Friday, October 22, 2021

The best PC case 2021: top cases for your desktop computer

You don’t just invest in one of the best PC cases to show off all that RGB lighting your components have. And, though a number of desktop chassis have fantastic designs specifically to showcase all the glory inside your gaming PC, whether it be RGB or impressive internals, their main job is to keep everything inside safe.

Not only are PC cases there to ward off debris, dust and other environmental hazards, but they also provide ventilation for your motherboard, processor, and graphics card, making sure that everything stays nice and cool. No matter why you’re building your own PC, whether it’s for a kitted-out gaming setup or a new work-from-home station, it’s as crucial that you find the perfect PC case as it is picking the components that go inside.

We’ve looked through all the options out there to find the best desktop cases available – ones that offer excellent design, proper ventilation, and enough extra space inside to future-proof your rig. Take a look at our selections and make sure to check out our included price comparison tool to find the best deals on your next PC case.

Corsair iCUE RGB 5000x at an angle on a white background

The Corsair iCue RGB 5000X has good cooling, a lot of space for efficient building, and three Corsair RGB fans. (Image credit: Corsair)

1. Corsair iCue RGB 5000X

An imposing (and expensive) tower of glass

Form factor: Mid-tower | Dimensions: 520mm x 245mm x 520mm (L x W x H; 20.47 x 9.65 x 20.47 inches) | Mobo compatibility: ATX | PSU support: Bottom mount | I/O: (1x) USB 3.1 Type C, (2x) USB 3.0, (1x) Audio in/out

Incredibly stylish and open design
Great out-of-the-box airflow
Attaching and removing most removable internal pieces is frustrating

A hulking glass beast is what you’re getting with the Corsair iCue RGB 5000X whose offerings include good cooling – thanks in large part to its mesh coverings around the top and bottom panels, a lot of space for efficient building, and three Corsair RGB fans. And, it delivers all those while looking incredibly sleek, albeit massive. It might be a bit pricey for some folks, but for those whose top priorities include airflow and space, it’s worth the price.

Read the full review: Corsair iCue RGB 5000X

Fractal Design Meshify-C at an angle on a white background

The Fractal Design Meshify-C has a unique style. (Image Credit: Fractal Design)

2. Fractal Design Meshify-C

The best mid-tower PC case

Form 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-12

Freshly designed in multiple ways
Reasonable price
USB 3.0 cable is too short Front
PSU dust filter is hard to remove

It 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 4 at an angle on a white background

The Nanoxia Deep Silence 4 is quiet as a mouse. (Image Credit: Nanoxia)

3. Nanoxia Deep Silence 4

The best Micro ATX PC case

Form 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 drives

Low-noise
Onboard dual-zone fan controls
 Not many extras 

As its name suggests, the Nanoxia Deep Silence 4 has the sole purpose of being quiet as a mouse. This silence-focused case is a well-balanced Micro ATX chassis that’s affordably priced, without sacrificing room for expansion. That’s right you can fit even the biggest, most powerful graphics cards in the Nanoxia Deep Silence 4. The fact that you will never 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 H200i at an angle on a white background

NZXT H200i integrates a ton of the same features as its Micro ATX and mid-tower equivalents. (Image Credit: NZXT)

4. NZXT H200i

The best Mini-ITX case

Form 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 fan

Built-in Smart Device RGB control
Adaptive noise reduction
Slightly pricey

Every single day mini-ITX gets more popular, and closer to toppling Micro ATX. And, it makes sense – why not spring for a small computer that can get just as much work done as a full tower? NZXT’s new H-series case line manages to integrate a ton of the same features as its Micro ATX and mid-tower equivalents, with mesmerizing, 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 X at an angle on a white background

Phanteks Evolv Shift X is flexible to the point that it looks natural placed under a TV as it does on a desk. (Image Credit: Phanteks)

5. Phanteks Evolv Shift X

The best home theater PC case

Form 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 cable

Plenty of room for beefy components
One-of-a-kind aesthetic
 Massive for Mini-ITX

When you first look at the Phanteks Evolv Shift X, it looks more like a sound bar than one of the best PC cases, but this helps it vanish into any living area or studio setup. It’s flexible to the point that it looks natural placed under a TV as it does on a desk, next to one of the best gaming monitors. It may only be compatible with a Mini-ITX motherboard, but the Phanteks Evolv Shift X offers tons of space for components and liquid cooling loops. If this case is  a little large for your preference, you can get the smaller Phanteks Evolv Shift for easier management.

