{"id":9318,"date":"2020-06-25T20:03:28","date_gmt":"2020-06-25T18:03:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/g100.us\/?p=9318"},"modified":"2023-01-03T18:40:21","modified_gmt":"2023-01-03T17:40:21","slug":"best-smallest-atx-cases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-smallest-atx-cases\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Smallest ATX Cases for Compact PC Builds in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_39 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6681ca09e5ce5\" class=\"cssicon\"><span style=\"display: flex;align-items: center;width: 35px;height: 30px;justify-content: center;direction:ltr;\"><svg style=\"fill: #7f11e0;color:#7f11e0\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #7f11e0;color:#7f11e0\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/label><label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6681ca09e5ce5\" class=\"cssiconcheckbox\">1<\/label><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6681ca09e5ce5\" checked><nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 \"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-smallest-atx-cases\/#Best_Smallest_ATX_Cases_-_Overview\" title=\"Best Smallest ATX Cases - Overview\">Best Smallest ATX Cases - Overview<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-smallest-atx-cases\/#What_Does_ATX_Mean_Anyway\" title=\"What Does ATX Mean, Anyway?\">What Does ATX Mean, Anyway?<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-smallest-atx-cases\/#Other_Motherboard_Sizes\" title=\"Other Motherboard Sizes\">Other Motherboard Sizes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-smallest-atx-cases\/#Choosing_a_Motherboard_Form_Factor_and_Case_Size\" title=\"Choosing a Motherboard Form Factor and Case Size\">Choosing a Motherboard Form Factor and Case Size<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-smallest-atx-cases\/#Can_an_ATX_Motherboard_Fit_in_a_Micro-ATX_or_Mini-ITX_Case\" title=\"Can an ATX Motherboard Fit in a Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX Case?\">Can an ATX Motherboard Fit in a Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX Case?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-smallest-atx-cases\/#Drawbacks_of_Tiny_Gaming_PCs\" title=\"Drawbacks of Tiny (Gaming) PCs\">Drawbacks of Tiny (Gaming) PCs<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-smallest-atx-cases\/#Best_Small_ATX_Cases_in_2020\" title=\"Best Small ATX Cases in 2020\">Best Small ATX Cases in 2020<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-smallest-atx-cases\/#Best_Overall_Compact_ATX_Case_Lian_Li_Lancool_215\" title=\"Best Overall Compact ATX Case: Lian Li Lancool 215\">Best Overall Compact ATX Case: Lian Li Lancool 215<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-smallest-atx-cases\/#Best_Budget-Friendly_Small_ATX_Case_Phanteks_Eclipse_P300A_Mesh_Edition\" title=\"Best Budget-Friendly Small ATX Case: Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh Edition\">Best Budget-Friendly Small ATX Case: Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh Edition<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-smallest-atx-cases\/#Best_Mid-range_Compact_ATX_Case_NZXT_H510\" title=\"Best Mid-range Compact ATX Case: NZXT H510\">Best Mid-range Compact ATX Case: NZXT H510<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-smallest-atx-cases\/#Best_Premium_Small_ATX_Case_Cooler_Master_HAF_XB_EVO\" title=\"Best Premium Small ATX Case: Cooler Master HAF XB EVO\">Best Premium Small ATX Case: Cooler Master HAF XB EVO<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-smallest-atx-cases\/#Best_Airflow_in_a_Compact_ATX_Case_Corsair_275R_Airflow\" title=\"Best Airflow in a Compact ATX Case: Corsair 275R Airflow\">Best Airflow in a Compact ATX Case: Corsair 275R Airflow<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-smallest-atx-cases\/#Happy_Space-Efficient_Gaming_Working\" title=\"Happy Space-Efficient Gaming &amp; Working!\">Happy Space-Efficient Gaming &amp; Working!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>Most of us wouldn\u2019t say no to <strong>a PC stuffed with beastly hardware<\/strong>, but not everyone has the desk or floor space to stash a tower the size of a child.<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, PC component and case manufacturers are catching on to <strong>the growing demand for small yet powerful rigs<\/strong>, so there are plenty to choose from in 2020.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Although an ultra-compact PC has its perks, there are some considerations to weigh before you buy one\u2014not all of which are obvious.<\/p>\n<p>In this guide, we\u2019ll touch on the pros and cons you\u2019ll want to think about before joining the travel-sized PC club, and we\u2019ll review five of our favorite small ATX cases currently on the market.<\/p>\n<p>We're starting this article with brief look at what to look out for when shopping for a compact ATX Case. If you'd rather just skip to our recommendations, <a href=\"#recommends\">you can do so here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Smallest_ATX_Cases_-_Overview\"><\/span>Best Smallest ATX Cases - Overview<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Here's a quick overview of the compact Cases we like best. To find out why we like these the most - read on.