Choosing a PC case is an extremely important matter, as practice shows that it will survive more than one upgrade of your components. The case is your personal technical temple, where the motherboard, processor, video card, and other electronic inhabitants will «live». Let’s take a look at eight PC cases that are suitable for all types of builds.
Selection criteria
Form factor
When choosing a case, you need to consider the motherboard form factor. It is important that the case matches its size. The most common options are ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX. Keep in mind that compact motherboards like Mini-ITX require smaller chassis, while ATX requires more space to accommodate additional components.
Ventilation and cooling
Cooling is one of the key aspects of choosing a case. Without adequate ventilation, your PC will become a source of infernal heat. Check the number and types of fans (at least 120 mm in size!) included in the package, as well as the possibility of installing additional fans or water cooling. For gaming builds, the case should have enough space to accommodate liquid cooling radiators (e.g. 240mm or 360mm).
Space for the video card and components
Before choosing a case, make sure it has enough space for all your components. Estimate the maximum length of your graphics card, the height of your CPU cooler, and the number of SSD or HDD slots. It is important that the system have enough space for powerful triple-slot graphics cards and tall tower coolers.
Materials and build quality
The technical characteristics of a case often depend on the materials it is made of. Choose models made of thick steel (there are few of them on the market and they command a steep price) or aluminum, as these materials ensure reliability and durability. Avoid cases made of thin tin, which can be easily damaged. These can be found in the lower price segment of the market.
Cable management
Tangled wires not only look unattractive, but can also negatively impact ventilation. Look for enclosures with a well-designed cable management system. This will keep things organized and improve airflow.
Design and lighting
Case design is a matter of taste, but don’t forget about functionality. Cases with RGB lighting add to the aesthetics, but remember that the lighting should not affect the cooling efficiency. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a strict look, choose a case without any unnecessary decorations.
Easy assembly and access to components
When assembling a PC, it’s important to make access to components as convenient as possible. If you have to disassemble the case every time you need to replace an SSD or upgrade a graphics card, it’s a sign of poor design.
Price and brand
Price — is always an important factor, but don’t skimp on the quality of the case. You should buy a proven model from brands that have proven themselves in the market, such as Cooler Master, Fractal Design, Thermaltake, or NZXT. Buying a case is a kind of investment, so invest wisely.
The best case for your gaming PC — Cooler Master HAF 700 EVO White
Cooler Master HAF 700 EVO White — Full-Tower chassis for those who are building a top-of-the-line system with extreme cooling. It supports E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards. The gigantic internal space allows you to install graphics cards up to 490mm, and there is room for cooling radiators up to 480mm on the front, top, and sides.
Ventilation is up to par: 2×120 mm ARGB fans on the front, 2×120 mm ARGB fans on the back, 1×120 mm ARGB fan on the bottom. Thanks to the dual air chambers, hot air is efficiently removed, and the system operates stably even under maximum load.
Vinga CS210B — a budget Midi-Tower chassis that offers practicality and functionality at a modest price. Motherboard support includes ATX, micro-ATX and mini-ITX formats.The front panel ports and connectors include two Mesozoic-era USB 2.0, one modern USB 3.2 Gen 1, and microphone and headphone jacks for easy access to peripherals.
Among the disadvantages are the limited number of drive bays, the lack of additional fans included, and the thin metal of the case (a problem for models in other price categories), which can affect the rigidity of the structure.
But in general, Vinga CS210B — a very basic but affordable case. It will suit a wide range of users for comfortable home use. The price tag is from 854 to 1,326 hryvnias.
The ultimate compact chassis — Deepcool CH370
Deepcool CH370 — a compact Mini-Tower chassis that is suitable for building powerful systems based on micro-ATX and mini-ITX motherboards. Its dimensions are 200 mm (width) × 360 mm (height) × 435 mm (depth).
Cooling is provided by the ability to install up to eight 120mm fans or four 140mm fans. It also supports the installation of a water cooling system with a radiator of up to 360 mm in the front, 240 mm on the top, and 120 mm on the rear.
There is a video card holder. Front panel ports include two USB 3.0 and a headphone/microphone combo jack.
On the downside, Deepcool CH370 requires additional fans for optimal cooling. Basic cooler — as basic as possible.
Deepcool CH370 makes a positive impression: it has a nice appearance, good airflow, and enough room to maneuver components. Its price starts from UAH 2,570 to 3,863.
The best case in terms of price/quality ratio — MSI MAG Forge M100R
MSI MAG Forge M100R — an enclosure that offers an excellent price-performance ratio. It should be familiar to our readers: the recent assembly overview with him. And we recently received it from the winner of the of the ITC competition.
