Choosing the best PC case for your build is just as important as picking the rest of the components. While the choice of a PC case comes down to personal preference, we'd like to remind you it's not just about buying any enclosure in which your PC components live. It determines many things including what the final build will look like, what parts can be used, and how easy it will be to put everything together. And of course, you want it to look good.

We've decided to go through different PC case options to highlight a select few that make the case to be the best PC cases. Be it a humongous cabinet to support your crazy build idea or a simple unit with maximum airflow, we've got you covered.

Best overall PC case: Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO

Source: Lian Li

The Lian Li O11 Dynamic XL was our pick for the best PC case on the market until recently. Replacing that is none other than its new variant, the O11 Dynamic EVO case. The 'EVO' branding in the name suggests that it's a modular version of the case. That's right, this new version of the case is identical to the original O11 Dynamic X11. It just happens to be slightly better because you can flip and use it in reverse mode. Besides the new trick, however, the new version of the case retains everything we like about the original one. As such, it has now become our pick for the best PC case one can buy in 2022.

So, what is it like to have a modular case? Well, it essentially means that you can move the tempered glass side from left to right. This particular process requires a full disassembly, but the fact that it's doable makes it a unique case by itself. This is currently the only PC case on the market that lets you do that.

Besides that, as we mentioned earlier, this is the same Lian Li O11 Dynamic PC case that's packed with a ton of features. The O11 Dynamic is a mid-tower PC case with a dual-chamber design. This case, as you can see, has plenty of glass panels on both the front and sides. There's a mesh panel on the top with vents for airflow. This is one of those mid-tower cases that have enough space for plenty of case fans or even a custom cooling loop.

You can install up to three 120mm or two 140mm fans on the front, top as well as bottom panels. There's also space to add a 120mm fan at the back. As for the radiator support, you can mount up to a 360mm radiator on the top, bottom, or front. You can also mount smaller 60mm fans on the hard drive cage to maintain the temperature of the drives. While the Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO PC case doesn't come with any pre-installed fans, you do get a front panel LED strip. This LED strip can be controlled via the motherboard software or a hub.

Another interesting thing about this case is that you can move the IO ports of the case between four different locations on the case. This can be done without any tools, which makes it very convenient to customize. Notably, you can also buy a port hub as an additional accessory for the case to add more ports. This feature is unique to the O11 Dynamic EVO that no other PC case currently offers.

Overall, we think there's a lot to like about the Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO PC case. It's obviously not a perfect case for everyone, but there's still a lot to consider. It has plenty of space for all the components, support for dual PSU mounts, a cable management bar, modular design, and more. The Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO is available in black, white, and gray color options, so pick the one that suits the overall aesthetic of your setup.

Source: Lian Li

Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO

Editor's Choice

The Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO PC case is a solid mid-tower cabinet with lots of customization options and plenty of space.

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Best full tower PC case: Corsair iCUE 7000X RGB

Source: Corsair

The Corsair iCUE 7000X is one of those PC cases that you may have seen some enthusiasts use in building an over-the-top system. Corsair may call it a full tower, but this thing is pretty big. With components drawing more power and producing more heat than ever before, it's important to get the PC case right in regard to thermal performance. The iCUE 7000X does just that with support for up to 480mm radiators.

480mm radiators are supported on the front and side, followed by up to a 420mm radiator on the top, and a 120mm at the back (though 120mm is arguably pointless). Alternatively, you can also install up to 11 120mm fans or 7 140mm and 4 120mm blowers for some serious airflow. The case also has enough clearance for GPUs and CPU coolers up to 190mm and 155mm in length respectively. The case has tempered glass enclosures that allow you to see all the internals.

The iCUE 7000X supports E-ATX, ATX, microATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards. The chassis is made out of steel and plastic though build quality is excellent. Corsair has put all that weight and volume to good use by allowing you to have plenty of room for internals. The case also has a lot of room for routing the cables. And to keep everything clean, Corsair includes four dust filters.

The Corsair iCUE 7000X carries an expensive price tag, though. The price, however, doesn't stick out like a sore thumb since it's also an enthusiast case with ample customization.

Source: Corsair

Corsair iCUE 7000X RGB

Premium Pick

Corsair's iCUE 7000X RGB is a huge full tower case with plenty of internal space to put together an enthusiast system. You'll have more radiator and fan mounts to know what to do with.