<\/p>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-69\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-69 tablepress-responsive\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Case<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">Notes<\/th><th class=\"column-3\">Link<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Lian Li Lancool 215<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Excellent Airflow and Thermal performance<\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B08LG6LGP8?tag=G100-20&amp;linkCode=osi&amp;th=1&amp;psc=1\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Buy<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Phanteks P300A Mesh Edition <\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Gentle on your wallet<\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><a href=\"#Best_BudgetFriendly_Small_ATX_Case_Phanteks_P300A_Mesh_Edition\">Info<\/a> \/ <a class=\"thirstylink\" title=\"Phanteks P300A Mesh Edition\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/recommends\/phanteks-eclipse-p300a\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-nojs=\"false\">Buy<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">NZXT H510<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Easy cable management<\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><a href=\"#Best_Midrange_Compact_ATX_Case_NZXT_H510\">Info<\/a> \/ <a class=\"thirstylink\" title=\"NZXT H510\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/recommends\/nzxt-h510-compact-atx-mid-tower-pc-gaming-case-front-i-o-usb-type-c-port-tempered-glass-side-panel-cable-management-system-water-cooling-ready-steel-construction-white-black\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-nojs=\"false\">Buy<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5 odd\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Cooler Master HAF XB EVO<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Horizontal layout<\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><a href=\"#Best_Premium_Small_ATX_Case_Cooler_Master_HAF_XB_EVO\">Info<\/a> \/ <a class=\"thirstylink\" title=\"Cooler Master HAF XB EVO\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/recommends\/cooler-master-haf-xb-evo-high-air-flow-test-bench-and-lan-box-desktop-computer-case-with-atx-motherboard-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-nojs=\"false\">Buy<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6 even\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Corsair 275R Airflow<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">Superb airflow<\/td><td class=\"column-3\"><a href=\"#Best_Airflow_in_a_Compact_ATX_Case_Corsair_275R_Airflow\">Info<\/a> \/ <a class=\"thirstylink\" title=\"Corsair 275R Airflow\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/recommends\/corsair-275r-airflow-tempered-glass-mid-tower-gaming-case-black\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-nojs=\"false\">Buy<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<!-- #tablepress-69 from cache -->\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Does_ATX_Mean_Anyway\"><\/span>What Does ATX Mean, Anyway?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>ATX stands for \u201c<em><strong>Advanced Technology eXtended<\/strong><\/em>\u201d, which is a notably vague and unhelpful name. It\u2019s a motherboard specification (aka \u201cform factor\u201d) dating back to the mid-90s and is still the most popular type of motherboard in consumer PCs.<\/p>\n<p>The ATX designation describes the <strong>motherboard\u2019s size and general layout<\/strong>, which in turn give a general indication of the number and type of connectors and expansion slots.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, some ATX boards may have four RAM slots, whereas others may have six or eight.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Motherboard_Sizes\"><\/span>Other Motherboard Sizes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Many (if not most) gaming PCs house <strong>ATX motherboards or some variant on the ATX standard<\/strong>. These variants number well over a dozen, but most of them are fairly uncommon.<\/p>\n<p>The two smaller ones you\u2019ll see most frequently are Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX; the latter is essentially a variant of the ATX standard, despite its different name.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Standard ATX boards are the largest of these three types<\/strong> and have the most expansion slots, so they\u2019re capable of supporting more (and thus more powerful) hardware.<\/p>\n<p>Micro-ATX boards are smaller and have fewer upgrade slots, and Mini-ITX boards are smaller still, but both are more than capable of running a sleek and sexy gaming PC.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_15528\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15528\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15528\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Motherboard-Form-Factors-and-Sizes-Compared-Kopie.jpg\" alt=\"Motherboard Form Factors and Sizes Compared\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Motherboard-Form-Factors-and-Sizes-Compared-Kopie.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Motherboard-Form-Factors-and-Sizes-Compared-Kopie-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Motherboard-Form-Factors-and-Sizes-Compared-Kopie-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Motherboard-Form-Factors-and-Sizes-Compared-Kopie-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Motherboard-Form-Factors-and-Sizes-Compared-Kopie-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15528\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15528 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Motherboard Form Factors and Sizes Compared\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201080%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Motherboard-Form-Factors-and-Sizes-Compared-Kopie.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Motherboard-Form-Factors-and-Sizes-Compared-Kopie-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Motherboard-Form-Factors-and-Sizes-Compared-Kopie-1024x540.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Motherboard-Form-Factors-and-Sizes-Compared-Kopie-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Motherboard-Form-Factors-and-Sizes-Compared-Kopie-1536x810.jpg 1536w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Motherboard-Form-Factors-and-Sizes-Compared-Kopie.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-15528\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Motherboard Form Factors and Sizes Compared<\/p><\/div>\n<p>There is a Mini-ATX form factor, which is smaller than a Mini-ITX board, but this form factor is both uncommon and poorly defined.<\/p>\n<p>To shop for one, you\u2019ll have to do careful research on the specifications of each particular board; the \u201cMini-ATX\u201d label is often used so vaguely that it\u2019s easy to unintentionally buy something other than what you were expecting.