases? Let’s take a look at the specifications and features of the first, then we’ll wrap up our review with thermal benchmarks so that you can see how well this case performs.

Product Specifications

Features of Montech’s King 45 Pro

▶️ Minimalist design

Montech’s King 45 Pro features a minimalist design and rounded edges, with (two-piece) wrap-around glass to showcase your inner components. The front of the case features ARGB lighting, as do the fans, shown below with the default settings, which alternate between colors. But I think the case looks better when set to a solid color.

▶️ Top-mounted PSU placement

Montech’s King 45 Pro features a top-mounted PSU, like the company’s HS02 Pro case, which we reviewed earlier this year. This will be fine for most PSUs, but if your PSU’s power socket shares the same angle as the MSI model I’m using for this review, the power cord supplied by Montech may be a little cramped (shown below).

This won’t be an issue with other PSUs where the power connection is angled differently, like the Asus TUF Gaming 850W PSU we used in the HS02 Pro review (shown below).

▶️ Tool-less access

All of the sides can be accessed without the use of tools. In the photo below, the connecting parts are highlighted in blue.

▶️ Build quality

The build quality of Montech’s King 45 Pro is reasonable, without any obvious weaknesses.

▶️ Rear view, Storage support, cable management

From the back, we can see the PSU cage at the top left, along with space for cable management. The storage bay supports two 3.5-inch drives or two 2.5-inch drives, mounted on the cable cover door, shown below.

The back cover features a mesh airflow section to ensure the PSU has proper ventilation.

▶️ PWM and ARGB hub

At the top of the backside is a hardware ARGB and PWM controller to simplify cable management and control.

▶️ Side view, angled bottom intake fans, fan support

Designed to keep your GPU temps as cool as possible, Montech’s King 45 Pro includes three reversed-blade RX120 Pro fans with an angled intake at the bottom of the case.

The RX120 Pro intake fans (and the RX120 Pro exhaust fan) are new from Montech, and aren’t yet available for purchase independently of this case – though we expect they’ll be available for individual order soon. As of this writing, their exact technical specifications haven’t been made available, but Montech claims a 10% airflow improvement – assuming that claim is in contrast to the non-Pro AX120 fan, which has a maximum airflow rating of 59CFM, that would mean these Pro fans support up to 64.9CFM.

The rest of the inner design is fairly minimalist, with just enough room for all of your components. You can see the PSU cage in the front right in the image above. Some users may enjoy the direct routing of the PSU cables, which shorten the travel distance of cables from the PSU as shown below.

Below the PSU cage is a metallic silver Montech badge, and the angled front intake fans, which help cool the GPU. One exhaust fan is located at the rear, and a 360mm radiator or three additional fans can be installed at the top.

▶️ IO panel

The IO panel is located at the bottom front of the case. It features a combined audio/mic jack, one USB-C port, two USB-A ports, and a reset button. The power button features ARGB lighting.

▶️ Dust filters, bottom View

The case incorporates an easily removable dust filter at the bottom, and has four feet for support and to ensure proper ventilation.

There’s another point of interest in the bottom’s design. One side features a raised portion to help facilitate airflow through the angled intake fans.

▶️ Front view

The front of the case showcases the IO panel, an ARGB lighting strip, and the wrap-around ARGB lighting when you include the fans.

▶️ Rear view

For the most part, if you’ve seen the back of one computer case, you’ve seen them all. You have your standard seven PCI-e slots and the exhaust fan. What’s different with the King 45 Pro is the power connection at the top, which connects to the PSU in the front, and the PCIe cover on the side.

Thermal tests, test setup, and testing methodology

The measurements I’ve benchmarked this case against focus on the efficiency of the case’s thermal transfer.

Our thermal tests are presented to give you more information about the product’s performance, but aren’t intended as the sole judgment of the chassis. The style, price, features, and noise levels of a case should also be considered, and we all have different preferences.

What I might like in a case, you might not, and that’s OK. My goal with these reviews is to give everyone, no matter their preferences, enough information to decide whether a product is right for them.

Maximum thermal performance – fans noise-normalized to 38.9 dBA

This set of tests is designed to appeal to those who love quietly running PCs, with both system fans and the CPU fan noise normalized to 38.9 dBA. Consider this a measure of the case’s thermal efficiency when noise levels are set to run quietly. This first set of benchmarks examines CPU performance.

With our first noise-normalized test, which stresses only the CPU, Montech’s King 45 Pro was not one of our best performers. That’s simply a result of its intake fans being focused on GPU temperatures, rather than CPU temperatures.

For the second noise-normalized test, we again stress the CPU – but we also stress the MSI RTX 4070Ti Super in this case, adding another roughly 295W of thermals to the mix. Let’s first look at the GPU’s temperatures, as that’s what this case is designed to excel at.

With a result of only 61.8 degrees Celsius, Montech’s King 45 Pro has the best GPU temperature we’ve recorded thus far. The CPU’s performance isn’t as impressive, as is to be expected based on our earlier result, but it’s still more than sufficient for anyone using this case for gaming, as it’s intended.

If you’re looking for the best efficiency with an air cooler, this case might not be for you. Users of liquid coolers, which we expect most overclockers would use, won’t be impacted as much by this configuration, though.

Maximum Noise Levels

I measured the noise levels with my sound meter from one meter away from Montech’s King 45 Pro case, with the pre-installed AX and RX120 Pro fans running at their maximum RPM speeds, resulting in a measurement of 45.1 dBA. While this isn’t a low volume level per se, it is quieter than many competing cases on the market.

Maximum thermal performance – fans at full speed

Our noise-normalized results are designed for folks who prefer silence, but what if you don’t mind additional noise and just care about maximum performance?

In contrast to the earlier noise-normalized results, Montech’s King 45 Pro does much better in this CPU-only stress test when the system fans are allowed to operate at full speed. While the result is technically at the lower end of our chart, it’s also less than 8W away from our best result.

This doesn’t hold true when the heat of a GPU is also added, with CPU power consumption dropping by about 14W – cooling an average of 277W.

GPU temperatures are where this case shines - measuring only 61.8 degrees C, tied (within margin of error) for the best result with Montech’s HS02 Pro case.

Conclusion

Montech’s King 45 Pro has a sleek, minimalistic aesthetic and is designed to provide the best possible GPU temperatures, offering up the coolest results we’ve seen by incorporating three bottom intake fans at an angle. It isn’t quite as effective when it comes to CPU thermals, but that won’t be as much of an issue if you’re using a liquid cooler (AIO).

If you like Montech’s King 45 Pro, it can be purchased for US$119.99. On a budget? The non-pro version of this case, incorporating fans with slightly less airflow, is $20 cheaper at only US$99.99.

As evidenced by a recent unexpected surge of sales of optical drives as the Windows 10 upgrade cycle unfolds, Japan still uses physical media, perhaps more than any other region in the world. Due to the country's strong roots in technology and entertainment, mixed with culture, it's the only place that still prefers a disc over downloading or streaming content. Owing to that legacy, a new PC case launched in Japan by Cooler Master honors this tradition, allowing users to fit a disc drive in the MasterBox CM695, which features a 5.25-inch open bay in the front.

Usually, in modern cases this space is reserved for AIO radiators or just used for aesthetics, but the CM695's drive bay can prove to be much more functional — especially at a time when the country is migrating from Windows 10 to 11 and experiencing a dramatic surge in demand for disc drives. Not only that, but the CM695 can also hold up to four 3.5-inch hard drives for the ultimate off-the-grid media experience, or kickstart your NAS aspirations.

The rest of the chassis complements these drive bays with a vintage design that calls back to classic PC cases of the past, while still sporting a mesh grill up front, behind which lie 2x 120mm fans for optimal airflow. It's a large mid-tower enclosure, measuring about 209 mm (W) × 466 mm (D) × 478.5 mm (H), which supports GPUs up to 398mm long — plenty to house even the most gigantic cards of today.

