The 10 Best Gaming PC Case

While setting up your gaming rig, it’s easy to get carried away with the sexier parts – such as worrying about how to get the most-suitable gaming GPU or the best gaming headset that fits your requirements and budget. However, neglecting the need to consider the best gaming PC case for your rig can cause you many problems in the future.

I learned this the hard way!

Look, a great gaming PC case might not make your PC faster, but it’s a significant component to consider when setting up your gaming rig. It plays a considerable role in cooling, or how loud your PC runs, particularly under load. It is also crucial to the overall aesthetics of your build.

While some might argue that the impact of these factors is minimal to the overall performance of your gaming PC, I still insist that you take out time when selecting a gaming PC case for your build.

Why?

Because when you invest in a great gaming CPU and fix it up on a quality motherboard for gaming, you don’t house them in a run-of-the-mill case! And, because any of these PC cases from our list of best gaming PC cases for 2020 could still be relatively usable five years later.

Did I mention upgradability?

Now, to ensure you make the best choice when picking a gaming PC case, we put together a comprehensive list of the best gaming PC cases you can buy on the market. These computer cases combine robust builds and airflow for cooling – and are great for any gamer looking for a great tower for their gaming rig.

Top 10 Best Gaming PC Cases

In the process of putting together our list, we considered sizing, as you need to get an appropriately sized case to fit your specific requirements. Ventilation or airflow was also a critical factor for us – a properly ventilated gaming case ensures that your CPU and GPU don’t put pressure on your fans. Proper airflow and cooling, in turn, mean that your gaming rig runs more quietly.

Aesthetics was also a big play for us – everyone loves a great looking rig!

It’s becoming commonplace to see gaming PC cases sporting gorgeous panes of tempered glass, and this can be an excellent option for you if you are planning to invest in RGB lighting.

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Pros & Cons

• Gorgeous translucent design
• RGB heaven
• Decent ventilation

• Thumbscrew glass panels smudge easily

Key Features

• Motherboard Compatibility: ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITXDX 12
• Integrated RGB controller

Specifications

• Radiator Compatibility: Front: Up to 280mm, Rear: 120mm
• Drive Bays: 3 x 3.5”, 3 x 2.5.”
• Colours: Matte White, Matte Black, Matte Black + Red, Matte Black + Blue
• 1 x 120mm top fan, 1 x 120mm rear fan

Corsair Crystal 570X RGB Review

If you want an aesthetically pleasing setup – RGB lighting and tempered glass – then the Corsair Crystal Series 570x RGB was built for you. Featuring tempered glass panels and fans equipped with RGB lights, the Crystal Series 570X is a great mid-tower case.

The mid-tower build is enclosed with four toughened glass panes, giving you a full view of the inner parts of the case. It comes with three SP 120 RGB LED fans installed; however, you can increase up to six fans. It’s well-suited for any radiator size and fits a 14.5-inch GPU snugly. This is standard for most cases and allows you enough space to hold some of the largest graphics cards available.

Corsair did a great job with cable routing with the Crystal Series 570X, and its in-built cable routing channels come with Velcro straps, reducing incidents of cable accidents. The case features an in-built RGB controller that allows you to customize the LED lighting. It is also compatible with 360mm, 280mm, 240mm, and 120mm radiators.

Overall, the Crystal Series 570X is a great gaming case, and its three-point dust filter means it’s easily cleaned.

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Pros & Cons

• Four pre-installed RGB fans
• Great cable management system

• Small space for HDD
• No USB-C connectivity

Key Features:

• Built-in LED lighting
• CAM smart controller

Specifications:

• FF: Mid tower
• Motherboards: Mini-ITX, MicroATX, ATX, and EATX(Up to 272mm or 10.7-inches)
• Dimensions: 230mm x 516mm x 494mm
• Weight: 27.05072 lbs
• I/O Ports: 2 x USB 3.1, 1 x Audio/Mic, 2 x USB 2.0

Released in 2017m NZXT’s H700i is the premium PC case pick that you deserve. Using CAM software that NZXT recently started marketing, H700i quickly became one of the easiest PC cases for new builders. However, it’s also one of the priciest picks available on the market, so it might not be for everyone.