<\/p>\n<p>There are form factors larger than ATX, such as <strong>EATX<\/strong> and <strong>XL ATX<\/strong>, which definitely won\u2019t fit into a <em>compact<\/em> ATX case\u2014they\u2019re too large.<\/p>\n<p>Note also that, even though <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/atx-vs-micro-atx-vs-mini-itx\/\">Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX boards<\/a> will physically fit into an ATX case, <strong>the case may not have mounting holes for them, so double-check before you buy <\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Choosing_a_Motherboard_Form_Factor_and_Case_Size\"><\/span>Choosing a Motherboard Form Factor and Case Size<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>\u201c<strong>Compact ATX<\/strong>\u201d is a hot Google search these days, but the term generally is used to refer to a type of PC case, not to a motherboard.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s <em>approximately<\/em> synonymous with \u201c<strong>mid-tower case<\/strong>\u201d, which most often describes those that can accommodate an ATX motherboard and the components you\u2019d normally attach to it, and that are roughly 40.6 cm x 25.4 cm x 45.7 cm (16\u201d x 10\u201d x 18\u201d).<\/p>\n<p>All of the five cases we\u2019ve picked in the review section are mid-tower cases or smaller.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s another sense in which the term \u201ccompact ATX\u201d is problematically vague: It doesn\u2019t specify whether the case in question accepts only standard ATX boards or whether it\u2019s also compatible with Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX boards, as many cases are.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re making a <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/parts-needed-to-build-a-pc\/\">list of parts for your dream PC<\/a>, it\u2019s generally best to start with the motherboard; this choice will determine which GPUs, CPUs, and RAM you can attach to it.<\/p>\n<p>Once you\u2019ve made that decision, look for a compact case with compatible mounting slots.<\/p>\n<p>Take care to read the description carefully to ensure that the compact ATX case you\u2019re eyeballing <strong>is actually compatible with your particular motherboard<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_15579\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15579\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15579\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic.jpg\" alt=\"PC Case Size Comparison Graphic\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-1536x866.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-825x464.jpg 825w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-594x335.jpg 594w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-420x236.jpg 420w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-15579\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-15579 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201154%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"PC Case Size Comparison Graphic\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1154\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%202048%201154%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-1536x866.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-825x464.jpg 825w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-594x335.jpg 594w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic-420x236.jpg 420w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/PC-Case-Size-Comparison-Graphic.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-15579\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">PC Case Size Comparison Graphic<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_an_ATX_Motherboard_Fit_in_a_Micro-ATX_or_Mini-ITX_Case\"><\/span>Can an ATX Motherboard Fit in a Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX Case?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Many (but not all) ATX cases can accommodate <em>smaller<\/em> boards, but if a case is advertised as a Micro-ATX or Mini-ITX case, it probably can\u2019t readily accommodate a <em>larger<\/em> board.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cReadily\u201d is the key word here; if there\u2019s enough space for the board itself, you could always drill your own mounting holes.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Carefully read the product description to determine if the case is exactly what you\u2019re looking for.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Drawbacks_of_Tiny_Gaming_PCs\"><\/span>Drawbacks of Tiny (Gaming) PCs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>An ultra-space-efficient gaming rig that you can easily carry across town for a LAN party is cool (people still have LAN parties, right?).<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also nice to be able to stash your PC or media center <strong>on a small shelf or behind your TV<\/strong>. There are a few downsides to a tiny PC, though.<\/p>\n<p>For one thing, cramming a full set of gaming- or content-creation-ready hardware into a space roughly half the size of a full PC tower reduces airflow and makes it much <strong>more challenging to keep all those parts cool<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s possible, albeit more challenging to install liquid cooling in a compact ATX case.<\/p>\n<p>Less interior space also means fewer hardware options and less upgrade potential. All else being equal, a smaller case means that there are fewer GPUs or even just <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/best-low-profile-graphics-card\/\">less powerful low-profile GPUs<\/a> and power supplies that can fit into it.<\/p>\n<p>However, because small form factor PCs are steadily becoming more popular, component manufacturers are starting to offer a wider selection of space-efficient parts, so you should still have a good number of options now and in the future.