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Best mid-tower PC case: Corsair 4000D Airflow

Source: Corsair

Corsair's 4000D Airflow is a surprisingly affordable and well-thought-out case. It's a very straightforward cabinet to build in and it features plenty of room for cooling setups. The perforated front panel also has large gaps on either side to move additional air. The top of the case also has perforations and is covered by a magnetic dust filter. The Corsair 4000D Airflow also comes with two 120mm Corsair AirGuide fans pre-installed. There's enough room for adding four more 120mm fans to the case in addition to that.

The Corsair 4000D Airflow comes with decent radiator mounting options too. You can mount up to a 360mm radiator on the front and a 280mm radiator on the top. It can fit in CPU coolers with a max height of 170mm and GPUs with a max length of 360mm. The PSU sits in a separate compartment under the motherboard along with space for storage devices. It has plenty of clearance and the shroud separating the two compartments has perforations too.

The Corsair Airflow 4000D also comes with easy-to-remove dust filters on the top, front, and bottom under the PSU. Additionally, the front panel can be easily removed to install fans or radiators. The case is 18.3 inches tall and weighs 7.8kg. Corsair has used steel, plastic, and tempered glass to make this case look nice while keeping it functional. It's a fairly easy cabinet to work with once you get into it by removing the side panels.

Corsair has made it easier to route cables in this case by adding a channel with velcro ties. This makes it convenient to run cables to devices on both sides of the board. The velcro ties also help to keep the cables neat and organized. These cable-routing features are usually seen only on more expensive cases like the NZXT H710i.

The case also comes with a total of 9 PCI slots. Two of those slots are vertical using which you can also show off your GPU. The front I/O panel only has a single USB 3.0 Type-A and a USB 3.1 Type-C port next to the headphone/microphone jack. It would've been nice to have an additional USB 3.0 Type-A port, though.

It was a close call between the Corsair 4000D Airflow and the Fractal Design Meshify-C mid-tower case. The Corsair cabinet made it to our collection for a few reasons including how easy it is to work with. The 4000D Airflow is also readily available on the market now and it also costs less than the Fractal Design's case. The Corsair 4000D Airflow is a fantastic PC case for those who are building their first PC. It offers great value among budget ATX cases.

Source: Corsair

Corsair 4000D Airflow

The Corsair 4000D Airflow is a fantastic mid-tower PC case that's both functional and easy to work with.

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Best Mini-ITX case: NZXT H210i

Source: NZXT

NZXT's signature case design has been around for a while but still stands out from the crowd. The clean, modern look is complimented by its own ARGB system and the space to build a killer PC. Better still, NZXT has managed to translate everything great about its larger cases down to the Mini ITX scale. The H210i, in a picture at least, looks just the same as its larger siblings, only noticeably different when you spot the lack of PCIe expansion slots on the rear.

This is, in every regard, just a mini NZXT case. It's modeled on a tower, just smaller. As such the layout is pretty traditional. In the front, you have space for a pair of 120mm fans or a 240mm radiator, nestled behind the front (filtered) air intake. Additional 120mm fans can be located at the rear and top of the case for exhaust. Or you can put fans in the front and a 120mm radiator at the top or in the rear. Even on this scale, you have flexibility.

That also applies to the size of the graphics card you're using. With support for up to 325mm cards, you could conceivably squeeze an RTX 3080 Founders Edition inside the H210i with a little wiggle room to spare. When it comes to choosing a graphics card for this case, especially from the latest choices, it's not so much length that will be the limiting factor. More that you only have two PCIe slots available. If it's slightly larger than two slots, it simply won't fit.

The H210i is clever, too. It boasts built-in support for NZXT Cam to control not only your RGB but your case fans. One whole side is tempered glass, top to bottom, while the included PSU shroud will hide the worst of your cables. The rear of the case has plenty of cable management points for a case this size, likewise plenty of space for drives. If you stick to smaller 2.5-inch storage drives you can locate up to four inside the H210i, and a solitary 3.5-inch for good measure.

The NZXT H210i manages to be stylish and clever without getting too radical. Mini ITX can be tough to build, and this is by no means the smallest case of its type. But it's easy to use and will certainly help your small-form PC stand out.

Source: NZXT

NZXT H210i

Like NZXT's bigger cases, just smaller. Stylish, high-quality, easy to build in and not too expensive, either.

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Best PC case for water cooling: Lian-Li V3000+

Source: Lian Li

The Lian Li V3000+ is unlike anything else available from the company. You may have seen the incredibly popular Lian Li O11 Dynamic in many PC builds and now the company is ready to offer something a little more expansive. This is the largest PC case we're featuring in this collection. It's shaped to the full tower standard, unlike the Thermaltake Tower 900 and you can install two PCs inside.