There are actually two variants of the CM695: one with a restricted side panel authentic to vintage towers, and one with a transparent glass side panel for a more modern look. Otherwise, they both still feature solid I/O at the top with a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C port at the top, allowing for up to 20Gbps transfer rates. Combined with the disc drive, you'll be able to rip discs and copy over the files to a flash drive pretty fast, or vice-versa.

It's also important to note that, unlike the recently unveiled Fujitsu Ryzen laptops that come with an optical disc drive built in, you have to supply your own for this case; it just comes with a slot for one. This might make the package seem less desirable since an external disc drive can serve the same purpose, but it's still an option for those who prefer to keep their setup consolidated.

Translating from Japanese, TSUKUMO eX., a popular computer store in Tokyo, spoke to local outlet IT Media about how they expect the case to sell in the region:

“It probably won’t be a massive hit, but there’s definitely a strong following among people who still want to build PCs the old-fashioned way. With the ongoing shift from Windows 10 to 11, those needs are growing. Being able to choose something that says ‘you don’t have to give up’ — that’s a good thing.”

The MasterBox 695 costs 24,000 yen, which comes out to roughly $157, so it's definitely not cheap, but it represents more than just surface-level value. A chance to carry forward your physical collection means more there than in the West, and, as IT Media describes it in their coverage, "If it's junk, BD drive is also," alluding to how a case like this transcends conventional budget-conscious outlooks. If you want a Blu-Ray drive in your PC, you now have an option to do so in a modern chassis.

Occasionally, curiosity or boredom may serve as the primary catalysts for inventive creations. If you have grown weary of turning on your PC with the standard power button, Reddit user veloci_official has suggested a more intricate yet impressive method. Recall the scenes from movies when the pilot is about to fly a fighter jet? The approach by veloci_official resembles that scenario.

I was bored, so this is how my PC turns on now from r/pcmasterrace

The invention, which the Redditor has dubbed a "PC button extension v2d," is precisely that—a front panel that functions like a power button but with a unique twist. Rather than simply pressing a button, the method employed by veloci_official entails flipping two switches, inserting a key to activate the "ignition," and subsequently pressing a button reminiscent of a missile launch button.

Veloci_official has published the instructions on GitHub, including a parts list with pricing for each component. The Redditor has also graciously supplied the resources needed to 3D print the panel. The device interfaces with the motherboard through standard front-panel connectors, specifically those designated for the power LED, hard-drive activity, and power switch.

The panel offers a comprehensive functionality beyond merely being a basic cable extension. For instance, veloci_official has incorporated a compact USB-C trigger board that activates the LEDs when the flip-up switch is toggled. The remaining process involves wiring the various buttons and switches to the corresponding front panel connectors on the motherboard.

The creator demonstrated use with a Gigabyte GA-Z270X-Gaming 9 motherboard; however, the panel is compatible with any motherboard, provided that the pin configurations are correctly aligned.

What's cool about the PC button extension v2d is that you have to adhere to the power-on procedure; otherwise, the system will not power on. For instance, the power button remains non-functional if the two flip-up switches and the key are not in the 'on' position.

External power buttons have been available for some time now; however, veloci_official's device offers a distinctive approach. If you are not a DIYer but still want something cool, you can always find these external power buttons on the market, such as this one that mimics a bomb launch button.

Hyte, a sibling brand to IBUYPOWER, is generally known for its aesthetically focused PC cases. The company also makes peripherals, like keyboards and desk pads. In the Scots language, hyte means raving mad – and some might say that description aptly applies to Hyte’s team, which is known for some pretty radical designs.

Last year, we tested Hyte’s THICC Q60 – a “240mm” AIO liquid cooler which features an insane 84mm thickness (with fans installed), which raised the bar for what we consider excellence, providing the best noise-normalized results I tested, when paired with Intel’s i7-13700K.

Today we’ll be looking at Hyte’s latest X50 PC case, which features a unique look with its all-rounded design, top PSU placement, and a variety of colors to choose from: Purple, Pink, Green, Red, Black, or White. We tested the pink variant, but you can see the other color options in our X50 announcement coverage at Computex 2025.

Will Hyte’s X50 make our list of the best PC cases? Let’s take a look at the specifications and features of the case, then we’ll wrap up our review with thermal benchmarks, so you can decide if this is the case for your next build.

Product Specifications

Features of Hyte’s X50 PC Case

▶️ Rounded design

Everything about the X50, from the sides, the glass cover, interior parts, including the PSU cage – even the bottom feet – is rounded. This, combined with the unique colors available, gives the case a softer vibe than the vast majority of case options.

▶️ Top PSU placement

The Hyte X50 is reminiscent of older computers, with its PSU placement on the top rear of the computer case. This means that the PSU’s intake is pulling warmed air from inside the case. That might be a problem if thermals are an issue, but we’ll get to that later.

▶️ Tool-less access

All of the case’s sides can be accessed and secured without the use of tools. Hyte uses rivets to attach the parts, which means they can be removed by simply sliding the part in question. In the photo below, the connecting slots are highlighted in blue.

▶️ Build quality

The build quality of Hyte’s X50 is insane, one of the sturdiest and most well-built products I’ve had the pleasure of testing. There are very few competitors that are built this strong.

The company touts its 4mm thick laminated acoustic glass for noise dampening, which includes a shatter-resistant bonding layer, 1mm thick steel construction, and automotive-grade tooling, which the company says requires 4x tighter tolerances than the industry standard.

The latter is likely at least partially a design necessity since so much of the case is curved, but it’s hard to overemphasize just how solid and premium this case looks and feels.

▶️ Rear view, Storage support, cable management

From the back, we can see the side intake support bracket on the left and the PSU cage at the top. Cable management velcro straps are positioned behind the PSU and along the middle of the unit, and there are five slots for passing cables between the front and rear of the case.

The storage bay sits at the bottom right of the case, and supports two 2.5-inch drives and one 3.5-inch drive.

The case’s design incorporates a rear mesh cover to improve airflow. The lower-priced X50 Air version of this case (which costs $20 less) uses this same type of mesh filter for both sides of the chassis.

▶️ Side view, back-connect support, GPU holder

Looking inside, the thing that stands out to me the most is the exhaust. which uses louvered ventilation blades. Hyte claims this design reduces exhaust impedance while reinforcing chassis rigidity.

▶️ IO panel, Top View

The IO panel is located at the top front of the case. It features a combined audio/mic jack, one USB-C port supporting up to 20 Gbps transfer speeds, and two USB-A ports supporting 5 Gbps. The power button features white LED lighting, and is somewhat unique in that it incorporates a tactile mechanical switch, like a mechanical keybaord.

▶️ Dust filters, Bottom View

The case incorporates an easily removable dust filter at the bottom, and has four rounded feet for support.

▶️Front view

The front of the case showcases a giant, rounded mesh cover.

▶️ Rear view

There’s not much to say about the rear of the case. The main feature that stands out is the gold-colored Hyte logo at the top left corner, and the louvered ventilation blades, which we mentioned earlier.

Thermal tests, test setup, and testing methodology

The measurements I’ve benchmarked this case against focus on the efficiency of the case’s thermal transfer.

Our thermal tests are presented to give you more information about the product’s performance, but aren’t intended as the sole judgment of the chassis. The style, price, features, and noise levels of a case should also be considered, and we all have different preferences. What I might like in a case, you might not, and that’s OK. My goal with these reviews is to give everyone, no matter their preferences, enough information to decide whether or not a product is right for them.

