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Fractal Design Define S2 VisionBest High-End ATX
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- Type
- Mid-Tower ATX
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- Motherboard Support
- Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX
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- Card Length
- 17.32" (440mm)
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- Storage Support
- (3) 3.5", (2) 2.5"
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- Fans Included
- (4) 140mm Prisma AL-14 ARGB
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be quiet! Silent Base 601Best Mid-Range ATX
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- Type
- Mid-Tower ATX
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- Motherboard Support
- Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX
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- Card Length
- 17.6" (449mm) w/o HDD cage
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- Storage Support
- Fan Controller
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- Fans Included
- (2) 140mm
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Riotoro CR500 TGBest Budget ATX
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- Type
- Mid Tower
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- Motherboard Support
- ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX
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- Card Length
- 320mm
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- Storage Support
- (2) 3.5” (2) 2.5”
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- Fans Included
- (2) 120mm LED, (1) 120mm
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NZXT H400iBest MicroATX
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- Type
- Mini Tower
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- Motherboard Support
- Micro-ATX / Mini-ITX
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- Card Length
- 16.2" (411mm)
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- Storage Support
- (1) 3.5", (4) 2.5"
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- Fans Included
- (3) 120mm
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NZXT H200iBest Mini-ITX
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- Type
- Mini Tower
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- Motherboard Support
- Mini-ITX
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- Card Length
- 12.8" (325mm)
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- Storage Support
- (1) 3.5", (4) 2.5"
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- Fans Included
- (2) 120mm
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Cooler Master Cosmos C700MBest High-End Showcase PC Case
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- Type
- Full Tower
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- Motherboard Support
- Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX
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- Card Length
- 19.3" (490mm)
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- Storage Support
- (5) 3.5” (4) 2.5”
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- Fans Included
- (4) 140mm
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be quiet! Dark Base 700Best XL/EATX
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- Type
- Mid Tower
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- Motherboard Support
- E-ATX, ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX
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- Card Length
- up to 430mm
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- Storage Support
- (7) 3.5", (9) 2.5"
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- Fans Included
- (2) 140mm
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There's far more to consider than attractive looks when choosing a case. Good airflow is key when it comes to keeping your components cool, and noise levels can be affected by everything from the number and type of fans you use to the shape of the fan mounts. Size is also important. You need a case that's big enough to accept the components you have today, as well as what you might want to add in the future.
Choose the right case and it could serve you well through multiple PC builds, thus saving you hundreds of dollars. Pick one that you don't really like to look at, or that doesn't fit the GPU you decide you want a few months down the line, and you might be looking to replace it before that new case smell starts to fade. But with hundreds of available options, from closet-like EATX chassis to tiny sub-shoebox-size Mini-ITX models, where do you start? You're in the right place.
Quick Shopping Tips
- Figure out what parts you have/want first. Aesthetics are important, but before you get to that, you’ll want to know what motherboard, graphics card, and cooler you’ll be using, plus how many drives you’ll want to install. This will dictate the size and shape of the cases you should be considering.
- You probably don’t need a huge tower. Multi-card setups seem to be on the wane, storage is always getting denser (plus with an M.2 SSD, your SSD is physically smaller than ever), and coolers are getting more efficient. So unless you are building a component-packed workstation or you just like the looks and upgradability of a full-sized tower, something smaller will probably serve you well.
- Cooling is key, especially in small cases or with lots of components. Airflow is important, especially when it comes to high-end components in tight spaces. Check our cooler reviews for our cooling test results before buying, and remember that cases with tempered-glass fronts and tops often restrict airflow and may require additional fans.
- Tiny cases are tougher to build in. This is especially important if you’re a novice builder, but even veterans can find it tough to fit components in a small Mini-ITX chassis. There’s no doubt that compact builds with powerful parts are impressive and space-saving. But remember to set aside extra time and patience—and double-check those key component dimensions—before attempting to build a tiny PC.
- Choose a chassis that you like to look at. Unless you don’t care about aesthetics at all and are going to be shove your new system far under your desk, your case is likely to spend lots of time in your peripheral vision. Don’t forget to check airflow and that your parts will fit. But after that, find something that appeals to you visually, whether that be a glass-enclosed rainbow of RGB LEDs, or a simple black box with smooth lines and lots of top-mounted USB ports. There are tons of case options out there. You should take the time to find one that appeals to you visually.
