If youre thinking about building or buying one of the best gaming PCs, you might want to consider grabbing one of the best PC cases.
Sure, they might not be as exciting as the best graphics cards, but all of those shiny and expensive components need to go somewhere right Why not put them in the best PC case you can find today.We know that next to CPUs or graphics cards, the best PC cases can seem kind of dull.
However, they can be a huge boon to your build, and a big contributing factor for future expansion.
And, when you consider the thermal benefits that the best PC cases have, you can really optimize your PCs performance in a big way.You probably already know that heat is bad for your PC hardware, but that doesnt mean that you shouldnt pay special attention to cooling when youre building your PC.
The best PC cases will mitigate the heat your PC components are exposed to which will make them perform better and last longer.
Getting one of the best PC cases is of utmost importance.One of the first things youll notice is that the market for the best PC cases is absolutely saturated with brand names and knockoffs.
Its truly stressful for anyone unfamiliar with PC hardware to navigate.
Fortunately, you can trust TechRadar to have your back, as weve made a list of the best PC cases weve had the chance to use over the last year, each striking a golden balance between price, performance and utility.
We tested them ourselves, so you can be confident that the best PC case for your needs is here on this list.Cooler Master Cosmos C700PThe best full-tower PC caseForm factor: Full-tower | Dimensions: 639 x 306 x 651mm (L x W x H; 25.2 x 12 x 25.6 inches) | Mobo compatibility: Mini-ITX, Micro ATX, ATX, E-ATX (12 x 11 inches) | PSU support: Bottom mount, ATX PS2 | I/O: USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C x 1, USB 3.0 x 4, fan speed and RGB control buttons, audio in/out (supports HD Audio) | Includes: 2 x 140mm front fans, 1 x 140mm rear fanPhysically controlled RGBUniversal, multi-orientation designComically heavyControversial frame railsThe Cooler Master Cosmos C700P looks at portability and simply scoffs.
This 22kg (or 48.5 lbs) behemoth isnt exactly the most lightweight case on the block.
Dont take the lack of portability to mean that the Cosmos C700P isnt a great case, it is, but it just means that, if you want to carry it around, youll have to take advantage of the upper rails.
Still, despite its thickness, the C700P is flexible and beautiful, thanks to Cooler Masters decision to implement full RGB lighting and support for six different system orientations.Fractal Design Meshify-CThe best mid-tower PC caseForm factor: Mid-tower | Dimensions: 395 x 212 x 440mm (L x W x H; 15.6 x 8.3 x 17.3) | PSU support: ATX | I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x HD audio in/out, power button, reset button | Includes: 2 x Dynamic X2 GP-12Freshly designed in multiple waysReasonable priceUSB 3.0 cable is too short FrontPSU dust filter is hard to removeIt is extremely rare to see any PC case that even vaguely resembles the Fractal Design Meshify-C.
Given that the front of the case is entirely made of a mesh material sectioned off into an array of polygonal shapes, the Meshify-C has a unique style without compromising on function.
With two fans pre-installed, cooling is (forgive us) a breeze, even if the Meshify-C is held back by a number of obstacles.Nanoxia Deep Silence 4The best Micro ATX PC caseForm factor: Small form factor | Dimensions: 380 x 200 x 480mm (W x H x D; 15 x 7.9 x 18.9 inches) | PSU support: ATX | I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, HD audio in/out, power button, reset button, two-channel fan control | Includes: 2 x 120mm fans, 2 x modular HDD cages for up to five hard drivesLow-noiseOnboard dual-zone fan controlsNot many extrasNanoxia Deep Silence 4, as its name suggests, was crafted with the sole purpose of being quiet as a mouse.
This silence-focused case is a well-balanced Micro ATX case thats affordably priced and even accommodates some of the biggest, most powerful graphics cards with its spacious interior.
The fact that youll rarely hear it go above 30 decibels is just icing on the very taciturn cake.
This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing.
Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Phanteks Evolv Shift X.NZXT H200iForm factor: Small form factor | Dimensions: 210 x 349 x 372mm (8.3 x 13.7 x 14.6) | Mobo compatibility: Mini-ITX | PSU support: ATX | I/O: 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 1 x audio/mic, 3 x fan channels with max 10W per channel output, 1 x RGB LED port support up to 4 x HUE + LED strips or 5 x Aer RGB fans | Includes: 1 x Aer F120 Case Version top fan, 1 x Aer F120 Case Version rear fanBuilt-in Smart Device RGB controlAdaptive noise reductionUgly color optionsMini-ITX is ever so slowly getting closer and closer to finally toppling the now seemingly ancient Micro-ATX form factor, so, it only makes sense that this hot form factor has made its way into NZXTs new H series case lineup.
And unbelievably enough, NZXT has managed to incorporate a lot of the same features as its Micro ATX and mid-tower equivalents, with mesmerising, built-in and Smart Device-controlled RGB lighting and an adaptive noise sensor that sees improvement only by way of the Grid+ V3 fan controller.Phanteks Evolv Shift XThe best home theater PC caseForm factor: Small form factor | Dimensions: 170 x 650 x 274mm (W x H x D; 6.7 x 26.1 x 10.8 inches) | Mobo compatibility: Mini-ITX | PSU support: SFX, SFX-L, ATX (160mm max) | I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, power button, RGB button | Includes: 2 x 140mm fan, 1 x power supply cover, 1 x pump bracket, 2 x SSD bracket, 1 x PCIe x16 Riser cable, 1 x 8-pin CPU extension cablePlenty of room for beefy componentsOne-of-a-kind aestheticMassive for Mini-ITXWhen you first look at it, the Phanteks Evolv Shift X appears more like a sound bar than a PC case, but this helps it vanish into any living area or studio setup.
