Choosing the best PC case for your build is just as important as picking the rest of the components. While the choice of a PC case comes down to personal preference, we’d like to remind you it’s not just about buying any enclosure in which your PC components live. It determines many things including what the final build will look like, what parts can be used, and how easy it will be to put everything together. And of course, you want it to look good.
We’ve decided to go through different PC case options to highlight a select few that make the case to be the best PC cases. Be it a humungous cabinet to support your crazy build idea or a simple unit with maximum airflow, we’ve got you covered.
Navigate this article:
- Best overall PC case – Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO
- Best full tower PC case – Corsair Obsidian 1000D
- Best mid-tower PC case – Corsair Airflow 4000D
- Best Mini-ITX case – Cooler Master NR200P MAX
- Best silent PC case – Fractal Design Define 7
- Alternative Silent PC case – be quiet! Silent Base 802
- Best PC case for liquid cooling – Thermaltake Tower 900
- Best Budget PC case – Phanteks Eclipse P400A
- Best affordable mesh case – Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh
Best overall PC case – Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO
| Specification | Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO |
|---|---|
| Supported Motherboards | E-ATX, ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX |
| Expansion | 8x PCI 6x 2.5-inch drives 3x 3.5-inch drives |
| Fans | Side: 3x 120mm/2x 140mm Top: 3x 120mm/2x 140mm Rear: 1x 120/140mm Bottom: 3x 120mm/2x 140mm |
| Radiators | Side: Up to 360mm Top: Up to 360mm Bottom: Up to 360mm Rear: Up to 120mm |
| Filters | Top: 1 Side: 2 Bottom: 1 |
| Clearance | CPU Cooler: 155mm GPU: 420mm PSU: 255mm |
| I/O | 2x USB3.0 1x USB3.1 Type-C HD Audio |
| Weight | 21.3lbs (9.7kg) |
| Dimensions | (W)285mm x(H)459mm x(D)465mm |
| Chassis Materials | Tempered Glass, Aluminum, Steel |
| Colors | Black, White |
The Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL was our pick for the best PC case on the market until recently. Replacing that is none other than its new variant, the O11 Dynamic EVO case. The ‘EVO’ branding in the name suggests that it’s a modular version of the case. That’s right, this new version of the case is identical to the original O11 Dynamic X11. It just happens to be slightly better because you can flip and use it in reverse mode. Besides the new trick, however, the new version of the case retains everything we like about the original one. As such, it has now become our pick for the best PC case one can buy in 2022.
So, what is it like to have a modular case? Well, it essentially means that you can move the tempered glass side from left to right. This particular process requires a full disassembly, but the fact that it’s doable makes it a unique case by itself. This is currently the only PC case on the market that lets you do that.
Besides that, as we mentioned earlier, this is the same Lian Li O11 Dynamic PC case that’s packed with a ton of features. The O11 Dynamic is a mid-tower PC case with a dual-chamber design. This case, as you can see, has plenty of glass panels on both the front as well as sides. There’s a mesh panel on the top with vents for airflow. This is one of those mid-tower cases that have enough space for plenty of case fans or even a custom cooling loop.
You can install up to three 120mm or two 140mm fans on the front, top as well as bottom panels. There’s also space to add a 120mm fan at the back. As for the radiator support, you can mount up to a 360mm radiator on the top, bottom, or front. You can also mount smaller 60mm fans on the hard drive cage to maintain the temperature of the drives. While the Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO PC case doesn’t come with any pre-installed fans, you do get a front panel LED strip. This LED strip can be controlled via the motherboard software or a hub.
Another interesting thing about this case is that you can move the IO ports of the case between four different locations on the case. This can be done without any tools, which makes it very convenient to customize. Notably, you can also buy a port hub as an additional accessory for the case to add more ports. This feature is unique to the O11 Dynamic EVO that no other PC case currently offers.
Overall, we think there’s a lot to like about the Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO PC case. It’s obviously not a perfect case for everyone, but there’s still a lot to consider. It has plenty of space for all the components, support for dual PSU mounts, a cable management bar, modular design, and more. The Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO is available in black, white, and grey color options, so pick the one that suits the overall aesthetics of your setup.