Let's talk thermals, since that's arguably the most important factor of any case design. You can install a total of 16 120mm fans or slightly fewer at 13 if you're using larger 140mm blowers. The top panel even supports the installation of two giant 200m fans, so there's plenty of customization here when it comes to cooling. That carries over to radiator support with up to 480mm on the front, top, and bottom of the case. Finally, the rear of the Lian Li V3000+ can handle up to 360mm.

If that doesn't make it very clear just how large this big box of metal is, then how about the ability to install two systems inside the chassis and up to 16 storage drives. Tempered glass is present for you to showcase your internal components, as well as Lian Li's craftsmanship. And you can use any sized motherboard, though the secondary system has a few restrictions. You can only use a Mini ITX board, SFX-L PSU, and need to watch out for smaller clearance.

The Lian Li V3000+ is designed primarily for those who want to build a super-powerful PC with power-hungry components and a custom water-cooling solution. There's also the user case for running a streaming and gaming PC inside the same chassis for those who game and record simultaneously. It's big, expensive, and bloody brilliant for building epci systems.

Source: Lian Li

Lian-Li V3000+

You will be able to install all your custom water cooling parts and the kitchen sink inside the Lian Li V3000+. It's so massive it's quite frankly ridiculous.

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Best silent PC case: Fractal Design Define 7

Source: Fractal Design

Fractal Design has a variety of cases on the market spanning across different categories. Their Define series has some great PC cases that are popular in the community. A lot of enthusiasts prefer these cases for both performance and their mechanical design. We picked the Define 7 as a worthy addition to this collection for a few main reasons. It has a lot of convenient build features, is known to offer good thermal performance, and is quieter than most other mid-tower PC cases.

Depending on the chassis color you choose, Fractal Design will make the tempered glass side panel available with clear, light, or dark tinting. The case also comes with an optional vented top panel for those who prefer having more ventilation as opposed to a silent operation. This doesn't affect any other functionality of the case though. The front I/O panel includes a generous amount of ports. It features two USB 3.0 Type-A, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, and a USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type C port. There's also the headphone and microphone jack in addition to the power button.

The Define 7 PC case supports E-ATX, ATX, Micro ATX, and Mini ITX motherboards with plenty of space for fans, radiators, and more. There's enough clearance for a CPU cooler with a max height of 185mm and a GPU with a maximum length of up to 467mm. The case also offers vertical GPU mount support with 65mm total clearance. The Fractal Design Define 7 also has five large cable pass-throughs to route the cables for a clean installation. The Define 7 can be outfitted with seven 3.5 inch drives and two SSDs. It's also one of the few cases on the market that still has a 5.25 inch drive bay slot.

The Define 7 PC case has space to mount nine fans in total. The case comes pre-installed with two Dynamic X2 GP-14 140mm on the front and a single 140mm exhaust fan at the back. It has four radiator mounting locations for a versatile liquid cooling setup too. And despite the number of fans and radiators you are willing to work with, the Define 7 offers a near quiet operation. It's largely due to the use of sound-dampening material for the front, top, and side panels.

You'll have to bring your own RGB lighting to the party but that shouldn't stop you from considering this PC case. It's good for both entry-level as well as high-end performance-oriented builds. The Define 7 can also be used with high-quality air coolers for the CPU due to the low-noise operation.

Source: Fractal Design

Fractal Design Define 7

An affordable, yet stylish and high-quality white PC case built to both look great and promote good airflow.

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Second-Best Silent PC case: be quiet! Silent Base 802

Source: be quiet!

While the 'be quiet! Silent Base 802' isn't our best pick for a silent PC, we think it deserves a spot in the collection. The Silent Base 802 is a unique case that comes with interchangeable front and top panels. You have the option to use either the solid panel with sound dampening material to keep the case quiet or go with the mesh panel to improve airflow for better thermals. The panels are easily replaceable, allowing you to have the best of both worlds depending on what you need at any given point.

The Silent Base 802 case supports up to an E-ATX motherboard, and there's plenty of room to fit in components for a high-end performance build. The case comes with three pre-installed 140mm fans -- two of them on the front, and a 140mm fan at the back. There's more space to further add another 140mm fan on the front, and up to three 140mm fans on the top. Additionally, you can also install radiators on the front, top, and back of this case.

The Silent Base 802 case has enough clearance to support GPUs up to 432mm in length and CPU coolers up to 185mm in height. The case has more sound-dampening material inside, and you also get removable dust filters on the front and the bottom. We wish more manufacturers add removable dust filters since they're very easy to clean.

