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A computer case is a “box” which houses all of the internal components of your desktop PC. Computer cases come in various shapes and sizes. Some of them are plain simple, while others have staggering visual design, and come with a wide variety of different features, such as RGB lighting, full liquid cooling support, and even built-in fan controllers and CPU temperature displays.
Read more: The Best Mini-ITX PC Cases of 2021
When choosing a PC case for your next gaming or office build, make sure that there is enough physical space inside it for the selected computer components. A full-size PC case can accommodate huge E-ATX motherboard, while most mid-tower cases offer enough room to install standard ATX or microATX boards. If you plan to build a small gaming computer, then you’ll need to get a case that supports mini-ITX motherboards. Most of these cases don’t offer enough GPU clearance to accommodate long graphics card, so you’ll also have to find a suitably long GPU.
Massive big tower cases are often bulky and too heavy to move, but offer great support for building custom liquid cooling loops. These days most PC cases feature tempered-glass side panels, thus enabling you to easily see what’s inside your computer, and also feature improved layouts for efficient cable management. High-quality cases offer better construction materials, and also offer better solutions to various building problems, such as ventilation, and convenient placement of hard drives.
Once you decide which PC case better suits your need, the fun part happens next. From installing custom coolers, to adding RGB lighting, and PC fans, the computer assembly process is able to offer limitless possibilities. Here are our top picks for the best PC cases in 2021. Take a look, and decide which one you like more.
Best Full Tower:
Cooler Master Cosmos C700P
Best Mid-Tower:
NZXT H710i
Best Micro-ATX:
Phanteks Evolv mATX
Best Mini-ATX:
NZXT H200i
Best Budget Case:
Phanteks Eclipse P300A
Best Dual System Case:
Corsair Obsidian 1000D
Best HTPC Case:
Fractal Design Node 202
Best Silent Case:
Fractal Design Define R5
Best for Liquid Cooling:
Lian-Li PC-011 Dynamic
Best Showcase:
Thermaltake Tower 900 Black Edition
Best Full Tower: Cooler Master Cosmos C700P
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATX |
| Color Pallettes | Gun Metal, Black |
| Dimensions & Weight | 639 x 306 x 651 mm, 22.2 kg |
| Drive Bays | 1 x 5.25″, 2 x 2.5″, 2 x 3.5″ |
| Radiator Support | Up to 420 mm |
| Fan Support | Up to 10 x 140 mm |
| GPU Clearance | Up to 490 mm |
| CPU Cooler Clearance | Up to 198 mm |
| Front Panel | 1 x USB 3.0 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C 1 x Audio In & Out 1 x RGB Control Buttons 1 x Fan Speed Control |
- Stunning looks
- Integrated RGB lighting
- Very spacious
- Adjustable layout
- Very heavy
- Front panel USB ports require separate headers
The Cooler Master Cosmos C700P is a truly monstrous PC case. It weighs around 22 kg, and it stretches 65 cm (25 inches) in length. Despite its bulky appearance, it is an extraordinary crafted PC case that comes with lots of useful features. The Comos C700P can boast with subtle in-built RGB lighting, beautiful top handlebars, dual-curved tempered glass side panels, and highly flexible inner layout. It can accommodate E-ATX motherboards, up to four liquid cooling radiators, and up to ten PC case fans. Although it costs a lot, it is well worth the price, and it packs everything you’ll need to create a stunning gaming PC
Best Mid-Tower: NZXT H710i
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATX |
| Color Pallettes | Matte White, Matte Black, Matte Black & Red |
| Dimensions & Weight | 230 x 516 x 494 mm, 12.3 kg |
| Drive Bays | 7 x 2.5″, 2+2 x 3.5″ |
| Radiator Support | Up to 140 mm |
| Fan Support | Up to 7 x 140 mm |
| GPU Clearance | Up to 413 mm |
| CPU Cooler Clearance | Up to 185 mm |
| Front Panel | 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A 1 x Headset Audio Jack |
- Sleek and elegant design
- Great cooling performance
- Powerful RGB lighting software
- User-friendly assembly solutions
- Great acoustics
- Few front panel ports
- No restart button
The NZXT H710i is the most spacious model in NZXT’s H series of PC enclosures. It features clean and elegant design, patented cable management system, removable radiator mounting brackets, easy-to-use drive trays, and two fully customizable LED strips. The H710i also comes with a front panel USB 3.1 Type-C connector, and features a built-in Smart Device V2 microprocessor that allows you to regulate PWM fans, and synchronize RGB lighting among your internal PC components. Overall, the NZXT H710i is an attractive mid-tower PC case that offers very user-friendly assembly solutions, and is well suited for both advanced and inexperienced PC builders.
