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Every component of your computer is important. But even if you have the greatest components ever made, it won’t matter unless you’ve got a great PC case to house them in.
If you’re looking for a new case for your computer, you’ll need to do your research to know which one is right for you. Keep reading to learn more about our top five picks for the best PC cases on the market.
Table of Contents
What Exactly is a PC Case and Why Is It Important?
Let’s start with the basics. A PC case is the outer casing (“the tower”) that houses your hard drive and other internal components. At its core, it’s made to protect your machine from all sorts of damage from normal everyday use.
But not all cases are the same. There are many different types available, so it’s important to know a bit more detail before you can decide which one to buy. A standard case will protect your machine. A good case will help regulate airflow and keep your system cool.
But the best PC cases are those that include all the necessary features to make your machine run to its fullest potential.
What Are the Different Types of PC Cases?
Search online and you’ll see many different types available. Different cases serve different purposes. Depending on what type of style you want, you’ll find everything from sleek black steel designs to clear tempered glass options. But the exterior look isn’t the most important feature.
Many cases have unique features and properties that will allow you to customize the way your computer looks and operates on the inside. Sure, you could pick a case that looks great from the outside, but if it doesn’t function the way you need it to, it won’t do you any good.
The type of machine you have will dictate the type you need. There are a variety of different options, but there are three main types of cases. The most common PC cases are the full tower, the mid tower, and the mini tower.
Full Towers
Full towers are the largest cases you can buy. They start at about 30 inches in height, and they are usually equipped with six to ten internal drive bays. Full towers often allow for better airflow, as there is usually more room inside the case.
That interior room allows for more components and provides lots of space to work with. The biggest drawback is that a full tower will take up a good amount of room.
Mid Towers
As you might have guessed, mid towers are a bit smaller than full towers. Most mid towers tend to measure between 18 and 24 inches in height.
For some users, the dimensions are still a bit too bulky, but they are the most commonly used computer cases. Most mid-tower models come with two to four internal and external drive bays, allowing you to use every ounce of space.
Mini Towers
The third most popular type of PC case is the mini tower. Mini towers are the smallest type, and typically range from 12 to 18 inches in height. With their small shape, they can be easily positioned on top of a desk.
They are usually equipped with two to three internal drive bays. Many users prefer the small, compact size to the larger cases. But as good as they may look, mini towers have their drawbacks.
The small shape leaves little room for error when it comes to the interior build, and some people run into issues when it comes to expandability.
What to Look For in a PC Case
Some people choose a PC case based on how it looks. Others decide based on its size. And while the size and aesthetics matter, there are other things to consider when buying a new case.
Think about what you need your computer to do. This will help you determine how many components you need to include, which will help determine the size. Make sure it has enough drive bays and SSD mounting points to include the storage drives your system requires.
Another thing to keep in mind is cable management. If you can’t stand looking at cables, you’ll want a case with wire covers and cutouts for easy cable routing. If you plan to connect to various external devices, consider a PC case with front-panel connectivity.
Fans and airflow systems are crucial if you want to run a cool, high-performance machine. Look for models with many fans and excellent airflow, and make sure you’ve got enough room inside so that your components don’t block the fans.
Other features to keep in mind are the dust filters, noise level, and water-cooling support options. Keep in mind, the bigger you want your water-cooling system to be, the bigger a case you’ll need.
The 5 Best PC Cases
Now let’s get down to the details. Featuring models from Rosewill, Corsair, and more, we’ve chosen these as the top five PC cases on the market today.
Rosewill B2 SPIRIT ATX (Full Tower Case)
The B2 SPIRIT ATX is Rosewill’s flagship case, and it’s nothing short of superior. This excellent PC case is ideal for the user looking for great expansion capability. With this case protecting your components, you can build the system of your dreams.
It offers incredible storage capability to house all your cables and components. The full size provides plenty of room to install a sophisticated cooling system. It also includes an elevated top panel with pop-out fans.
This monster can support up to seven 140mm fans plus two 280mm liquid-cooling radiators.
This version will fit a graphics card up to 400mm long, and it offers the ability to build in the largest HPTX mainboard. With two sets of HDD cages, this case supports up to 13 HDDs or SSDs.
It measures approximately 10″ x 23″ x 24″, and it has a super sleek look with a smooth black finish. It’s big, it’s bold, and it’s perfect if you want to do an extensive build that delivers peak performance.
Thermaltake View 71 TG (Full Tower Case)
Want to show off what’s inside the case? The Thermaltake View 71 TG is a full tower case made with 5mm thick tempered glass panels that provide a four-sided internal view of your computer.