- The Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO PC case is a solid mid-tower cabinet with lots of customization options and plenty of space.
|
Features: |
|
|
|
Pros: Cons: |
Best full tower PC case – Corsair Obsidian 1000D
| Specification | Corsair Obsidian 1000D |
|---|---|
| Supported Motherboards | E-ATX, ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX |
| Expansion | 10 slots 6x 2.5-inch drives 5x 3.5-inch drives |
| Fans | Front: 8x 120mm Top: 3x 140mm Rear: 2x 120/140mm |
| Radiators | Front: Up to 2x 480mm Top: Up to 420mm Rear: Up to 280mm |
| Filters | NA |
| Clearance | CPU Cooler:155mm GPU: 420mm PSU: 225mm |
| I/O | 2x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C 4x USB 3.1 Type-A HD Audio |
| Weight | 29.5lbs (13.3kg) |
| Dimensions | (W)505mm x(H)800mm x(D)800mm |
| Chassis Materials | Steel, Aluminum, Tempered Glass |
| Colors | Black |
The Corsair Obsidian 1000D is one of those PC cases that you may have seen some enthusiasts use to build an over-the-top system. Corsair calls it a ‘Super Tower’, aptly named for a PC case that weighs 29.5lbs and stands 27.4 inches tall. The Obsidian 1000D is big enough to house two separate builds inside. It’s perfect for those who are looking to have two powerful systems running at the same time. Imagine having a gaming and a streaming PC in a single box!
The Corsair Obsidian 1000D can have up to two 480mm radiators on the front, a 420mm radiator on the top, and a 240mm at the back. Alternatively, you can also install up to ten 120mm fans along with three 140mm blowers for the radiator on the top. The case also has enough clearance for GPUs and CPU coolers up to 400mm and 180mm in length respectively. The case has tempered glass enclosures that allow you to see all the internals. It’s delightful to see all the eight RGB fans on the front glowing as soon as you hit the power button.
The Obsidian 1000D supports E-ATX, ATX, microATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards. The chassis is made out of steel and aluminum, which is where the weight comes from. Corsair has put all that weight and volume to good use by allowing you to have plenty of room for internals. The case also has a lot of room for routing the cables. It’s a necessity considering the fact there will be two PCs worth of cables in a single chassis. Even if you aren’t building two PCs inside this case, the extra space can be used for airflow or adding liquid cooling with a custom loop. It’s good to have more room for cooling, and the Corsair 1000D truly stands out in that regard. The only disadvantage of the Corsair 1000D is it doesn’t come with filters for the vents. It’s not a huge deal until you hear the hefty price this case comes with.
The Corsair Obsidian 1000D carries an expensive price tag, though. The price, however, doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb since it’s also an enthusiast case. Being able to build two PCs in a single chassis makes it perfect for advanced users who know what they’re doing. We recommend this case for its stunning design, plenty of room for customization, and a bevy of other specifications it carries on paper.
- The Corsair Obsidian 1000D full-tower cabinet is the biggest case we have in our collection. It can contain two separate PC builds inside.
|
Features: |
|
|
|
Pros: Cons: |
Best mid-tower PC case – Corsair 4000D Airflow
| Specification | Corsair 4000D Airflow |
|---|---|
| Supported Motherboards | Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, E-ATX |
| Expansion | 9 slots 2x 2.5-inch drives 2x 3.5-inch drives |
| Fans | Front: 3x 120mm Top: 2x 120mm Rear: 1x 120 |
| Radiators | Front: 1x 360mm Top: 1x 280mm |
| Filters | Top, front, and bottom |
| Clearance | CPU Cooler:170mm GPU: 360mm PSU: 220mm |
| I/O | 1x USB 3.1 Type C 1x USB 3.0 1x Audio in/out |
| Weight | 17.1lbs (7.8kg) |
| Dimensions | (W)230mm x(H)466mm x(D)453mm |
| Chassis Materials | Steel, Tempered Glass, Plastic |
| Colors | Black |
Corsair’s 4000D Airflow is a surprisingly affordable and well-thought-out case. It’s a very straightforward cabinet to build in and it features plenty of room for cooling setups. The perforated front panel also has large gaps on either side to move additional air. The top of the case also has perforations and is covered by a magnetic dust filter. The Corsair 4000D Airflow also comes with two 120mm Corsair AirGuide fans pre-installed. There’s enough room for adding four more 120mm fans to the case in addition to that.