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_9335\" style=\"width: 616px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9335\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9335 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Thermaltake-Case-Cooling-e1593010185394.jpg\" alt=\"Thermaltake Case Cooling\" width=\"616\" height=\"537\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Thermaltake-Case-Cooling-e1593010185394.jpg 616w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Thermaltake-Case-Cooling-e1593010185394-300x262.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 616px) 100vw, 616px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9335\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9335 size-full lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20616%20537%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Thermaltake Case Cooling\" width=\"616\" height=\"537\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20616%20537%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 616w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 616px) 100vw, 616px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Thermaltake-Case-Cooling-e1593010185394.jpg 616w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Thermaltake-Case-Cooling-e1593010185394-300x262.jpg 300w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Thermaltake-Case-Cooling-e1593010185394.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-9335\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image-Credit: Thermaltake<\/p><\/div>\n<p>It\u2019s also worth mentioning that less space generally means fewer expansion slots in the case and (potentially) less room on the motherboard, which means <strong>you may not be able to install as many NVMe M.2 drives or RAM modules as you\u2019d like - or fit as many 3,5&#8243; HDDs into the case as you'd like<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>This isn\u2019t as big a problem as it was a few years ago, though; hard drive technology has come a long way, and you can still fit 32GB (or even 64GB) of RAM into two slots\u2014more than enough for any modern game.<\/p>\n<p>Still, if you want your PC or media center to have things like a <strong>DVD\/Blu-ray drive or an internal SD card reader<\/strong>, a compact ATX case may not have room for them.<\/p>\n<p>Despite their drawbacks, compact ATX builds can be a great choice, provided you have a plan to manage heat and that you don\u2019t mind sacrificing some extra hardware that generally isn\u2019t essential to gaming.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"recommends\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Small_ATX_Cases_in_2020\"><\/span>Best Small ATX Cases in 2020<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To choose our favorite small form factor cases, we carefully combed available options for top-rated models and cross-referenced their ratings with those found on several other sites.<\/p>\n<p>We also scrutinized hundreds of randomly selected reviews for each one to ensure that, by and large, they were written by real customers\u2014not bots or paid marketers. Eventually, we narrowed dozens of top candidates down to just a few.<\/p>\n<p><strong>On top of that, our team has built a multitude of PCs of all sizes and knows exactly what to look for when buying a case.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Every case we pick will use standard ATX components, and will not rely on PCIe Risers to mount graphics cards vertically -  allowing the case to be even slimmer. I know those are options, but using risers for even single GPUs leaves too much up to the quality of those cables. For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=fjUscSRLwks\" target=\"_blank\">here's Gamers Nexus tearing into NZXT<\/a> for a faulty riser that was a fire and safety hazard.<\/p>\n<p><em>Without further ado, here are our top five small ATX cases on the market today.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Overall_Compact_ATX_Case_Lian_Li_Lancool_215\"><\/span>Best Overall Compact ATX Case: <a class=\"thirstylink\" title=\"Lian Li LANCOOL 215 Mesh Black Tempered Glass ATX Case -Black Color -LANCOOL 215\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/recommends\/lian-li-lancool-215-mesh-black-tempered-glass-atx-case-black-color-lancool-215\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noindex noopener noreferrer\">Lian Li Lancool 215<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class src=\"https:\/\/lian-li.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Lancool_215_RGB.jpg\" width=\"434\" height=\"434\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20434%20434%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" width=\"434\" height=\"434\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lian-li.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Lancool_215_RGB.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Excellent thermals and airflow with stock case fans<\/li>\n<li>ARGB Front Fans included<\/li>\n<li>Good cable management options<\/li>\n<li>Great build quality<\/li>\n<li>Removable dust trays and filters make cleaning quite straightforward<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class src=\"https:\/\/lian-li.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/215_Dust_Management-768x554.png\" width=\"495\" height=\"357\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20495%20357%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" width=\"495\" height=\"357\" data-src=\"https:\/\/lian-li.