The case weighs 13.15kg and stands 21.77 inches in height. It comes with 9 PCI expansion slots with two of them being vertical for the GPU. The front I/O panel includes two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports and a single USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C port. You also get a headphone/microphone combo, and an integrated 4-step fan controller to set the fan speed manually. The Silent Base 802 is also known to be one of the easier PC cases to work with. It comes with a detachable top bracket to ensure it's easy to install fans and radiators.

Being able to replace the solid panels with mesh panels for better airflow is a great feature, and it makes the 'be quiet! Silent Base 802' is one of the most versatile cases we've seen. It can work wonders for your setup depending on what you need. Even if you're not constantly replacing the panels, you can use it as a feature to perhaps tweak your build once in a while to see which configuration works well with your components.

Source: be quiet!

be quiet! Silent Base 802

be quiet! Silent Base 802 is a versatile case that lets you replace the panels to favor either quiet operation or better airflow.

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Best PC case for liquid cooling: Thermaltake Tower 900

Source: Thermaltake

The Thermaltake Tower 900 is the second full tower PC case in this collection, joining the Corsair Obsidian 1000D we mentioned earlier. The Tower 900 is easily one of the biggest PC cases you'll find on the market right now, and it's perfect for an over-the-top enthusiast build with custom loops. This case supports E-ATX, ATX, microATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards, and leaves plenty of space for you to get creative with your cooling solution. There's enough space in the cabinet to install two water-cooling loops with large radiators and reservoirs.

The front and half of either side of the Tower 900 PC case feature tempered glass. The remaining portion of the side has perforated side panels covering the radiators. All these parts are easily removable, giving easy access to the internals. The Tower 900 PC case is very easy to work with as long as you have a proper plan for your build. The entire case can be stripped down to its shell using a #2 Phillips screwdriver.

The Tower 900 PC case can be outfitted with 13 fans in total, in addition to either a 480mm or a 560mm radiator on the left/right side. It offers enough clearance for a CPU cooler with a max height of 260mm. The GPU and PSU length clearance is limited to 400mm and 220mm respectively. Even with all the high-end components installed, the Tower 900 will have plenty of space for installing up to two custom loops.

The Thermaltake Tower 900 is a vertical super tower that will demand a dedicated space next to your table. It weighs 24.5kg and stands 29.6 inches tall. It includes six 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch hidden drives and two dedicated 2.5-inch drives in addition to a single 5.25-inch drive. There are eight expansion slots and the front I/O panel offers four USB 3.0 Type-A ports and a headphone/microphone combo.

Coming in at $300, the Thermaltake Tower 900 is on the more expensive side of the collection. That being said, it offers plenty of freedom to enthusiast builders eyeing a sophisticated water-cooling loop. It'll offer impressive thermal performance even if you pack a bunch of high-end components in it. It's the perfect case to show off the custom cooling PC of your dreams. Thermaltake also makes a smaller version of this case called Tower 100 for those who want this look but in Mini ITX.

Source: Thermaltake

Thermaltake Tower 900

The Thermaltake Tower 900 full tower PC case is one of the biggest cabinet you'll find on the market. It's the only vertical case you need to build the custom-cooling PC build of your dreams.

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Best Budget PC case: Phanteks Eclipse P400A

Source: Phanteks

Building a budget gaming PC doesn't mean you have to compromise on quality and settle for a cheap quality PC case. A lot of case manufacturers releasing premium cabinets on the market for enthusiasts, also happen to make some budget offerings. The Phanteks Eclilpse P400A is one of them. This is the latest in a long-running line from Phanteks that has combined quality build with masses of space, a great-looking design, and an attractive price.

The Phanteks Eclipse P400A is a mid-tower ATX case that supports Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX, and even E-ATX motherboards. It's a well-built case with a nice paint job whether you go for the black or the white version. This latest Eclipse also comes with a full-height tempered glass panel on the left-hand side. You'll get either two or three 120mm fans included, depending on which version you go for. The standard model has two regular fans, while the version with built-in RGB control ships with three digital RGB fans. The front panel is entirely mesh, meaning your fans can pull through some serious cool air.

The scope for cooling, in this case, is quite astonishing, and a step up from its predecessor. The Eclipse P400A has space for up to a 360mm radiator (or 3 x 120mm fans) in the front, and a 280mm radiator (or 2 x 140mm fans) in the roof. You can use a GPU with a maximum length of up to 420mm, which is ample for even today's largest graphics cards. Likewise, you have plenty of space for taller air coolers. The PSU sits behind a shroud that is built in and shields your cable mess from being seen through the glass. The P400A is also one of the few cases in its price range to have support for a vertical GPU bracket if you want to really show off your card.