The Corsair 4000D Airflow comes with decent radiator mounting options too. You can mount up to a 360mm radiator on the front and a 280mm radiator on the top. It can fit in CPU coolers with a max height of 170mm and GPUs with a max length of 360mm. The PSU sits in a separate compartment under the motherboard along with space for storage devices. It has plenty of clearance and the shroud separating the two compartments has perforations too.
The Corsair Airflow 4000D also comes with easy-to-remove dust filters on the top, front, and bottom under the PSU. Additionally, the front panel can be easily removed to install fans or radiators. The case is 18.3 inches tall and weighs 7.8kg. Corsair has used steel, plastic, and tempered glass to make this case look nice while keeping it functional. It’s a fairly easy cabinet to work with once you get into it by removing the side panels.
Corsair has made it easier to route cables in this case by adding a channel with velcro ties. This makes it convenient to run cables to devices on both sides of the board. The velcro ties also help to keep the cables neat and organized. These cable-routing features are usually seen only on more expensive cases like the NZXT H710i.
The case also comes with a total of 9 PCI slots. Two of those slots are vertical using which you can also show off your GPU. The front I/O panel only has a single USB 3.0 Type-A and a USB 3.1 Type-C port next to the headphone/microphone jack. It would’ve been nice to have an additional USB 3.0 Type-A port, though.
It was a close call between the Corsair 4000D Airflow and the Fractal Design Meshify-C mid-tower case. The Corsair cabinet made it to our collection for a few reasons including how easy it is to work with. The 4000D Airflow is also readily available on the market now and it also costs less than the Fractal Design’s case. The Corsair 4000D Airflow is a fantastic PC case for those who are building their first PC. It offers great value among budget ATX cases.
- The Corsair 4000D Airflow is a fantastic mid-tower PC case that's both functional and easy to work with.
|
Features: |
|
|
|
Pros: Cons: |
Best Mini-ITX case – NZXT H210i
| Specification | NZXT H210i |
|---|---|
| Supported Motherboards | Mini-ITX |
| Expansion | 2 PCIe slots 4x 2.5-inch drives 1x 3.5-inch drives |
| Fans | Rear: 1 x 120mm Front: 2 x 120mm Top: 1 x 120mm |
| Radiators | 120mm/240mm |
| Filters | All air intakes |
| GPU Clearance | GPU: 325mm |
| I/O | 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 1 (Type-A) 1 x USB 3.1 Gen 2 (Type-C) 1x 3.5mm Headset Jack (Audio + Mic) |
| Dimensions | 210mm x 349mm x 372mm |
| Chassis Materials | Tempered Glass, Steel |
| Colors | White/Black, Black |
NZXT’s signature case design has been around for a while but still stands out from the crowd. The clean, modern look is complimented by its own ARGB system and the space to build a killer PC. Better still, NZXT has managed to translate everything great about its larger cases down to the Mini ITX scale. The H210i, in a picture at least, looks just the same as its larger siblings, only noticeably different when you spot the lack of PCIe expansion slots on the rear.
This is, in every regard, just a mini NZXT case. It’s modeled on a tower, just smaller. As such the layout is pretty traditional. In the front, you have space for a pair of 120mm fans or a 240mm radiator, nestled behind the front (filtered) air intake. Additional 120mm fans can be located at the rear and top of the case for exhaust. Or you can put fans in the front and a 120mm radiator at the top or in the rear. Even on this scale, you have flexibility.
That also applies to the size of the graphics card you’re using. With support for up to 325mm cards, you could conceivably squeeze an RTX 3080 Founders Edition inside the H210i with a little wiggle room to spare. When it comes to choosing a graphics card for this case, especially from the latest choices, it’s not so much length that will be the limiting factor. More that you only have two PCIe slots available. If it’s slightly larger than two slots, it simply won’t fit.
The H210i is clever, too. It boasts built-in support for NZXT Cam to control not only your RGB but your case fans. One whole side is tempered glass, top to bottom, while the included PSU shroud will hide the worst of your cables. The rear of the case has plenty of cable management points for a case this size, likewise plenty of space for drives. If you stick to smaller 2.5-inch storage drives you can locate up to four inside the H210i, and a solitary 3.5-inch for good measure.
