Introduction
When looking for the best PC cases to buy, it would be safe to say that there are a lot of options. Whether you’re looking for a feature-rich chassis to house your components or you’re looking for the best value for money case on a budget, there is a wealth of options to choose from. Picking the right option for your use case is important, as you don’t want to be left struggling to build into your gaming PC case or lacking the features you require to take full advantage of your PC build.
We’ve collated a range of cases at varying price points and form factors to give you a conclusive selection of some of the best cases you can buy. Each case in this roundup has been analysed and tested to help ensure that each of our recommendations is well suited to a range of different buyers.
The Best PC Cases to Buy in 2023
1. HYTE Y60
HYTE revolutionised the gaming PC case market with the Y60, introducing a new standard for high-end PC builds. The iconic ‘fish-tank’ design is intended to show off your gaming components in all their glory while featuring enough ventilation along the top, back and bottom panels to maximise airflow. For enthusiasts looking to buy the best case for their PC build, it is hard to look past the HYTE Y60.
The Y60 comes with 4 pre-installed 120mm RGB fans, with maximum support for eight 120mm fans throughout the case. For those looking to install an AIO cooler, there is support a 360mm cooler on the top panel which is great to see. There’s also a good amount of space to install top-end components in this case, with 375mm of GPU clearance and support for E-ATX motherboards. The range of IO on the Y60 is good, too, with two USB Type-A ports and a single Type-C port, along with a 3.5mm combo jack for headphone and microphone support.
HYTE Y60 | Specification |
---|---|
Case Size | Mid-Tower |
Pre-Installed Fans | Front: 3x 120mm RGB Rear: 1x 120mm RGB |
Max Fan Support | 8x 120mm |
Max Radiator Support | Side: Up to 280mm Top: Up to 360mm Rear: Up to 120mm |
Motherboard Support | Up to E-ATX |
GPU Clearance | 375mm |
CPU Cooler Clearance | 160mm |
Front IO | 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C 1x 3.5mm Combo Jack |
This case is an elite option for those looking to buy a new gaming PC case, and the price is certainly not tailored to a budget-conscious PC builder. It is also worth noting that the case is intended to show off everything inside, making it a tricky pick for first-time PC builders who will need to spend more time than normal perfecting the internals.
Suggested Article: HYTE Y70 Touch Review – The Best PC Case for Enthusiasts?
2. Montech Air 903 Max
Montech really tapped into the budget market with the Air 903 MAX and has done so in a big way. Montech smashed the stereotype that a cheaper case means major feature sacrifices and has provided a case that offers one of the best value products on the market. This chassis comes with a large mesh front that allows for great airflow throughout the case. It also comes with four pre-installed 140mm fans as standard, three of which feature RGB lighting. This is a phenomenal number for a case of this price point.
You won’t be struggling for space for your GPU in this case either, with the Air 903 MAX offering a huge 400mm of clearance. Even if you are looking to build with one of the larger RTX 40-series GPUs, you should have more than enough space – even with a radiator installed up front too.
Montech Air 903 Max | Specification |
---|---|
Case Size | Mid-Tower |
Pre-Installed Fans | 4x 140mm HP140 PWM |
Max Fan Support | 9x 120mm |
Max Radiator Support | Front: Up to 360mm Top: Up to 360mm |
Motherboard Support | Up to E-ATX |
GPU Clearance | 400mm |
CPU Cooler Clearance | 180mm |
Front IO | 2x USB 3.0 Type-A 1x USB Type-C 1x 3.5mm Combo Jack |
For all the good features that the Montech Air 903 MAX offers there are also some drawbacks. The design is fairly plant, and although it does feature some RGB fans as standard, it is definitively a tame choice compared to other cases in this roundup. The mesh front panel also doubles as a dust filter, which over time will become dirty and need regular cleaning to stay looking tip top.
3. DeepCool CH560
The DeepCool CH560 is an airflow-focused case with a unique mesh-glass side panel to further promote heat dissipation. The front panel on the CH560 also features a mesh design, and has three ARGB pre-installed 140mm fans with the case. The case’s aesthetic is sleek and clean, with the RGB fans adding visual accents and airflow.
The DeepCool CH560’s dimensions are smaller than most ATX mid-tower PC cases, but there is still a generous amount of room for components. There is 380mm of GPU clearance and support for nine 120mm fans throughout the case. You’ll also find support for 360mm radiators, great for installing an AIO cooler.
The connectivity and IO are on the lighter side, with only one Type-A USB, one Type-C and a 3.5mm combo jack.