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/215_Dust_Management-768x554.png\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A bit chunkier than what most people might prefer<\/li>\n<li>Limited mounting space for SATA hard drives and SSDs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Specifications<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Compatible form factors<\/strong>: E-ATX <strong>(up to 280mm)<\/strong>, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX<\/li>\n<li><strong>Exterior dimensions<\/strong>: (D) 462mm x (W) 215mm x (H) 482mm\/18.1\u201d x 8.4\u201d x 18.9\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Approx Interior volume<\/strong>: 48~ liters<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max Internal 3.5\u201d HDDs<\/strong>: 2<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max Internal 2.5\u201d SSDs<\/strong>: 2 (One 3.5&#8243; HDD slot can be repurposed for another 2.5&#8243; SSD)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max External 5.25\u201d drive slots<\/strong>: 0<\/li>\n<li><strong>I\/O connections<\/strong>: Power button, Reset button, LED button for lighting mode control, 1 x HD AUDIO, 2 x USB 3.0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rear expansion slots<\/strong>: 7<\/li>\n<li><strong>Case fans: <\/strong>Front: 2 x 140mm or 3 x 120mm; Top: 2 x 120mm or 2 x 140mm; Top of PSU chamber: 2 x 120mm<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max CPU cooler height<\/strong>: 166 mm\/6.53\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max GPU length<\/strong>: 370 mm\/14.57\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max liquid cooling radiator size<\/strong>: 280mm x1 (top), 360mm x1 (front)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Lian Li's Lancool 215 gets our \u201cbest overall\u201d vote <strong>because it largely mitigates the two biggest problems<\/strong> that tend to come with small ATX cases, and it does so at a very reasonable price.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s got an <strong>impressive amount of usable interior space<\/strong> relative to its overall dimensions, and the mesh design combined with the honeycomb vents allows for <strong>significantly better airflow<\/strong> than what most similarly-sized cases can achieve.<\/p>\n<p>The included 2x140mm ARGB Front case fans provide a surprisingly decent thermal performance right out of the gate. If you're going with the Lancool 215, there's really no need to swap out these front intake fans. They're excellent and manage to perform admirably when it comes to keeping CPU and <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/lower-gpu-temperature\/\">GPU temperatures in check<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The built-in cable management channels are helpful, too; they keep your build looking nice and neat, and out-of-the-way cables make for a cool-looking build that you can show off through the tempered glass side panel.<\/p>\n<p>Well, a compact case, that houses most modern hardware and cooling solutions with ease, delivers excellent thermal performance and also offers brilliant build quality. Seems like it has it all, right? Well, it certainly does except for one issue that might bother some professionals.<\/p>\n<p>If you use either more than 4 SATA storage devices, more than 2 HDDs, or more than 3 SSDs, you're bound to run into mounting issues. The case officially only supports 2 SSDs on the back of the case and 2 HDDs in a (removable) cage at the front. You can swap out 1 HDD for an SSD in the aforementioned cage as well, taking the maximum SSD count to 3. For anything more, you have no option but to adopt more janky solutions that aren't exactly recommended.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Budget-Friendly_Small_ATX_Case_Phanteks_Eclipse_P300A_Mesh_Edition\"><\/span>Best Budget-Friendly Small ATX Case: <a class=\"thirstylink\" title=\"Phanteks Eclipse P300A (PH-EC300ATG_BK01) high airflow full-metal mesh design, compact ATX Mid-tower, 120mm black case fan, Black\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/recommends\/phanteks-eclipse-p300a-ph-ec300atg_bk01-high-airflow-full-metal-mesh-design-compact-atx-mid-tower-120mm-black-case-fan-black\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noindex noopener noreferrer\">Phanteks Eclipse P300A Mesh Edition<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15332\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Phanteks-Eclipse-P300A.jpg\" alt=\"Phanteks Eclipse P300A\" width=\"898\" height=\"1038\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Phanteks-Eclipse-P300A.jpg 898w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Phanteks-Eclipse-P300A-260x300.jpg 260w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Phanteks-Eclipse-P300A-886x1024.jpg 886w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Phanteks-Eclipse-P300A-768x888.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 898px) 100vw, 898px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-15332 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20898%201038%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Phanteks Eclipse P300A\" width=\"898\" height=\"1038\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20898%201038%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 898w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 898px) 100vw, 898px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Phanteks-Eclipse-P300A.jpg 898w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Phanteks-Eclipse-P300A-260x300.jpg 260w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Phanteks-Eclipse-P300A-886x1024.jpg 886w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Phanteks-Eclipse-P300A-768x888.jpg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Phanteks-Eclipse-P300A.jpg\"><\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Relatively gentle on your wallet<\/li>\n<li>Very good build quality<\/li>\n<li>Impressive airflow for its size - can work with both air and liquid-cooled systems<\/li>\n<li>Offers a PSU shroud<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The top magnetic dust cover doesn't have great grip<\/li>\n<li>Extremely tight fit if using a Modular PSU; many users ended up removing their 3.5&#8243; HDD bay for convenience<\/li>\n<li>Poor airflow towards the HDD bay area (nitpick)<\/li>\n<li>Although tool-less, the screw threads aren't great and are unpleasant to tighten or loosen<\/li>\n<li>Not a good choice for a &gt; 240mm Radiator<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Specifications<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Compatible form factors<\/strong>: ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX<\/li>\n<li><strong>Exterior dimensions<\/strong>: 40cm x 45 cm x 20 cm\/16\u201d x 18\u201d x 8\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Interior volume<\/strong>: 36.4 liters<\/li>\n<li><strong>Internal 3.5\u201d drive slots<\/strong>: 2 (Read cons)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Internal 2.5\u201d drive slots<\/strong>: 2<\/li>\n<li><strong>External 5.25\u201d drive slots<\/strong>: 2<\/li>\n<li><strong>I\/O connections<\/strong>:  USB 3.0 x2, 3.5mm audio\/mic<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rear expansion slots<\/strong>: 7<\/li>\n<li><strong>Case fans<\/strong>: 120mm x3<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max GPU length<\/strong>: 35.5 cm\/13.98\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max liquid cooling radiator size<\/strong>: 240mm x1<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Barring a few space issues (which is expected in a compact case, I guess), the Phanteks P300A Mesh Edition delivers quite a bit of value in the ~$60-70 price segment.