The NZXT H210i manages to be stylish and clever without getting too radical. Mini ITX can be tough to build, and this is by no means the smallest case of its type. But it’s easy to use and will certainly help your small-form PC stand out.
- Like NZXT's bigger cases, just smaller. Stylish, high-quality, easy to build in and not too expensive, either.
|
Features: |
|
|
|
Pros: Cons: |
Best silent PC case – Fractal Design Define 7
| Specification | Fractal Design Define 7 |
|---|---|
| Supported Motherboards | E-ATX, ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX |
| Expansion | 9 slots 6x 2.5-inch drives 6x 3.5-inch drives 1x 5.25-inch drive |
| Fans | Front: 3x 120/140mm Top: 3x 120/140mm Rear: 1x 120/140mm Bottom: 2x 120/140mm |
| Radiators | Front: Up to 360mm Top: Up to 360 mm Rear: Up to 120mm Bottom: Up to 280mm |
| Filters | Top, front, bottom |
| Clearance | CPU Cooler: 185mm GPU: 467mm PSU: 250mm |
| I/O | 1x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C 2x USB 3.0 2x USB 2.0 1x Audio in/out |
| Weight | 29.7lbs (13.49kg) |
| Dimensions | (W)240mm x(H)475mm x(D)547mm |
| Chassis Materials | SGCC Steel |
| Colors | Black, White, Gray |
Fractal Design has a variety of cases on the market spanning across different categories. Their Define series has some great PC cases that are popular in the community. A lot of enthusiasts prefer these cases for both performance and their mechanical design. We picked the Define 7 as a worthy addition to this collection for a few main reasons. It has a lot of convenient build features, is known to offer good thermal performance, and is quieter than most other mid-tower PC cases.
Depending on the chassis color you choose, Fractal Design will make the tempered glass side panel available with clear, light, or dark tinting. The case also comes with an optional vented top panel for those who prefer having more ventilation as opposed to a silent operation. This doesn’t affect any other functionality of the case though. The front I/O panel includes a generous amount of ports. It features two USB 3.0 Type-A, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, and a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C port. There’s also the headphone and microphone jack in addition to the power button.
The Define 7 PC case supports E-ATX, ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini ITX motherboards with plenty of space for fans, radiators, and more. There’s enough clearance for a CPU cooler with a max height of 185mm and a GPU with a maximum length of up to 467mm. The case also offers vertical GPU mount support with 65mm total clearance. The Fractal Design Define 7 also has five large cable pass-throughs to route the cables for a clean installation. The Define 7 can be outfitted with seven 3.5 inch drives and two SSDs. It’s also one of the few cases on the market that still has a 5.25 inch drive bay slot.
The Define 7 PC case has space to mount nine fans in total. The case comes pre-installed with two Dynamic X2 GP-14 140mm on the front and a single 140mm exhaust fan at the back. It has four radiator mounting locations for a versatile liquid cooling setup too. And despite the number of fans and radiators you are willing to work with, the Define 7 offers a near quiet operation. It’s largely due to the use of sound-dampening material for the front, top, and side panels.
You’ll have to bring your own RGB lighting to the party but that shouldn’t stop you from considering this PC case. It’s good for both entry-level as well as high-end performance-oriented builds. The Define 7 can also be used with high-quality air coolers for the CPU due to the low-noise operation.
- The Define 7 PC case features sound dampening material on its front, top, and side panels for a quiet operation.
|
Features: |
|
|
|
Pros: Cons: |
Second-Best Silent PC case – be quiet! Silent Base 802
| Specification | be quiet! Silent Base 802 |
|---|---|
| Supported Motherboards | E-ATX, ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX |
| Expansion | 9 slots 15x 2.5-inch drives 7x 3.5-inch drives |
| Fans | Front: 3x 120/140mm Top: 3x 120/140mm Rear: 1x 120mm/140mm |
| Radiators | Front: Up to 420mm Top: Up to 360 mm Rear: Up to 140mm |
| Filters | Top, front |
| Clearance | CPU Cooler: 185mm GPU: 432mm PSU: 288mm |
| I/O | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A 1x Audio in/out 1x Integrated fan controller |
| Weight | 28.99lbs (13.15kg) |
| Dimensions | (W)281mm x(H)507mm x(D)539mm |
| Chassis Materials | Steel, Tempered Glass |
| Colors | Black |
While the ‘be quiet! Silent Base 802’ isn’t our best pick for a silent PC, we think it deserves a spot in the collection. The Silent Base 802 is a unique case that comes with interchangeable front and top panels. You have the option to use either the solid panel with sound dampening material to keep the case quiet or go with the mesh panel to improve airflow for better thermals. The panels are easily replaceable, allowing you to have the best of both worlds depending on what you need at any given point.