Knowing I was going to be reviewing a pink PC case, I reached out to TeamGroup, who was kind enough to send its T-Force Xtreeem DDR5 7200mhz RAM for use in this review – it is one of the only kits of RAM available in a pastel pink color, which matches the color of the X50 we’re using for today’s review. If you’re interested in this RAM, it can be purchased from Amazon for $215 USD.

There are also a limited number of pink CPU coolers that you can choose to match this case’s aesthetic. I would recommend ID-Cooling’s FX360 INF Pink which we previously reviewed, available for $99 USD on Amazon – or $85 for the 240mm version shown in the picture below. Just remember you’ll have to install an AIO in the front or front side, as the rounded top and PSU placement don’t leave room for cooling there.

With most cases I’ve tested that do not come with pre-installed fans, I’ve used a standardized set of Ocypus fans for testing. However, given the unique aesthetic of the X50, Hyte expects that most buyers will want to pair this case with a color-matching set of FA12 fans. As such, we’ve used these fans for our tests today. The colored variants (blue, pink, red, or green) of these fans cost $49.99 ($12.50/fan), but traditional black or white versions can be obtained for only $39.99 USD ($10/fan).

The pricing of these fans is reasonable, but it would be nice if the company included at least one color-matching fan for exhaust. Especially considering the case supports up to 10 fans.

Maximum thermal performance (fans noise-normalized to 38.9 dBA)

This set of tests is designed to appeal to those who love quietly running PCs, with the combined Hyte FA12 system fans and the CPU fan noise normalized to 38.9 dBA. Consider this a measure of the case’s thermal efficiency when noise levels are set to run quietly. This first set of benchmarks examines CPU performance.

Hyte did well with this CPU-only stress test, with the third-best results I’ve recorded thus far.

The second noise-normalized test I perform is much like the one above, but also fully stresses the RTX 4070 Ti Super GPU I have paired with the system – adding another 295W of heat to the case. The GPU temperatures in this test were the second-best I’ve seen amongst the cases I’ve tested this way, with an average temperature of 63.7 degrees Celsius.

CPU performance in this combined CPU+GPU stress test remained very good, also taking the second-place spot, dropping by only 5W, with 274W dissipated from the CPU cooler!

Maximum Noise Levels

I measured the noise levels of Hyte’s X50 case paired with four FA12 fans (3 intake, 1 exhaust) with my sound meter from 1 meter away, recording a measurement of 44.2 dBA. While this isn’t a low volume level per se, it is on the quieter end in comparison to competing PC cases.

Maximum thermal performance – FA12 fans at full speed

Our noise-normalized results are designed for folks who prefer silence, but what if you don’t mind additional noise and just care about maximum performance? This set of tests covers thermal performance with the Hyte FA12 fans running at full speed.

Starting with a CPU-only stress test, we measured 296W dissipated from the CPU cooler. While that’s a fifth-place result, it’s not far from our best result, which is only 3.2W better.

Adding the heat of a GPU brings the position of Hyte’s X50 closer to the front of the pack in terms of performance, achieving third place, with 288W cooled.

GPU temperatures were about middle of the road – averaging 64.1 degrees C during this test.

Conclusion

Hyte’s X50 sets itself apart with aesthetics – featuring a rounded design a number of striking colors: purple, pink (as tested), green, red, black, or white. The build quality of the X50 is in a class of its own, with higher-quality construction than the vast majority of competitors.

If you’re interested in Hyte’s X50 case, it can be purchased for $159.99 in the United states, or $129.99 for the X50 Air version, which swaps the front glass for a mesh filter. Just note that no fans are included. If you want to add color-matched air movers, Hyte will be happy to sell you a four-pack for $49.99, or $10 less if you opt for white or black fans.

For those looking for a less aggressive case design, or just something more colorful than most builds, the X50 is easy to recommend. It’s not the best performer out there, but our testing didn’t throw up any red flags when it comes to cooling. And if temps are a concern, adding more than the four fans we used for testing (the case supports 10) would no-doubt help on that front.

With a case this design-forward and colorful, some will also lament the lack of RGB here. For that, assuming your components don’t deliver enough lighting, Hyte also sells a selection of magnetic RGB strips, starting at $39.99.

The original version of the Lancool 207 impressed us around this time last year, with its airflow and included fans, at an affordable $80-$85 in the U.S. Today we’re taking a look at a refreshed variant, the Lancool 207 Digital, which effectively delivers all that was great about last year’s model, plus a bright front-mounted screen, for about $20 more.

We’ll be taking a close look at the primary upgrade in this digital model, the 6-inch, 1600x720 screen that’s rated to 500 nit of brightness. It can show performance metrics or even be configured as a secondary monitor.

We’ll also run the case through some difficult thermal benchmarks, using Intel’s i9-14900K and an Nvidia RTX 4000 series GPU to test its cooling effectiveness, both at noise-normalized settings and with the fans at maximum speeds.

Will Lian Li Lancool 207 Digital make our list of the best PC cases? You’d better believe it! The thermal performance of this case is among the best on the market, as you’ll see in the benchmarks section. Let’s take a look at the specifications and features of the case, then we’ll wrap up our review with thermal results.

Product Specifications

Features of Lian Li’s Lancool 207 Digital PC case

▶️ GPU length and anti-sag support

While it is a fairly compact mid-sized case, Lian Li’s Lancool 207 supports the biggest RTX 5090 GPUs, with room for graphics cards up to 375mm (14.76 inches )in length. An essential GPU anti-sag bracket is included with the case, outlined below in red.

▶️ PSU up front makes room for cooling at the back

Most PC cases have the power supply installed in the rear of the case, but Lian Li’s Lancool 207 features a front placement for the PSU. This is a trend we’ve seen elsewhere, like in Montech’s HS01 Pro. But here it’s at the bottom, and turned 90 degrees. A bottom mesh cover assures the PSU won’t have an issue dumping its heat outside the chassis.

▶️ Dual fans up front and the bottom of the case, with strong airflow in the back

The case comes with two 140mm fans installed in the front (non-RGB on this model), and two 120mm fans installed on the bottom. Despite lacking – at least in the default configuration – a traditional exhaust fan, airflow through the back of the case (which is also mesh with large holes) is very strong! For those wanting the best cooling possible, an exhaust fan can be installed here. Up to three additional fans, or a 360mm AIO, can be installed at the top of the case.

▶️ Air cooler support

In addition to supporting the largest GPUs on the market, the Lancool 207 Digital also has room for larger air coolers, with towers up to 180mm tall (7.1 inches) supported.

▶️ Bottom view: rubber feet and dust filter

There are four rubber feet on the bottom to ensure airflow to the PSU (there’s also a dust filter here) and prevent it from moving.

▶️ Back side, cable management, and storage support

From the backside of the case, we see a simple but efficient setup. Cables can be managed and tucked in a tidy fashion secured by the three velcro straps on the left side of the case and through the top. Those who have extra cables from their PSUs can stash them above the SSD plates, highlighted in blue. Both 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives are supported by the drive plates, shown below.

▶️ ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ATX support

While the Lancool 207 won’t support the largest EATX motherboards, it does support standard-sized ATX boards up to 244mm in width, as well as smaller boards. We’ve installed the Asus Z790-P Prime Wifi, paired with Intel’s i9-14900K CPU for this review’s testing.

▶️ IO panel

The IO panel is located at the front and top of the case. It offers a power button, audio jack, and three USB ports – two USB-A and one USB-C.

▶️ Accessories packaging

Lian Li goes the extra mile in the packaging of case accessories. Many manufacturers include the spare parts in simple plastic bags or a cardboard box. The Lancool 207 comes with a premium box that includes dividers that can be used to customize it as desired.

▶️ Toolless side panels

The side panels of this case can be removed and installed without tools, which some may appreciate for simplicity.

