The best PC case in 2024: top computer housing for your build

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REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
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REASONS TO BUY
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best PC cases
(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to finding the best PC case for your rig, there’s no shortage of candidates to choose from. With a nearly endless array of cases on offer, you can find the perfect blend of aesthetics, ventilation, and storage space to suit whatever type of PC you’re building. 

If you’re looking for the best of the best, the Hyte Y70 Touch is our current pick. In addition to being stunning to look at, it offers ample interior space for the best graphics cards and motherboards, in addition to plenty of fan and radiator space for proper airflow. It's expensive, but it's worth it.

On the other hand, if a top-end PC case isn’t an option, you’ll find no shortage of budget-friendly options to consider. Take the Fractal Design Meshify C, for instance. This mid-tower case comes with a much more reasonable price tag and features a unique and super cool fractal design on its front mesh covering.

Here at TechRadar, building PCs comes with the turf, and we’ve certainly built more than our fair share over the years. In so doing, we’ve tried and tested PC cases of all shapes and sizes, keeping our finger firmly on the pulse with the latest design trends. No matter what type of PC you’re building, our list has a case to suit every need and budget. 

The best PC cases in 2024

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The best PC case overall

The best PC case overall

Specifications

Motherboard support: ITX, mATX, ATX, EATX
Volume: 70.7L
Dimensions: 470mm x 320mm x 470mm
PSU support: Bottom mount
I/O Panel: 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1 3.5mm combo jack
Radiator support: Top: 120-360mm, 140-280mm, 68mm thick; Rear: 120-140mm; Side: 120-360mm, 140-280mm, 125mm thick
Max fan support: 10 x 120mm, 7 x 140mm
Max graphics card length: 390mm
Max CPU cooler height: 180mm

Reasons to buy

+
Customizable touch panel
+
Ample space for components
+
Vertical GPU riser included

Reasons to avoid

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Expensive
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Touch panel requires available DP 1.4 from video card
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Bulky

PC cases don’t come much more cutting edge than this one. The Hyte Y70 Touch has a cut-away design on one of its front corners that features a 4K interactive touchscreen, on which you can display system information, live backgrounds, and quick access widgets to launch programs. 

Running on Hyte’s Nexus software, the touchscreen acts as a second Windows display for your PC; meaning it provides practical functionality, rather than just a gimmicky visual aesthetic. And once the software is up and running, configuring this gorgeous display is an intuitive affair that rewards you with time-saving substance to add to that style. 

This premium case comes with a spacious interior as well, boasting room for up to 10 case fans, and three radiators. Its dual-chamber design conveniently allows for plenty of air circulation too, giving you a helping hand when it comes to keeping everything cool. Plus, the glass panels on either side of the touchscreen display are ideal for showing off your GPU as well. 

It won’t come as any surprise that the biggest drawback with this remarkable mid-tower case is the hefty asking price. As impressive (and useful) as that 4K touchscreen panel is, you could argue that it’s an unnecessary extravagance, making it harder to justify the price point. 

However, it’s hard to fault the case itself. Standing out from the crowd from a mile off, the Hyte Y70 Touch is going to turn heads, and then some. Packed with neat, quality-of-life features, all wrapped up with a 4K touchscreen bow, this is the PC case for you, if your budget can stretch to it. 

Read the full Hyte Y70 Touch review

The best mid-tower PC case

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

2. Fractal Design Meshify-C

The best mid-tower PC case

Specifications

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

Reasons to buy

+
Freshly designed in multiple ways
+
Reasonable price

Reasons to avoid

-
Front USB 3.0 cable is too short
-
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, like the difficulty in removing the PSU dust filter and the front USB 3.0 cable being frustratingly short, making it difficult to plug into your motherboard. 

The best small tower case

An ASUS Prime AP201 against a white background

(Image credit: Asus)

3. Asus Prime AP201

The best small tower PC case

Specifications

Form factor: Small Tower
Dimensions: 460 x 205 x 350 mm (L x W x H)
PSU support: ATX
I/O: 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x headphone, 1 x microphone

Reasons to buy

+
Full case mesh for fantastic air flow
+
Stylish design in white or black
+
Tool-free panels

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited to 6 120mm fans
-
Not good for showing off your components

The Asus Prime AP201 is one of our favorite cases for microATX builds thanks to its tool-free access, 360-degree airflow, and surprisingly large capacity. It also helps aid in cable management thanks to the 32mm gap on the motherboard tray to help keep cables tucked away. 

It can support both MicroATX and Mini-ITX motherboards, up to a 180mm power supply, and up to a 338mm long graphics card, so it can even hold an RTX 4090 Founders Edition (though definitely look into a GPU bracket, since one isn't included with this case). You can also fit in a 360mm AIO cooler, though only just barely.