The Silent Base 802 case supports up to an E-ATX motherboard, and there’s plenty of room to fit in components for a high-end performance build. The case comes with three pre-installed 140mm fans — two of them on the front, and a 140mm fan at the back. There’s more space to further add another 140mm fan on the front, and up to three 140mm fans on the top. Additionally, you can also install radiators on the front, top, and back of this case.
The Silent Base 802 case has enough clearance to support GPUs up to 432mm in length and CPU coolers up to 185mm in height. The case has more sound-dampening material inside, and you also get removable dust filters on the front and the bottom. We wish more manufacturers add removable dust filters since they’re very easy to clean.
The case weighs 13.15kg and stands 21.77 inches in height. It comes with 9 PCI expansion slots with two of them being vertical for the GPU. The front I/O panel includes two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports and a single USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C port. You also get a headphone/microphone combo, and an integrated 4-step fan controller to set the fan speed manually. The Silent Base 802 is also known to be one of the easier PC cases to work with. It comes with a detachable top bracket to ensure it’s easy to install fans and radiators.
Being able to replace the solid panels with mesh panels for better airflow is a great feature, and it makes the ‘be quiet! Silent Base 802’ is one of the most versatile cases we’ve seen. It can work wonders for your setup depending on what you need. Even if you’re not constantly replacing the panels, you can use it as a feature to perhaps tweak your build once in a while to see which configuration works well with your components.
- be quiet! Silent Base 802 is a versatile case that lets you replace the panels to favor either quiet operation or better airflow.
|
Features: |
|
|
|
Pros: Cons: |
Best PC case for liquid cooling – Thermaltake Tower 900
| Specification | Thermaltake Tower 900 |
|---|---|
| Supported Motherboards | E-ATX, ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX |
| Expansion | 8 slots 2x 2.5-inch drives 6x 3.5-inch drives 1x 5.25-inch drive |
| Fans | Top: 2x 120, 2x 140mm Rear: 2x 120, 2x 140mm Left Side: 4 x 120mm, 4 x 140mm Right Side: 4 x 120mm, 4 x 140mm |
| Radiators | Left Side: 1 x 480mm, 1 x 560mm Right Side: 1 x 480mm, 1 x 560mm |
| Filters | NA |
| Clearance | CPU Cooler: 260mm GPU: 400mm PSU: 220mm |
| I/O | 4x USB 3.0 1x HD Audio |
| Weight | 54lbs (24.5kg) |
| Dimensions | (W)423mm x(H)752mm x(D)483mm |
| Chassis Materials | SGCC Steel |
| Colors | Black |
The Thermaltake Tower 900 is the second full tower PC case in this collection, joining the Corsair Obsidian 1000D we mentioned earlier. The Tower 900 is easily one of the biggest PC cases you’ll find on the market right now, and it’s perfect for an over-the-top enthusiast build with custom loops. This case supports E-ATX, ATX, microATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards, and leaves plenty of space for you to get creative with your cooling solution. There’s enough space in the cabinet to install two water-cooling loops with large radiators and reservoirs.
The front and half of either side of the Tower 900 PC case feature tempered glass. The remaining portion of the side has perforated side panels covering the radiators. All these parts are easily removable, giving easy access to the internals. The Tower 900 PC case is very easy to work with as long as you have a proper plan for your build. The entire case can be stripped down to its shell using a #2 Phillips screwdriver.
The Tower 900 PC case can be outfitted with 13 fans in total, in addition to either a 480mm or a 560mm radiator on the left/right side. It offers enough clearance for a CPU cooler with a max height of 260mm. The GPU and PSU length clearance is limited to 400mm and 220mm respectively. Even with all the high-end components installed, the Tower 900 will have plenty of space for installing up to two custom loops.