An incredible number of pre-installed fans comes with this gaming PC case. Also, two RGB strips are connected to it for an astounding non-digital visual experience. The controller that you’ll be getting upon purchase is used to balance the cooling system and the noise that the fans produce. The fans will never be too loud for you unless you get a time machine and run a game from 2027. Then, you’d have to tune up the cooling to the maximum

You thought that was the best part? Nope. There are four different cable management flows on the back meaning you won’t have any clutter at all. Getting the cables to make peace between themselves and become invisible was simple and pleasant.

Again, all of this comes at a price, which is why NZXT H700i is our most expensive pick on the list.

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Pros & Cons

• Well-constructed
• Great cable management
• Impressive airflow

• Only two fans included

Key Features

• Motherboard Compatibility: E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX

Specifications

• Includes: 1 x 140mm front fan, 1 x 140mm rear fan
• I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, 1 x Audio/Mic
• Colours: Satin Black, Satin White (Special Edition)
• Drive Bays: 6 x 3.5”, 4 x 2.5.”

Phanteks Enthoo Pro M Review

Getting a great case doesn’t always mean spending big bucks. The Phanteks Pro M is a significant case that dispels the myth of large cases mean big money. The Pro M is a sturdy and well-built case and looks the part – thanks to its sleek interior and tempered glass side panel. The panel is made of brushed aluminium and allows you easy accessibility to the fans and dust filters.

The most significant advantage of the Phanteks Ethnoo Pro is its modularity, and this is a great feature considering its price point. Whether you need space for your drives, GPUs, or the best CPU cooler, it can be customized to your specific requirements. It supports 360mm radiators, and the offset radiator brackets mean no conflicts between the radiator and memory.

Its neat cable routing options and Velcro straps ensure that your gaming rig is a tidy one, and the large interior provides excellent airflow. It however only comes with two fans – a rear exhaust fan and front intake fan – but you have space to add four more.

The ample space of the Phanteks Ethnoo Pro M means you are not limited in what you can engineer in regards of pure performance, which is why this case makes a list as our best value gaming PC case of 2020.

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Pros & Cons

• Modular, stackable design
• Nice form factor

• Struggles with cooling
• Lack of noise absorption

Key Features

• Motherboard Compatibility: Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX

Specifications

• Includes: 1 x 200mm front fan
• Drive Bays: 3 x 3.5”, 2 x 2.5.”
• I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x Audio/Mic
• Colours: Black

Thermaltake Core V21 Review

The Thermaltake Core V21 gaming PC case is an M-ATX-based chassis that guarantees you a mighty gaming rig. Its stackable and flexible thermal system delivers on its reputation as one of the best air-cooling units in the market.

It is modular and allows for vertical or horizontal motherboard customisation – depending on your preferred orientation. It is divided into two main chambers; the upper chamber handles cooling and performance, while the lower chamber handles the power supply unit and drive bays.

The Core V21 well-proportioned panels, modular fan rails and drive mounts allow you to play with a range of configurations, while its large ventilated panels with removable magnetic dust filters keep the interior cool and neat, supported by the massive front 200mm fan.

The Core V21 allows gamers install up to six storage drives, a dual expansion slot VGA with the length up to 350mm, a CPU cooler with heights up to 185mm, and a high wattage PSU of range up to 200mm.

Its extraordinary expansivity allows this gaming case to accommodate components that can boost gaming PC performance significantly.

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Pros & Cons

• Great form factor, especially the RGB version
• Runs quietly

• Stock cooling isn’t excellent

Key Features

• Motherboard Compatibility: Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX

Specifications

• Includes: 2 x 120mm front fans
• Colours: White, Black, RGB SE (White, Black)
• Drive Bays: 2 x 3.5”, 3 x 2.5.”
• I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x Audio/Mic

Corsair Crystal 280X RGB Review

The Corsair Crystal 280X is a top tier Micro-ATX PC case for gaming boasting a sleek new design. Its three tempered glass panels and two RGB fans give it an exceptionally pleasing look and feel.

The Crystal 280X merely is drop-dead gorgeous!