Thanks to the Midi-Tower format, the case supports the installation of large graphics cards and powerful components without any difficulties. It provides enough space for up to 240mm of water cooling at the front, making it a flexible option for a variety of cooling systems.
Design MSI MAG Forge M100R supports up to five 120mm fans, which ensures good ventilation. Four ARGB fans are included, which adds to the aesthetics and improves airflow.
The sleek design is combined with good cable management and support for a variety of storage formats, including space for two 3.5″ and two 2.5″ drives. The front panel of the chassis is equipped with two USB 3.2 Gen1 ports and audio jacks for easy connection of peripherals
MSI MAG Forge M100R — it’s a great choice for those looking for a case with a modern design, efficient ventilation, and the ability to upgrade the system in the future. Currently, it costs from 2,599 to 3,161 UAH.
The best water cooling case — Lian Li V3000+
Lian Li V3000+ — the flagship chassis that offers the perfect solution for water-cooled systems. Thanks to its Full Tower format, it supports the installation of large graphics cards and powerful components without any restrictions. It provides ample space for water cooling with support for up to three radiators up to 480mm.
The chassis design allows you to install several large radiators at the same time and up to sixteen (!) 120mm fans, providing the maximum level of cooling.
Its modular design allows for flexible interior customization. Premium design Lian Li V3000+ The system combines smart cable management with support for a variety of drive formats, including space for eight 3.5″ and 2.5″ drives.
The front panel of the chassis is equipped with four USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A, two USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, a pair of 3.5mm audio jacks, and a manual backlight control.
Lian Li V3000+ — a good choice for those looking for a case with a modern design, powerful ventilation, and ample options for custom water cooling. It costs from 21,913 to 28,097 UAH.
The best silent case — Fractal Design Define 7 Mini
Fractal Design Define 7 Mini — an enclosure with excellent noise insulation and a stylish minimalist design. Thanks to its compact Mini Tower format, it is suitable for those looking for an efficient solution for a quiet and productive system.
The case is equipped with special noise-absorbing materials on the panels, which significantly reduces the noise level from fans and components. In addition, the design supports water cooling installations up to 280mm in the front or air coolers up to 167mm high.
Two fans are pre-installed on board: 1×140 mm on the front panel and 1×120 mm — on the rear panel. The front panel has ports: two USB 2.0, USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C, two USB 3.0, and a combined audio jack. Dust filters are removable, there are three in total.
Fractal Design Define 7 Mini — a great choice for those looking for a quiet, high-quality, and compact case for their system. Its price varies from 6,753 to 10,552 UAH.
The ultimate case for enthusiasts — Thermaltake Tower 900
Thermaltake Tower 900 — steel case that impresses with its unique vertical design and panoramic glass panels. Thanks to its large space, it is ideal for enthusiasts who want to build a custom system with water cooling or complex component configurations.
The case supports the installation of large SRO radiators (up to 560mm) and up to ten 120mm fans for maximum cooling. The internal space is organized in a way that allows you to easily hide cables, store drives and other system elements. There is room for multiple 3.5″ and 2.5″ drives, allowing you to create both gaming and professional builds.
Thanks to high-quality materials and thoughtful design, Thermaltake Tower 900 is the perfect choice for those who want to build a system with an individual design, efficient cooling and great customization options.
On the downside, it is worth noting the size and weight of the case, it requires a lot of space for itself. And despite its practicality, this case is not for everyone. Only true enthusiasts will be able to realize its potential.
Thermaltake Tower 900 — is a great choice for those who want to create a spectacular, powerful, and customized system with maximum wow effect. It costs from 11,891 to 14,387 UAH.
The best Mini-ITX case — Cooler Master NR200P MAX
Cooler Master NR200P MAX — MAX is a highly compact chassis that combines this with high functionality and efficient cooling. Its versatile design makes it ideal for those looking to build a powerful system in the Mini-ITX format.
The case supports the installation of graphics cards up to 336 mm. There is room for three 2.5″ drives and one 3.5″ drive, allowing you to organize ample storage space.
Includes body The V850 SFX GOLD comes with an 850W 80 Plus Gold certified power supply. In addition, the case is equipped with a water cooling system with a 280 mm radiator and two 140 mm SickleFlow PWM fans.
The water cooling unit is compatible with high-performance processors from Intel and AMD, and the connecting tubes are adapted to fit this platform, making installation quick and easy.
On the downside, there is limited space for large components, which can be a problem for those who want to install powerful graphics cards or coolers.
Cooler Master NR200P MAX — an excellent choice for those who want to build a compact, powerful, and efficient system in the Mini-ITX format without sacrificing performance and cooling. The price tag for it ranges from 13,776 to 17,673 UAH.