▶️ Six-inch, 500-nit 1720x600 display

The distinguishing feature of this case revision is the inclusion of a 500-nit, 1720x600 display. This can be customized through Lian Li’s L-Connect 3 software, which we’ve covered in-depth in previous reviews. It allows easy customization of the screen to show performance metrics, images, or videos of your choosing. There is a large variety of pre-packaged themes to choose from, I’ve shown a few in the pictures here.

But if you don’t want to use Lian Li’s software or just want to display something else, the screen can also function as a secondary display.

This allows the display to be used as you see fit – I’ve run Furmark at a whopping 450 FPS in the demo above. One thing I like using this feature for is to set up a slideshow of pictures in an album, changing every few minutes to display a different memory.

Most users will need to connect the display to a USB header on their motherboard. However, if you don’t have a spare USB header on your motherboard, Lian Li aslo includes an adapter so that the display can be connected through a traditional USB-A port!

▶️ Rear view

There’s not much to say about the rear of the case. Like most, it supports seven PCI-e expansion slots. The main difference you’ll notice from typical cases is the power plug on the bottom of the case, which connects to the power supply in the front of the unit.

Thermal tests, test setup, and testing methodology

The measurements I’ve benchmarked this case against focus on the efficiency of the case’s thermal transfer.

Our thermal tests are presented to give you more information about the product’s performance, but aren’t intended as the sole judgment of the chassis. The style, price, features, and noise levels of a case should also be considered, and we all have different preferences. What I might like in a case, you might not, and that’s OK. My goal with these reviews is to give everyone, no matter their preferences, enough information to decide whether or not a product is right for them.

Maximum thermal performance – pre-installed fans noise-normalized to 38.9 dBA

This set of tests is designed to appeal to those who love quiet PCs, with both system fans and the CPU fan noise-normalized to 38.9 dBA. Consider this a measure of the case’s thermal efficiency when the fans are set to run quietly.

The first noise-normalized test stresses only the CPU, running Cinebench R23 multi-core with power limits removed. I did a double-take when I saw the results here. The performance shown was better than any other result I’ve had since adopting this method of testing PC cases. This is a testament to the efficiency of the fans and airflow of this PC case.

The second noise-normalized test I perform is much like the above, but also fully stresses the RTX 4070 TI Super GPU I have paired with the system, adding another 295W of heat to the case. The GPU temperatures in this test were the third-best I’ve seen among the cases I’ve tested this way. The result of 64.2 degrees Celsius is only 0.7 degrees C warmer than our best result here!

As a result, the GPU’s fan speeds were also the third-quietest in this scenario, with an average measurement of 1,454 RPM.

Maximum Noise Levels

In terms of maximum volume, Lian Li’s Lancool 207 Digital spins up to 46 dBA with my sound meter from 1 meter away, which is more or less average for PC cases. One thing my charts don’t show, however, is the pitch noise, which isn’t particularly annoying here (at least to me). So I would say that the noise doesn’t “feel” as loud as the dBA measurements would indicate. But your ears may give you a different opinion.

Maximum thermal performance – pre-installed fans at full speed

Our noise-normalized results are designed for folks who prefer silence, but what if you don’t mind additional noise and just care about maximum performance?

Starting with a CPU-only stress test, we measured 296.3W. While not quite as impressive as our noise-normalized results, the Lancool 207 Digital performed well enough here.

Adding the heat of a GPU returns the Lian Li to the front of the pack in terms of performance, showing our best result recorded thus far with, 294.3W cooled (on average) during this test.

Now let’s look at the temperature of the GPU. With the system fans at full speed, the thermal result is our second-best, with an average of 62.5 degrees C.

The thermal efficiency of Lian Li’s fan configuration means that the GPU has to work less to maintain low temperatures, resulting in fan speeds running at an average of 1,307 RPM. Only Montech’s case did better here, and not by much.

Conclusion

Lian Li’s Lancool 207 Digital is an impressive case. Thermal performance is simply excellent, among the best avialable. And its chart-topping noise and thermal results and nice-looking screen, paired with a very reasonable price, makes it my new favorite compact midtower case.

If you’re on a tight budget, the basic version of this case is currently available for only $90 in the U.S. But the Digital version tested here includes a fancy six inch, 1,600x720-resolution display for $105, just $15 more!

As I am sure many readers can relate, I heard the hallowed, somewhat daunting words that friends and loved ones say to the resident PC geek or tech enthusiast in their lives — "Can you make me a PC?"

Of course, I've done it dozens of times, but this was the first time that my wife, who regularly plays (or attempts to run) AAA games on a basic RTX 3050 gaming laptop, wanted something higher-end. I would figure out the components, and she could pick out a case, specifying other aesthetic frills she would like. It couldn't be a big, black, boring box, and it had to be an interesting color. My wife eventually settled on the Thermaltake Tower 250 in the eye-catching "Hydrangea Blue" colorway. The PC case is an evolution of the original Tower 100, which we reviewed in 2019.

Things began to come together, and being a resourceful sort, we managed to corral all of the components to build a (slightly larger than usual) ITX-based system.

This isn't a super-high-end build, sporting an AMD Ryzen 5 9600X and RTX 4080 Founders Edition GPU, which I had intended to use in a different build. With that, alongside a 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD from Sabrent and 32GB of Klevv RAM, it is quite a performant system, which should easily run just about every modern AAA title without issue at 1440p.

Once the case arrived and we started the build process, I noticed something unusual. The Thermaltake Tower 250 rotates the motherboard 90 degrees, compared to a standard configuration. This allows for a vertically-placed GPU, a motherboard placed in the center, and then support for an all-in-one cooler's radiator on the right. This isn't an issue in itself, but it does cause the motherboard's I/O to be pointing to the top of the case, in addition to any GPU display cables.

Where for art thou, I/O

The top of the Thermaltake Tower 250 is quite crowded; there are two preinstalled exhaust fans, in addition to the front I/O panel of the case. There's also a cut-out for cables, in addition to around an inch of clearance next to the fan shroud for anything coming from the motherboard IO, which feeds into a hole for the plastic shroud that covers it, leading out of the case.

So, if you want to plug anything into your motherboard, you'll have to navigate a frustrating labyrinth of cut-outs every single time. Many people will set and forget their rear I/O, ports, and with two USB-A and a Type-C port at the front, many just won't need it. Since this PC uses Wi-Fi, routing the antenna through was very simple, and I added a handful of USB-C cables to be routed to the desk to have a couple of chargers, in case she needs to plug things in.

What I didn't anticipate was the sheer number of random cables my wife would want to plug into her system at any given time. With the front I/O already populated, plugging in USB devices became more difficult than it really should be. When factoring in the heft of a DisplayPort cable in addition to everything else, things got pretty crowded.

So, the process of taking the top of the case off and wrangling around inside to plug in devices continued. This slight inconvenience turned into annoyance, and I answered the repeated calls of "Can you plug this in please?" repeatedly for a whole week, until I buckled and bought a generic USB hub from Amazon.

You shouldn't really have to do that for the sake of convenience, especially when a motherboard has enough IO for everything. But now that the saga is over, it also highlights another design issue for the Thermaltake Tower 250.

Building cleanly still results in visible cable mess

To Thermaltake's credit, the Tower 250 is broadly well-designed and very simple to build inside, and it took less than an hour for me to assemble a full system, including an all-in-one cooler and RGB frills, which were listed as "mandatory" under my wife's requirements. The case has consistent and simple channels for almost everything, including support for a full-sized PSU. Cable channelling for the GPU is well-thought-out, meaning we hid the majority of a white 12V2x6 cable into a corner, which cannot be seen from most angles. With everything put together, it looked and ran well, until I realized that the I/O pointing out at the top can become a bit of an eyesore.