Fractal Design Define R5 at an angle on a white background

The metallic and blue LED-lit face of the Fractal Design Define R5 is simple, yet elegant. (Image Credit: Fractal Design)

6. Fractal Design Define R5

The best silent PC case

Form 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 straps

User-friendly (and handsome) design
 Affordable price
 Definitely not tool-less

Fractal Design wins again with the Define R5, yet another mid-tower case with a gorgeous aesthetic. The metallic and blue LED-lit face of this 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 toolessly accessible, it’s incredibly easy to build a system inside of the Fractal Design Define R5, plus it’s not as expense as you’d expect from a PC case with such a pretentious name, either.  

Cooler Master H500P Mesh at an angle on a white background

The Cooler Master H500P Mesh's beautiful RGB-packed case has plenty of room for airflow. (Image Credit: Cooler Master)

7. Cooler Master H500P Mesh

The best high airflow case

Form 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 fan

Great airflow
Gorgeous RGB lighting
Not as big as other full towers

Cooler Master is kind of known for, well, cooling things – and the Cooler Master H500P Mesh is evidence of how it got there. This beautiful RGB-packed case has plenty of room 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. Go for it.

Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-04 Tempered Glass at an angle on a white background

Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-04 Tempered Glass has a deceptively large amount of space for future expansion. (Image Credit: Corsair)

8. Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-04 Tempered Glass

The best budget PC case

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 fan

 Attractive price 
 Very aesthetic 
 Only includes 1 case fan 

If you’re 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 won’t have to worry about fitting a full-sized graphics card. And, when you’re done building, the tempered glass side panel will allow you to show off your handiwork. 

Antec Cube at an angle on a white background

The Antec Cube is without a doubt the best PC case for Razer fans. (Image Credit: Antec)

9. Antec Cube

The best PC cube case

Form 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 mount

Ample space for power and cooling
Integrated fan controller
Wildly expensive
Less than satisfactory performance

The Antec Cube is without a doubt the best PC case for you Razer fans out there. While Razer hasn’t made its own desktop PC (not yet, anyway), you can build a Mini-ITX gaming PC, pretending it’s a razer product. You see, Antec partnered with Razer to bring its signature green-infused flare to the Cube, a small form-factor chassis. Complete with a deceptively high amount of space for future expansion, the Antec Cube is also compact enough to travel with. 

Thermaltake Core W200 against a white background

The Thermaltake Core W200 has room for more than twenty drive trays and up to ten expansion slots. (Image credit: Thermaltake)

10. Thermaltake Core W200

For a fully kitted-out setup, and then some

Form factor: Super Tower | Dimensions: 677 x 475 x 678 mm (26.7 x 18.7 x 26.7 inch) | PSU support: Standard PS2 PSU x 2 (optional) | I/O: USB 3.0 x 8, HD Audio x 2 | Includes: Transparent Window, 10 expansion slots

Can house a ton of stuff
Very customizable
Not cheap

The Thermaltake Core W200 might not be the cheapest, but it may just be what you need if you need a piece of kit with all the necessary (and some perhaps frivolous) trimmings while still having more than enough room to expand in the future. This super tower has room for more than twenty drive trays and up to ten expansion slots – more than enough to technically have two PCs in it. And, if that doesn’t seem versatile enough for you, it also has a dismantlable modular design boasting removable drive racks and freely interchangeable SSD/HDD cage sections. All that comes at a (steep) price, but it’s well worth it if it’s exactly what you need.

What is the best airflow PC case?

If you only care about keeping your PC components cool without investing in pricey and complicated liquid cooling setups, the Cooler Master H500P Mesh should be at the top of your list. Plenty of open space, and more room for fans than many other mid-tower PC cases, and it looks good to boot. 

What is the most overkill PC case

In the world of PC gaming, we all love going above and beyond what anyone could reasonably need in a gaming rig, and that all starts with the PC case. Cases like the Corsair Obsidian 1000D, which can fit two whole PC builds are exactly what to look out for when looking for an overkill PC case.

Which case is best for a gaming PC?

Honestly, pretty much any case on this list is going to be an excellent pick for a gaming PC. But you should consider what you're going for with your build, whether you want a ton of RGB flair like the Corsair iCue RGB 5000X, a lot of airflow like the Cooler Master H500P Mesh or something small and portable like the Antec Cube.

The best part of picking a PC case, like with anything in PC gaming is that you have so many choices that will be absolutely amazing.



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