Getting everything situated in the case is going to be a challenge given its size (no small tower case will be easy to configure with modern hardware), but the AP201 manages to make the process as relatively painless as possible thanks to a number of clever design choices, like mounting the PSU at the front of the case with an extension cable running to the back.

If there's a drawback, it would be the lack of a glass side panel option for those who want to show off the interior of their builds, but for those who want a PC that blends in rather than stands out, this just might be exactly what you want.

All in all, the Asus Prime AP201 is the ideal small tower case for anyone looking for a high-performance build with a smaller footprint. It might take time for some to fit everything they need inside, but if you're up to the challenge, this case will serve you well for a long time to come.

The best DIY case

The best PC case for DIY heads

Specifications

Motherboard support: ITX, mATX, ATX, EATX
Volume: 33.44L
Dimensions: 406 x 231 x 415mm (Incl. Protrusions), 380 x 231 x 381mm (excl. Protrusions)
PSU support: SFX, SFX-L, ATX
I/O Panel: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 x 2 Type C, 1x 3.5mm combo jack
Radiator support: Top: 120-360mm, 140-280mm, 68mm thick; Rear: 120-140mm; Side: 120-360mm, 140-280mm, 125mm thick
Max fan support: 10 x 120mm, 7 x 140mm
Max graphics card length: 390mm
Max CPU cooler height: 180mm

Reasons to buy

+
Lively color options
+
Cool build experience
+
Attachment support and removable panels make for great customization

Reasons to avoid

-
On the smaller side, so not great for big cooling solutions
-
Large GPUs are going to be a tight fit
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Assembly instructions only available online

If your idea of building your own custom PC involves doing it yourself as much as possible, the Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack may be one of the most satisfying PC cases there is. This flatpack PC case puts you in mind of a certain Scandinavian furniture emporium, although luckily the instructions here are much more helpful.   

Assembling the Cooler Master Qube 500 is a relatively straightforward and enjoyable process, thanks to the detailed instructions provided by Cooler Master’s YouTube Channel, which are clear and easy to follow.

The completed product offers excellent ventilation, and compact storage for all the essentials. Integrated carry handles on the top mean that repositioning the case is nice and easy, and you won’t struggle to find a handhold when lugging it around.

On the downside, this case is on the smaller side, so you’ll want to check that its dimensions can accommodate all the chosen innards for your build. In addition, the compact design restricts front fan placement, which could be an issue, depending on the type of PC you’re looking to put together.

That said, the Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack still manages to feel like a breath of fresh air. It’s the perfect choice for DIY enthusiasts, or first time builders eager to learn the ropes. It has a unique and colorful design options, a budget-friendly price tag, and the overall package makes it one of the best PC cases you can buy.

Read the full Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack review

The best PC case for a living room PC

A PC gaming case against a white background

5. Phanteks Evolv Shift 2

The best home theater PC case

Specifications

Form factor: Small form factor
Dimensions: 274 x 170 x 490 mm (L x W x H)
PSU support: SFX, SFX-L, ATX (160mm max)
I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, power button, RGB button

Reasons to buy

+
Plenty of room for beefy components
+
One-of-a-kind aesthetic

Reasons to avoid

-
 Massive for Mini-ITX

When you first look at the Phanteks Evolv Shift 2, 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 or best TVs. It may only be compatible with a Mini-ITX motherboard, but the Phanteks Evolv Shift 2 offers tons of space for components and liquid cooling loops. 

If this case is a little small for your preference, you can get the larger Phanteks Evolv X for more room on the inside for a bigger GPU and other components.

The best PC cube case

A PC gaming case against a white background

6. Antec Dark Cube

The best PC cube case

Specifications

Form factor: Mid-cube
Dimensions: 512 x 240 x 406mm (L x W x H)
I/O: Power, LED Control Button, 2 x USB 3.0, HD-Audio, USB Type-C 3.1

Reasons to buy

+
Ample space for power and cooling
+
Integrated fan controller

Reasons to avoid

-
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. 

The best PC case: FAQs

If you're looking to do a new PC build, finding the right PC case is essential, but it is also going to be determined by the components you plan on including in the PC. If you're going big on components, you're likely going to need at least a mid-tower case, but if you're keeping things within a tight budget, a mini-ATX case will likely be better.

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.

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.

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John Loeffler
Components Editor

John (He/Him) is the Components Editor here at TechRadar and he is also a programmer, gamer, activist, and Brooklyn College alum currently living in Brooklyn, NY. 


Named by the CTA as a CES 2020 Media Trailblazer for his science and technology reporting, John specializes in all areas of computer science, including industry news, hardware reviews, PC gaming, as well as general science writing and the social impact of the tech industry.


You can find him online on Threads @johnloeffler.


Currently playing: Baldur's Gate 3 (just like everyone else).

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