Best small form factor pc case

It's a myth that PC users need a large tower to accommodate all the components. While the standard ATX mid-tower is the most popular form factor in PC casesmini-ITX cases are no longer seen as "inefficient," despite being much smaller compared best small form factor pc case their mid-tower counterparts. Due to their compact size, these cases should fit on or under most gaming desks with ease. With new designs offering ample airflow, good cable management, and great component compatibility, it's hard not to recommend Mini-ITX cases to enthusiasts.

If your desk is already cluttered with devices and accessories, the last thing you need is a mid-tower or eATX case taking up more room. Mini ITX cases, like our top pick, the Cooler Master NR , sit neatly within your setup, and could easily be mistaken for a subwoofer. In fact, you can still fit powerful processors , graphics cards , cooling, and more without encroaching on your real estate. One of the biggest concerns people have when building Mini-ITX PCs is being able to accommodate the most powerful hardware, which tends to run a bit big. It may be only It also has racks for two 2. The case is made of steel with mesh panels on the front, side, top, and rear for extra ventilation.

Best small form factor pc case

The 6. But while many other types of tech have continued to shrink, most people are still building PCs in bulky towers with full-size ATX motherboards. There was a time when opting for Mini-ITX meant trading performance for a smaller PC, requiring compact components like short, compact graphics cards and low-profile coolers. While opting for a small-form-factor SFF SFX power supply is still often a requirement in the smallest cases, most ITX cases released in recent years also support full-length two- or three-slot graphics cards. Still, that's not always the case, and cards have gotten larger with the arrival of Nvidia's So be sure to check clearances before buying. Why you can trust Tom's Hardware Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test. This is a The basic frame is made from steel, and each side houses half-glass, half-perforated steel panels.

On top of that, some cases come with a transparent panel to provide a clear look at the interior. Featuring a tall height, the case allows up to mm radiators. The other cases I've tested with these rear-connector boards don't have nearly enough space behind the motherboard.

The best mini-ITX PC case is about being able to build a powerful gaming PC into the sort of footprint normally given to a games console. It's a challenge for sure, and the need for more expensive micro motherboards can make such a build pricey, but it's oh-so satisfying once you have your mighty mini rig humming away on your desk. The first thing you're probably asking yourself when you look at some of these cases is, "just how am I going to cram a GPU inside there? You just have to be more aware of the GPU and case dimensions than you would a mid to full-size tower before you add anything to your cart. There's something obscenely satisfying about cramming an entire gaming PC into a teeny chassis and watching it boot for the first time. I've spent a serious chunk of time jamming components into a wealth of mini-ITX cases to test airflow, cable routing, and support for motherboards and radiators, among other things. You'll find my recommendations below.

We've added a ton of full-tower and mid-tower cases in some of our collection articles including the best PC cases , best PC cases for gamers , and more. In this article, we're going to take a look at a dedicated list of the best mini-ITX PC cases, which are smaller than the rest of the pack. Although most mini-ITX cases are focused on size first and performance second, there are some cases out there that can even support the best CPUs and fastest GPUs available. Lian Li is one of the most popular names in the computing space. While the company is largely known for its mid-tower and full-tower cases, it recently decided to enter the ITX market with the Q58 case, which does pretty much everything well. Coming in either black or white, the Q58 case is made out of a combination of aluminum, glass, and mesh panels. The top half of both side panels is made out of glass while the bottom half is a mesh panel. The front panel is entirely made out of aluminum, but it's been painted with a finished split right in the middle to match the other panels. The top panel is also made out of aluminum, and it has a mesh finish to act as an exhaust panel.

Best small form factor pc case

The primary benefit of a mini-ITX PC case is its compact size, which occupies far less room compared to the traditional mid-tower or full-tower cabinets. This results in increased desk space for accommodating additional peripherals and other accessories. Moreover, this compactness enhances its portability, making it convenient for transportation to LAN parties or a friend's residence. Here are our favorites. Why you should buy this : Value-for-money mini-ITX case offering the best performance. It is also available in cyan blue, orange, pink, and purple colors for a slightly higher cost. Then there is the NRP, which comes with a tempered glass side panel along with the standard mesh panel. You can even fit an ATX power supply using a special bracket which is sold separately. Fan support includes two mm fans on the top and bottom, a 92mm on the rear, and two mm or mm on the side panel bracket. It can fit air coolers up to mm tall, and it supports water-cooling radiators up to mm on the side or mm on the bottom.

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The D is not only perfect for modern-day components but also for making sure they run cooler all the time. In fact, you can still fit powerful processors , graphics cards , cooling, and more without encroaching on your real estate. Brand Cooler Master. Like the larger North tower, this case is a welcome departure from the aggressive lines and RGB of most gaming-focused cases. Cons Doesn't support standard-sized PSu No 3. As previously discussed in this guide, buyers should consider several factors when purchasing a new Mini-ITX case for their PC. There aren't a lot of mini-ITX chassis that are actually, y'know, mini. Storage Support: 2 2. It's also very expensive, but doesn't pull any punches when it comes to features. The front and the top plate are made from fancier aluminum, altogether giving the case a very premium look and feel. Corsair, Silverstone, and be quiet! And you are spoiled for choice, as the company offers panels in silver aluminum and four wood varieties. But, the case can be reconfigured to sacrifice some AIO and storage options in favor of fitting an ATX power supply, which is a great way of achieving some cost savings, in combination with opting for the plain PCIe 3. Its thermal and acoustic performance is also in line with what we'd expect from a mesh front. Best Workstation Case

The best mini-ITX PC case is about being able to build a powerful gaming PC into the sort of footprint normally given to a games console.

If I interpret correctly a desktop computer indicates it is placed on your desktop. Phanteks Evolv Shift 2. Clearance: Some cases are frustrating to work with. You can even squeeze in a mm ATX power supply and up to a triple-slot mm graphics card. Interchangeable side panels with ventilation and the mm fan support for massive airflow distinguish it from other ITX cases. Image 1 of 6. Just know you'll need to bring a modular SFX PSU, because you'll need all the spare interanal space you can get with this case. Warranty: 2 years. The case has many features you'd find in a high-end mid-tower, including excellent cable management and a full-sized tempered glass panel. You can get your fix of his antics on Twitter Ribnax or check out his show on Twitch The Platformers. The O11 Air Mini features an unusual side-by-side chambered design, but building in it is a breeze and its performance is well up to snuff by modern standards. Read more below. With a hard limit of mm in terms of graphics card length, despite the potential for it to expand over four slots, there will be many a GPU that simply won't fit inside the Corsair case.