The Best Mini-ITX PC Cases for 2022

Mini-ITX cases are great for several reasons. First of all, they look absolutely awesome. Being small and compact, mini-ITX cases can perfectly blend into your home or working environment. You can easily fit them in small and tight spaces, and they look great near your gaming TV. They are also small enough to be held on the desk, so there is no more need for bending down to plug in your USB stick to your computer placed on the floor. Also, mini-ITX cases make perfect homes for media center devices, which means you can enjoy all the features of a desktop PC in a small package.

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Second reason why mini-ITX cases are better than standard micro-ATX or medium tower PC cases is that they can house powerful PC components without having the need to consume too much space. Most mini-ITX cases nowadays can house latest high-end graphics cards and multi-core processors, and they can also accommodate extremely quiet PC builds thanks to the liquid cooling solutions.

Adding RGB lightning to these small boxes can make them even more attractive, which is perfect for building stylish and minimalistic gaming PCs. However, mini-ITX cases come with their own set of issues. Firstly, they can be difficult to assemble, as there is little room in them to provide enough space for all components to fit perfectly. Performing adequate cable management in these cases can be also very tricky, as it’s not easy to build a perfectly neat and tidy PC in a such small environment.

When building a mini-ITX computer, you can also forget about having multiple graphics cards, or stacks of hard drives. Almost all mini-ITX cases can house only one graphics card, and up to two or three 2.5″ drives. Mini-ITX cases also don’t provide very good airflow, which means it’s best to invest in a high-quality AIO liquid coolers in order to ensure maximum cooling performance.

Despite the fact that mini-ITX PC builds can be very challenging to assemble, the final feeling of seeing a such machine running is an extremely rewarding experience. This way it’s best to thoroughly plan the whole assembly process in advance, just in case you don’t find yourself regretting any hasty decisions. Having all said in mind, now is the time to check out the best mini-ITX cases you can get in 2022. Take a look, and decide which ones you like the most.

Best Overall: NZXT H210i

The NZXT H210i is basically a smaller variant of well-known H710i mid-tower PC case. Like its bigger brother, this slim 27-liter mini-ITX case features full tempered-glass panel, NZXT’s smart hub, two pre-installed fans, and one RGB LED strip. At the front of the case you can find a USB Type-C connector, as well as one USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-A connector, and headset audio jack.

The H210i is without a doubt one of the best mini-ITX cases since its design enables you to easily install various PC components without too much hassle. This case features removable radiator mounting bracket, as well as NZXT’s patented cable management system which greatly helps in managing multiple cables going around your PC case. Despite being small, this case can house up to two 120 mm radiators, or one 240 mm radiator. GPU clearance specification of this case is also great, as it allows you to install even the lengthiest GeForce RTX 3080 graphics cards without too much trouble. The NZXT’s CAM software does a great job in monitoring components’ temperatures, and enables you to easily customize case’s internal RGB lighting.

This case, however, does have a couple of things we don’t like. First of all, it has no reset button, which can be quite inconvenient in situations where you have to troubleshoot hardware problems, or install operating systems. Secondly, installation of the tempered glass panel can be frustrating, as it’s prone to falling off until you screw it down. And finally, cable management can be very frustrating if you aren’t using a modular power supply unit. Other than these small issues, the NZXT H210i is the best mini-ITX case which will be the most appealing to users who want to build a small and powerful gaming machine.

Best Open-Air: Antec STRIKER

Antec STRIKER is a stunning mini-ITX PC case, primarily designed for custom water-cooling gamers. Featuring irregular shape, with unique form and innovative structure, this PC case will suit the needs of experienced modders, as well as newcomers to DIY PC community who wish to build an attractive-looking gaming computer. The Antec STRIKER is an open-air PC case which features front-placed GPU design, multiple tempered-glass panels, and robust structure made of aluminium and steel.

Since graphics cards are mounted at the front of this PC case, the Antec STRIKER also features fully adjustable GPU rack which can be moved up or down in order to house graphics cards of different lengths. Being an open-air case, the Antec STRIKER provides great airflow competent enough to cool even the hottest components, and if that is not enough, you can always install up to two 240 mm radiators for achieving ultimate liquid cooling performance. Despite being designed for ITX motherboards, this case is also spacious enough to accommodate multiple 120 mm or 240 mm fans, as well as graphics cards that measure up to 330 mm in length.

Overall, the Antec STRIKER is one of the visually most exotic mini-ITX cases currently available on the market. This case, however, isn’t very well suited for beginners. Cable management is quit challenging, front I/O panel could be more accessible and distance between tempered-glass panels is a bit too wide. Despite its flaws, the unique design of this case will blow everyone away, so if that’s your goal, then the Antec STRIKER is a way to go.