With several cables running out at the top, the effort put in elsewhere to hide cables so efficiently was seemingly for naught. Above the I/O, there's an inch or two of clearance where cables can be routed. The problem is that with the Hydrangea Blue colorway of the case, the internal metal sheets are white, so if you have any black cables, they stick out like a sore thumb. This is admittedly minor compared to my other grievance, but it also has a fairly simple solution.

If Thermaltake built a detachable shroud for this part of the Tower 250, which puts some effort into hiding the cabling, it would also allow for a larger cable routing channel through the rear, making it simpler to actually make use of the motherboard I/O, or offer a wider cut-out, which makes accessing the rear IO much more accessible. Adding more steps between allowing a user to make use of the features of the components within the system is a black mark on an otherwise well-designed and good-looking PC case.

09/18/25 update: A few hours after initial publication, a representative from Silverstone reached out to say that the U.S. price for the FLP02 had not yet been set, but that it will likely be around $240. We changed the headline and removed a reference to a $220 U.S. MSRP at the end of the article.

Initially presented at Computex 2025, Silverstone has launched its new FLP02 (SST-FLP02), a retro-inspired PC case designed to house modern hardware components. The FLP02 is the second old-school-looking case introduced by Silverstone, following the successful FLP01.

Silverstone manufactures the FLP02 using steel and plastic, and it is finished with the characteristic beige color reminiscent of the good old days. The case dimensions are 9.13 x 19.45 x 18.58 inches (232 x 494 x 472mm), a moderate size by today's standards. With a weight of 21.6 pounds (9.79 kg), the FLP02 is not overly heavy, allowing it to be conveniently placed on a desk, which is an appropriate location for display purposes.

The FLP02 accommodates mini-ATX, microATX, ATX, and SSI-CEB motherboards. Considering the dimensions of the FLP02, a mini-ATX motherboard may appear disproportionate within the case; however, individual preferences vary. The FLP02 is equipped with a total of seven expansion slots, with an additional two slots available should you choose to install the graphics card in a vertical orientation.

Regarding the dimensions of graphics cards, the maximum length is 15.2 inches (386 mm) when the front 3.5-inch/2.5-inch combo bay drive cage is not installed, and 11 inches (279 mm) when it is installed. In terms of width, the maximum is 7.4 inches (188 mm) without the GPU brace, and 6 inches with it installed. Consequently, even large graphics cards such as the GeForce RTX 5090 are compatible with the FLP02 case. The case accepts power supplies with a length of up to 9.8 inches (250mm), so even monstrous power supplies, such as Corsair's 3,000W unit, can fit easily into the FLP02.

The FLP02 provides a variety of cooling options. The case comes with two front 120mm fan mounts and one rear fan mount accommodating either a 120mm or 140mm fan. Silverstone supplies three black cooling fans with the FLP02. The top fan mounts offer greater flexibility, allowing for configurations of either three 120mm fans, two 140mm fans, or two 160mm fans. Regarding radiator support, 120mm and 140mm radiators are compatible at the front, while the top accommodates radiators ranging from 120mm to 360mm in size.

If you prefer air cooling, the FLP02 has you covered as well. The case measures 9.13 inches wide, with clearance space for CPU air coolers up to a maximum height of 7.2 inches (182mm). You'll have no issues slipping something like a Noctua NH-D15 G2 or a Jiushark JF15K in the FLP02.

A rare and fully functional Apple-1 with its rare Byte Shop wooden case is up for auction right now. Thought to be one of just nine surviving samples remaining in the original wood case, bidding on Lot #7083 will conclude on Saturday, September 20, 2025. You can join the RR Auctions Remarkable Rarities event in person at 1 pm EST (Boston, MA), by phone, or online (worldwide).

The estimate for this wooden tech history marvel from 1976 is $300,000+. It has already achieved $144,311 in pre-live bidding.

As mentioned in the intro, this is a fully functional Apple-1, and it also comes with “all components and accessories required for operation,” according to the listing. Alongside the computer, in good working condition, you will get a cassette interface, keyboard, monitor, and software. These are all original and era-appropriate.

The set includes:

• Original Apple-1 board, marked on the reverse with "01-0020"
• Original Apple Cassette Interface (ACI) board
• Original Byte Shop wooden case with built-in Datanetics keyboard and Triad power supply
• Period-correct video monitor and associated cables
• Period-correct copies of software on cassette tapes, with contemporary handwritten notes and instructions
• Modern copy of the Apple-1 Operation Manual

As it stands, this rare computer would be a desirable item, but its appeal is lifted further because it was owned by the first female graduate of Stanford Law School, June Blodgett Moore.

The condition of the computer is graded at 8.0/10 by the auction house. As such an old tech artifact, there are issues impacting the score. For example, RR Auctions notes a hairline crack on part of the case and a section of rear paneling that has been removed to provide access to cabling.

Inside, this Apple-1 is a great period example. The auctioneers point out that the PCB is marked ‘Apple Computer 1, Palo Alto, Ca. Copyright 1976’ and its breadboard prototyping area “is untouched and the green coat exhibits some minor scuffs but minimal peeling, unlike many Apple-1 boards.” Other points of note are its white ceramic MOS 6502 processor and all three original Sprague 'Big Blue' capacitors. Some power supply diodes have been replaced, but carefully swapped with period-correct replacements.

Wooden case history

The wooden case seen used for this model was implemented to elevate the Apple-1 beyond being a Homebrew Computer Club kit aimed at DIYers. The Byte Shop in Mountain View, California, insisted on completed kits being supplied for its retail operation. Steve Jobs and Steve ‘Woz’ Wozniak complied by supplying 50 units in this wooden case. It would be one of the first personal computers available to consumers that didn’t require assembly.

The retail deal meant that The Byte Shop bought 50 Apple-1 computers in wood cases for $500 a piece, and resold them at $666.66. Wozniak would recount, “That was the biggest single episode in all of the company's history. Nothing in subsequent years was so great and so unexpected.”

Steven Jobs Check

Another Apple-flavored auction that concludes on Saturday is for a 'Steven Jobs' signed Apple Computer Company check. The check was drawn up for $10 on June 25, 1976. At this time, the company was still operating from the Jobs family garage.

Cougar just released the CFV235 and CFV235 Mesh, a mid-tower PC case design that features a unique “Central Floating Ventilation” structure that physically separates your motherboard, CPU, and GPU from the PSU and SATA storage drives. According to ComputerBase, the gap between these two sections allows for 270 degrees of airflow, allowing the main compartment access to fresh air from four sides. With a setup like this, PC builders can ensure that both the CPU and GPU get cooler outside air for optimal cooling performance.

There’s a compact new fanless chassis on the block, dubbed the FanlessVC2300S DT (machine translation). Listed on China’s Taobao online market (h/t FanlessTech), what makes this particular design remarkable is that an all-copper edition is being made available, limited to 10 units. It is going to be extremely tricky to snag one of those, we expect. Still, the aluminum-clad version in the image appears to have the same total passive cooling capacity of 250W.

The physical presence of the FanlessVC2300S DT is certainly its raison d’être, so let’s consider this aspect of the design first. Whether you opt for the majority copper or aluminum shrouded version, you will receive a 360 x 303 x 130mm case with an interior volume of 14.2 liters and an essentially copper passive cooling system inside. The limited-edition copper-encased version weighs in at a hefty 21.5kg (47.4 pounds), according to the specifications, while the aluminum alloy model is approximately half the mass at 11.2 kg (24.7 pounds).

As per the headline, this is an ITX form factor chassis. Thus, you can equip your own choice of 170 x 170mm ITX motherboard in this quick-release system case. On the topic of max compatibility, there is room for a Flex ATX PSU, with a Platinum-rated model recommended. You will also have room for a pair of memory modules with a maximum height of 44mm, and a single 2.5-inch storage device.