<\/p>\n<p>If you plan on building a fully-loaded high-end rig, you\u2019ll find that heat may be a problem if you rely solely on air cooling. Although the case has a mesh front, its size makes larger intake fans impossible. Yes, the case boasts support for 280mm radiators, but there's an issue.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pasteimg.com\/images\/2022\/01\/31\/image.png\" alt=\"image\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" alt=\"image\" data-src=\"https:\/\/pasteimg.com\/images\/2022\/01\/31\/image.png\" class=\" lazyload\"><\/p>\n<p>See the top right of the case? It's blocked by the controller for the power button and external I\/O. Because this case is already such a tight fit, you'll find that most 280mm radiators will get blocked by that top portion. Stick to 240mm (2x120mm) radiators.<\/p>\n<p>Some Amazon reviewers report general quality-control problems with the case, such as badly threaded screws that make tool-less assembly impossible, or at least, unpleasant.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re after a basic, compact ATX case for well under $100, the Phanteks P300 Mesh Edition is an excellent choice at its wallet-friendly price point.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Mid-range_Compact_ATX_Case_NZXT_H510\"><\/span>Best Mid-range Compact ATX Case: <a class=\"thirstylink\" title=\"NZXT H510 - Compact ATX Mid-Tower PC Gaming Case - Front I\/O USB Type-C Port - Tempered Glass Side Panel - Cable Management System - Water-Cooling Ready - Steel Construction - White\/Black\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/recommends\/nzxt-h510-compact-atx-mid-tower-pc-gaming-case-front-i-o-usb-type-c-port-tempered-glass-side-panel-cable-management-system-water-cooling-ready-steel-construction-white-black\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">NZXT H510<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_9332\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9332\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9332\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/NZXT-H510.jpg\" alt=\"NZXT H510\" width=\"500\" height=\"536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/NZXT-H510.jpg 1194w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/NZXT-H510-280x300.jpg 280w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/NZXT-H510-955x1024.jpg 955w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/NZXT-H510-768x823.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9332\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9332 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20500%20536%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"NZXT H510\" width=\"500\" height=\"536\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20500%20536%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/NZXT-H510.jpg 1194w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/NZXT-H510-280x300.jpg 280w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/NZXT-H510-955x1024.jpg 955w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/NZXT-H510-768x823.jpg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/NZXT-H510.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-9332\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image-Credit: NZXT<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Easily configurable for liquid or air cooling<\/li>\n<li>Sleek, easy cable management<\/li>\n<li>USB 3.1 and USB-C connectors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>May have quality control problems, according to Amazon reviews<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Specifications<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Compatible form factors<\/strong>: ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX<\/li>\n<li><strong>Exterior dimensions<\/strong>: 46 cm x 42.8 cm x 21 cm\/18\u201d x 16.85\u201d x 8.25\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Interior volume<\/strong>: 41.35 liters<\/li>\n<li><strong>Internal 3.5\u201d drive slots<\/strong>: 3<\/li>\n<li><strong>Internal 2.5\u201d drive slots<\/strong>: 3<\/li>\n<li><strong>External 5.25\u201d drive slots<\/strong>: 0<\/li>\n<li><strong>I\/O connections<\/strong>: USB 3.1 Type A x1, USB 3.1 Type C x1. 3.5mm audio\/mic<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rear expansion slots<\/strong>: 7<\/li>\n<li><strong>Case fans<\/strong>: 120mm x2, 140mm x1<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max CPU cooler height<\/strong>: 16.5cm\/6.5\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max GPU length<\/strong>: 38 cm\/15\u201d without radiator, 32.5 cm\/12.8\u201d with radiator<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max liquid cooling radiator size<\/strong>: 140mm x2 (front), 120mm x1 (rear)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This space-efficient case is designed to make your next build as easy and modular as possible. It comes with a pre-installed liquid cooling radiator mount, but you can easily pop it out and use that space for something (or nothing) else if you\u2019d rather rely on air cooling.<\/p>\n<p>Cable management is a breeze with multiple routing channels and an included kit that has adjustable ties and fasteners.<\/p>\n<p>The case also has USB 3.1 and USB-C ports on the front, negating the need for annoying and often unreliable adapters (provided you have a motherboard that supports both types of connections).<\/p>\n<p>The side panel is held in place with a single thumbscrew, meaning it can\u2019t randomly fall off as so many latch-based side panels are prone to do.