DeepCool CH560 | Specification |
---|---|
Case Size | Mid-Tower |
Pre-Installed Fans | 3x 140mm ARGB 1x 120mm ARGB |
Max Fan Support | 9x 120mm |
Max Radiator Support | Front: Up to 360mm Top: Up to 360mm Rear: Up to 140mm |
Motherboard Support | Up to E-ATX |
GPU Clearance | 380mm |
CPU Cooler Clearance | 175mm |
Front IO | 1x USB 3.0 Type-A 1x USB Type-C 1x 3.5mm Combo Jack |
One of the drawbacks of the CH560 is the quality of the included GPU support bracket. While a nice feature addition, I worry about how robust this will be for supporting the largest and bulkiest graphics cards over time. The aesthetic of this case is also a little bland compared to other options in this roundup but it remains great value for money regardless.
4. NZXT H5 Flow
NZXT’s H5 Flow is a sleek mid-tower PC case with a clean and minimalistic aesthetic. The design choice to include a mesh front panel on the H5 Flow is great and helps with airflow. The H5 Flow is a mid-tower chassis with ample space for up to ATX motherboards and a sizeable 365mm of GPU clearance. In terms of cooling, users can mount up to a 280mm radiator on the front of the H5 Flow and a 240mm radiator. This is less support than on the Montech Air and CH560 featured previously.
NZXT provides two of their F series 120mm fans pre-installed in the H5 Flow, and they run quietly when under load. The dedicated GPU airflow duct is also a fantastic addition and helps to keep the card’s temperatures in check. NZXT cases are traditionally easier to build in compared to most cases on the market, with features such as their cable management bar helping to keep cables neat and tidy.
NZXT H5 Flow | Specification |
---|---|
Case Size | Mid-Tower |
Pre-Installed Fans | 2x F Series Quiet 120mm |
Max Fan Support | 6x 120mm |
Max Radiator Support | Front: Up to 280mm Top: Up to 240mm Rear: Up to 120mm |
Motherboard Support | Up to ATX |
GPU Clearance | 365mm |
CPU Cooler Clearance | 165mm |
Front IO | 1x USB 3.2 Type-A 1x USB Type-C 1x 3.5mm Combo Jack |
Although it is nice to have two pre-installed fans in the H5 Flow, the bottom fan provides little to no benefit for cooling anything other than the GPU. Another drawback for this PC case is the restricted number of IO options on offer, with only two USB ports available.
5. Thermaltake Tower 200
The Thermaltake Tower 200 is a compact Mini-ITX case that offers generous space for a range of components. It comes with three tempered glass windows as standard, perfect for viewing your PC build. Additionally, the case comes with two pre-installed fans for increased airflow.
Due to the design of this case, it is one of the only Mini-ITX cases we’ve reviewed that can house the largest size of graphics cards, with RTX 4090 builds possible in this small form factor. The Tower 200’s open-style design promotes plenty of airflow and offers uninterrupted viewing of all the internal components. An added bonus if you are looking to build into the Tower 200 is the compatibility of full ATX power supplies, something which will save you money over needing to pick up an SFX power supply.
Thermaltake Tower 200 | Specification |
---|---|
Case Size | Mini-Tower |
Pre-Installed Fans | 2x CT140 140mm |
Max Fan Support | 6x 120mm |
Max Radiator Support | Front: Up to 280mm Top: Up to 240mm Rear: Up to 120mm |
Motherboard Support | Up to Mini-ITX |
GPU Clearance | 380mm |
CPU Cooler Clearance | 200mm |
Front IO | 2x USB 3.0 Type-A 1x USB Type-C 1x HD Audio |
6. Fractal Design North
The Fractal Design North is one of the most aesthetically pleasing PC cases we’ve seen on the market, thanks to its unique wooden front panel. Fractal Design offers some of the most interesting and eye-catching case designs on the market, and the North is arguably the pick of the bunch. The faux-wooden front panel doesn’t hinder the airflow of the North either, as each faux-wooden slat is separated with underlying mesh. As for the rest of the case, the design is far more rudimentary, with a brilliant cable management system that makes building especially easy.
The Fractal Design North comes with two pre-installed 140mm fans and offers support for up to six 140mm or eight 120mm fans in total. For those looking to install an AIO cooler in the North, there is room for a 360mm radiator at the front of the case or a 240mm radiator at the top, ensuring enough room to house most of the best liquid coolers on the market. IO is reasonable on the Fractal Design North, with three USB ports, of which one is USB Type-C.
Fractal Design North | Specification |
---|---|
Case Size | Mid-Tower |
Pre-Installed Fans | 2x Aspect 140 mm PWM |
Max Fan Support | 8x 120mm |
Max Radiator Support | Front: Up to 360mm Top: Up to 240mm Rear: Up to 120mm |
Motherboard Support | Up to ATX |
GPU Clearance | 355mm |
CPU Cooler Clearance | 170mm |
Front IO | 2x USB 3.0 Type-A 1x USB Type-C 1x Audio & Mic |
Unfortunately, Fractal Design North is not accommodating to some of the market’s large PC components. For example, there is no support for E-ATX motherboards and only 355mm of GPU clearance, something that will restrict the choice of graphics card and motherboard.
