With just two of the company's F120Q Airflow case fans behind a skeletal frame with a perforated front panel, the NZXT H7 Flow manages to deliver excellent temperature and noise level numbers in our testing, beating or competing well against pricier chassis with more fans and glass panels. But know that generally speaking, the more glass found on a case, particularly in the front, the warmer your system is likely to run.

If you want to show off your case's internals, a case like Hyte's Y60 with its panoramic glass is certainly appealing. Take the time to find a case that appeals to you visually. But after that, find something that appeals to you visually. Don’t forget to check airflow and that your parts will fit. Your case of choice is likely to spend lots of time in your peripheral vision. Choose a chassis that you like to look at.

Check our cooler reviews for our cooling test results before buying, and remember that cases with glass fronts and tops restrict airflow and may need extra fans. Airflow is important in choosing the best PC case, especially when it comes to high-end components in tight spaces.

Cooling is key, especially in small cases.

This will dictate the size of the cases to consider. Before prioritizing looks, you’ll want to know what motherboard, graphics card, and cooler you’ll be using, plus how many drives you’ll want to install.

Figure out what parts you have/want first.

As long as you check whether the parts you want to use will fit and you like the looks, one of these cases should keep you happy for several years to come. You can choose to go for one of the best Mini-ITX cases to minimize your system’s footprint on your desk, or you can get a chassis like Fractal Design’s Meshify 2 to house a big, butt-kicking workstation with lots of expansion possibilities.īelow we’ve gathered a list of the best PC cases from the dozens of models we've tested in recent years. Getting the best PC case for you is key, because it's what forms the identity of your computer, dictating its looks and what fits inside, plus the noise levels in your room, and the cooling potential for your rig as well.

But you really should consider your case options early.

Mac plus computer case