The Thermaltake Tower 900 is a vertical super tower that will demand a dedicated space next to your table. It weighs 24.5kg and stands 29.6 inches tall. It includes six 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch hidden drives and two dedicated 2.5-inch drives in addition to a single 5.25-inch drive. There are eight expansion slots and the front I/O panel offers four USB 3.0 Type-A ports and a headphone/microphone combo.
Coming in at $300, the Thermaltake Tower 900 is on the more expensive side of the collection. That being said, it offers plenty of freedom to enthusiast builders eyeing a sophisticated water-cooling loop. It’ll offer impressive thermal performance even if you pack a bunch of high-end components in it. It’s the perfect case to show off the custom cooling PC of your dreams. Thermaltake also makes a smaller version of this case called Tower 100 for those who want this look but in Mini ITX.
- The Thermaltake Tower 900 full tower PC case is one of the biggest cabinet you'll find on the market. It's the only vertical case you need to build the custom-cooling PC build of your dreams.
|
Features: |
|
|
|
Pros: Cons: |
Best Budget PC case: Phanteks Eclipse P400A
| Specification | Phanteks Eclipse P60A |
|---|---|
| Supported Motherboards | E-ATX, ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX |
| Expansion | 2x 2.5-inch drives 2x 3.5-inch drives Option for 4x additional 3.5-inch drives |
| Fans | Top: 2x 120, 2x 140mm Rear: 1x 120 Front: 3x 120mm, 2x 140mm |
| Radiators | Front: 1x 240mm/ 1x 360mm Rear: 120mm Top: 1x 240mm |
| Filters | Front dust filter, top dust cover, PSU ventilation dust cover |
| Clearance | CPU Cooler: 160mm GPU: 420mm PSU: 270mm |
| I/O | 2x USB 3.0 1x HD Audio Optional digital RGB control |
| Weight | 15.4lbs (7kg) |
| Dimensions | 465mm x 210mm x 470mm |
| Chassis Materials | Steel, Tempered Glass |
| Colors | Black, White |
Building a budget gaming PC doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality and settle for a cheap quality PC case. A lot of case manufacturers releasing premium cabinets on the market for enthusiasts, also happen to make some budget offerings. The Phanteks Eclilpse P400A is one of them. This is the latest in a long-running line from Phanteks that has combined quality build with masses of space, a great-looking design, and an attractive price.
The Phanteks Eclipse P400A is a mid-tower ATX case that supports Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, and even E-ATX motherboards. It’s a well-built case with a nice paint job whether you go for the black or the white version. This latest Eclipse also comes with a full-height tempered glass panel on the left-hand side. You’ll get either two or three 120mm fans included, depending on which version you go for. The standard model has two regular fans, while the version with built-in RGB control ships with three digital RGB fans. The front panel is entirely mesh, meaning your fans can pull through some serious cool air.
The scope for cooling, in this case, is quite astonishing, and a step up from its predecessor. The Eclipse P400A has space for up to a 360mm radiator (or 3 x 120mm fans) in the front, and a 280mm radiator (or 2 x 140mm fans) in the roof. You can use a GPU with a maximum length of up to 420mm, which is ample for even today’s largest graphics cards. Likewise, you have plenty of space for taller air coolers. The PSU sits behind a shroud that is built in and shields your cable mess from being seen through the glass. The P400A is also one of the few cases in its price range to have support for a vertical GPU bracket if you want to really show off your card.
The Eclipse P360A has the standard seven PCI slots and space for a host of storage. There are two 3.5-inch and two 2.5-inch included drive bays, with the option of another four 3.5-inch drives with additional hardware. Despite its fairly modest size, the P400A can hold all the storage you could ever dream of needing. It’d a nod to the capacious interior of this PC case. Phanteks design is extremely efficient, maximizing every available inch to make it easy to build in.
The Phanteks Eclipse P400A mid-tower case retails for under $100 for the standard model, which for something of this quality is incredible. This is also our go-to recommendation for newcomers in the world of PC building who are looking for an easy, yet high-quality case. Despite the modest price tag, we think it’s viable to use this case for both entry-level and relatively high-end builds.