Best Micro-ATX: Phanteks Evolv mATX
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX, MicroATX |
| Color Pallettes | Satin Black, Anthracite Gray, Galaxy Silver |
| Dimensions & Weight | 230 x 453 x 400 mm, 10.0 kg |
| Drive Bays | 2 x 2.5″, 2 x 3.5″ |
| Radiator Support | Up to 360 mm |
| Fan Support | Up to 5 x 140 mm |
| GPU Clearance | Up to 319 mm |
| CPU Cooler Clearance | Up to 192 mm |
| Front Panel | 2 x USB 3.0 1 x HD Audio 1 x RGB Control |
- High-quality materials
- Great liquid cooling potential
- Very clean interior
- Pre-installed 140 mm fans
- Excellent price
- Only two 2.5″ drive trays
- Airflow could be better
Phanteks Enthoo Evolv mATX Tempered Glass is a fantastic mATX chassis. The case features very attractive and clean design, as well as high-quality materials, such as anodized aluminum and tempered glass panels. The case can also boast with great liquid cooling compatibility, various RGB elements, pre-installed 140 mm fans, and metal 2.5″ drive trays. Despite its compact size, the Evolv mATX offers enough space to accommodate high-end GPUs, such as GeForce RTX 3080 or RTX 2080, and it allows you to install CPU coolers that measure up to 192 mm in height. Overall, the Phanteks Evolv mATX isn’t just a very well-built, sleek, and functional PC chassis, but also a very affordable one.
Best Mini-ITX: NZXT H200i
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX |
| Color Pallettes | Matte White |
| Dimensions & Weight | 210 x 334 x 372 mm, 6.0 kg |
| Drive Bays | 3+1 x 2.5″, 1 x 3.5″ |
| Radiator Support | Up to 120 mm |
| Fan Support | Up to 4 x 120 mm |
| GPU Clearance | Up to 325 mm |
| CPU Cooler Clearance | Up to 165 mm |
| Front Panel | 2 x USB 3.1 Gen1 1 x Audio/Mic |
- Supports liquid cooling solutions
- Great GPU clearance specs
- Adaptive noise reduction
- Built-in RGB controller
- Installing tempered-glass panel can be tricky
- Difficult cable management without a modular PSU
The NZXT H200i is basically a minified version of the H710i mid-tower case. This premium mini-ITX case features all-steel construction, tempered glass side panel, built-in RGB lighting, and great support for packing high-end PC components into a tiny and minimalistic package. The H200i is able to offer plenty of space for installing custom liquid cooling loops, as well as up to four huge 120 mm fans. Its GPU clearance is also splendid, since even the most high-end GPUs, such as the RTX 3080, don’t measure more than 325 mm in length. Due to its small size, cable management can be a hassle with this case, however, other than that, it is the best mini-ITX case for users who want to build a small and powerful gaming machine.