7. Lian Li O11 Vision
The Lian Li O11 Vision allows you to turn your gaming PC into an aesthetic masterpiece with relative ease. This case’s innovative, seamless glass panels showcase every angle of your PC build and allow each component to stand out. Lian Li put modularity at the forefront when designing the O11 Vision, providing a range of features for cable management and a vast amount of space within the case with a whopping 455mm of GPU clearance.
There is even enough room to put in your own custom liquid cooling loop if you so desire. Furthermore, the inclusion of a number of tool-less panels that can be adjusted allows you to easily build into the O11 Vision, making the whole thing a very pleasant experience. Though there is support for up to eight 120mm fans, Lian Li has not provided any pre-installed fans, meaning you must source those yourself. IO is sufficient on this PC case, too, with two Type-A USB ports and a single Type-C port, as well as a 3.5mm Combo jack for headphones and microphones rolled into one.
Lian Li O11 Vision | Specification |
---|---|
Case Size | Mid-Tower |
Pre-Installed Fans | None |
Max Fan Support | 8x 120mm |
Max Radiator Support | Side: Up to 360mm Bottom: Up to 360mm Rear: Up to 240mm |
Motherboard Support | Up to E-ATX |
GPU Clearance | 455mm |
CPU Cooler Clearance | 167mm |
Front IO | 2x USB 3.0 Type-A 1x USB Type-C 1x 3.5mm Combo Jack |
The beauty of the Lian Li O11 Vision derives from its glass-heavy design, which impacts airflow. With very little perforation on the side panel, we found in testing that there was a slight hit on our thermal metrics, something which some buyers will be keen to avoid. This is a natural trade-off in cases that prioritise looks over airflow.
8. MSI Gungnir 300R Airflow
The MSI MPG Gungnir 300R Airflow is an excellent choice for those after a feature-rich gaming PC case: with exceptional airflow, a pristine aesthetic and white or black colour options, it is a polished all-round package. The mesh front panel is what helps with the Gungnir 300R’s great airflow performance, while a generous amount of ventilation around the body of the case maximizes heat dissipation. MSI has allowed support for up to seven 120mm fans in the Gungnir, which further helps to keep a lid on temperatures.
It is possible to mount your GPU vertically in the Gungnir, thanks to a rotational PCI-E lane setup at the rear. You shouldn’t encounter any GPU clearance issues either, as the Gungnir 300R Airflow has up to 360mm of space, making it capable of housing even most RTX 4090 GPUs. There is also an included GPU support bracket for standard horizontal installations – a great addition!
MSI MPG Gungnir 300R Airflow | Specification |
---|---|
Case Size | Mid-Tower |
Pre-Installed Fans | Front: 3x 120mm RGB Rear: 1x 120mm RGB |
Max Fan Support | 7x 120mm |
Max Radiator Support | Front: Up to 360mm Top: Up to 360mm Rear: Up to 140mm |
Motherboard Support | Up to E-ATX |
GPU Clearance | 360mm |
CPU Cooler Clearance | 175mm |
Front IO | 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C 1x 3.5mm Combo Jack |
Despite the Gungnir 300R Airflow is a great case, it lacks a certain flair that some of the other cases in this roundup do. The all-white or black design looks nice but lacks a little flashiness that further tempered glass, metal or RGB accents add on competitor cases.
9. bequiet! Shadow Base 800 FX
be quiet!’s Shadow Base 800 FX is the best case to pick up if you’re looking for an array of RGB lighting to make your PC sparkle. be quiet! provide four of their 140mm RGB fans pre-installed within the Shadow Base 800 FX, while you’ll also find RGB lighting strips down the case’s front panel. All of this can be controlled by the provided RGB controller via the top panel of the case.
The Shadow Base 800 FX might only be a mid-tower case, but it offers a whopping 430mm of GPU clearance and support for up to a 420mm radiator on both the front and top panels. This amount of space means those building a top-end enthusiast system will have no issue fitting all the larger components on the market into their PC build. For the IO, there’s a USB Type-C port, two Type-A ports, and a 3.5mm jack for audio and microphone.
be quiet! Shadow Base 800 FX | Specification |
---|---|
Case Size | Mid-Tower |
Pre-Installed Fans | 4x Light Winds 140mm |
Max Fan Support | 8x 140mm |
Max Radiator Support | Front: Up to 420mm Top: Up to 420mm Rear: Up to 120mm |
Motherboard Support | Up to E-ATX |
GPU Clearance | 430mm |
CPU Cooler Clearance | 180mm |
Front IO | 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C 2x USB 3.2 Type-A 1x 3.5mm Combo Jack |
The Shadow Base 800 FX comes at a premium price point, which we feel is warranted when considering the build quality and features. It does, however, put it at the expensive end of our roundup and is certainly not the case of choice for those building on a more modest budget.