Moving on to the technical details, according to the chassis maker, you can fit a CPU and GPU, adding up to a TDP of as much as 250W. A half-height Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 is reportedly the most powerful option that works in this machine. That will likely contribute approximately 145W or less to the thermal budget. So, you’ll have 105W cooling capacity left for your CPU if you want to push your luck.

Here's to a tidy little Labor Day deal on one of Corsair's latest cases. The popular 4000D series has seen the Frame range of cases using the 4000D moniker added to the series, along with a few Iterations of customizable elements such as fans and ARGB. Keeping a familiar size and look, you may not notice the changes from a distance, but on a closer inspection, you can see that there are many changes in the Corsair 4000D Frame RS ARBG over its brethren.

Available at a discount directly from Amazon, you can pick up the Corsair 4000D RS ARGB for $104.99, saving $20 or 16% from the typical list price of $124.99. This new and updated case offers new features and customizability over the older Corsair 4000D, including options to purchase additional modular components to change aspects of the case's functionality, such as swapping out the front IO panel for more USB ports. This case has the power button and IO at the bottom of the front panel, so the case would be more at home sat on a desk if you want easy access.

• Check out the deal at Corsair

The 4000D Frame uses a 3D Y-pattern steel front mesh panel that's generously ventilated with a Y-pattern for high airflow. Even with more airflow and ventilation making it inside the case, the 4000D Frame still keeps the good looks and aesthetic of earlier 4000D cases. This variant of the Corsair Frame - 4000D RS ARGB adds a splash of color with included ARGB fans. Illuminate the front of your case and also highlight the internal components of your PC build, viewable through the tempered glass side panel.

Choose different fan sizes to suit your build preferences, thanks to Corsair's InfiniRail system inside the case. You can adjust the rails to install fan sizes up to 200mm on the steel multi-point mounting system. This offers a great deal of flexibility for your preference of fan configurations.

There is room for dual 360mm radiator support at the front and top of the case, included case fans (3x RS120 ARGB performance fans), a GPU anti-sag bracket, and compatibility support for reverse connector motherboards such as MSI's Project Zero and Gigabyte's Project Stealth boards.

If you're looking for more savings, check out our Best PC Hardware deals for a range of products, or dive deeper into our specialized SSD and Storage Deals, Hard Drive Deals, Gaming Monitor Deals, Graphics Card Deals, or CPU Deals pages.

Montech’s HS01 Pro is a unique case from the affordable cooling mainstay, with a number of design choices that set it apart. Most cases incorporate front- or side-mounted intake fans, but Montech switched it up and placed these at the bottom for the best GPU thermals possible. Other features that make this case stand out are back-connect motherboard support, compact SFX PSU support, and dual exhaust fans.

In many ways, the HS01 Pro is very similar to the HS02 Pro. The primary difference between these two cases is the front side: While the HS02 Pro incorporates a glass front panel, the HS01 Pro instead features a front mesh panel that allows for the installation of additional intake fans.

Will Montech’s HS01 Pro make our list of the best PC cases? Let’s take a look at the specifications and features of the case, then we’ll wrap up our testing with a preview of our updated thermal paste testing and other benchmarks.

Product Specifications

Features of Montech’s HS01 Pro PC case

▶️ Graphics card-focused cooling configuration

Unlike typical cases that have front- or side-mounted intake fans in their default configurations, Montech’s HS01 Pro places the intake fans on the bottom of the case. This results in excellent GPU temperatures, much cooler than competing options from other manufacturers.

▶️ A note about GPU installation

To secure the screws holding a PCIe device, you have to slide the screwdriver through the side of the case. When I tried using the reliable Linus Tech Tips screwdriver, it was extremely difficult to insert or remove a screw. A slim screwdriver with a longer reach will make installation much easier.

▶️ Dual exhaust fans

A downside of bottom-mounted intake fans is that airflow to the CPU cooler is reduced. This won’t matter as much with liquid-cooled AIOs, but can reduce the effectiveness of air coolers. In order to rectify (or at least help) this issue, the HS01 Pro incorporates two exhaust fans – but unlike the HS02 Pro, you also have the option of installing traditional front-mounted intake fans to deliver more airflow through your CPU cooler.

▶️ Unique PSU placement, SFX and ATX PSU support

Most modern cases have the PSU located on the rear of the case, but the HS01 Pro moves the location to the front, behind the motherboard. Both ATX and SFX power supplies are supported. Considering that SFX PSUs tend to be more expensive than their larger counterparts, this isn’t much of an advantage unless you happen to have an SFX PSU hanging around from a previous build that you want to use.

▶️ Build quality

The HS01 Pro seems to have good build quality, with no obvious weaknesses observed during testing.

▶️ Side view, back-connect support, GPU holder

In the last year or so, back-connect motherboards like MSI’s Project Zero have become more popular with system builders, as they reduce visible cable clutter and make cable management easier. Montech’s case is the latest of several we’ve seen that support the new motherboard format, with cutouts for connectors on the motherboard tray.

Included with the accessories, shown below, is a basic GPU holder that should come in handy for owners of larger GPUs.

▶️ IO panel

The IO panel is located at the front of the case, near the bottom. It features one USB-C and two USB-A ports, separate microphone and audio jacks, and power and reset buttons. Pretty standard stuff here, although moving USB-A ports to opposite ends and shaping the reset button to match the USB-C port is an interesting symmetrical design choice.

▶️ Dust filters, Bottom View

As this case’s air intake is at the bottom, there’s a large, magnetically attached dust filter underneath the case. The unit also features four rubber feet to facilitate ample airflow and prevent the case from sliding.

There’s also a mesh covering for the top of the case, which is easily removed using the pull tab on the back.

▶️ Rear side view, storage, and cable management features

The back view is very clean by default, with two panels covering parts on the left and top of the case. Up to four 2.5-inch drives can be installed – two on the left panel and two directly behind the motherboard (highlighted in blue in the picture above). Behind the top cover, there’s a PWM and ARGB hub to control the RGB system fans (and any others you might add) easily, and the space below the PSU (see image below) can be used to keep cables hidden if you’re using a non-modular power supply.

▶️ Front view

The front of the case features the IO panel and has a mesh cover. Behind the mesh, you can install up to three fans of either 120mm or 140mm size for maximum airflow.

▶️ Rear view

There’s not much to say about the rear of the case. The only stand-out feature is the dual-exhaust fans.

Thermal tests, test setup, and testing methodology

The measurements I’ve benchmarked this case against focus on the efficiency of the case’s thermal transfer.

Our thermal tests are presented to give you more information about the product’s performance, but aren’t intended as the sole judgment of the chassis. The style, price, features, and noise levels of a case should also be considered, and we all have different preferences. What I might like in a case, you might not, and that’s OK. My goal with these reviews is to give everyone, no matter their preferences, enough information to decide whether or not a product is right for them.

Maximum Noise Levels

In terms of maximum volume, the noise levels of Montech’s HS01 Pro can reach up to 47.2 dBA, on the higher end of the chart. One thing my charts don’t, however, is the pitch of the fans, which isn’t particularly annoying here (at least to me). So I would say that the noise doesn’t “feel” as loud as the dBA measurements would indicate. But your ears may give you a different opinion.

Thermal Paste testing

Because the main difference between this case and the previously tested HS02 Pro is the ability to install front intake fans, we’re going to test it a little differently. If we performed our normal case tests, the results would likely be about the same as the previous review.

For the first set of benchmarks, we'll show a preview of this year’s paste testing – which was performed a little differently than last year’s. The first change is that we’re using Montech’s HS01 Pro case for this testing.

For the cooler, we’ve selected Arctic’s Liquid Freezer III Pro as it is currently the best AIO we’ve tested. One other change we’ve made is the CPU. Rather than using an IntelCPU, we’re using AMD’s sixteen-core Ryzen 9 9950X.