The double chamber concept is well constructed here, with the secondary chamber well placed and allowing you the ability to hide the power supply unit, your storage drives – and most importantly – your cabling.

Although it struggles with cooling under heavy loads, there’s enough room for water cooling radiators at the front and top of the PC case. When it comes to cooling, you have two obvious choices

• 6x 120mm fans
• 3x 240mm fans (front, top, bottom)

The 280X gaming PC case also designed to direct airflow to the hottest components, without any obstruction from the drive cages. The filters also keep your gaming rig dust-free and looking great – filters are located on the front, roof of the case, the floor and on the power supply unit.

There is room for two 3.5″ drives and three 2.5″ drives. This keeps your rig clean without decreasing space inside the case– which is essential for most gamers. Overall, the build quality and aesthetics of the 280X is excellent, and it doesn’t compromise on space for your components.

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Pros & Cons

• Great thermal performance
• Four quiet fans with built-in fan controller
• Impressive RGB lighting
• Four tempered glass panels
• USB 3.1 Gen2 Type-C port
• Good build quality

• Expensive
• Not true E-ATX

Key Features

• Type – Full Tower
• Motherboard Support: ATX, Micro – ATX, Mini-ITX

Specifications

• Card Length Supported: 390mm (15.4 inches)
• Included Fans: (4) 120mm Vortex RGB LED
• Storage Support:(0) 5.25″, (2) 3.5″, (4) 2.5″

Cougar Panzer Evo RGB Review

The Cougar Panzer Evo RGB, nicknamed the RGB Crystalline Titan by Cougar, is a large mix of tempered glass, lighting effects, and features. With suitable temperatures and sound performance to match, this is a great buy for any gamer.

Standing at just over 24 inches in height, the Evo RGB is an intimidating build and demands attention from anyone within its visual range. The carbon print, visible metallic screws, and all-black colour scheme combine to give it a striking shape.

The three 120mm front fans and single 120mm rear fan are dotted with RGB lighting, contributing to the striking profile of the Evo RGB. Besides aesthetics, the Evo comes prepared for performance and a healthy degree of functionality.

The top of the case features two handlebars, making it easy to carry around. The front IO panel houses your fan controller and four USB ports, one of which is Type – C. It also comes with enough room for up to eight storage drives – holding four 3.5” HDDs and four SSDs – although this can distort cable management plans.

The case is also designed to guide airflow to hit the hard drives directly. The Cougar Panzer Evo RGB is a must-buy, and its abundance of tempered glass, sturdy build, and customizable lighting only help up the appeal of the case.

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Pros & Cons

• Great price
• Good fit and finish
• Great performance
• Tempered glass side panel

• Not a true dual-chamber design
• The case uses expansion slot knock-outs

Key Features

• Type – Mid Tower
• Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX

Specifications

• Included Fans: (2) 120mm LED, (1) 120mm
• Storage Support: (2) 3.5” (2) 2.5”
• Card Length Supported: 320mm (12.6 inches)

Riotoro CR500 Review

The budget-friendly, but well designed Riotoro CR500 allows you enough flexibility to build a high-performance gaming rig. It’s not a particularly popular brand, but its excellent build and basic cooling features mean this is one case brand to watch out for.

The robust steel and glass chassis provide a perfect blend between style and durability while its dual chambers are engineered to isolate heat and direct airflow to the key components, especially the CPU and GPU. Its fans and radiators have custom-made installation points in the front and rear of the case, contributing to a quiet and calm performance from your gaming rig.

Things get quite impressive with the Riotoro’s tool-free setup and cable management design, which allow you to customise your gaming PC easily. The abundant space and power supply unit covering help keep everything nice and tidy.

With prices as low as $60, the CR500 is excellent value for money – combining a superb build quality, and an efficient cooling system. The Riotoro CR500 comes at a budget price point with no budget features.