Its flexible to the point that it looks natural placed under a TV just as it does atop a desk, next to an equally high-end monitor.
It may only be compatible with Mini-ITX mobos, which seems crazy given its size but the Phanteks Evolv Shift X offers tons of space for components and liquid-cooled loops.
If this case is a little too large for your preference, theres also the more manageable and smaller Phanteks Evolv Shift.
Fractal Design Define R5Form factor: Mid-tower | Dimensions: 232 x 451 x 521mm (W x H x D; 232 x 451 x 521 inches) | PSU support: ATX | I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, audio in/out, power button with LED, HDD activity LED, reset button | Includes: 2 x Fractal Design Dynamic GP14 140mm fans, velcro strapsUser-friendly (and handsome) designAffordable priceDefinitely not tool-lessFractal Design has scored a second entry on this list, and they deserve it.
The Define R5 is yet another mid-tower case exhibiting a beautiful style.
The metallic and blue LED-lit face of the case is simple, yet elegant, and is accompanied by noise dampening materials throughout its interior.
In spite of the detachable ModuVent panels and drive trays not being tool-lessly accessible, the Fractal Design Define R5 is otherwise painless to build a computer inside of.
Not only that, but its not as expensive as you would expect from a PC case with such a pretentious name either.Cooler Master H500P MeshThe best high airflow caseForm factor: Full-tower | Dimensions: 544 x 242 x 542mm (L x W x H; 21.4 x 9.5 x 21.3 inches) | Mobo compatibility: Mini-ITX, Micro ATX, ATX, E-ATX (12 x 10.7 inches) | PSU support: Bottom mount, ATX PS2 | I/O: USB 3.0 x2, USB 2.0 x2, Audio in out (supports HD audio) | Includes: 2x 200 x 25mm RGB fan, 1x 140 x 25mm fanGreat airflowGorgeous RGB lightingNot as big as other full towersCooler Master has made a name for itself for, well, cooling and the Cooler Master H500P Mesh is further evidence of just how cool they are.
The H500P has plenty of space for airflow, even accommodating up to 360mm radiators on the top and front for when you really want to take your cooling to the next level.
Add on top of that the RGB lighting and tempered glass side panel and you have the potential to build something beautiful with this case.
You should do it.Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-04 Tempered Glass Form factor: Mid-tower | Dimensions: 492 x 201 x 433mm (L x W x H; 19.4 x 7.9 x 17 inches) | PSU support: ATX | I/O: 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x headphone port, 1 x microphone port, power on button, reset button | Includes: 1 x 120mm LED front fanAttractive priceVery aestheticOnly includes 1 case fanIf youre looking to save a few bucks, while still getting one of the best PC cases, look no further than the Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-04 Tempered Glass.
Not only does it have plenty of space for airflow, it also has a deceptively large amount of space for future expansion, meaning that even at this low price point, you wont have to worry about fitting a full-sized graphics card.
And, when youre done building, the tempered glass side panel will allow you to show off your handiwork.Antec CubeForm factor: Small form factor | Dimensions: 365 x 250 x 460mm (H x W x D; 14.4 x 9.8 x 18.1 inches) | PSU support: ATX | I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, I/O button, audio in/out | Includes: 1 x 120mm rear exhaust fan mountAmple space for power and coolingIntegrated fan controllerWildly expensiveLess than satisfactory performanceThis case is for everyone who loves Razer.
While Razers PC manufacturing has been limited to the Razer Blade (which we love), it doesnt manufacture its own desktop PCs.
However, Razer has partnered with Antec to add its signature green-infused flare to the Antec Cube, a small form-factor chassis that supports Mini-ITX motherboards and is, well, a cube.
Complete with a deceptively high amount of space for future expansion, the Antec Cube is also compact enough to travel with.Phanteks Enthoo EliteThe best dual-system PC caseForm factor: Full-tower | Dimensions: 270 x 750 x 615mm (W x H x D; 10.6 x 29.5 x 24.2 inches) | PSU support: E-ATX | I/O: 4 x USB 3.0, 2 x Mic, 2 x Headphone, 2 x Reset button, RGB control wheel, HDMI 2.0, USB 3.1 Type-C | Includes: 5 x Premium 140mm fansCompatible with any motherboardDual-system compatibleVery expensiveTheres a certain sect of the PC enthusiast crowd that will spare no expense for the latest and greatest equipment, and thats the crowd Phanteks is appealing to with the Enthoo Elite.
There isnt a single component of this case that cant be moved around to optimize your build you can even configure it to support an entire second system on an Mini-ITX board.
This is an extremely expensive chassis, but if youre looking to build an ultimate dream machine, youre definitely going to want to look at this case.9xTBfjYeT768Cadmz5AmAE.jpg#