- An affordable case for beginners and pros alike, the P400A can house a simply remarkable amount of hardware and is so easy to live with.
|
Features: |
|
|
|
Pros: Cons: |
Best affordable mesh PC case: Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh
| Specification | Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh |
|---|---|
| Supported Motherboards | ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX |
| Expansion | 2x 2.5-inch drives 2x 3.5-inch drives |
| Fans | Top: 2 x 120mm, 2x 140mm Rear: 1 x 120mm Front: 2 x 120mm, 2x 140mm |
| Radiators | Front: 240mm Rear: 120mm Top: 240mm |
| Filters | Front dust filter, top dust cover, PSU ventilation dust cover |
| Clearance | CPU Cooler: 160mm GPU: 420mm PSU: 270mm |
| I/O | 2x USB 3.0 Microphone Headphone LED color/mode buttons |
| Dimensions | 205 mm x 415 mm x 485 mm |
| Chassis Materials | Steel, Tempered Glass |
| Colors | Black, White, Pink |
There was a time when buying a Lian Li PC case was out of reach for most of us. The brand is synonymous with the higher-end, premium space, but times do thankfully change. The Lancool 205 Mesh is not only a great PC case but it’s well within the budget of anyone putting together a solid mid-tower build. The white version is easily the best looking, but it also comes in black if you’d rather. And both come with a mesh front panel to promote great airflow.
What makes this such a great case is that it ticks all the boxes. It’s classy looking without being too radical. It has plenty of space to build in despite not being that large. And it can shine bright with RGB fans and tempered glass without sacrificing airflow. Whether air cooling or using a radiator, building a full ATX PC, or something smaller, this case should be able to fit everything you need with a little added space to work in.
The Lancool 205 Mesh boasts a design where the power supply is kept out of view. The shroud is just the lower portion of the case, so there’s nothing to worry about fitting and removing. It’s also quite cavernous, despite only being a mid-tower, providing plenty of space to stash additional cables. The upper three-quarters of the left-hand side is covered with a tempered glass panel. The front is almost entirely mesh save for a small panel at the bottom, behind which you can stash 3.5-inch drives and cables and other unsightly items. Behind the motherboard tray, you’ll find ample cable management points along with a couple of 2.5-inch SSD caddies, and plenty of space to work with even larger power supplies.
The fit and finish on the Lancool 205 Mesh is first-rate, with no cut corners, no bare metal, and at least in our experience, no overspray or sub-par paintwork. The Lian Li quality is everywhere. It comes with a trio of 120mm ARGB PWM fans included, though a 240mm radiator can also be mounted in front or at the top of the case. On the outside, there’s a dust filter on the very top, so using this location for heat exhaust is worthwhile. One of the few negatives, though, is that you’re limited to a maximum of 240mm for a radiator, wherever you mount it. Though the top is certainly a better position than the front. Airflow is excellent, with the included front fans pulling plenty of cooling wind across the motherboard and the graphics card.
Around the back, there is a full suite of seven expansion slots, and the Lancool 205 Mesh is capable of housing even larger, chunkier graphics cards. There’s plenty of room to house longer cards, though you’ll need to be mindful that there’s no included GPU support with this case. So you’ll have to come up with your own solution for sagging GPUs. This minor frustration aside, what you’re left with is a stunning build in a stunning case, and one that won’t break the bank, either.
- An affordable, yet stylish and high-quality white PC case built to both look great and promote good airflow.
|
Features: |
|
|
|
Pros: Cons: |
Final Thoughts
That concludes our collection of the best PC cases on the market. The Lian Li PC-O11 Dynamic is our pick for the best PC case you can buy right now. It’s a little older than other cases on the list, but it still manages to offer a good mix of features to both new builders and enthusiasts alike. It’s also a simple case to work with, once you make your way into the chamber as there’s plenty of room to experiment and come up with a clean installation.
Picking the right case for your build may seem like a tedious task. However, you can filter the options by simply focusing on a few key points like the motherboard size, preferred cooling method, airflow, etc. Building a PC is just a small piece of the puzzle, though. You’ll have to spend the same amount of time looking for other peripherals like monitors, keyboards, and even webcams now. But it’s a rewarding process that you will thoroughly enjoy.
Also, be sure to pick up a copy of Windows 11 now for your new PC. The new version of the OS, as we mentioned in our review, offers a more refined experience than Windows 10.
The post These are the best PC cases you can buy in 2022 appeared first on XDA.
first These are the best PC cases you can buy in 2022 published
via QUANCEA