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, quality control seems to be NZXT\u2019s weak point. Some Amazon buyers report that the case arrived damaged, with stripped screw holes, or with missing parts.<\/p>\n<p>On the bright side, the company offers a two-year warranty\u2014double what many others offer\u2014and generally good customer service; many Amazon buyers who initially had problems with the case report in their reviews that NZXT fixed those problems with minimal fuss.<\/p>\n<p>We also don\u2019t want to overstate the quality control problem; although reports of such problems are somewhat common, the majority of people who own this case seem to be quite happy with it.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Premium_Small_ATX_Case_Cooler_Master_HAF_XB_EVO\"><\/span>Best Premium Small ATX Case: <a class=\"thirstylink\" title=\"Cooler Master HAF XB EVO - High Air Flow Test Bench and Lan Box Desktop Computer Case with ATX Motherboard Support\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/recommends\/cooler-master-haf-xb-evo-high-air-flow-test-bench-and-lan-box-desktop-computer-case-with-atx-motherboard-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Cooler Master HAF XB EVO<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_9331\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9331\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9331\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Cooler-Master-HAF-XB-EVO.jpg\" alt=\"Cooler Master HAF XB EVO\" width=\"500\" height=\"336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Cooler-Master-HAF-XB-EVO.jpg 908w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Cooler-Master-HAF-XB-EVO-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Cooler-Master-HAF-XB-EVO-768x517.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9331\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9331 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20500%20336%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Cooler Master HAF XB EVO\" width=\"500\" height=\"336\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20500%20336%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Cooler-Master-HAF-XB-EVO.jpg 908w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Cooler-Master-HAF-XB-EVO-300x202.jpg 300w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Cooler-Master-HAF-XB-EVO-768x517.jpg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Cooler-Master-HAF-XB-EVO.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-9331\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image-Credit: Cooler Master<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Horizontal layout and sturdy carrying handles make for easy transport<\/li>\n<li>Four total drive bays that support 3.5\u201d and 5.25\u201d drives<\/li>\n<li>Generally excellent airflow<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Assembly can be tricky<\/li>\n<li>Regular maintenance is a pain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Specifications<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Compatible form factors<\/strong>: ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX<\/li>\n<li><strong>Exterior dimensions<\/strong>: 44.2 cm\/33 cm\/42.3 cm\/17.4\u201d x 13\u201d x 16.7\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Interior volume<\/strong>: 61.7 liters<\/li>\n<li><strong>Internal 2.5\u201d\/3.5\u201d combo drive slots<\/strong>: 4<\/li>\n<li><strong>External 5.25\u201d drive slots<\/strong>: 2<\/li>\n<li><strong>I\/O connections<\/strong>: USB 3.0 x2, 3.5mm audio\/mic<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rear expansion slots<\/strong>: 7<\/li>\n<li><strong>Case fans<\/strong>: 120mm x2<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max CPU cooler height<\/strong>: 18 cm\/7.1\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max GPU length<\/strong>: 33.4 cm\/13.1\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max liquid cooling radiator size<\/strong>: 240mm x1 (front), 120mm x1 (rear)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you\u2019ve been struggling to find a horizontal, LAN-box-style case that can accommodate ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX boards, look no further. The Cooler Master HAF XB EVO is a space-efficient case with great temperature control.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s room for a GPU up to 34.3 cm\/13.5\u201d long, four 3.5\u201d and\/or 5.25\u201d devices, and pretty much any CPU heatsink on the market.<\/p>\n<p>The case is supremely easy to move and transport, is virtually immune to tipping over, and because the heat-generating components sit on the bottom, hot air naturally rises and easily exits through the top of the case.<\/p>\n<p>Because of this layout, temps stay low even though there\u2019s less overall free space inside than in a similarly-sized vertical case.<\/p>\n<p>The XB EVO\u2019s heat-dissipating layout is also the source of its only major flaw. Because of its shape, you\u2019ll have to install your components in a specific and unintuitive order.<\/p>\n<p>This also makes regular maintenance somewhat annoying, as it\u2019s difficult or impossible to remove some of the air filters without first removing fans and\/or some of your hard drives. At worst, though, this adds a few minutes to your monthly cleaning routine.<\/p>\n<p>Provided you don\u2019t mind a $175 price tag and a bit of extra disassembly and reassembly, the XB EVO is one of the best small ATX cases out there.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Airflow_in_a_Compact_ATX_Case_Corsair_275R_Airflow\"><\/span>Best Airflow in a Compact ATX Case: <a class=\"thirstylink\" title=\"Corsair 275R Airflow Tempered Glass Mid-Tower Gaming Case, Black\" href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/recommends\/corsair-275r-airflow-tempered-glass-mid-tower-gaming-case-black\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Corsair 275R Airflow<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"attachment_9330\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9330\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9330\" src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Corsair-275R-Airflow.jpg\" alt=\"Corsair 275R Airflow\" width=\"500\" height=\"710\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Corsair-275R-Airflow.jpg 902w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Corsair-275R-Airflow-211x300.jpg 211w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Corsair-275R-Airflow-722x1024.jpg 722w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Corsair-275R-Airflow-768x1090.