Best Budget Case: Phanteks Eclipse P300A
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX |
| Color Pallettes | Black |
| Dimensions & Weight | 200 x 450 x 400 mm, 6.0 kg |
| Drive Bays | 2 x 2.5″, 2 x 3.5″ |
| Radiator Support | Up to 280 mm |
| Fan Support | Up to 4 x 120 mm |
| GPU Clearance | Up to 355 mm |
| CPU Cooler Clearance | Up to 165 mm |
| Front Panel | 2 x USB 3.0 1 x Microphone 1 x Headphone |
- Cheap and affordable
- Very good airflow
- Compact and minimalist design
- Very little room behind PSU for proper cable management
- No USB Type-C connector
Phanteks Eclipse P300A is a robust and simplistic PC case that is very DIY-friendly, as it allows you to easily install all of your PC components without too much hassle. It can accommodate ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards, and it offers plenty of space for installing high-end graphics cards. The P300A features tempered-glass side panel, and it also allows you to install 280 mm AIO coolers. At the front panel you’ll find two USB 3.0 ports, an HD audio and mic jack, as well as RGB control button with which you can easily change RGB lighting of your system components. Featuring high-quality materials and great airflow, this is an excellent budget PC case that offers plenty of room to house a high-end gaming rig.
Best Dual System Case: Corsair Obsidian 1000D
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATX |
| Color Pallettes | Black |
| Dimensions & Weight | 800 x 505 x 800 mm, 29.5 kg |
| Drive Bays | 6 x 2.5″, 5 x 3.5″ |
| Radiator Support | Up to 480 mm |
| Fan Support | Up to 18 x 80 mm |
| GPU Clearance | Up to 400 mm |
| CPU Cooler Clearance | Up to 180 mm |
| Front Panel | 2 x USB 3.0 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C 1 x Microphone 1 x Headphones |
- Supports dual system builds
- Supports up to four liquid cooling radiators
- Can house up to 18 fans
- Powerful RGB lighting control
- Very heavy
- Cable management could’ve been better
Standing 697 mm tall, and weighing 29.5 kg, the Corsair Obsidian 1000D is a true monster, but also one of the best super-tower PC cases out there. This case provides enough space to accommodate up to 18 fans, and up to four massive liquid cooling radiators simultaneously. However, its best feature is the ability to house up to two completely separate PC builds, which makes it a perfect case for building dual system setups. The Obsidian 1000D also features built-in RGB lighting, two USB Type-C connectors at its front panel, and telescoping radiator trays for smooth and tool-less radiator installation. Last but not least, this case has its own RGB controller, which is great if you want to synchronize lighting among your system’s components.
Best HTPC Case: Fractal Design Node 202
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX |
| Color Pallettes | Black |
| Dimensions & Weight | 377 x 82 x 330 mm, 3.50 kg |
| Drive Bays | 2 x 2.5″ |
| Radiator Support | Unsupported |
| Fan Support | Up to 2 x 120 mm |
| GPU Clearance | Up to 310 mm |
| CPU Cooler Clearance | Up to 56 mm |
| Front Panel | 2 x USB 3.0 1 x Audio In/Out |
- Sleek and compact design
- Separate GPU chamber
- Pre-installed 450 W power supply
- Come with its own air and dust filters
- Very low CPU cooler clearance
- Doesn’t support liquid cooling solutions
Fractal Design Node 202 is a perfect PC case for users who want to build a sleek and compact home theater or gaming PC that will look great near their big screen TV. This case is able to fit perfectly into a home living environment, and offers great deal of customization options. It can accommodate GPUs that measure up to 310 mm in length, and it comes with its own pre-installed air filters and 450 W power supply. This case also features great cable management system, and is very DIY-friendly. Its only major flaw is that it provides up to 56 mm of clearance for a CPU cooler, which means you’ll have to get a low-profile cooler, such as Noctua NH-L9i, to efficiently cool down your CPU.
