Best small form factor pc case

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

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

Best small form factor pc case

This is a Mini ITX case which allows degree access to the components therein, with space for a mm AiO or mm high air cooler, triple-slot graphics cards up to mm in length and seven fans in total. Sadly, this isn't the slightly better NRP version, which adds on a riser cable for vertical GPU mounting, a tempered glass side panel and an extra slim mm fan. However, I genuinely think that the mesh side panel and a horizontal GPU mount allowed for with the standard NR is the better option for thermals and noise anyway, so if you're not building for aesthetics specifically I'd say that it's not a huge deal. You can pop off almost all of the panels without a screwdriver, which makes mounting components and routing cables quite straightforward. Choosing a Mini ITX motherboard, SFX power supply and mm AiO is the most convenient option and makes for a quick and convenient build, but you can make up other setups work with larger motherboards, power supplies etc if you're willing to sacrifice elsewhere. People have even done full custom loops in these cases, which is pretty neat. Once built, the ventilation throughout makes for fairly cool and quiet components, though of course larger cases are still superior when it comes to overall thermals. If you want something that you can easily pop on a desk or even stuff in a backpack though, the Cooler Master NR is one of my all-time favourite options. Deals: Get Intel's legendary Optane P 1. If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Yes, Mini-ITX cases are good for users who want all the necessary functions of a PC without acquiring a lot of space on the desk. And inside there are tags and stickers indicating what goes where, and how to shift things around to gain access to the motherboard tray, for example.

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

The 6. But while many other types of tech have continued to shrink, most people are still building PCs in bulky towers with full-size ATX motherboards. There was a time when opting for Mini-ITX meant trading performance for a smaller PC, requiring compact components like short, compact graphics cards and low-profile coolers. While opting for a small-form-factor SFF SFX power supply is still often a requirement in the smallest cases, most ITX cases released in recent years also support full-length two- or three-slot graphics cards. Still, that's not always the case, and cards have gotten larger with the arrival of Nvidia's So be sure to check clearances before buying.

Best small form factor pc case

The primary benefit of a mini-ITX PC case is its compact size, which occupies far less room compared to the traditional mid-tower or full-tower cabinets. This results in increased desk space for accommodating additional peripherals and other accessories. Moreover, this compactness enhances its portability, making it convenient for transportation to LAN parties or a friend's residence. Here are our favorites.

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Then trying to mount a capable-enough cooler into the limited confines of a mini-ITX case… well, that's a task in itself. Users looking to downsize their PC case without sacrificing space for all of one's components and necessary cooling can find great options with Mini-ITX cases. I've even seen builds in it, so it can definitely be a ton of power in such a small case. Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian. So be sure to check clearances before buying. Reasons to avoid - Noisy. Best Airflow. How did the Dan A4 not make the list? Ventilation is also optimal with multiple ventilated areas that allow cool air for intake from the bottom and sides, and the dust filters will ensure that the build remains cleaner for a longer time to avoid overheating. If you want something that you can easily pop on a desk or even stuff in a backpack though, the Cooler Master NR is one of my all-time favourite options.

Desktop PCs offer advantages over laptops, but full tower builds can take up too much space.

But the Ncase M1 let's you decide how you want to cool it - air or liquid. Featuring a tall height, the case allows up to mm radiators. Users cannot install tall coolers or a standard-sized PSU in this case, but despite these limitations, the AIO and fan support are surprisingly top-notch. While a mini-ITX build takes a little more patience and experience to do well, the rewards are much higher. Even though it features an ultra-compact design, it doesn't lack proper support for the components. It's separated into two different chambers to allow plenty of space for installing the motherboard, cooler, and GPU. But then, mine never caught fire, which is a good thing because I've been using it as the basis for my office work machine ever since. It doesn't have as wide of an appeal as its ATX North cousin , since you'll be far more limited in your component and airflow options with the Terra. Available with either a mesh side as we tested or tempered glass, and in white with chrome accents on the IO and feet, or black with some seriously pretty brass, this is arguably the prettiest PC case ever produced, period. Mesh is also incorporated into the design for plenty of airflow. Our expert review:. Pros aside, users need to keep in mind that this chassis only supports a single 2.