Best Compact: ASUS ROG Z11

The ASUS ROG Z11 is probably one the coolest-looking compact mini-ITX PC cases out there. It features sleek and stylish look that rises above competition, and it empowers its users to showcase powerful and compact PC builds. The case can also boast with great flexibility and connectivity, and it features patented 11° tilt design which provides optimized airflow and heat dissipation.

The case can accommodate graphics cards that measure up to 320 mm, which is quite impressive for such a compact PC case. The Z11 also offers ample space for installing custom liquid cooling loop, which fans of water cooling will surely appreciate. You can also install up to four 2.5″ drives in it, and up to one 3.5″ drive, which should be more than enough to satisfy all storage space needs. The Z11 can also boast with rich front panel, which features two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.2 ports, and one USB Type-C port.

Like many other premium PC cases, this one also comes with removable dust filters, ARGB control button, RGB lighting sync support, and extra space for proper cable management. The case can also be used in vertical or horizontal position. Overall, this is a beautiful and premium-looking PC case, which will make your friends envy you.

Best Portability: Lian Li TU150WX

Although Lian Li TU150WX PC case was primarily designed for content creators, this is also a great case for competitive hardcore gamers who like to carry their PCs on different LAN parties or tournaments. The TU150WX features elegant and minimalistic design with tempered-glass side panel, and housing made of brushed aluminium. This case supports both mini-ITX and mini-DTX motherboard, and can house dual-slot high-end graphics cards.

Special thing about this case is that it features retractable magnetic handle which makes this case extremely easy to carry around. The handle can be tuck seamlessly into the top panel, so that it doesn’t weirdly protrude out of the case. The 3.0 mm tempered glass side panel can be easily clipped into the case with Lian Li’s push pin screw-free technology, while the “attic” compartment located at the top can be used for efficient cable management. The TU150WX can accommodate one AIO liquid cooling solution, and is able to provide enough CPU clearance for the installation of a high-end air cooler. With plenty of room, easy cable management and rich front I/O panel that features USB 3.1 Type-C Gen2 connector, the Lian Li TU150WX is a perfect mini-ITX case for professionals, and gamers alike.

Like all the other cases, the TU150WX also has its flaws. This case has very limited fan and radiator options, and is not very well suited for liquid cooling configurations. The noise dampening of this case is also not great, and there is no filter on the bottom intake. Despite its flaws, this is a very mobile ITX case which will be the most appealing to users who like to carry their PCs around quite often.

Best Budget: SilverStone SG13

Weighing only 2,45 kilograms, the SilverStone SG13 is not only one of the lightest mini-ITX cases, but is also one of the cheapest. Designed to fit components for general purpose and office builds, SilverStone SG13 is also an ideal mini-ITX case for building a home theatre PC. The SG13 can easily house standard ATX power supply, 140 mm AIO liquid cooler, and 270 mm long graphics card, which is great for producing amazingly small and powerful systems on a tight budget.

The SilverStone SG13 allows you to install two 2.5-inch SSDs, or one 3.5-inch hard drive in a combination with one SSD. Besides being compatible with mini-ITX motherboards, this case also supports mini-DTX motherboards, and has an elevated standoff for motherboard back side components. The front I/O panel on this case features two USB 3.0 ports, one microphone port, and one HD audio port. This case also comes in two different variants, each featuring different swappable front panels – one with metal mesh, and one with classic brushed style. The metal mesh front panel features removable filter for performance oriented builds, while the classic brushed panel comes with side intakes for quieter builds. Finally, the whole case is only 285 mm long, which means it will perfectly fit into any kind of environment due to its compact size and unobtrusive looks.

The major flaw of this case is its hard drive cage, which gets in a way of a graphics card, or even AIO liquid cooler, provided that you install one. Also, the CPU clearance specification of this case is very unimpressive given its size, so you’ll either have to get low-profile CPU cooler, or go with a liquid cooling solution. Finally, the build quality of this case is quite mediocre, so don’t be surprised if you distort the side panels too much in case you decide to drill a few extra mounting holes.

Conclusion

Compared to the standard PC cases, the mini-ITX cases are much smaller, consume less space, and visually look very attractive. They are also extremely portable, as you can easily carry them around. Unfortunately, mini-ITX PC builds can be difficult to assemble, so it’s necessary to plan the whole process thoroughly in advance. However, the satisfaction of building a mini-ITX PC is absolutely great. In short, if you like challenges, you’ll certainly like building a mini-ITX PC. We hope our buying guide helped you in search for the information you were looking for. If you still feel confused, and need advice about buying, feel free to post comment below. We will try to help you.

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