Best Silent Case: Fractal Design Define R5
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATX |
| Color Pallettes | Black, Blackout, Titanium, White |
| Dimensions & Weight | 547 x 240 x 475 mm, 13.49 kg |
| Drive Bays | 2 x 2.5″, 6 x 2.5″/3.5″, 2 x 5.25″ |
| Radiator Support | Up to 420 mm |
| Fan Support | Up to 9 x 120 mm |
| GPU Clearance | Up to 310 mm |
| CPU Cooler Clearance | Up to 180 mm |
| Front Panel | 2 x USB 3.0 2 x USB 2.0 1 x Audio In/Out |
- Features special sound-dampening materials
- Minimalistic design
- Offers plenty of space
- Comes with three 140 mm pre-installed fans
- Very heavy
If you are trying to build the quietest gaming PC possible, then Fractal Design Define R5 is the perfect case for you. This completely enclosed case features strategically placed sound-dampening materials, as well as special ModuVent fan vent covers in order to minimize acoustic output as much as possible. The Define R5 also comes with a full liquid cooling support, and it features a completely customizable layout in order to meet your system’s demands. Despite its size, this case is also quite roomy, as it can store up to 8 hard drives, and up to nine 120 mm fans. The Define R5 also comes with three pre-installed 140 mm, which we find to be a big plus.
Best for Liquid Cooling: Lian-Li PC-011 Dynamic
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATX |
| Color Pallettes | Black, White |
| Dimensions & Weight | 272 x 446 x 445 mm, 11.86 kg |
| Drive Bays | 4 x 2.5″, 2 x 3.5″, 2 x 2.5″/3.5″ |
| Radiator Support | Up to 360 mm |
| Fan Support | Up to 9 x 120 mm |
| GPU Clearance | Up to 420 mm |
| CPU Cooler Clearance | Up to 155 mm |
| Front Panel | 2 x USB 3.0 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C 1 x HD Audio |
- Looks like a piece of modern art
- Removable side panels
- Dual chamber design
- Very roomy
- Useless instruction manual
- Not suitable for beginners
Lian-Li PC-011 Dynamic is fan-favorite computer case among hardcore PC builders, and probably one of the best PC cases overall. It is also the best PC case for creating custom liquid cooling loops, as it features three removable panels, and it enables you to easily install and modify all of your system’s components. Thanks to its dual chamber design, this case can accommodate two separate PSUs, and it allows you to perform advanced cable managing. Despite the fact that it’s instruction manual is pretty much useless, the PC-011 Dynamic is a fantastic case for experienced PC builders. Featuring high-quality materials, plenty of customization options, and a unique layout, this is the best case for serious PC enthusiasts.
Best Showcase: Thermaltake Tower 900 Black Edition
| Motherboard Support | Mini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, E-ATX |
| Color Pallettes | Black |
| Dimensions & Weight | 752 x 423 x 483 mm, 24.50 kg |
| Drive Bays | 2 x 2.5″, 6 x 2.5″/3.5″, 1 x 5.25″ |
| Radiator Support | Up to 560 mm |
| Fan Support | Up to 13 x 140 mm |
| GPU Clearance | Up to 400 mm |
| CPU Cooler Clearance | Up to 260 mm |
| Front Panel | 4 x USB 3.0 1 x HD Audio |
- Unique design
- Very spacious
- Dual chamber design
- High-quality materials
- Useless user manual
- Huge dimensions
Thermaltake Tower 900 Black Edition is a truly stunning PC case. Designed in collaboration with Watermod France, this case can boast with unique looks, vertical mounting design, high-quality 5 mm tempered-glass panels, and unrivaled expansion capabilities for massive liquid cooling systems. The Tower 900 stands 75.2 cm tall, and weighs 24.5 kilograms. It can house one huge 560 mm liquid cooling radiator, and up to thirteen 140 mm fans. The case also features a fully modular design, and it comes with a secondary chamber in which you can hide all of your cables, drives, and power supply. Overall, if you are looking for a huge and monstrous PC case that looks like a fish tank, and can house a complete server rack, then Thermaltake Tower 900 is the best PC case for you.
Conclusion
Choosing the right PC case for your next computer build will depend on several factors. If you plan to build a PC with an ATX or E-ATX motherboard, then you should definitely choose a full tower or super-tower case. If, however, you’d like to build a compact gaming PC, or HTPC, then mini-ITX PC case should suffice. When it comes to budget, getting a cheap mid-tower PC case may seem like a good option, however, keep in mind that such cases often feature low quality materials and have very few customization options. 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.