10. Cooler Master HAF 700 EVO
For those for whom money is no object, there can be, in our opinion, no better case than the Cooler Master HAF 700 EVO. The HAF 700 EVO is truly an enthusiast dream that comes with a ludicrous amount of features, such as support for up to eighteen 120mm fans, GPU clearance of 490mm, RGB front panel fins, and even an infinite mirror inside of the case. With such a huge amount of support for fans and cooling, the HAF 700 EVO thermals are immense, meaning that you should have no issue squeezing whatever your components are.
Cooler Master provides two exclusive ‘Performance Edition’ 200mm SickleFlow PWM fans on the front panel of the HAF 700 EVO and another three 120mm pre-installed fans around the rest of the case. There’s also support for up to a 480mm radiator on the side panel and even space for two sets of 360mm radiators in the top panel – outrageous in every way. IO is not lacking either, with four Type-A USB ports, one Type-C port, and 3.5mm jacks for headphones and a microphone.
Cooler Master HAF 700 EVO | Specification |
---|---|
Case Size | Full Tower |
Pre-Installed Fans | Front: 2x SickleFlow PWM Performance Ed. 200mm Rear: 2 x SickleFlow PWM ARGB 120mm Bottom: 1x SickleFlow PWM ARGB 120mm |
Max Fan Support | 18x 120mm |
Max Radiator Support | Side: Up to 480mm Front: Up to 420mm Top: Up to 420mm Rear: Up to 120mm Bottom: Up to 420mm |
Motherboard Support | Up to E-ATX |
GPU Clearance | 490mm |
CPU Cooler Clearance | 166mm |
Front IO | 4x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A 1x USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C 1x 3.5mm 4 Poles Audio Jack 1x 3.5mm Mic Jack |
This case certainly isn’t for everybody, with its expensive price point and huge physical stature likely to rule it out for many. Undoubtedly, the HAF 700 EVO is very much geared towards top-end enthusiasts looking for the best possible case for their gaming setup.
11. Corsair 2000D Airflow
Corsair’s 2000D Airflow is a great mini-ITX case that offers top-tier airflow for some of the larger components you can buy. It is surrounded by full-length mesh panels on all four sides and on top, which offers maximum airflow to the rest of your PC build. This small form factor case can be bought in either black or white, with more sporting a simple and clean aesthetic.
For a smaller case size, the 2000D Airflow still offers reasonable support for fans and radiators, and also provides three pre-installed AF120 ARGB fans, bringing some flair to the case. These RGB fans can be controlled using Corsair’s industry leading iCUE technology, while there’s also good clearance for your GPU at 365mm. The connectivity and IO offerings are good, too, with two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, one Gen2 Type-C port and a 3.5mm combo jack.
Corsair 2000D Airflow | Specification |
---|---|
Case Size | Mini-ITX |
Pre-Installed Fans | 3x AF120 ARGB |
Max Fan Support | 6x 120mm |
Max Radiator Support | Side: Up to 360mm Back: Up to 240mm |
Motherboard Support | Up to M-ATX |
GPU Clearance | 365mm |
CPU Cooler Clearance | 165mm |
Front IO | 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A 1x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C 1x 3.5mm Combo Jack |
Compared to some of the other cases in this roundup, there is a clear lack of flair when it comes to the 2000D. While it is nice to have RGB fans within the case, there’s still something lacking when it comes to the looks of this PC case.
How We Tested the Best PC Cases
Our team of hardware experts are building gaming PCs on a daily basis, using an array of different cases each time we assemble a system. During our building within a particular chassis, we conduct a number of testing and evaluation procedures to determine how it performs compared to other PC cases on the market. For each PC case that we test, the main factors we take into consideration are as follows:
- Design
- Versatility
- Airflow
- Building difficulty
- Aesthetic
- Compatibility
- Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
What Size PC Case Should I Buy?
You should buy a PC case that fits the space available on your gaming setup. You should also consider compatibility with other components within the case and ensure your case choice supports your GPU, motherboard, and CPU cooler.
How Important is Airflow for a PC Case?
Airflow is very important as it helps to keep components cool, and running within specification.
How Much Should I Spend on a PC Case?
$80 – $150 is the best price bracket for most PC case buyers, though it depends on the features you are after.