Best PC Cases of 2019
1. Fractal Design Define S2 Vision
Best High-End ATX Case
Rating: 4.5/5 (Editor's Choice)
Type: Mid-Tower ATX | Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX | Card Length Supported: 440mm (17.32 inches) | Storage Support: (3) 3.5", (2) 2.5" | Included Fans: (4) 140mm Prisma AL-14 ARGB Fans,
Pros: Great thermal performance • Very good acoustic performance • ARGB lighting strip • Four ARGB lit fans • Great styling •USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port • Interchangeable tempered-glass or ventilated top panel
Cons: Higher than average pricing • Front filters request the removal of the entire panel
Read Review: Fractal Design Define S2 Vision
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2. be quiet! Silent Base 601
Best Mid-Range ATX Case
Rating: 4/5 (Editor's Choice)
Type: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX (E-ATX support up to 12 x 10.7 inches) | Card Length Supported: 449mm (17.6 inches) without HDD cage | Storage Support: (3) 3.5” (+ 4x optional) (6) 2.5” (+ 8x optional) | Included Fans: (2) 140mm
Pros: Very quiet at idle / daily desktop use • Great dust filtrationBuild quality • Easily accommodates large system components
Cons: Poor thermal performance under load • Higher-than-expected acoustics under load • No USB Type-C
The Silent Base 601 isn’t perfect. But solid design, great features and quality craftsmanship make this ATX case an excellent option, so long as you're okay with the absence of tempered glass (in the base model) and RGB lighting. It’s extremely quiet in most use cases, has excellent dust filtering, and is roomy enough for large components.
Read Review: be quiet! Silent Base 601
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3. Riotoro CR500 TG
Best Budget ATX Case
Rating: 4/5 (Editor's Choice)
Type: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX | Card Length Supported: 320mm (12.6 inches) | Storage Support: (2) 3.5” (2) 2.5” | Included Fans: (2) 120mm LED, (1) 120mm
Pros: Great price • Tempered glass side pane • Good fit, finish and performance • Great looks
Cons: Not a true dual-chamber design • Case uses expansion slot knock-outs
The Riotoro CR500 is a great-looking chassis with compelling features and solid performance. Buyers looking for a stylish base to house their entry-level hardware will find good value here, despite a few drawbacks.
A tempered-glass side panel, good acoustic and thermal performance, and three 120mm fans are included, two of which feature red LED lighting. Overall, this is a great chassis for not a lot of money.
Read Review: Riotoro CR500 TG
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4. NZXT H400i
Best MicroATX Case
Rating: 4/5 (Editor's Choice)
Type: Mini Tower | Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX | Card Length Supported: 411mm (16.2 inches) | Storage Support: (1) 3.5", (4) 2.5" | Included Fans: (3) 120mm
Pros: Good-looking tempered-glass design • Strong thermal performance • Included RGB lighting and fan control • Reasonable price
Cons: Slightly noisy at full fan speed • No front-panel USB-C ports
Excellent performance, good-looking design, included RGB and fan control, and competitive price tag come together to make the H400i an excellent choice for MicroATX builders. The case gets a little noisy with fans running at top speed, and there’s no USB-C ports on the front panel. But if those shortcomings sound reasonable to you and your motherboard is smaller than full-size ATX, this case should be on your short list.
Read Review: NZXT H400i
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5. NZXT H200i
Best Mini-ITX Case
Rating: 4/5 (Editor's Choice)
Type: Mini Tower | Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX | Card Length Supported: 325mm (12.8 inches) | Storage Support: (1) 3.5", (4) 2.5" | Included Fans: (2) 120mm
Pros: Good looking tempered glass and steel design • Strong thermal performance • Included RGB lighting and fan control • Reasonable price
Cons: Top fan placement may conflict with some configurations •Slightly noisy at full fan speed • No front panel USB-C ports
Despite its small size, the H200i the commands a strong lead in our thermal benchmark, running several degrees cooler than competing chassis. Its $130 price tag isn’t cheap, but it’s one of the best-performing Mini-ITX cases we tested in well over two years.
The H200i’s strong performance-per-dollar value, coupled with its good-looking steel and tempered glass design and its included RGB lighting and fan control make it an excellent product for those considering a compact build.
Read Review: NZXT H200i
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6. Cooler Master Cosmos C700M
Best High-End Showcase PC Case
Rating: 4.5/5 (Editor's Choice)
Type: Full Tower | Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, (E-ATX support up to 12 x 10.7 inches) | Card Length Supported: 490mm (19.3 inches) | Storage Support: (5) 3.5” (4) 2.5” (+ 5x converted from 3.5) | Included Fans: (4) 140mm
Pros: Excellent thermal performance, liquid cooling support and cable management• Quiet under full load • Expandability • Modular design allows for a variety of configurations • USB-C port • Multiple GPU configurations • Includes GPU riser cable and four 140mm fans
Cons: Price • Heavy • Requires two USB 3.0 headers or a 20-pin splitter cable for all four front panel USB 3.0 ports • Reconfiguring the motherboard layout may be tough for beginners
You couldn't ask for a more full-featured, future-proof chassis than the Cooler Master Cosmos C700M. Even with the higher than average price tag, the case's thermal performance, integrated ARGB lighting, multi-layout design and laundry list of features definitely justifies the asking price.