The Eclipse P360A has the standard seven PCI slots and space for a host of storage. There are two 3.5-inch and two 2.5-inch included drive bays, with the option of another four 3.5-inch drives with additional hardware. Despite its fairly modest size, the P400A can hold all the storage you could ever dream of needing. It'd a nod to the capacious interior of this PC case. Phanteks design is extremely efficient, maximizing every available inch to make it easy to build in.

The Phanteks Eclipse P400A mid-tower case retails for under $100 for the standard model, which for something of this quality is incredible. This is also our go-to recommendation for newcomers in the world of PC building who are looking for an easy, yet high-quality case. Despite the modest price tag, we think it's viable to use this case for both entry-level and relatively high-end builds.

Source: Phanteks

Phanteks P400A

Best Value

An affordable case for beginners and pros alike, the P400A can house a simply remarkable amount of hardware and is so easy to live with.

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Best affordable mesh PC case: Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh

Source: Lian Li

There was a time when buying a Lian Li PC case was out of reach for most of us. The brand is synonymous with the higher-end, premium space, but times do thankfully change. The Lancool 205 Mesh is not only a great PC case but it's well within the budget of anyone putting together a solid mid-tower build. The white version is easily the best looking, but it also comes in black if you'd rather. And both come with a mesh front panel to promote great airflow.

What makes this such a great case is that it ticks all the boxes. It's classy looking without being too radical. It has plenty of space to build in despite not being that large. And it can shine bright with RGB fans and tempered glass without sacrificing airflow. Whether air cooling or using a radiator, building a full ATX PC, or something smaller, this case should be able to fit everything you need with a little added space to work in.

The Lancool 205 Mesh boasts a design where the power supply is kept out of view. The shroud is just the lower portion of the case, so there's nothing to worry about fitting and removing. It's also quite cavernous, despite only being a mid-tower, providing plenty of space to stash additional cables. The upper three-quarters of the left-hand side is covered with a tempered glass panel. The front is almost entirely mesh save for a small panel at the bottom, behind which you can stash 3.5-inch drives and cables and other unsightly items. Behind the motherboard tray, you'll find ample cable management points along with a couple of 2.5-inch SSD caddies, and plenty of space to work with even larger power supplies.

The fit and finish on the Lancool 205 Mesh is first-rate, with no cut corners, no bare metal, and at least in our experience, no overspray or sub-par paintwork. The Lian Li quality is everywhere. It comes with a trio of 120mm ARGB PWM fans included, though a 240mm radiator can also be mounted in front or at the top of the case. On the outside, there's a dust filter on the very top, so using this location for heat exhaust is worthwhile. One of the few negatives, though, is that you're limited to a maximum of 240mm for a radiator, wherever you mount it. Though the top is certainly a better position than the front. Airflow is excellent, with the included front fans pulling plenty of cooling wind across the motherboard and the graphics card.

Around the back, there is a full suite of seven expansion slots, and the Lancool 205 Mesh is capable of housing even larger, chunkier graphics cards. There's plenty of room to house longer cards, though you'll need to be mindful that there's no included GPU support with this case. So you'll have to come up with your own solution for sagging GPUs. This minor frustration aside, what you're left with is a stunning build in a stunning case, and one that won't break the bank, either.

Source: Lian Li

Lian Li Lancool 205 Mesh

An affordable, yet stylish and high-quality white PC case built to both look great and promote good airflow.

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What is the best PC case?

Choosing the best PC case for your build depends on a few factors. Firstly, there's cost. Then there are different specifications of a chassis to consider, including motherboard form factor support, radiator mounting options, as well as drive bays and other useful features such as cable management. The Lian Li O11 Dynamic EVO remains to be our top choice for new PC builds and the format has been used countless times before.

It's simply a solid case. Being slightly older than some of the competition here, it still manages to offer a good mix of features to both new builders and enthusiasts alike. It's also a simple case to work with, once you make your way into the chamber as there's plenty of room to experiment and come up with a clean installation.

Something like the Corsair iCUE 7000X RGB would be a good fit for a larger PC build, while the excellent NZXT H210i is perfect for a more compact system. Getting your hands dirty with making your own custom water-cooling loop would unlock such chassis like the insane Lian Li V3000+ or Thermaltake Tower 900, both of which will surely turn heads at home or a LAN party.

Building a PC is just a small piece of the puzzle, though. You'll have to spend the same amount of time looking for other peripherals like monitors, keyboards, and even webcams now. But it's a rewarding process that you will thoroughly enjoy. Also, be sure to pick up a copy of Windows 11 now for your new PC. The new version of the OS, as we mentioned in our review, offers a more refined experience than Windows 10.