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\"><\/noscript><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9330\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-9330 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20500%20710%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Corsair 275R Airflow\" width=\"500\" height=\"710\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20500%20710%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Corsair-275R-Airflow.jpg 902w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Corsair-275R-Airflow-211x300.jpg 211w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Corsair-275R-Airflow-722x1024.jpg 722w, https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Corsair-275R-Airflow-768x1090.jpg 768w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-content\/uploads\/media\/2020\/06\/Corsair-275R-Airflow.jpg\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-9330\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image-Credit: Corsair<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Superb airflow and temperature control<\/li>\n<li>Room for multiple extra fans and\/or liquid cooling radiators<\/li>\n<li>Space for up to six hard drives<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Requires frequent cleaning<\/li>\n<li>A bit expensive for what you get<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Specifications<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Compatible form factors<\/strong>: ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX<\/li>\n<li><strong>Exterior dimensions<\/strong>: 45.7 cm x 45.7 cm x 21.6 cm\/18\u201d x 18\u201d x 8.5\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Interior volume<\/strong>: 45.1 liters<\/li>\n<li><strong>Internal 3.5\u201d drive slots<\/strong>: 2<\/li>\n<li><strong>Internal 2.5\u201d drive slots<\/strong>: 4<\/li>\n<li><strong>External 5.25\u201d drive slots<\/strong>: 0<\/li>\n<li><strong>I\/O connections<\/strong>: USB 3.0 x2, 3.5mm audio<\/li>\n<li><strong>Rear expansion slots<\/strong>: 9<\/li>\n<li><strong>Case fans<\/strong>: 120mm x3<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max CPU cooler height<\/strong>: 17 cm\/6.7\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max GPU length<\/strong>: 37 cm\/14.6\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Max liquid cooling radiator size<\/strong>: 120mm x1 (rear), 240mm x1 (top), 360mm x1 (front)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Keeping your GPU and <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/what-are-good-idle-cpu-temps\/\">CPU temps low<\/a> is one of the biggest challenges associated with small ATX cases, but you shouldn\u2019t have that problem with the Corsair 275R Airflow, which is nice and roomy on the inside while maintaining a small exterior footprint.<\/p>\n<p>The front panel has more holes than not-holes, ensuring that tons of fresh air will get into the case (there\u2019s adequate outflow on the top, back, and right side, too).<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s room for up to six hard drives; and six fans, two liquid cooling systems with radiators up to 360mm, or some combination thereof. There are also a ton of RGB lights for those of you who are into that (and if you\u2019re not, you could just not plug them in).<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, the design that maximizes airflow also maximizes dust. Because there\u2019s no dust filter in the front panel, you\u2019ll need to be diligent about cleaning the inside frequently.<\/p>\n<p>Given that the case is space-efficient but otherwise fairly bare-bones, its $150 price tag seems high, but not outrageously so.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, the 275R Airflow is an excellent compact ATX case. If you\u2019re concerned about your core temps but want to keep your case under 45.7 cm\/18\u201d on its longest side, this one deserves serious consideration.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Happy_Space-Efficient_Gaming_Working\"><\/span>Happy Space-Efficient Gaming &amp; Working!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><em><strong>Bigger isn\u2019t always better.<\/strong><\/em> The smallest ATX cases of five years ago kind of sucked compared to the generally excellent ones you can find today.<\/p>\n<p>As long as you have solid plans for keeping your components cool and for upgrading your travel-sized rig a few years down the line, a slim PC case is a great buy.<\/p>\n<p>Is there a mid-tower (or smaller) ATX case you love that you\u2019d like to let us know about? Have any questions about compact ATX cases that we can answer for you?<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Let us know in the <a href=\"https:\/\/g100.us\/forum\/\">Forum<\/a> or the <a href=\"#comments\">comments<\/a>!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most of us wouldn\u2019t say no to a PC stuffed with beastly hardware, but not everyone has the desk or floor space to stash a tower the size of a child. Fortunately, PC component and case manufacturers are catching on to the growing demand for small yet powerful rigs, so there are plenty to choose...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2334,"featured_media":9327,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[74],"tags":[182],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9318"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2334"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9318"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9318\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21335,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9318\/revisions\/21335"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g100.us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}