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Pros & Cons

• Good-looking tempered-glass design
• Strong thermal performance
• Included RGB lighting and fan control
• Great price

• Slightly noisy at the full fan speed
• No front-panel USB-C ports

Key Features

• Type – Mini Tower
• Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX

Specifications

• Card Length Supported: 411mm (16.2 inches)
• Included Fans: (3) 120mm

NZXT H400i Review

The NZXT’s H400i is a miniaturised version of the H700i, one of NZXT’s signature PC cases. This compact case, however, does pack a punch like its bigger brother.

It’s premium quality all – steel form factor comes in four colour combinations and comes with a built-in RGB and fan controller. The glass panel is a beautiful addition and allows you a panoramic view of the components – most importantly, it also allows you to showcase any LED additions you might install.

Cable management is also done well in this case, with plenty of room so cables can be routed logically and neatly to avoid a spaghetti junction situation. The removable radiator bracket allows efficient water cooling, and is a great addition to a well-built PC case.

Like the H700i, the H400i also features NZXT’s proprietary CAM powered Smart Device. The Smart Device simplifies the installation and usage of RGB lighting and fans.

In summary, the H400i is the perfect balance between Micro-ATX builds and more massive towers. Its efficient cooling system, cable routing system and support for full sized components make it even more remarkable.

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Pros & Cons

• Good-looking tempered-glass and steel design
• Strong thermal performance
• Included RGB lighting and fan control
• Great price

• Slightly noisy at the full fan speed
• No front-panel USB-C ports
• Top fan placement may conflict with some configurations

Key Features

• Type – Mini Tower
• Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX

Specifications

• Card Length Supported: 325mm (12.8 inches))
• Included Fans: (2) 120mm
• Storage Support: (1) 3.5″, (4) 2.5″

NZXT H200i Review

If there is one thing you give to the folks at NZXT, it’s that they are a consistent bunch. The NZXT H200i is a high-end stylish mini-ITX case that takes the latest trends in computer cases (namely, PSU shrouds, tempered glass, and RGB lighting control) and combines them into a compact chassis.

The case has superb aesthetics, backed up by an excellent build, a variety of colour options and excellent cable management. The power supply unit is also top of the class. Despite its small size, the H200i case has ample room for your full-size components. It can hold graphics cards up to 12.8″ long and air CPU coolers up to 6.5″ in height. While the spacing is small compared to other cases on this list, tons of GPUs come in shorter than 12.8″ long.

Why is this a significant advantage?

Unlike other mini-ITX cases where you must use a low-profile graphics card, the H200i can easily fit a full-length graphics card.

Finally, if you are looking for one of the best mini-ITX gaming PC cases that won’t limit the performance you can squeeze out of your system, the H200i is a solid option once your wallet can accommodate its rather high price point.

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Pros & Cons

• Great looking chassis
• Good thermal performance
• Tempered-glass side panel
• Low noise

• Only two 140mm fans (three would be ideal at this price)
• Expensive

Key Features

• Type – Mid Tower
• Motherboard Support: E-ATX, ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX

Specifications

• Card Length Supported: 286mm (11.2 inches)/430mm (16.9 inches with HD cage removed)
• Included Fans: (2) 140mm
• Storage Support: (7) 3.5, (9) 2.5″

be quiet! Dark Base 700 Review

The Dark Base 700 will probably be one of the best gaming PC cases you’ll ever buy. It offers plenty of room to install full-size components for top-end gaming performance. It comes with in-built RGB lighting which seats at the front edges of the case and has a fan controller and tempered glass panel.

If you have built gaming rigs before, you will appreciate the cable management system and the tidy nature of the power supply unit shroud – which allows for a single 140mm intake fan on the cover itself.

Its 140mm fans are nearly inaudible, and you can also fit a 360mm radiator in the front while still using the power supply unit covering and the intake fan on the bottom. However, the panel itself has only a couple of exhaust vents at the rear, which isn’t ideal for cooling.

The front connectors include a pair of USB 3.0 ports, a switch for the fan controller, a button to change six preset colours for the LEDs and a USB-C port. The Dark Base 700 is a genuine silent masterpiece, priced appropriately, and easy to work with.

Gaming PC Cases – Buying Guide

The case you decide to go with won’t increase your frame rates per second or your load times. However, the case will determine the performance of your gaming PC because it dictates the components you can use when building your gaming rig.