But it’s not just one of the most stylish glass cases around—it’s also loaded with some other incredible features.
This model includes two USB 3.0, two USB 2.0, one headphone, and 1 mic port. It boasts swing door windows, vertical radiator viewing, and floating GPU mounting.
It’s also AIO/DIY liquid cooling capable and includes two pre-installed 140mm blue ring fans. With this case from Thermaltake, you’ll enjoy optimal airflow and three-way radiator support to meet any PC’s demands.
3.5″ and 2.5″ tool-free drive bays allow for the easy interchange of storage drives, while modular racks and brackets allow you to create the perfect build. A modular HDD cage provides flexibility for custom cooling loops, and it for dual GPU placement.
It supports a vertical graphics card layout to prevent sagging and features a highly-routable cable design. For both its look and its highly functioning features, it’s one of the best PC cases around.
Corsair Carbide Air 740 (Mid Tower Case)
With a great cooling system and proper airflow, you’ll enjoy a higher level of performance from your machine. This version is designed to do exactly that. The Corsair Carbide Air 740 is a mid-tower case with a dual-chamber direct airflow path design. This airflow path delivers cooler air to your CPU, graphics cards, motherboard, memory, and other PCI-E components.
Despite its size, this case offers excellent internal volume with the power supply, SSD, and optical drives in a separate chamber. It’s designed for incredible airflow and includes 120mm x 25mm fans that provide excellent air movement through the case.
This case provides ample room for building and expanding your system. The steel case includes three 3.5″ drive bays and four 2.5″ drive bays, as well as eight case expansion slots.
Designed for use with an ATX power supply, this case offers an incredible balance of function and form.
Corsair Carbide Clear 600C (Full Tower Case)
Loaded with features, the Corsair Carbide Clear 600C case is a full tower PC case designed to maximize power by keeping your machine safe and cool.
This model features an Inverse ATX layout, allowing you to direct the airflow to the GPU and CPU, the hottest components in your system. The airflow inside the case is not wasted on drive cages that don’t need as much cooling.
A clear full side panel on one side allows you to sit back and admire the build inside, while the steel exterior protects your machine at all times. It boasts a minimal and modern layout with routing grommets that allow you to conceal your cables.
It’s cool, so it’s quiet, meaning that you’ll enjoy the most power and performance from your machine.
This model includes three quiet AF140L fans, and it can fit up to a 280mm radiator in front and up to a 360mm radiator along the bottom.
Don’t want to see your cables and drives through the clear panel? With this case, you can conceal them behind a 5.25″ bay cover.
Cooler Master MasterBox 5 (Mid Tower Case)
Last but not least on our list is the Cooler Master MasterBox 5. This mid-tower PC case makes it easy to mount and rearrange SSDs and HDDs across the motherboard tray, along with the bottom shelf or the back.
You can also mount SSDs on top of the HDD cage.
For the user who wants an expansion-friendly case, this model is perfect. It includes motherboard tray cutouts so you can rearrange them to accommodate any size motherboard.
The cutouts allow you to configure your system with an ATX, Micro ATX, or Mini ITX power supply. With dual-slot graphics cards and reservoir mounting, it’s ideal for new upgrades and new builds.
This Cooler Master PC case supports high-end components and well as air and DIY water cooling. It has a modular design that supports three 120mm fans or up to four fans with the use of an optional bracket on the front.
Hidden spaces allow for cable management and concealment, and it boasts a black steel body for sleek, modern styling.
Finding the Right PC Case
Before you buy your next PC case, take the time to figure out exactly what you need. There’s no use in rushing to buy on one sale if it won’t meet your needs. Also, don’t assume that because it has a higher price tag it’s a better case.
Each case is different and there are tons of options out there, so make sure you know what kind of system you’re looking to build before you buy.
Know how many drive bays and mounting points you need. Think about how many fans you want. Decide if you plan to install a liquid cooling system.
Think about how you want to route your system and manage cables. You can’t know what kind of case you need until you know what type of build you’re going to do.
If you want a high-performance machine with powerful cooling systems and space for a superior graphics card, you’re going to want a full-size case. If you plan to use a mini-ITX power supply, you might prefer a mini case. Decide how you want to build your machine then find a case that will make that build possible.
There are tons of versions on the market, but the five models discussed above offer some of the best value and performance around. Finding the right one is crucial to ensure functionality and computer security.
Take your time to do your research, compare specs and prices, and you’re sure to find a PC case that functions exactly as you need it to.