Not everyone can or should spend $440 on a case, but but this is a specialized, high-end chassis specifically built for enthusiasts willing to spend their hard earned money to have the best. And make no mistake about it, the Cooler Master Cosmos C700M is one of the best.
Read Review: Cooler Master Cosmos C700M
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7. be quiet! Dark Base 700
Best XL/EATX Case
Rating: 4.5/5 (Editor's Choice)
Type: Mid Tower | Motherboard Support: E-ATX, ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX | Card Length Supported: 286mm (11.2 inches)/430mm (16.9 inches with HD cage removed)| Storage Support: (7) 3.5, (9) 2.5" | Included Fans: (2) 140mm
Pros: Good thermal performance • Great looking chassis • Embedded lighting • Tempered-glass side panel • Low noise • Excellent filtration system
Cons: Price • Only two 140mm fans (three would be ideal at this price)
The be quiet! Dark Base 700 is in a class of its own. At first glance it may seem like just another case with a tempered-glass side panel. But upon further inspection, it’s clear how much time and effort went into the design. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more versatile, high-performance enclosure.
It’s clear that be quiet! put a great deal of thought into the design of this chassis’ filtration system. Every intake fan mounting location in the Dark Base 700 is equipped with a washable nylon fan filter. Gaining access to filters requires removing the front panel, but even though the front and bottom filters are extremely long, maintenance and cleaning is a snap.
Read Review: be quiet! Dark Base 700
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But you still have the pc o11 air and Lan cool one to test! Reviews for the lancool one digital asap plz!
I had the Lian Li A20. It was an expensive beast, and a damn good case, but i find Fractal Design's cases to be more practical, same build quality - if not better, and definitely quieter.
The thin aluminium of the Lian Li was prone to vibration.
It's a legacy name thing from a time when your CRT monitor sat upon a PC case that was designed to be laid flat & sit on a desk. It then served as a distinction between laptops & other equipment.
If you have your mid-tower case on your desk you are doing it wrong.
Its noisier and it eats up valuable desk real estate. Its a big stupid box on a desk - F it off.
'But how else can we look at the purty lights?!' they might ask. That's where it all went wrong.
It's not about seeing it, it's about seeing it presented in a fashionable manner. It's sort of like a museum. Every piece of artwork is framed, has special lighting on it, there is a lot that goes into taking something and putting it inside of a case for viewing and making it look, for lack of a better word, cool.
Why TG? Why not. It's really no more of an insulator than giant plastic side panels or even the sheet metal sides used in more premium cases. It does allow for better visibility of the interior and is far less prone to scratching than acrylic. It also does not cloud over like acrylics can with age and heat.
Personally, a heavy case is a bonus to me, lightweight cases in a tower design on a desktop just feel flimsy and are prone to knock-overs by cats or ppl not watching where they are going. A solid, heavy case goes nowhere, no matter how hard you slam the vacuum into the desk.
There's been all kinds of pc's built in open air, even the ones designed to hang on the wall like a picture, just a little glass in front to protect from direct contact. They have one thing in common. The owners spend more time cleaning out the dust than they do gaming or using the pc. A case does a lot more than be a box designed to hold the components, it's also for protection of the components from outside abuse (like when the cat jumps up on the desk, or your 3 yr old discovers she can throw dolls) and they also protect the components from excessive, immediate dust. Pull the side panel off if you want to, just invest in multiple cans of compressed air, your cleaning regimen will go from every few months to every couple of days.
What's ironic, though, about top-mounted USB ports is that dust in the air will naturally settle into those top-facing ports. Probably most, if not all, of those top-facing ports don't have dust covers either.
I like Phanteks' cases that have side-facing USB ports. It shouldn't get too much dust, it won't stick out the front, and it's usually easy to access whether the case is on your desktop or floor.
Article was a little confusing though after reading the op statement. Still trying to figure out how "and most sell for less than $100" fits into all that when all but 1 case was over $100 by a decent margin.
If that means they pay double wages (but in Canadian dollars) that's excellent, otherwise it's the opposite.
I like most Fractal Design cases quite a bit. Good value, solid build quality, excellent layouts. I mean all of the major case vendors have good and not-so-good designs, but I like what I've seen from most of the Fractal lineup. Especially the Define series. Not a big fan of NZXT cases for the most part.
"Given this chassis’ solid thermal performance and respectable noise levels, the asking price of $60 seems like a bargain to us. "
Steven simply hasn't yet found a case to replace it in that position after the price went up.
+1 My exact thought. In my opinion Phanteks makes the best higher end cases for the money. Really should take a look at the Enthoo EVOLV X glass it has a wonderful mix of cooling, space, good layout, even rgb if you like and its quiet.
Oh for sure. I just built a PC in an Enthoo Pro M and have been extremely pleased with the end result. For $100 this case can't be beat currently and it is a beauty to look at.