Much like last year’s testing on an Intel platform, we’re seeing pastes like Arctic’s MX-6, ID-Cooling’s Frost X45, and Corsair’s XTM70 perform near the top. A result that surprised us is our top performer with this year’s testing, Thermal Grizzly’s Kryosheet, which beat our best result from a paste by a solid 2.4 degrees C!

This product is an alternative to commonly used thermal greases, made of a specially designed graphene sheet. While this material is electrically conductive, it is made of a solid material, so the electrical risks are smaller compared to liquid metals.

How much does adding intake fans help?

Because the only difference – in its default configuration – between the HS01 Pro and the previously reviewed HS02 Pro is the use of a mesh filter for the front instead of a glass panel, we don’t expect results in our typical benchmarks to be much different from the HS02 Pro – so for that information, you can check our review of Montech’s HS02 Pro.

Instead, I wanted to see how much – or little – might be gained by adding front intake fans to Montech’s HS01 Pro. For this, I decided to use ASUS’ TUF Gaming TR120 fans.

For this test, I ran a stress test on our GPU – an MSI RTX 4070 Ti Super – using OCCT. Concurrently, I also ran Cinebench R23 Multi-core on this system’s CPU – AMD’s Ryzen 9 9950X – while implementing a 230W power limit.

First, we’ll look at the peak CPU temperatures. Adding intake fans to the front dropped peak temperatures from 95.2 degrees C down to 92.9 C, a reduction of 2.3 degrees.

The average CPU temperature was reduced even further, dropping from 92.8C down to 90C – a reduction of 2.8 degrees C. So if you want lower temperatures, consider adding front fans with this case.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for the best possible GPU thermals, Montech’s HS01 Pro is the case you’re looking for. Its bottom intake and dual exhaust fans provide chart-topping graphics card temperatures, which also means a quieter-running GPU. Users who want the best possible airflow also have the option of installing three front-intake fans.

Quirky electronics design house Teenage Engineering has released its second attempt to break into the realm of computer cases. Its sure-fire plan this time around is to market the Computer-2 as a free product. Understandably, despite its minimal and some would say cheap and plasticky construction, stocks of the Computer-2 evaporated almost instantly. You can still join the queue, but, disappointingly, the link to a “build” PDF takes you to a set of assembly instructions, rather than 3D printer resource files.

We took a look at Teenage Engineering's Computer-1 flat-pack PC case when it launched in October 2021. That product followed a more typical pricing structure, listed at between $99 and $149 depending on your choice of materials. Nevertheless, it also quickly sold out. It seemed to leave an impression on the industry, though, and it wasn't long before we saw more flat-pack and similar minimal, utilitarian designs spring up.

Teenage Engineering riffs a little about its Computer-2 being free, teasing that "consumer, billionaires, and influencers are in total shock," regarding this announcement. We'd be shocked if stock remained available. The team behind the project was apparently tasked with designing "the cheapest computer case in the world… engineered all the way down to a cost of zero."

Refocusing on the Teenage Engineering Computer-2, we note that the description and specs are characteristically minimal. Normally, we would check through the component count and maximum compatibility specs, and run through special features. As a minimal mini-ITX, though, the story is mostly about the design.

The few stats that we have highlight the following:

• This is a mini-ITX chassis for SFF builds
• DIYers are limited to their choice of SFX power supply
• There’s enough room for a dual-slot graphics card – but it must be 180mm or shorter

NZXT’s new H9 Flow is one of the largest mainstream cases you can buy, designed to accommodate the biggest and most powerful GPUs – while keeping them cool with targeted airflow while also showing off your build behind two panels of glass.

Most wrap-around (or “fishbowl”) style cases have intake fans that blow directly into the glass on the other side of the case, which, in theory, results in less efficient airflow. With the H9 Flow, NZXT angled these fans, which should provide a more direct path for air as it travels within the case.

It also boasts support for up to two large 420mm radiators for those who want the absolute best cooling possible for their components! Will the H9 Flow make our list of best PC cases? Let’s take a look at the specifications and features of the case, then we’ll go over the features and wrap up our review with thermal testing.

Product Specifications

Features of NZXT’s H9 Flow

▶ Build quality, packaging

The build quality of this case seems decent, but due to its design, if you take apart some of the individual pieces, they can flex if you apply pressure. The glass front and side panels offer a nice view of your PC’s inner components.

The box the unit ships in is mostly simple, showcasing the product’s design in black ink. The case is well protected in shipping with heavy foam, plastic coverings, and cardboard inserts.

▶ Side view

There are few things to point out from the side view: First are the three 140 mm fans, which are larger than the 120 mm fans more typically included for intake in PC cases. At the bottom, there is room for additional fans or a radiator for liquid cooling.

At first glance, it might appear this case only has holes for back-connect style motherboards, but there’s a part on the flap in between the cases and the motherboard support that can pop out for more traditional cable routing.

▶ Up to dual 420mm Radiators supported – radiator and fan support

This case can be loaded with up to two 420mm radiators, supported at the top and side. The bottom of the case supports a 360mm radiator, and there are technically mounts for a single exhaust fan - we’ll touch on that again in a bit.

▶ Dust filters and mesh covers, Bottom View

Bottom Dust Filter

The bottom of the case has two extended legs to lift the case from the ground for proper airflow from the bottom, should you choose to add fans or a radiator. A traditional dust filter is present there, easily removable by sliding. The other intake spots have mesh covers, but not dust filters.

Mesh Top Cover

▶ Rear side view, storage, and cable management features

The first thing that I noticed when looking at the side was the generous amount of storage support for SATA drives. There’s a large plate in the middle of the unit that supports four 2.5-inch drives, and on the side, there’s a bay that supports two more drives of either 2.5- or 3.5-inch varieties. Behind the storage drive plate is a cable routing path with Velcro zip-ties, featuring NZXT’s branding to keep things nice and tidy.

In an interesting design twist, the power supply is mounted in the middle of the unit. As you can see from the photo above, this enables lots of room underneath for cable management – a feature that’s especially useful if you’re using a non-modular power supply.

▶ Front view, IO Panel

As this is a wrap-around case, the front has a glass panel to give you a full view of the inner components. It is different from most competitors of this style by having an angled intake, which allows for more efficient airflow.

The included IO panel lives at the bottom front of the case. From left to right, there’s an audio jack, a USB-C port, 2x USB-A ports, and a power button. The ring around the power button has a white light that activates when powered on.

▶ Rear view

From the rear, you’ll notice that the power supply is mounted vertically in the middle, as mentioned earlier. Most of the rest is fairly standard. Note, though, that while the case only officially supports one 120 mm exhaust fan, you might be able to fit two if you push the default fan to the bottom and use the top holes to screw the top of a second fan.

Included accessories

There’s not much to talk about in terms of included accessories. You get the standard screws and motherboard studs, a few zip ties, velcro strips, and a tool to easily remove or install motherboard studs using a screwdriver.

Thermal tests, test setup, and testing methodology

I’ve focused testing on the efficiency of the case’s thermal transfer, but you should keep in mind that I’m testing the default configuration of these cases with an air cooler and a 300W GPU. I’m considering whether to add additional testing where more case fans are added, or use a more power-hungry GPU, to explore thermal efficiency in more detail for future reviews.

For today’s results, I have tested the system with its pre-installed fans at full speed and also noise-normalized at 38.9 dBA. We’ll cover noise levels, thermal benchmarks of the CPU and GPU, and RPM measurements of the GPU’s fans.

Thermal efficiency testing

Our thermal tests are presented to give you more information about the product’s performance, but aren’t intended as the sole judgment of the chassis. The style, price, features, and noise levels of a case should also be considered, and we all have different preferences.