Before you decide on buying a gaming PC case, here are a few things that MUST be top of mind for you when reviewing your options.

Size and Form Factor of the Case – Affects Gaming Performance

If you buy a gaming PC case that struggles for space, you are probably selling yourself short in terms of the possibilities you can access when buying a graphics card. Usually, the smaller the graphics card, the less power it provides – however, a lot of graphics card manufacturers have started producing their high-end GPUs in smaller form factors.

You also need to ensure that you are clear on which form factor you need: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, EATX, or XL – ATX. These parameters affect or somewhat influence your motherboard size, size of power supply, and position of the power supply unit.

Airflow – For Efficient Cooling of your Gaming Rig

Cooling is a critical factor when considering a case, as proper and effective cooling ensures you can use your gaming PC for a long while. When planning for cooling, always remember these basic rules:

• Too many coolers are not still a great option.
• Air should flow multi-directional.
• Larger blades will always provide the best performance with less energy consumption.

Customization and Design – For Flexibility

Everyone loves a beautiful rig – especially me!

Yea, I know some folks don’t care, but an aesthetically pleasing case is a sight to behold. You also want a case that allows for customization – modularity is becoming a thing amongst gamers these days.

Modularity is the ability to move parts around within a case to suit your components: removable cages, fans, trays, covers, mounts and so on. Some manufacturers offer cases that are entirely modular allowing the gamer to build a custom-made gaming rig.

Good Cable Management – For Better Airflow

When done correctly, cable routing supports airflow and the aesthetics of the PC case. Some cases make it easier to handle with well-placed cable holes, shrouds, mounting points, and Velcro straps. Also, ensure the case has enough space to accommodate all your cables.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Best Full-Tower Gaming Case?

The Cooler Master Cosmos C700P, with its distinctive look, is the best full tower gaming case on the market. It’s a well-built case, and you almost get the feeling it was created for custom water-cooled gaming PC enthusiasts over the average user.

Can Any Motherboard Fit in Any Case?

A lot can be said about this question, but the most important thing to understand here is not every motherboard will fit in any case. They are also named appropriately.

ITX motherboards will fit ITX cases, M-ATX motherboards will fit in everything more prominent than an M – ATX case (so you can choose, M – ATX case, ATX case or an E-ATX case).

Will Micro-Atx Fit in a Full-Tower Gaming Case?

Full tower cases can fit the standard ATX motherboards and fit the smaller micro-ATX motherboards. They also have enough space for more fans and storage drives.

What Is the Difference Between a Mid-Tower Case and a Full-Tower Case?

Full tower cases are much larger than mid-tower ones. They can accommodate larger motherboards and a higher amount of fans and other hardware.

Usually, mid-tower cases aren’t taller than 18”, while full-tower ones go above 22”.

What Is the Best Mid-Tower Case?

The ATX mid-tower is the most common form of the PC cases out there. We believe that NZXT’s H700i is the best mid-tower case in the market currently. Its ease of building and customization is second to none. NZXT currently positions the H700i as a “smart case” thanks to its proprietary CAM powered smart hub.

The hub acts as a fan controller and an RGB LED controller, using machine learning and real-time data to find the balance between noise and the cooling of your gaming PC. The H700i also features four pre-installed fans and two RGB LED strips.

Who Makes the Best PC Cases?

There are quite a lot of manufacturers churning out great cases year in, year out. However, Corsair, NZXT, Thermaltake, and Riotoro tend to stand out for their innovative designs and modularity. Thermaltake also happens to make the best open-air PC cases.

Conclusion

When considering the best gaming PC cases in the market, it’s vital that you consider the above-listed factors. This not only ensures you are satisfied and can build a great gaming rig, but you also save yourself the hassle of returns.

Fortunately, our list of 10 PC cases should be able to narrow down your choices and reduce the confusion from having to comb through a myriad of lists. If you are however constrained by budget, take a look at our guide to the best budget PC case.

Sources:

1. Types of Computer Cases and Motherboard Factors, November 30th, 2011
2. How to Install a Desktop Computer Fan, WikiHow
3. PC Case FAQ, Corsair