What I might like in a case, you might not, and that’s OK. My goal with these reviews is to give everyone, no matter their preferences, enough information to decide whether or not a product is right for them. Some folks will want the best thermal performance no matter what. Others might value the looks, design, or features of the case more. Everyone has different ideas of what is the “best” when it comes to your PC’s case!

Maximum Noise Levels

The noise levels of NZXT’s H9 Flow were about average for cases we’ve tested recently, if you go by dBA measurements alone. The pitch of the fans had a softer impact than the noise measurement would indicate, slightly oscillating while at full speed.

Maximum thermal performance – pre-installed fans noise-normalized to 38.9 dBA

This set of tests is designed to appeal to those who love quietly running PCs, with both system fans and the CPU fan noise normalized to 38.9 dBA. Consider this a measure of the case’s thermal efficiency when noise levels are set to run quietly. This first set of benchmarks examines CPU performance.

At first glance, these results are on the lower end of average.

Moving on to GPU benchmarks with the system and CPU cooler fans normalized to 38.9 dBA, performance is a little better. One thing to keep in mind is that while testing this case, I felt that the use of a RTX 4070 Ti, which “only” uses 300W might be an issue. A hotter, more power-hungry GPU might show better results due the airflow design of NZXT’s H9 Flow.

Maximum thermal performance – pre-installed fans at full speed

One of the reasons I mentioned earlier that my use of a 300W GPU might not show this case in the best light is that the CPU-only thermal benchmarks are absolutely phenomenal when the system’s pre-installed fans are used, eclipsing our best previously recorded results!

Adding 300W of GPU heat to the mix brings down results to third place overall, which isn’t quite as good, but still impressive. I have to wonder how much more effective this case would be utilizing the additional fan slots at the top and bottom of the case.

GPU temperatures are amongst the best compared to the competitors I’ve tested when stressing both the GPU and CPU with the system fans run at full speed, averaging only 64.1 degrees Celsius on the graphics card.

Conclusion

NZXT’s H9 Flow has a sleek design, without RGB bling. It is spacious, with lots of room to work with on both sides of the case – whether in the front supporting the largest GPUs on the market, or in the back with extra space for cable storage.

Liquid cooling enthusiasts will be pleased to know the H9 Flow supports up to two 420mm radiators for the best possible temperatures, and storage fans will appreciate the support for up to six SATA drives – the most we’ve seen on a mainstream case in quite a while. If you’re interested in this flagship NZXT case, it is available on Amazon for a decidedly non-flagship price of just $169.99.

Popular PC case maker Hyte has some great news for PC builders and enthusiasts. It’s dropping the prices of some of its products, and a few of its models are even going back to pre-tariff pricing. The company announced this on its blog, stating that “the Y40, Y60, Y70, and Y70 Touch Infinite cases will see lower prices starting today.”

The company’s flagship Y70 Touch Infinite gets a $40 reduction, going from $439 to $399, while the Y70, Y60, and Y40 all return to their old prices of $219, $179, and $129, respectively.

When President Trump’s tariffs kicked in earlier this year, the company was forced to halt shipments to its U.S. customers due to import taxes. Hyte stated that it couldn't absorb the massive 145% tariff imposed on Chinese goods, as the company only earns a 5% profit from its sales. The company also said that it cannot move its manufacturing operations into the U.S., as doing so would be prohibitively expensive.

Aside from the higher cost of labor and operations in the USA, a 25% tariff on aluminum would raise Hyte's cost for raw materials, making its cases uncompetitive in the market. Hyte said that it’s considering moving production to Vietnam or Thailand, but doing so will still jack up the price of its products by about 30% to 40%.

The company did not say what led to this decision, but the U.S. and China have recently been at the negotiating table, with the two rivals agreeing to a tentative trade deal. While the tariffs on both sides remain, they now sit at a much lower 30% for Chinese imports into the U.S.

It should be noted, though, that not all cases will get a price drop — licensed models, like its Official Y70 Silver Wolf Case Bundle, are still sold at the higher prices “due to processes in manufacturing.” We also do not know if other cases, like the Revolt 3 SFF case and the upcoming X50 and X50 Air introduced at Computex 2025, are also affected by the pricing rollback.

Nevertheless, this is some good news for a change. After months of uncertainty, PC builders and enthusiasts are now getting more affordable cases.

PC cases, power, and cooling specialist SilverStone has introduced a new workstation chassis that goes big on HDD capacity. The new SilverStone Seta H2 can fit up to 15 3.5 and 2.5-inch drives (h/t ComputerBase). To max it out, you would fit eleven 3.5-inch plus four 2.5-inchers. This is a lot of spinning rust capacity in 2025, but the Seta H2 is no shrinking violet at over 70 liters.

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With such a huge number of drives, and its variables of configuration (drive cages, choosing between 3.5 and 2.5-inch installs) we are happy to see SilverStone has provided a handy visual guide (reproduced top, and in the gallery below). Here you can see that there are 11x drive bays which provide an open choice between 3.5 and 2.5 drive installation. There is also a bracket that provides the choice between 1x 3.5 or 2x 2.5-inch drives. Lastly, there are rear motherboard tray positions where you can fix 2x 2.5-inch drives.

Given its size of 244.9mm (9.6-inch) (W), x 528.3mm (20.8-inch) (H), x 543.2mm (21.4-inch) (D) – that’s 70 liters, remember – there are also lots of air and liquid cooling options for Seta H2 buyers. Fans and radiators can be fitted front, rear, or top side – it is up to the PC DIYer. Notably, at both the front and top, you can fit rads up to 420mm. Rear rads and fans max out at 120 / 140mm, but at the side, you can have up to a 240mm rad or twin 120mm fans. No fans are included when you buy the Seta H2.

If you are building a Seta H2 system and will need a beefy modern GPU to complete your dream PC, you shouldn’t have too much difficulty. SilverStone says you can fit up to a 428.9mm length GPU if you only use 25mm thick fans in the front. However, those opting for a side radiator and fans might feel the GPU-pinch with just 330mm becoming the limit.

The Lian Li Lancool 207, NZXT H7 Flow (2024), and Phanteks XT Pro Ultra are excellent PC cases now available at highly competitive prices. If you're searching for a case for your new build or an upgrade during Prime Day, these models are worth considering.

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The Lancool 207 truly stands out as the top budget case available today. It is compatible with mini-ITX, micro-ATX, and standard ATX motherboards, making it versatile for a wide range of builds. Its conventional tempered glass side panel allows you to proudly showcase your hardware to friends and fellow enthusiasts. When it comes to cooling, the Lancool 207 offers ample space for up to seven case fans and radiators as large as 360mm, ensuring your system stays cool and performs at its best.

If you have a slightly larger budget, the NZXT H7 Flow is a wonderful choice for a modern build, particularly if you're opting for air cooling. It fits motherboards and graphics cards of various sizes and shapes. You can install up to 10 cooling fans, and the H7 Flow comes with three pre-installed at the front to help keep things cool. Plus, it's also a great option for liquid cooling, supporting radiators up to 420mm.

Motherboards with hidden connectors are becoming quite popular, and if you're ready to join the trend, the Phanteks XT Pro Ultra might just be what you need. It offers excellent compatibility, supporting everything from mini-ITX to E-ATX motherboards, whether in standard or concealed setups. Plus, for the latter, the Phanteks XT Pro Ultra works nicely with motherboards from MSI Project Zero, Asus BTF, and Gigabyte Project Stealth ecosystems.

A PC case is just as important as any other hardware, so it's worth investing in a quality one. If these options don’t catch your eye, be sure to check out our Amazon Prime Day Best PC Case Deals 2025 hub for more fantastic deals on PC cases. Happy shopping!

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